Great views especially on a clear day! One of the historic WW2 bunkers looking over the pacific…read morecoast horizon. Few parking spots near left side before the tunnel entrance "eyes" going north to SF. Use caution while walking from parking towards the bunker and surrounding bunker area as there are no fences.. also noticed adventurous mountain bikers on top of the tunnel...definitely recommend to stop by and enjoy the pacific coastal views!

Went with a couple of friends and really enjoyed this trail! It's an easy, paved path that's super…read morefamily-friendly and great for all levels. It was rainy and windy when we went, so we didn't get to fully enjoy the beautiful views it's known for but you can tell it's a gorgeous spot on a clear day. Definitely planning to come back when the sun's out!

Who knew there was a castle in Pacifica? A nice visit if you're into history, architecture and want…read moreto see some views. Built in 1908 by the San Francisco rail magnate Henry Harrison McCloskey by the sea as a safe haven after his San Francisco home was severely damaged in the 1906 earthquake. It was later sold by his wife after her husband's death in 1914 Up until 1959, it had a reputation as a speakeasy, an illegal abortion clinic, a brothel and Coast Guard barracks during World War II. The castle was purchased and restored in 1959 by the late Sam Mazza, commercial painter and real estate magnate filled it with items from old theaters (fixtures, props) and items he purchased at garage sales...so a lot of kitschy items can be found. Place was never used as a residence but hosting parties and used as an event space. The place isn't as grand as I had imagined but definitely back in the day when Pacifica wasn't quite developed. A bit worn on the outside with no greenery and can see it providing a creepy backdrop at night. The docents (dressed as Mr and Mrs McCloskey) and Jeanette Cool, Executive Director of the Sam Mazza Foundation provided rich history that made it interesting and fun. The tour is 1.5 hours with a 10min video from 2000 of Sam Mazza at age 94...energetic and a bit quirky, eccentric with unique taste. All his real estate holdings, including the castle, and his art was left to his foundation after he passed in 2002. So now the castle provides tours, afternoon tea, holiday events and even a Halloween event with a medium...yeah friend bought tickets for that! An enjoyable visit with light refreshments after so grab a bite to eat before or after your tour

Visited the Mazza Castle (aka Sam's Castle) on a Sunday evening for the Castle Music Salon. We were…read moreable to enjoy the extraordinary sounds of the Musical Art Quintet, talented musicians playing a wide range of tunes on string instruments including the cello, bass, violin, and viola (x2). The entire group was in good spirits and focused on their performance, yet also carefree as they spoke to the audience of their music and history. Refreshments were included with the ticket price, including various wine offerings. And guests were able to roam around the inside of the castle and explore a few of the different rooms before the show and during intermission. There was a steep hill on the drive up, but it wasn't too scary. The castle itself is beautiful, the structure simpler on the outside, but the inside, restored by Sam Mazza, is covered in quirky decor, furnishings, instruments, and artifacts collected from throughout the bay area (a lot of interesting paintings and sculptures, and even a suit of armour on the lower level). There's much to learn about this monument's incredible history, including its past as an illegal abortion clinic, its days as a speakeasy (Chateau Lafayette), and even its origin as a safe haven for Henry Harrison McCloskey's family when it was first built following the 1906 earthquake. Castle tours are available by reservation, organized by the Sam Mazza Foundation. They also hold a number of special events here occasionally, including the amazing Castle Music Salon that I recently attended. It's certainly worth a visit, I think moreso when you can view the castle in conjunction with an event.

There are a few entrances, but I think the most popular one is on Sneath Lane. This trail is paved…read moreand pretty steady and not too difficult for about a mile but then gets a bit steeper for the next mile to the top. On the way up you can see views of the San Andreas Reservoir Lake. After the rain you can hear the water flowing and see some little streams and wild mushrooms. To the ridge is a little under 2 miles. I like the fact there is a small bathroom which I find quite rare on trails like this. To the left is the San Francisco Discovery Site which has a plaque with some information. Apparently, this was the place the Spanish settlers first saw the San Francisco Bay. To the right the trail goes along the ridge to the remains of the old Nike missile site. The views are stellar, and one can see for miles on end, Marin, the city, Pacifica Mount Diablo, etc. I love watching all the planes coming in and out from nearby SFO. From Sneath the hike is about 5 miles and 2 hrs. I've also gone the Mori Trail route which is nice because it's not paved but this trail is steeper. It's worth checking out the funky Shelldance Orchid Gardens which is located at the trailhead but they are only open on the weekends.

This is a nice enough spot to go for a hike. It was easy to find my way to the Sneath Lane Trail…read moreParking using google maps, a small lot within a residential neighborhood, that fits about 10-15 vehicles. It was foggy, cold, and incredibly windy during my visit last week, and of course, there's an incline as the trail wraps around the mountain. But it wasn't too bad, the actual climb up didn't feel as difficult as it looked from a distance, starting with the sneath lane trail then connecting to other trails higher up. In fact, there are many options for different trails to take. The Baquiano Trail had a dirt pathway while the Notch Trail toward the Nike Missile Control Site was paved. Near the SF Bay Discovery Site, there's a small restroom building (it was pretty clean for a park facility, on a Thursday afternoon). The gorgeous foliage lining the various paths was captivating, along with lovely views of the hills, lake (san andreas reservoir), and sunlit scenery in the distance. Too foggy to enjoy the views the higher you get though, just a giant cloud of fog everywhere. I barely made it three miles out before turning back. It was just far too windy and foggy to wanna be out there very long (I'm sure hot days would be even worse with zero shade to be found). Plus my legs definitely had a workout from the uphill trek. Luckily the jog back down was a breeze. And I did slow down to appreciate the vegetation and vast array of plant species, once again, before leaving.

This historical landmark is beautiful. It's hidden and almost looks like it's in a middle of a…read moreforest. The parking lot is open Monday-Friday for only 30 mins. You can easily make a quick stop here or have a quick picnic in the grass area. It's gorgeous on a clear day. It's so peaceful.

Heads-up about weekend/holiday parking when the entrance gate is locked and only pedestrians can…read moreenter: I gave this place one star because I got a parking ticket--totally my fault, but it really ruined my day. The location itself is beautiful, just like everyone says. When I arrived and saw the gate was closed, I wasn't sure where to park. I noticed others parking along the street, so I followed their lead. Big mistake. There are signs that say "No Parking on Bike Lane." Please take them seriously--even if it looks like everyone else is doing it. I learned the hard way: I got a ticket. Don't make the same mistake. Be careful and park legally!

One of the most enjoyable hikes and trails I've been on. It runs along the coast on the old…read morehighway. Very scenic the whole way, paved walking path, some moderate inclines nothing too crazy pretty much anybody should be able to do the hike. There are restrooms on each side of the hike at the start and trip back around to the finish. Basically a step up from a porta potty, there is hand sanitizer in there they were pretty clean could be a lot worse than what it was, kind of nice to find one there if you need it. The hike was extremely enjoyable. I highly recommend.

Epic Trail Coastal…read moretrail that was once part of the PCH and was long considered one of the most dangerous parts of the drive due to its high volume of accidents and Coastal erosion in the area. It became accessible to hikers after the bypass tunnel was (finally!!) completed in 2013 after being talked about since 1958. The Good: *Superlative views *Paved AC trail *Two parking lots; one at the south end and one at the north end of the tunnel. *Gradual and easy slope *Dog & Bike friendly *Restrooms at both ends The Meh: *Zero shade, which shouldn't be an issue since the CA coast is almost always cloudy and cold. The Ugly: *Very short at only ±0.8miles one-way Conclusion: Gorgeous but very short trail.

Neat local flavor to take a look out…read more It's actually someone's house that they live in, so make sure to be mindful and polite when visiting (because I can't imagine how annoyed the neighbors would be with randos going in and out as well as just thinking this place is an eyesore with how rich and pretentious the neighborhood already seems). There are statues of the saber tooth there and Fred, some dinos. Lots of purple and orange colors. It's not only just Flintstones theme as there are bunnies, aliens, Terracotta warriors and an eclectic mix of decor. Neat, fun and interesting stop if you're nearby and on the way somewhere else.

Flintstones House Hillsborough CA Wed 4/12/23 ©…read moreLet me start by saying, this quirky house is not a tourist destination! For decades, this prominent feature in Hillsborough hills just off the scenic route Hwy 280 brought happy feelings to passers by! Of course it's been a curiosity for decades in existence... but wait! All it is, a wonderful single family residence, with a twist in a story full of intrigue & litigation! And it has its own Wikipedia page! I've told myself, Grey, you live close by, you've got to write about the Flintstones House! It's a curiosity worth noted, yet a source of controversy to its neighbors! A colorful authentically looking residence in the affluent Hillsborough community uniquely affected the inner moods within the neighborhood, while much of the story remained hidden from public eye. The listing wasn't on the Yelp maps until recently, a yelper put it on during the pandemic, the house itself has been gracing the hill for decades in existence. The Flintstones house has been renovated & changed hands some years ago... I believe it used to sport an off white stucco, at some point it got repainted bright orange & purple... sold in 2017 & that's when complaints began. As the storytelling goes, the original Flintstones suburban sprawl developed in real life! Much controversy to it in the recent years due to the current owner coloring it even brighter burnt color resembling the cave & decorating the yard even more...beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Neighbors considered yard decorations an eye sore! So they brought forth the law suits. The installations of dinosaurs became a point of contention. Maybe historic inaccuracies were getting on their nerves? :-) After all, all we know is that Fred & Wilma enjoyed the company of their pet dinosaur Dino, but were there many others in the Stone Age? What about a Giraffe, a woolly mammoth, and a Fred Flintstone himself?! I understand neighbors didn't want any attention in the affluent town they reside in. Well, the owner won the law suit! She gets to keep her dinosaurs! Not only that, but also $125K from the city for originating the architectural review in the first place! And we the public got to enjoy this amazing architectural creation for years to come! *Well, he packed his guitar and his bar-room tan, Gotta get some miles behind him as fast as he can, Another destination, some place else to play. *But as the night approaches, a change is in the air His heart is pumping fast, he's got no cares The music befriends him, it can take him anywhere It's a honky-tonk engagement But there's no better place to play His mind feels like crazy pavement He's getting crazed out every day [ Review #766 w 2 pix on May 2, 2023 ] Flintstones House! Hillsborough CA Wed 4/12/23 Yabba Dabba Doo! @Flintstones House Hillsborough CA Wed 4/19/23

Thanks to my cousin's husband who shared the info regarding Bootleggers Steps, I would not have…read morechecked it out. We hiked up to Mori Point & yay, We found Bootleggers Steps. Bootleggers Steps in Pacifica, CA. is a 200-foot climb with 185 steps that offer breathtaking views of the Pacific Coastline . If you find get to Mori Point, you will find Bootleggers Steps. Hmm, I wonder why this place got its name and found out Bootleggers Steps got their name from the park's history as a site for bootlegging during Prohibition. Details: Distance: 0.11 miles, 200 foot climb Views: 360-degree panorama of Pacific coastline History: Former site of bootlegging and World War II structures Heading up to Mori Point/Bootlegger was a quick 9 minutes, ( per hubby's GPS) but longer for us because I stopped along the way to take photos. The path was safe leading to the spot, just rocky at some areas, but OMG, Wow, the view was breathtaking so worth it giving up other SF plans for this. I had fun going down the steps and back up, easy peasy, My Life's grateful moments was experienced here!!

Outdoor stairmaster. This is my happy place. I thought sunset was the obvious best time to come but…read moreone day I did a full moonlit hike and was converted. One the edge of a cliff someone was playing the violin it was a very special moment that almost felt like a simulation. Everytime I come here I see something new and fascinating, I suppose that is the art of noticing.

Strawberry Hill is an island in the middle of Blue Heron Lake, with bridge access from the…read moresurrounding trails. Its peak features a spacious lookout point with giant logs, greenery, a few picnic tables, and views of the city and landscape partially blocked by trees but still lovely. There were just a couple visitors up there with their dogs during my recent midweek hike up this hill. The incline from ground level is minimal with multiple paths and staircases available for convenience, and it's just a couple minutes walk from the top of Huntington Falls. Combined with the entirety of what this place has to offer (waterfalls, picturesque lake, adorable waterbirds, trails allowing for a peaceful stroll with loved ones, pedal boat rentals on the lake), it's a pretty great spot, one of many awesome landmarks at Golden Gate Park.

Why is Golden Gate Park so beautiful…read more I chanced onto Strawberry Hills while looking for GG Park waterfall(s). Strawberry Hills gives a nice overview of the lake beneath as you walk up the hill. At the top, you get a pretty overlook of SF city. Image attached below. Definitely check out Strawberry Hills when you're in GG Park. And, if also chasing for waterfalls, definitely check out "Rainbow Falls". It is very beautiful as well.

Very cool, and very odd at the same time. Over the years while working nearby, I've come to…read moreappreciate the "wind harp" sculpture. A 92 foot structure of metal, it's actually very cool. When windy, this "thing" really howls with a tone like no other. If in a nearby building, you can actually hear it while inside at a meeting. At the same time, you get used to it. Recommendation: Pick a windy day to visit There's rumors about it (I suggest to try it): ================================= * If you throw a metal object, it will redirect and cling like a magnet to the sculpture * Try to throw a ball thru the sculpture, and it will bounce/reflect away and not penetrate. A Poem: ======== In South San Francisco's gentle breeze, A wind harp sculpture sways with ease, Its graceful form, a work of art, Sings a song from the depths of heart. A melody woven from the wind's embrace, Whispers secrets in an airy space, Strings of metal, resonating free, Echoing the city's symphony. Tall and slender, it reaches high, Against the clear, blue, open sky, Capturing the essence of the coast, In its harmonious, airy host. As the Pacific's breath does flow, Through this sculpted harp, music grows, A serenade for those who pass, A moment of peace, a breath, a class. So, in South San Francisco's grace, This wind harp sculpture finds its place, A reminder of nature's artful dance, In the city's embrace, a sweet romance.

We came on a cool and quiet day, there was a bit of wind, but not much. We also didn't go…read moreunderneath the structure, just around it, along the concrete pathways circling the grassy area where the towering piece of art is situated. We sat on a bench looking out into the distance. The area's not high enough to really offer spectacular views of any kind (the more desirable scenery is blocked by ordinary looking buildings). But the atmosphere at this site was peaceful. And the sculpture, stretching toward the sky, resembled a harp in its unique way, even if it didn't sound like one. We parked at a lot for TMB Baking since it was most convenient.