Hiking up for bay views - San Francisco Bay views

Sunset, Jan, 1989

Mount St. Helena (4,343 feet) is in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park; (707) 942-4575. Just north of Calistoga, the park is undeveloped, but you can hike I mile to the Stevenson monument, then continue to the fire road for the 4-mile hike to the top. The trail climbs steeply 2,400 feet to the north peak and views north to The Geysers and Mount Shasta, west to the ocean and Point Reyes, and south to the bay and downtown San Francisco. The park is open daylight hours. Along State 29 north of Calistoga, look for the park boundary sign; the unmarked dirt parking lot is 200 yards beyond.

SAN FRANCISCO PENINSULA

San Bruno Mountain (1,314 feet) is in San Bruno Mountain State and County Park; 992-6770. Along the grassy, treeless 2.4-mile Ridge Trail, views reach from the tip of .Mount St. Helena to the ocean, Backtrack to return.

The mountain harbors several endangered plant and animal species; pick up information at the kiosk. Park hours are 8 to dusk daily. From U.S. 101, take the Brisbane-Cow Palace exit onto Bayshore Boulevard. At Guadalupe Canyon Parkway, turn uphill. Pass the entry kiosk, and follow the road (it becomes Radio Road) to the Ridge trailhead at its end.

Sweeney Ridge (1,280 feet) in San Bruno, part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area; 556-0560. A marker notes that it was here, in 1769, that Gaspar de Portold became the first European to sight San Francisco Bay You can see wide ocean and bay views from this wind- and fogswept ridge. To get there from San Bruno, go to the west end of Sneath Lane and park at the gate, then walk a mile up to the marker and views; the ridge is open dawn to dusk daily.

Monte Bello Open Space Preserve (2,000 feet); 949-5500. South of Palo Alto, the preserve offers guided hikes the third Saturday of every month at 10 A.M. Bring water and a lunch for the easy 3-mile round trip on the Stevens Creek Nature Trail. From its Vista Point, you see most of the South Bay, and other peaks such as Mount Umunhum and Mount Diablo. From Interstate 280, take Page Mill Road south 7 miles to the preserve parking lot.

EAST BAY

Volumer Peak (1,913 feet) and Wildcat Peak (1,250) are both in Berkeley's Tilden Regional Park; 531-9300. You can reach either ftom Inspiration Point via East Bay Skyline National Trail. Heading north from the point, the trail (also called Nimitz Way here) ambles along the ridge. After about 2 miles, it branches left at the Rotary Peace Grove and follows a fire road up to the summit of Wildcat Peak.

To get to Vollmer, head west, then south from Inspiration Point along the Skyline trail (also called Sea View Trail here). Skyline climbs and dips for some 2 miles until it reaches Vollmer Peak Trail, which climbs steeply for about 1/4 mile. Note there are some off-limits communications towers surrounded by a fence at the top. Inspiration Point is on Wildcat Canyon Road off Grizzly Peak Boulevard.

Mission Peak Regional Preserve (2,517 feet) in Fremont; 531-9300. The trail to the peak presents a steep, challenging hike, 3 miles one way. You'll pass docile cows and cross cattle stiles; at the top, sailplanes may soar overhead and the South Bay lies before you like a relief map. The trail begins behind Ohlone Community College; from Interstate 680, take the Mission Boulevard exit and follow signs to the college. Parking is free on weekends.