Rancho Corral de Tierra
Managed by: POST
Location: East of Highway 1 near Montara and Moss Beach, 7 miles south of San Francisco
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Fees: $5 per vehicle entering via county park
Trail Difficulty: Strenuous
Things to See and Do: This unmistakable landmark along Highway 1 harbors one-of-a-kind flora and fauna on 4,262 acres of steep, rugged terrain. It borders the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the boundary of which was recently expanded to include most of the property. For now Rancho Corral de Tierra remains in POST ownership.
A scenic public trail into the property begins in San Pedro Valley County Park and winds up the back of 2,000-foot Montara Mountain. Follow Brooks Creek Trail to Montara Mountain Trail and continue on the main access road to North Peak, where on a clear day you can take in 360-degree views of San Francisco Bay, the Farallon Islands, Mount Diablo, Mount Tamalpais and the Sierra.
Keep Your Eyes Open For: Threatened, rare and endangered plants and animals, including Hickman's cinquefoil, Montara manzanita, San Francisco garter snakes and the Montara blue bush lupine.
Directions: From I-280, drive north to the junction with Highway 1. To reach San Pedro Valley County Park, drive south on Highway 1 toward Pacifica, turn east on Linda Mar Blvd, and continue until it ends at Oddstad Blvd. Turn right and go one block to the park entrance.