San Mateo County Parks calls San Bruno Mountain a landmark of local and regional significance, "a unique open-space island in the midst of the peninsula's urbanization." The ridge runs east to west, with elevations from 250 feet to 1,314 feet at the summit, according to the county, which describes 2,416 acres of rugged landscape with outstanding views of San Francisco and the central Bay Area.
The summit
The highest point, Radio Peak, holds broadcast towers that serve the hilly Bay Area. Its height is listed as 1,319 feet in other references, a few feet higher than the county's figure. Summit trails on the four-mile ridge offer expansive views across the region.
Rare butterflies and plants
The mountain's soils and weather support rare and endangered plants, along with the Callippe silverspot, Mission blue and San Bruno elfin butterflies. The low-growing San Bruno Mountain bearberry has become widely used in drought-tolerant landscaping.
Neighborhood history
- Daly City's "top of the hill" neighborhood began on John Daly's dairy farm, settled by San Franciscans fleeing the 1906 earthquake.
- Colma's cemeteries line nearly two miles of the mountain's south side; most were developed after San Francisco evicted burial grounds from the city in 1912.
- Post-World War II housing tracts on the slopes inspired Malvina Reynolds' song "Little Boxes," a 1964 hit for Pete Seeger.
- A gravel quarry that opened in 1895 has supplied material for SFO runways and Highway 101.
Wildfire work underway
The county says ecosystem health and fuel reduction work is underway in the park to improve habitat and reduce the potential for dangerous wildfires. Check the county parks page for any trail impacts before you go.
Weather
Expect wind and fog. Wind speeds are higher than in surrounding areas, and marine fog often shrouds the mountain mornings and evenings from late June through October, especially on the western slopes.