Are dogs allowed on Sweeney Ridge?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Sweeney Ridge but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Sweeney Ridge?

No, Sweeney Ridge does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Sweeney Ridge?

Sweeney Ridge is rated moderate. It is 4.8 miles long with 1,063 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See California trail conditions

ModerateOut and Back

California

Sweeney Ridge

San Bruno, California

4.8 mi

Distance

1,063 ft

Elev. Gain

1h 58m

Est. Time

Out & Back

Route Type

Moderate

Difficulty

About This Trail

Sweeney Ridge, is a 1,200-acre (5 km2) hilly hiking area of ridges and ravines between San Bruno and Pacifica, California, about a 25-minute drive south from San Francisco. The ridge's 1,200-foot-high summit, covered with coastal scrub and grassland, slopes down to San Francisco Bay on the east and to the Pacific Ocean on the west. The ridge is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Historically, the ridge is the location of the San Francisco Bay Discovery Site, commemorating the Portolá expedition's first sighting of San Francisco Bay on November 4, 1769.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:186 ft

Max:383 ft

324 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Out & Back
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.