The Peninsula Section of the Ridge Trail had been near the top of my list for a long time. San Mateo County was a conspicuous gap on my California hiking map. Finally in December 2025, right after Christmas, I set out to hike this section.
I took BART to Muni to the SF Zoo. I headed south, along the beach initially and then through neighborhoods. I met up with my friend Jack, and we headed south towards the SFPUC watershed lands. The actual ridge trail is almost impossible to get permits for, so we took an alternate along bike paths. The rain seemed to keep most of the bikers away, and we had a peaceful afternoon despite our pr0ximity to freeways and neighborhoods.
The race was on to get past the roadwalk before dark. Highway 92 with its narrow shoulders was unpleasant. Luckily after two hair raising miles, we arrived to Highway 35, which was much more peaceful. We continued on a few more miles before setting up camp. Directly east of the highway lay a brand new trail. 16 million for a few miles of over engineered trail. The trail looked complete, but we did not dare set foot on the heavily guarded SFPUC land.
After a long winter night, we set off again in the morning. Somehow, despite days of rain we had run out of water the night prior. Luckily, early the next morning, we found a creek. We sat by the creek for an hour, a luxurious indulgence on a daylight starved December day. Soon after we realized that we would have no more time for breaks all day.
We climbed out of the beautiful redwood choked Purisima Creek, and continued south on the Skyline trail. The day went on, alternating sides of Hwy 35, with the occasional road walk mixed in. Compared to yesterday, it felt remote and pristine. Soon we were in Sky Londa, and soon after hiking with Jack’s friend Sophie who graciously agreed to take us back to BART.
The last light arrived just as we were finishing our hike. We connected our footsteps with our hike three years prior. Clouds rolled in, and we both agreed we were grateful to not be spending another long night out here. We roared back down the hill towards the millions of light below, back towards artificial day and legal places to sleep.
The Bay Area Ridge Trail never fails to provide an adventure. Lack of Sierra-like solitude is more than made up for by constant change. A beach walk, a road walk, a short legally dubious section, a reservoir, water district land. The trail always keeps me on my toes. Jack and I have both spent both of our lives in the Bay, but we both agree we were blown away by some of the places we got to see. As I near the end of my ten year section hike of this trail, I can’t help but wish I had a little of the trail left to savor.
Anthony Ottati 