#3 McNee Ranch State Park

Welcome to McNee Ranch State Park!

These are some of my favorite local trails, so if you're looking for a nice place to hike during your stay in the Bay, McNee Ranch is a must.  Very rarely do you get to combine views of the beautiful blue coastline with lush green surroundings on a hike.  And on top of that, the marine layer adds for breathtaking view unlike anything else in the world!  There are a range of trail difficulties, so this place is great for people with all levels of hiking experience.  I'll do my best to pitch McKnee ranch with words, but honestly, the pictures are stunning so I'll let them speak for themselves.  

When you leave the parking lot and hit the lower elevation trails, the views of the ocean are to die for--and you won't  have to struggle to see them!  The coastal trail is mostly flat, and the view along the whole trail is absolutely breathtaking.  If you're looking for an easy way to relax and get in touch with nature, these lower trails are very peaceful. 

If you want a slightly more challenging hike, you can take trails that lead upwards and inland. Although you won't as much of the stunning ocean view, what you do see is still pretty great.  You'll run into some awesome plants, which give rise to awesome animals; My dad and I saw a standoff between a line of 5 hummingbirds and some loud blackbirds, which was really neat. Flowers of all types bloom along the hillside, and you get quite an eclectic mix of wildflowers.  The flowers pictured below progress from most normal to totally bizarre. Check it out!  

If you enjoy long hikes that make you break a sweat, no fear!  The hike to the top of the mountain packs heat in spite of the frigid coastal air.  If you hike to the top, you'll face roughly 4 miles of pure, muscle-aching uphill.  Be sure to stay hydrated and adequately nourished. The views along the way up make this strenuous hike absolutely worthwhile and will give you motivation to keep trudging upwards!

Check out the marine layer!

What makes this hike unlike anything else in the world is the marine layer, which is the white sheet of clouds known for rolling over the Bay (see above picture). The marine layer is a natural phenomenon that you only see in select parts of California.  The coolest thing about this hike is that you start below the marine layer, and by the top of the hike, you've made your way through it and above it! It almost feels like you've transcended reality and made it to the heavens.  

2 examples of hiking above the marine layer.

Although the fog does not photograph well, it rolls through select tracks of the hike like a river of clouds that you can touch. It's really a magical experience and pictures don't do it justice, but I highly recommend you experience it yourself!

After completing a strenuous hike, you can ice your legs in the Pacific Ocean at Montara State Beach (which is just across the street from the base of the hike).  This beach is quite a looker, but be warned that the ocean current is really strong!  You'll feel how powerful the waves are even by merely dipping your legs in to the shallows, so wading is not recommended for kids.  Current aside, beach is incredibly scenic and makes for quite the picnic.

View on the walk down to the beach

What a beautiful beach!

And with that, I hope I've convinced you to come check out McNee Ranch.  You will not be disappointed by the views— even the drive down to the park is beautiful.  Feel free to check out my notes about the hike below.  Thanks for reading!

Notes about the Hike to the Top

• Trail type: gravel
• Total distance: 7+ miles round trip depending on where you park
• Difficulty: fairly strenuous
• Trail erosion makes the hike downhill very slippery
• I fell three times on the hike down while wearing running shoes
• Trail shoes or hiking boots highly recommended
• The hike downhill takes concentration and is hard on the feet
• Main trail shared with mountain bikers and occasional horseback riders

In spite of a minor foot injury on the way down, I made it! Yay