Sawyer Camp Trail

This is the most popular trail in the San Mateo County Park System. The course is a multi-use, dirt and paved 12-mile loop. At the start, you are treated to views and the reflections of the Crystal Springs Reservoir, which is appreciated more on the return on a hot, long distance day. Further on, look down into the meadow to see deer grazing. The trail has some gentle rolling hills, with flat areas. Much of the path is shaded with Monterey Cypress and Pine trees, and some Eucalyptus. Mile markers are posted throughout the course. At the 5-mile mark, near the San Andreas Lake, the trail becomes flat again to the turnaround at Hillcrest Blvd.

For additional mileage, continue out the gate and look for a dirt path that connects to the San Andreas Trail. It is a paved path that has some steep hills and beautiful viewpoints. This trail does not allow bicyclists, but you can continue by taking Hillcrest Road.

This is a good place for family or friends that want to bike along while you run. Biking for advanced cyclists is not recommended on this trail because of the heavy pedestrian traffic and the 15MPH speed limit. However, weekdays have less pedestrian traffic, and it is the best way to get to La Canada road to continue to Edgewood or Huddart Park.

It is a cinch to bike to the Sawyer Camp Trail from San Francisco. From Golden Gate Park, it is about 40M roundtrip.

Start from McLaren Lodge at Golden Gate Park:

Right on JFK Drive to the Great Highway.

Left on the Great Highway going south.

Right on Skyline (Highway 35) at Lake Merced. For a scenic overlook, stop in at Fort Funston. Skyline has bike lanes, but also lots of traffic, so be careful, especially when crossing over Highway 1 in Pacifica.

Left onto the bike path at San Andreas Lake. You will see a break in the fence and cars parked around the entrance. If you pass the entrance, you will enter I-280!

Left on Larkspur Drive, (no sign but it is at the end of the bike path).

Pass under I-280 then right on Skyline immediately under I-280.

Right on Hillcrest Drive, (the green sign says San Jose I-280, also the first possible right).

Left on Sawyer Camp Bike Trail, just after the freeway underpass.

Retrace route back to Golden Gate Park.

For additional mileage you can continue to Woodside, Old La Honda, Highway 84, or Stanford University.

Facilities: Restrooms and drinking water at the start and turnaround. Around the 3M marker, there are also facilities and a phone. (650) 363-4020.

Tips:

At peak times parking is usually full in front of the entrance. This does not stop some people from holding up traffic to get the closest available space so they do not have to walk any additional yardage, so they can walk the trail. Go figure.

Watch out for kids, rollerbladers and novices on mountain bikes.

Directions:

I-280 to Black Mountain Road exit.

Follow Skyline Blvd to gateway entrance.

If you are Northbound on 280, it's the first exist past 92, named BUNKER HILL. Take that exit and turn left (go west), crossing the highway. At the stop sign (dead end) turn right (head north) and drive ~3/4 mile. You will cross a bridge. Just past the bridge is a parking area. If you continue on to the stop sign the entrance to the big gates on your left will mark the trail. You can continue and park on the side of the street either in the pull in slots or along side further up the hill.

If you are Southbound on 280, take the BUNKER HILL exit. At the stop sign turn right and you will be on the road described above (~3/4 mi from the entrance).

View a Sawyer Camp Trail Map.

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