Sweeney Ridge, Hiking area of ridges and ravines in San Mateo County, California

Sweeney Ridge is a 1,200-acre hiking area of ridges and ravines between San Bruno and Pacifica, its 1,200-foot summit covered with coastal scrub and grassland. The ridgetop has California coastal prairie with native grasses and patches of Douglas iris. Trails lead to abandoned buildings of the former SF-51C Nike missile control facility.

Sweeney Ridge holds the San Francisco Bay Discovery Site, where the Portolá expedition first sighted the bay on November 4, 1769. Later, the ridge hosted the SF-51C Nike missile control facility, whose abandoned buildings remain along the trail. The ridge is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

The ridge is named after the Sweeney family, early settlers who lived in the area. Today, locals and visitors use the trails and summit as a place to step away from city life and connect with open land.

The main trailhead at Sneath Lane in San Bruno offers parking and easy access to multiple routes. Bring sturdy shoes and water, as the paths range from short walks under 1 mile to longer hikes exceeding 6 miles, and the area can be windy and cool even on sunny days.

A granite monument near the summit marks the route of Portola, an early explorer who arrived from the south. The marker also identifies distant landmarks visible on clear days, including the Farallon Islands, Mount Tamalpais, Point Reyes, and Mount Diablo.