When we travel with a destination in mind, we also stop along the way to explore new places.
In early October, this meant we stopped
- for lunch at the Beach Chalet – great meal, great service in historic place overlooking Ocean Beach in San Francisco
- for a walk at San Pedro Valley County Park in Pacifica
San Francisco still offered a light fog, but by the time we got to Daly City the sun was out. The sun hardly ever shines in Daly City – witness the huge warning lights at intersections along Hwy 1. The ocean was gleaming under the sun in Pacifica. Gorgeous.
We headed inland on Linda Mar Blvd. (Often a good idea to avoid the foggy coast.) A short zig-zag brought us to San Pedro Valley County Park. This 1,100 acre park has a small Visitors Center, a nature trail, picnic grounds and several trails. Trails are not long, but most go uphill for great views of the area. One links to Montara Mountain Rd to extend your hike.
We hiked the short Nature Trail, and then walked past the picnic grounds along South Fork of San Pedro Creek. Cement tanks indicate remnants of an old trout farm flooded out in 1962. Before that the valley was part of the Spanish Mission system. Before that the Ohlone lived here.
In winter, farther up this trail, up Brooks Creek is a 3-tiered waterfall. It might be worth the trek.
As we studied the map, trying to figure out the loop trail, a runner stopped to help. The map puzzled her too, but being a neighbor to the park, she ran here every day. She knew it her way.
How do you know your park? Without maps and paraphernalia?
Words by Lynn Millar
Photos by Mike Millar
San Pedro Valley County Park: 600 Oddstad Blvd Pacifica. Free for old folks. Opens at 8am, closes at: depends on the time of year.
