In less than an hour you can escape to the Peninsula and find an off-beaten path or one well-traveled. Read on, hiker.
Butano State Park: Forested loop on sea side of peninsula hills
Castle Rock State Park: Forested walk with rock outcrops
Filoli: Casual walk through elegant gardens
Long Ridge Open Space Preserve: Forested creek, open views in oak forest, views to Pacific
Montara Mountain: Climb to peak above Pacifica, great ocean views
Monte Bello Preserve: Great bay views, rolling open terrain
Picchetti Ranch Preserve: Short walks and a fine winery
Rancho San Antonio: Busy, various activities. Good for families.
Russian Ridge Preserve: Ocean views from peninsula hills
Sierra Azul-Bald Mountain: Very short walk, great South Bay views
Sierra Azul North: Ridge – cool below, hot and exposed above – steep
Sierra Azul-Woods Trail: Traverse Mt. Umunhum
Windy Hill Preserve: 8-mile-loop with a little bit of everything