Sweeney Ridge facts for kids

A marker at Sweeney Ridge, celebrating the first sighting of San Francisco Bay.

Sweeney Ridge is a big, hilly area perfect for hiking, located between San Bruno and Pacifica, California, not far from San Francisco. It covers about 1,200 acres (or 4.9 square kilometers) and is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. From its highest point, which is 1,200 feet (about 366 meters) high, you can see both San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean! This special spot is famous because it's where explorers from the Portolá expedition first saw San Francisco Bay way back on November 4, 1769.

Exploring Sweeney Ridge

Want to explore Sweeney Ridge? You can get there from a few different places. On the Pacifica side, look for trails near Shelldance Nursery (called the Mori Ridge trail) or at the end of Fassler Avenue (the Baquiano Trail). If you're coming from San Bruno, you can start from Skyline College (using parking lots #2 and #4 for the Sweeney Ridge Trail) or from the end of Sneath Lane. The Sneath Lane path is paved, so it's great for bikes too!

Plants and Animals You Might See

Sweeney Ridge is a fantastic example of a "Northern coastal scrub" habitat. This means you'll see lots of shrubs like Coyote Bush, Yellow Bush Lupine, and California Yerba Santa. Some of these plants can grow quite tall, up to 6 to 8 feet high! The path from Sneath Lane takes you on a 2-mile walk through this shrubby landscape.

Higher up on the ridge, you'll find "California coastal prairie," which is mostly native grasses. You might also spot patches of beautiful Douglas iris flowers. The ridgetop is also a super important place for watching birds. Experts from the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory say it's one of the best spots in the Bay Area to see raptors (like hawks and eagles) flying north in the spring.

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  Calystegia occidentalis

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  Ceanothus thyrsiflorus

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  Delphinium californicum ssp. californicum.

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  Stachys bullata

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  Monardella villosa ssp. franciscana

A Glimpse into History

As you hike along the ridge trail, you'll come across some old, abandoned buildings. These buildings were once part of a special site called the SF-51C Nike missile control facility. It was a place where important equipment was kept a long time ago.

An old building at the SF-51C Nike missile control facility on Sweeney Ridge.

Amazing Views from the Ridge

Sweeney Ridge offers incredible panoramic views. From the top, you can see far and wide, making it a perfect spot for photography or just enjoying the scenery.

A panorama from near the summit of Sweeney Ridge trail

A panorama from partway up Sweeney Ridge trail