Just south of the Pacifica Pier, a grassy headland juts into the ocean. Mori Point is one of the newer pieces of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 110 acres with views that the National Park Service says stretch from Point Reyes to Pedro Point. It works for a stroller-friendly wetland walk or a lung-busting climb.

Almost a hotel, or a casino

For nearly two decades, Pacifica residents and environmental groups fought off development proposals for the bluff, according to the Park Service. Instead of becoming a condominium, hotel, convention center or casino, the land went to the National Park Service in 2002. Work with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and hundreds of volunteers since then has added a boardwalk, improved trails and five ponds where California red-legged frogs breed.

The frogs and the snake that eats them

The red-legged frog is the largest native frog west of the continental divide and is often linked to Mark Twain's "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." The NPS says it has vanished from 70% of its former range. Hilltromper's guide notes that the same ponds support the frog's main predator, the endangered San Francisco garter snake, which has an orange head, blue and red markings and a turquoise belly. It's harmless to people. Rare San Francisco forktail damselflies use the ponds too.

Speakeasy days

The point is named for the Mori family, Italian immigrants who farmed the land in the late 1800s. By the 1920s their main business was the Mori Point Tavern, a well-loved spot through Prohibition. The NPS says an alleged 1923 raid led federal agents to seize 23,000 whiskey bottles. The building burned in 1966. Concrete ruins on the bluffs are left from a World War II-era sand and gravel operation, Hilltromper says.

Movie fans will recognize the cliffs from the 1971 film Harold and Maude. Hilltromper says the ending, with Harold's hearse racing up what is now the Lishumsha Trail and going over the edge, was shot here.

How to do it

Park at the small lot at Mori Point Road and Bradford Way. It has ADA-accessible restrooms, and there's street parking nearby. Follow Old Mori Trail about a third of a mile to the boardwalks. The wider trails are shared with dog walkers and mountain bikers. For the summit, the steep Bootlegger's Steps climb the bluff. Hilltromper suggests bringing a windbreaker and aiming for the afternoon, since morning fog can swallow the point.