San Andreas Trail

Location

San Andreas Trail runs along Skyline Blvd and San Andreas Lake in San Bruno area of San Mateo County. To get there:

Take Hwy 280N to Skyline Blvd (Hwy 35) Exit, turning right onto Skyline Blvd (North) towards Pacifica. Turn right on San Bruno Ave, and an immediate left on Glenview to park in the gravel parking area at the corner of San Bruno and Glenview.
Take Hwy 280S to Sneath Lane exit towards San Bruno Avenue. Turn right on San Bruno Avenue and drive almost a mile to the parking lot, which is on your right before Highway 35 / Skyline Blvd.

There are also a trailheads and parking lots along Skyline Blvd. South of San Bruno Avenue, and near the intersection of Larkspur Drive and Skyline Blvd.

Attractions:

This is a well-maintained, popular, two-lane, paved trail.
Bicycles are allowed.
Great views of the fog rolling in over the mountains to the West, as well as distant views of the San Andreas Lake.
Nice wildflowers along the path, and occasional wildlife like birds and lizards.
The path connects to Sawyer Camp Trail along Crystal Springs Reservoir (see www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/CrystalSprings/CrystalSprings.html) at its South end, via an unpaved trail on the West side of Skyline Blvd. or a paved route along the East side of Skyline Blvd. Combining both trails can yield a long trek.

Limitations:

No dogs are allowed.
No smoking permitted.
Stay on the trail to avoid ticks and poison oak.
The traffic along parallel Skyline Blvd. can get loud.

Season:

Year round, about 8 am to sunset. There ARE locking gates at some trailheads.

Fees:

None.

Maps & More Information:

A very small map is posted at the San Bruno Avenue Trailhead, but it is not well marked (to show where you are). Nonetheless, the trail is well fenced in, so it's nearly impossible to get off-trail or lost.
San Mateo County's Map of Midcounty Trails: http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/vgn/images/portal/cit_609/55/5/559202275composite_crystalsprings_map.pdf
San Mateo County's Website Trail Information: http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/smc/department/home/0,2151,5556687_10575170,00.html#sanandreas
San Mateo County's Webpage about Crystal Springs (with reference to Sawyer camp and San Andreas Trails): http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/smc/department/home/0,,5556687_12305993_12328403,00.html

Handicapped Access:

The path is not steeply graded, and is wide and flat for wheelchair use. Most parking areas are not marked with spots, but seem suitable for handicapped use.

Recommended routes:

San Bruno Trailhead to Larkspur Drive Begin at the San Bruno Trailhead, and hike South and up a slight rolling hill, along the two-lane paved trail. As the trail flattens, continue past the parking along Skyline. The hill will alter between mild rolling hills and flat terrain until the parking lot at Larkspur (on West side of Skyline Blvd.). If you turn back from here, round trip distance is about 4 miles. If you would ike to continue to Crystal Springs / Sawyer Camp Trail, continue South on either side of Skyline. On the West, there is an unpaved trail. On the East, use paved Frontage Road. You will reach Sawyer Camp Trail (see www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/CrystalSprings/CrystalSprings.html) in about 0.7 miles.