Vote for Pedro

Hike Pedro Point by Pacifica

05.11.2015

Green marks the spot. A green gate, that is. Hidden off Highway 1, just north of Pacifica's Devil's Slide Tunnel, this unassuming entrance leads to a 2.2-mile (round-trip) hike with spectacular views of the rugged Peninsula shoreline at Pedro Point. The trail's crown jewel? Pedro Summit, a bluffside vantage where hikers can gaze 600 feet downwards to treacherous crashing waves. Underneath, on the ocean's floor, are remnants of two shipwrecks, the Drumburton and the James Rolph (the wrecks are accessible to advanced divers only). To reach Pedro Summit, begin a gentle climb along the exposed South Ridge Trail. After 0.6 mile, this well-maintained dirt path turns into Bluff Trail. California golden poppies dot the next 0.5-mile ascent through a resplendent mix of fluorescent fuchsia and yellow ice plant blooms before giving way to an unobstructed seascape punctuated by Pedro Rock, a photogenic and jagged knife-like edge jutting into the ocean with strata dramatically upended. One final push and victory is yours! Views stretch from Point Reyes to San Francisco’s Cliff House and the Golden Gate Bridge. You can often see all the way out to the Farallon Islands. Return the way you came.

TIP: Add an hour to your hike by continuing onto the Devil's Slide segment of the Coastal Trail, an easy 1.3-mile (one-way) out-and-back asphalt path whose well-marked northern trailhead is adjacent to the green gate. This popular multi-use trail offers more cliff-hugging coastal views of Pedro Rock.

NOTE: We don't recommend hiking this trail after heavy rains. Wait a few days because its location can make it more slick and unpredictable after heavy rain. Park at the Devil's Slide trailhead parking lot, off Hwy. 1 just before the Devil's Slide Tunnel, heading southbound. The green gate is a two-minute walk around the corner, where very limited additional free parking is available. Check out a map of trails. Make sure to arrive early on weekends; the lot fills up quickly. Additionally, the City of Pacifica operates a free weekend shuttle that arrives at the northern trailhead. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Perles Beach Angel Island San Francisco Bay

    Secret Beach

    A hidden beach and a killer view? Those are hard to come by, but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Perles Beach on Angel Island. Bike or hike to this beautiful pocket cove.

    View

  2. Cinematic Sonoma

    Longer days. Golden light. Wildflowers in bloom. It’s the perfect moment to plan your spring escape to Sonoma for the Sonoma International Film Festival, March 25–29. No fuss. No sprawl. Just films, friends, fresh air, and that unmistakable Sonoma glow.

    View
  3. Hike Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Mellow in the Marsh

    Beach, birds, ice plant popping purple flowers: That’s a hiking slam dunk! Hike about 2 miles at Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve using their easy to navigate (well-signed) Sequoia Audubon Trail.

    View
  4. A man is looking through his binoculars at sunrise at the Bayland Nature Preserve in Palo Alto

    Baylands Bird & Art Loop

    Combine an outdoor art walk and wildlife sightings at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. This 5-mile loop through Byxbee Park and the Emily Renzel Wetlands features striking installations by artists Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer—where the landscape itself becomes part of the canvas.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Tree Town

    Home to an estimated 21,000 trees and 100 acres of parkland, South Pasadena has earned its nickname: the City of Trees. This 2.5-mile neighborhood walk lets you experience its leafy canopy up close, winding through charming streets and three of the city’s beloved parks.

    View

  2. A Better Way to Baldwin

    The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City is one of West L.A.’s most popular hiking spots, but most visitors miss the bigger picture. This 3.5-mile out-and-back along a section of the Park to Playa Trail offers a fuller experience of this gorgeous nature park with sweeping urban views and a few artistic surprises along the way.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

    View
  4. A woman standing at the pond's edge at Ernest B Debs Regional Park in Los Angeles. Trees are making reflections on the pond.

    Urban Oasis Loop

    Home to the city’s Audubon Center, Ernest E. Debs' 282-acre park features a robust network of hiking trails and surprising wildlife diversity. More than 140 bird species have been spotted here. Birdwatcher or not, this 2.5-mile route makes for a gorgeous outing.

    View