Saddle
Loop,
San Bruno State and County Park,
County of San Mateo Parks,
San Mateo County
In brief:
2.9 mile loop is one of the most popular routes in the park; great for easy exercise
but a bit dull, except in spring when wildflowers are abundant.
Getting there:
• From US 101 in San Francisco County, exit #429B Third Street/Cow Palace.
Drive south on Bayshore to the junction with Guadalupe Canyon Parkway, and turn
right. Drive uphill about 2 miles to the park entrance on the right side of the
road.
• From Interstate 280 in San Mateo County, exit #50 Mission Street. Take
Market to Guadalupe Canyon Parkway and drive east to the park entrance on the
left side of the road. (This is the most difficult way to the park if you're unfamiliar
with the area.)
Trailhead details:
$5 entrance fee (self-registration if kiosk is unstaffed). Once past the kiosk,
park in the first lot; drive straight toward the fire road gate, then turn right
(the lot is not really visible from the kiosk). Large parking lot. Maps available
at the entrance kiosk. Restrooms near the picnic area, north of the parking lot.
Pay phone in parking lot. There is no direct public transportation to the park.
Gas, food, and lodging:
Gas, stores, and restaurants on Mission and Bayshore. No camping.
Rules:
Bikes permitted on a few trails. Horses and hikers share the rest. No dogs.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 2.9 mile loop hike is easy, with about 120 feet of elevation
change.
The Official Story:
CSMP's
San Bruno page.
Park office 650-992-6770
Map Choices:
• Use AAA's San Francisco Bay Region map to get there.
• Map
from CSMP
• Afoot and Afield: San Francisco Bay Area, by David Weintraub (order
this book from Amazon.com) has a great map and descriptions of a San Bruno
hike.
• Trails of the Coastside and Northern Peninsula (map) is a good guide
(available from Pease Press).
• Peninsula Trails, by Jean Rusmore, has a simple map and trail descriptions
(order
this book from Amazon.com).
• The Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Book, by Tom Taber, has a simple
map and trail descriptions (order
this book from Amazon.com).
• View photos from this hike.
Saddle Loop is the most popular hike at San Bruno. 
An
easy under 3 mile circuit, the loop makes a fine exercise track for neighborhood
joggers and walkers. In Spring, Saddle Loop is a frequent destination for wildflower
enthusiasts. It's also a great "orientation" hike for active out-of-town
guests. Not only are there unparalleled views of San Francisco, but on a clear
day you may see the Farallon Islands, much of the Point Reyes Peninsula, Mount
Diablo, Mount Tamalpais, and the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Begin at the trailhead parking lot and walk north
a few feet. Saddle Trail, open to hikers, cyclists, and equestrians, starts
out skirting the picnic area under a tall stand of eucalyptus. Turn right onto
Saddle Trail. After about 300 feet, you reach a junction. The trail to the
right heads south. Stay to the left on Saddle Trail. The wide gravel and
dirt trail soon abandons the picnic area and starts an easy climb. You may see
coyote brush, sagebrush, and poison oak, but the dominant plant is gorse (spanish
broom), a non-native that has established a stronghold at San Bruno. As Saddle
Trail crests, you'll have nice views south to San Bruno's summit, and
east to Mount Diablo. The trail takes a turn north and west, revealing the tall
buildings of downtown San Francisco and the Bay Bridge. Saddle Trail ascends slightly,
then, near the northern border of the park, drops a bit, then heads west to a
signed junction at 1 mile. The trail to the left passes through San Bruno's day
camp, and ends back at the trailhead. This trail is an option for a shorter hike.
Continue straight on Saddle Trail.
Hawks, kestrels, and other raptors may be glimpsed
soaring through the skies. Saddle Trail begins a gentle descent. There are nice
views north and west. As you reach the western edge of the park, the trail sweeps
south, then ends at a signed junction at 2.1 miles. Turn left onto Old Guadalupe
Trail.
Wide, paved Old Guadalupe Trail is a level multi-use
path. You may see the native shrub California coffeeberry, but much of the vegetation,
such as acacia, cotoneaster, and eucalyptus, is nonnative. The trail reaches a
signed junction at 2.3 miles. You can take the trail to the right back to the
trailhead, although it'll probably be muddy in the winter and early spring. Continue
straight on Old Guadalupe Trail.
A thick forest of eucalyptus shelter the trail.
Old Guadalupe Trail winds through the trees on a level course, passing Bog Trail,
and then ending at a junction with Saddle Trail at 2.9 miles. Turn right to return
to the trailhead.
Total distance: 2.9 miles
Last hiked: Friday, November 17, 2000
Go to Bay Area Hiker Home page
An
easy under 3 mile circuit, the loop makes a fine exercise track for neighborhood
joggers and walkers. In Spring, Saddle Loop is a frequent destination for wildflower
enthusiasts. It's also a great "orientation" hike for active out-of-town
guests. Not only are there unparalleled views of San Francisco, but on a clear
day you may see the Farallon Islands, much of the Point Reyes Peninsula, Mount
Diablo, Mount Tamalpais, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. 
east to Mount Diablo. The trail takes a turn north and west, revealing the tall
buildings of downtown San Francisco and the Bay Bridge. Saddle Trail ascends slightly,
then, near the northern border of the park, drops a bit, then heads west to a
signed junction at 1 mile. The trail to the left passes through San Bruno's day
camp, and ends back at the trailhead. This trail is an option for a shorter hike.
Continue straight on Saddle Trail. 