Sweeney Ridge

[goobergunch]

Made it up to Sweeney Ridge (1240+') in the GGNRA on Saturday. It was a pretty easy hike and honestly a bit more crowded than I'd have preferred (although not so much that I felt unsafe, COVID-wise), but it had decent views of the San Bruno and San Andreas Lake areas. There were better views north from the old Nike missile site. While up there, I discovered that the ridge also contained California Historical Landmark No. 394, Site of the Discovery of San Francisco Bay, so I had to check it out—besides the old (and vandalized) marker, there are signs reïnterpreting the Portolá expedition from the Ohlone perspective. The actual state historical marker isn't on Sweeney Ridge, so after getting back to my car I drove over to Pacifica to check it out; located across from Pacifica State Beach, it also marks California Historical Landmark No. 24: Portolá Expedition Camp.

San Bruno Mountain, South San Francisco, and San Andreas Lake, from Sweeney Ridge (1240+').

Site of the Discovery of San Francisco Bay

Portolá Expedition Camp

 

(2:24, 5.6mi, +1077' from Sneath Lane, including side trips to the Nike missile site and historical marker.)

Comments

[savfan104]

I know Nike missile sites are a real thing with a different meaning, but I can't help but imagine a sneaker company armed with missiles.

Nice pics!

[goobergunch]

Thanks! And yeah, I can totally see that in a Jennifer Government kind of dystopia.