The San Mateo Classic 2019

The San Mateo Classic Coastwalk

Back by Popular Demand!
REGISTER

The San Mateo Classic Coastwalk

August 2-6

5 days/4 nights

Rating: Moderate

Maximum Capacity: 25

$625 Non-Member Price

$600 Coastwalk Member Price

Enjoy the San Mateo Coastal trail while camping at Half Moon Bay State Beach and lodging at the Point Montara Historic Lighthouse Hostel. Daily hikes include Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park, the Cowell-Purisima Trail, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, the Jean Lauer Trail along the heights of Pillar Point Bluff, Montara Mountain, and the Devil’s Slide Trail. Relax at the end of each day with coastal sunset conversations and delicious meals provided by our volunteer chefs.

Highlights:
Quarry Park and Wicklow Open Space, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (bluffs only), Jean Lauer Trail along the heights of Pillar Point Bluff, Cowell-Purisima Trail, Montara Mountain, Devil’s Slide trail, and the comforts of the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel, perched on spectacular cliffs of the California coast.

Trip Includes:
Camping, parking, and hostel fees; guided hiking; shuttle transportation; gear haul; light breakfast fixings (cereal, juice, coffee); dinners (4).

Make sure to bring:
Food for your lunches (4 days).

Average Daily Hiking:
5 to 9 miles.

Types of Hiking Surfaces:
Coastal bluffs, sandy beaches, steep coastal mountains, paved roads.

Elevation Gain/Loss:
Climb and descend 1400 feet in 2.4 miles with many switchbacks on Montara Mountain.

Fitness Requirements:
Hikers should be in excellent physical condition, as the Montara Mountain and Devil’s Slide hikes will require stamina and physical exertion with potentially warm or hot weather conditions.

Highlights:
Quarry Park and Wicklow Open Space, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (bluffs only), Jean Lauer Trail along the heights of Pillar Point Bluff, Cowell-Purisima Trail, Montara Mountain, Devil’s Slide trail, and the comforts of the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel, perched on spectacular cliffs of the California coast.

Trip Includes:
Camping, parking, and hostel fees; guided hiking; shuttle transportation; gear haul; light breakfast fixings (cereal, juice, coffee); dinners (4).

Make sure to bring:
Food for your lunches (4 days).

Average Daily Hiking:
5 to 9 miles.

Types of Hiking Surfaces:
Coastal bluffs, sandy beaches, steep coastal mountains, paved roads.

Elevation Gain/Loss:
Climb and descend 1400 feet in 2.4 miles with many switchbacks on Montara Mountain.

Fitness Requirements:
Hikers should be in excellent physical condition, as the Montara Mountain and Devil’s Slide hikes will require stamina and physical exertion with potentially warm or hot weather conditions.

Murray Ranch State Park

 

Directions to Sweetwood Group Camp at Frenchmans Creek, Half Moon Bay State Beach:

 

You must use the following directions to find the campground.

 

Driving north from the city of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1 (Cabrillo Hwy), you will pass Venice Blvd on the left and then Frenchmans Creek Road on the right.  Then there is a traffic light at Ruisseau Francais Ave.  At this light if you look left towards the ocean you will see a small road called Naomi Patridge Trail that goes

through a thick grove of eucalyptus trees. Turn left onto Naomi Patridge Trail.  Drive through the gate, through the eucalyptus grove and into the parking area for Sweetwood Campground.

 

Parking: The first twelve cars will park right at the campsite and the rest will park in the overflow lot.  There is a $10 per car per day fee for the overflow parking.  If you are one of the ones that have to pay this parking fee, you will reimbursed by Coastwalk.

 

Check-in time is 2:00PM but I will be there well before that to see if they will allow us to check-in early.

 

Showers: There are outdoor showers at the Venice Beach restrooms, a short (5 minute) walk from Sweetwood Campground.

 

Day 2 – Sat. Aug 3 – Cowell-Purisima Trail (only open weekends and holidays!) -approx 7 miles total

 

This spectacular stretch of the California Coastal Trail opened to the public in 2011.  Meander past rich farm fields and gaze out at the Pacific Ocean as you hike along this 3.6 mile bluff-top trail just south of Half Moon Bay.  We continue north through the golf course, past the Ritz Carlton, and then along the beach or the bluffs to Half Moon Bay State Beach, passing through Wavecrest Open Space.

Overnight: Sweetwood Group Camp

 

Day 3 – Sun Aug 4 – Jean Lauer Trail, CCT Section 4 (4.5 mi) and part of

CCT Section 5 (2.25 miles) – 6.75 miles total

 

Starting near HI Point Montara Lighthouse, we walk along Vallemar Street and onto the coastal bluffs until we get to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.  We will spend some time here to investigate the Reserve.  We walk through the little town of Moss Beach and onto the Jean Lauer Trail along the heights of Pillar Point Bluff, coming down from the bluffs at the outskirts of the little town of Princeton-by-the-Sea.  We will stop in the town for lunch where you can either eat your own “brown bag” lunch or eat at one of the several restaurants at Pillar Point Harbor.  After lunch we walk along Half Moon Bay State Beach until we arrive at our vehicles.

 

Overnight: HI Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel, Check-in after 3:30PM

16th Street and Highway 1, Montara, 650-728-7177

Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this historic lighthouse and hostel is set against the breathtaking scenery of the California Coast.  Here we will enjoy bunk beds in shared rooms, showers, a full kitchen, and free WiFi!

 

Day 4 – Mon. Aug 5 – CCT Section 3 Montara Mountain (approx 4.5 miles)

For Day 4, we have two choices:

  • Start from the San Pedro Valley Park Visitor Center and take the 2.4 mile Montara Mountain Trail. This trail climbs above 1400 feet and has lots of switchbacks, continuing on the North Peak Access Road (0.8 miles).
  • Start from the Sanchez Adobe County Historic Site and climb approximately 900 feet on the 3.2 mile Old San Pedro Mountain Road (fire road).

Either way, we continue on the Old San Pedro Mountain Road and come out to a parking lot on Highway 1 via the Gray Whale Cove Trail (1.3 miles).

 

Overnight:  HI Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel

 

Day 5 – Tue. Aug 6 – Devil’s Slide and Pedro Point Headlands (5.4 miles total)

The group drives their own cars to the Devil’s Slide South Parking lot in Pacifica. We walk the 1.5 mile Devil’s Slide Trail and then continue hiking in Pedro Point Headlands, where we will complete a 2.4 mile loop trail and hike back to our cars via the Devil’s Slide Trail.  Here we say our farewells and begin our journeys back home.

 

 

 

What to Bring

  • Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad
  • Sturdy walking shoes/boots, preferably with vibram soles
  • Windbreaker/parka
  • Fleece pullover, sweatshirt or sweater for warmth
  • Long pants and long sleeve shirt (protection against sunburn, poison oak, and tics)
  • Hat for sun protection, watchcap/beanie for cold, windy conditions
  • Other clothing – underwear, T-shirts, socks, etc.
  • Sun glasses with UV protection
  • Personal first aid kit (Band-Aids, antiseptic, blister pads, aspirin,
  • bug repellant)
  • Toiletries, sunscreen
  • Day pack, water bottle
  • Mess kit: plate, cup, bowl, eating utensils
  • Personal medicines
  • Flashlight with new batteries (headlamp type works best)
  • Folding chair
  • lunches

 

David Coli: David has been an avid hiker and backpacker since graduating from high school in 1970. He has been able to hike many of the county, regional and state parks near his home in San Jose, and nearly every year he does a backpack trip in his beloved Sierra Nevada Mountains or in the canyon lands of the Southwest. For the last few years he has set his sights on hiking the California Coastal Trail, having completed the San Luis Obispo,
Sonoma, and Mendocino Coast Walks.

2019 San Mateo Coastwalk Resource Links

 Half Moon Bay State Beach:

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=531

Burleigh H. Murray State Park:

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=535

Cowell-Purisima Trail:

https://openspacetrust.org/hike/cowell-purisima-trail/

HI Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel:

www.norcalhostels.org/montara

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve:

https://parks.smcgov.org/fitzgerald-marine-reserve

Jean Lauer Trail:

https://openspacetrust.org/hike/jean-lauer-trail/

San Pedro Valley Park:

https://parks.smcgov.org/san-pedro-valley-park

Devil’s Slide Trail:

https://parks.smcgov.org/devils-slide-trail

Backpacking 101 for Families – Mendocino

Backpacking 101 for Families-Mendocino

NEW! Improve your backpacking skills with experienced guides
REGISTRATION CLOSED

 Backpacking 101 for Families

August 9-12, 2018
$400
4 days 3 nights 

Rating: Moderate  Max Capacity: 12
Must be able to carry a 30-40 pound backpack for 3 miles.
Ages 12 and up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

This exciting new Coastwalk adventure is designed to help you learn how to camp and backpack for the first time. It is designed as a multi-generational event to help families focus on developing independence and confidence in nature with just the basics. Coastwalk will provide leadership, campsites, and dinners each evening: (breakfast and lunches not provided; detailed suggestions for backpack meal planning will be sent to all registrants). Experienced Coastwalk volunteers will show you how to set up camp,build a campfire, filter water, cook a meal, and wash up after, all in an environmentally sensitive manner.

 

Trip Includes:

camping; dinner and light breakfast, hot water/coffee, educational daytime prgrams, evening programs and guided hiking.

Make Sure to Bring:

tent, sleeping bag and pad, ground cloth or rain fly; water resistant or water-proof light weight jacket (damp weather is a likely event), sturdy boots and clothes suitable to changeable weather.

Average Daily Hiking:

5 miles a day

Types of Hiking Surfaces

sand and dirt trails

Elevation Gains & Losses

minimal

Fitness Requirements

Must be able to carry a 30-40 pound backpack for 3 miles.
Ages 12 and up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Beginning  Backpacking at Van Damme State Park, August 9-12, 2018. Itinerary

DAY 1: Thursday, August 9.

Meet at 2PM, Van Damme State Park group campground. After introductions we will set-up camp for the first night, then enjoy the Beach and walk some of the California Coastal Trail (CCT.),  up to five miles round trip, on park road, beach and bluff top trail.  Dinner 6 PM.  After dinner we will go over some basic camping necessities: fire building, cooking, water filtering, “Light on the Land” and “Pack it in, Pack it out”.

Day 2: Friday, August 10.

Breakfast 7-8 AM.  After breakfast backpackers hike into Environmental Camp, up Fern Canyon trail, 2 1/2 miles, 330 feet elevation gain.  There we’ll make camp and enjoy some free time. Just before dinner we can go over some of the skills from last night as needed. Then we’ll make a communal  dinner about 6 PM, campfire after dinner.

Day 3: Saturday, August 11.

Breakfast 7-8 am.  After breakfast we’ll hike up to the Pygmy Forest, about five miles round trip and 500 feet elevation gain. At the Pygmy Forest we’ll find a nice place for lunch.  Return to environmental camp.

Dinner 6PM.

Day 4: Sunday, August 12.

Breakfast 7-8 AM.  10 AM Packers hike back to Van Damme Group Campground.  Where we can review our efforts and lessons learned.

Noon: Trip concludes

 

 

David La Follette – Mendocino Trip Leader

I am a third generation Californian, now living in Ukiah, in Mendocino County. I have an education in Biological Science and years of experience in traveling and working in the woods and enjoying our Natural History.

Having retired from Cal Fire about ten years ago I got to travel all around the State fighting fires. Now I get to go to some of the Beautiful natural areas of this state and the world seeing the fauna and flora as a Naturalist.

I first become aware of Coastwalk in 1983 when as President of Madrone Audubon Society; a group of coastal activists approached the Sonoma Environmental Counsel seeking seed money to start Coastwalk. I joined their group and helped organize and lead the first couple of years of “Walks”. Then a permanent position with CDF opened up in Mendocino County and I took it. As a wildland fire fighter, back then, we couldn’t take summer vacation so making plans with Coastwalk ended, until I retired.

With my summers free again, I have coordinated and led about ten years of “Walks” in Mendocino, Sonoma, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. My commitment to Coastwalk has grown as I stepped up to help, with the Walks Committee, as a Day Hike Leader and now on the Advisory Committee. Our latest project, a “Service Walk” will bring out my knowledge of working in the Forest with hand tools and combine it with coordinating a camping/hiking trip like a Coastwalk. This project will bring me a lot of satisfaction actually building another section of the California Coastal Trail. Finishing the whole CCT. is a life time goal of mine.

For more information please feel free to explore the links below.

Public Transportation: Mendocino Transit Authority (800-696-4682)

http://mendocinotransit.org/

Weather

https://weather.com/

The zip code for Fort Bragg is 95437.

San Francisco to the Headlands Classic 2018

San Francisco to the Marin Headlands

Camping in San Francisco! Who knew?
REGISTRATION CLOSED
July 31- August 3

 4 days/3 nights

CAMP/LODGING

Rating: Moderate

$475

San Francisco to the Marin Headlands Coastwalk

July 31- August 3

MODERATE: hikes of 5 to 7 miles per day; 4 days/2 night camping, 1 night lodging; 24 capacity.

$475 Adult

 

Hike where the City by the Bay meets the ocean! Enjoy the rare experience of waking up in the eucalyptus groves of San Francisco’s Presidio. Hike through western San Francisco, Ocean Beach, the Cliff House, Land’s End, and the beautiful homes of Seacliff. Crossing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, we make our way to the Marin Headlands. Hike through miles of wild coastal scrubs and flowery grasslands, viewing both spectacular rugged landscapes and city panoramas along the way. Wind down at the Marin Headlands Hostel with dinner, warm beds, and hot showers.

Max Capacity: 20

 

 

Highlights:

View the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge from several vantage points; an introduction to local maritime history, sleep in the only campground in San Francisco, in a grove of Eucalyptus trees overlooking Baker Beach; hike a unique mix of urban trails and wild headlands

Trip Includes:

camping & lodging fees; dinners, hot water/coffee; gear haul;

Make Sure to Bring:

cash or wallet for ferry transportation and bus transportation

Average Daily Hiking:

average 7 miles per day

Types of Hiking Surfaces

sidewalks, trails and some sandy beach walking; some stairways

Elevation Gains & Losses

moderate elevation gain/loss of 400 to 900 feet each day

Fitness Requirements

There are no fitness requirements for this trip.

 

 

 

average 7 miles per day

Types of Hiking Surfaces

sidewalks, trails and some sandy beach walking; some stairways

Elevation Gains & Losses

moderate elevation gain/loss of 400 to 900 feet each day

Fitness Requirements

There are no fitness requirements for this trip.

ITINERARY:

San Francisco to Marin Headlands Classic Coastwalk
Sample Itinerary

Subject to change (some hikes and campsites use special permits. This itinerary is not a recommendation for personal use)

Day 1:
The walk begins and ends in Tiburon (Marin County). We’ll take the ferry to San Francisco, and walk along Fishermans Wharf and Aquatic Park, pausing for lunch at Fort Mason, then hike through the historic Presidio to our campsite. We will arrive at the Rob Hill camp in time for refreshments and a tasty dinner cooked by Coastwalk volunteers. We will camp two nights at Rob Hill, overlooking the Golden Gate. The campground has restrooms and cold water but no showers. The weather at Rob Hill can be cold.

Day 2:
We will hike the Coastal Trail along San Francisco’s western shore. Then we will walk among quiet neighborhoods and along Ocean Beach. Near the Cliff House we’ll visit the ruins of Sutro Baths (recently home to a river otter named Sutro Sam). Then, we’ll take the Coastal Trail along the edge of the Golden Gate, over Lands End, past the fancy houses in the Seacliff neighborhood, and walk along Baker Beach or through Lobos Creek Dunes.

Day 3:
We’ll hike across the Golden Gate Bridge, then follow the Coastal Trail across the Marin Headlands, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and arrive mid-afternoon at the Marin Headlands Hostel. We may be able to visit Point Bonita Lighthouse.

Day 4:
We will explore the coast near Rodeo Beach, then share our final lunch near Rodeo Beach or Tennessee Valley, and then we will be shuttled back to our cars.

 

 

Jack Leutza, Ben Pease, and Marcia Popper have almost 60 years of Coastwalk leading experience between just the three of them!

Jack LeutzaJack will be your on site coordinator for the entire trip. Jack has been leading trips with Coastwalk for many years. He is the head of the San Francisco team.Recently he has become a Master Gardener. Jack and his wife lives in Petaluma, CA.

Ben PeaseBen Pease works as a cartographer specializing guidebooks and park brochures, and publishes trail maps showing the coast from San Francisco Point Reyes and Santa Cruz. An avid trail builder, he helped plan the Bay Area Ridge Trail through San Francisco. He has co-led the San Francisco Coastwalk for two decades.

Marcia PopperPart of Coastwalk’s San Francisco team, Marcia is an active member of the Coastwalking community. You’ll probably see her on a day hike, or delivering a meal in the evening.

 

For more information please feel free to explore the links below.

 

Places to Stay

links coming soon

Weather

links coming soon