Hiking Adventures in the San Francisco Peninsula and Beyond
As some know, I am a near-native San Francisco. I grew up in the avenues. June through August were gloom and doom, with no sun in sight sometimes for weeks. September and October, our Indian Summer, were sublime. November was hazy. December could be perfect, especially on a still, clear day. Lands End is just … Continue reading Lands End to Fort Point (San Francisco)
I'll admit it; I was intrigued by the name of this hike: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mcnee-ranch-to-planet-of-the-apes 4.8 mile loop, about 1,200 feet elevation gain, per All Trails, although this one seemed longer and higher. Apparently, there is a "Planet of the Apes" bike ride, which starts in San Francisco and traverses San Pedro Mountain and/or Montara Mountain near … Continue reading McNee Ranch to Planet of the Apes
You could live in the San Francisco Bay Area for a lifetime and never find this place. 11.5 mile hike (1.5 of which was bonus mileage, due to a poorly placed sign (or a leader who was just going with the flow)), deep in Marin County. Super cold start (31 degrees F) warming up nicely … Continue reading Samuel P. Taylor State Park
Some have asked how the Peninsula Hiking Group (PHG) was formed. It's quite simple. I have lived on the San Francisco Peninsula for most of the past 20 years. I have been exploring the San Francisco Bay Area for most of the past 43. For the first 10 years in San Francisco, I lived not … Continue reading Hiking San Francisco
If there is a more efficient hike, I have yet to find it. Here's the map: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/whittemore-gulch-and-harkins-ridge-loop-trail 7.6 miles per All Trails (7.3, per my phone), 1800+ feet elevation change, 3 hours, down and up, fog, blue skies, ridges, second growth redwoods, creeks, a lonely banana slug, 8 intrepid hikers, lively conversation, on topics ranging … Continue reading Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP – October PHG Hike
It does not rain in the San Francisco Bay Area in September. I have lived here for nearly 43 years and can attest to this fact of nature. Sprinkle, maybe. Rain, definitely not. Thus, when my weather app forecasted 60% chance of rain at 8am this morning, I thought little of it. At 9am, it … Continue reading Pulgas Ridge OSP – September PHG Hike
I had first visited the Mauna Lani area, about 30 minutes north of the Kona Airport, in 1998. Same beach club below. Gary would have been there. During a recent visit, I learned that Gary, super-friendly, knowledgeable, relaxed, perfectly tanned, has been at this location since 1980, renting and mending kayaks and paddle boards, bantering … Continue reading Kona
I was sitting on the back patio of the Hotel Naniloa two Friday nights ago. An eternity, to be sure. Clear night. Warm breeze. Fabulous entertainment - a local singer with a guitar and a dry sense of humor. I'm going to play a song that everyone knows - and it's not Happy Birthday! American … Continue reading Hilo
Despite the elevation (nearly 4,000 feet), it was warm, about 75 degrees. Light breeze. Mostly clear sky, initially. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and a picnic lunch. Good hiking shoes are recommended, although tennis shoes were not uncommon on the trail, and I did see a few pairs of Crocs. This is a moderate hike, … Continue reading Kilauea Iki Trail and Crater Rim Trail
It was finally time to buy a second home and invite over a few close friends. Enjoy.
The Peninsula Hiking Club 