Ridge Trail Stats
Mileage: 5.27km/3.27miles
Elevation gain: 250m/820ft
Litter collected: 8 pieces
Total Hike Stats
Total mileage: 11.06km/6.87miles
Elevation gain: 364m/1,194ft
The forecasted heat at home was unbearable, so a friend and I headed out to the Pacifica area to see if we could get some cooler hiking temperatures. It wasn’t much cooler out by the ocean, and this section of the trail is pretty exposed, but the sea breeze sure did make a big difference.
We parked at the visitor lot at Skyline College. We weren’t 100% sure if this was legal, but it really did seem to be the only parking option for this trail. So we crossed our fingers and hoped that parking attendants weren’t out and about on the weekend.
This trail is no joke straight out of the gate, with almost all the elevation for the day coming in the first couple of km. But once you’re up the top, the views are so very worth it. Down one side of the ridge you can see Pacifica and the ocean, on the other side South San Francisco and the SF Bay. There was a fair amount of haze and I bet the views are even more spectacular on a clear day, although in this area you’re just as likely to be socked in with the marine layer.
The trail continues along the ridge and ends abruptly at a large barbed wire fence. There appears to be no option to do this section as a point-to-point hike.
A post-hike beer was definitely in order, so we tried out Rockaway Beach Brewery. A couple of years ago I went to a brewery in this same location, but it had closed down not that long afterwards. I have no idea when Rockaway Beach Brewery opened but it's great to see the spot occupied again. It’s an excellent location: dog-friendly and with a big outdoor area. I enjoyed a pint of their Pacifica Pills, while my friend tried a few different pints while watching the football game (she’s a keen Iowa fan). The vibe was good and the beer and food hit the spot after a short but hot hike.
October 3, 2026
