Ah, Good Point

Ready for a rewarding view? Head to one of the Peninsula’s favorite promontories: Mori Point. For nearly two decades the National Park Service has been making upgrades to one of the best coastal vantages in the Bay Area.

Over the years they’ve added trails and restored critical habitats for threatened species—the San Francisco garter snake and red-legged frog have a nice home there now. And during the winter and early spring it’s a great spot to whale watch. But no matter the time of year, a hike up to Mori Point is rewarding (especially when it’s clear!).

You can start a 1.5-mile hike along the wheelchair-accessible Old Mori Trail. (FYI: There’s very limited parking, so you can also start from Sharp Park Beach.) Then climb your way up the Bootlegger’s Steps to the Mori Point headland for awesome vantages of the San Mateo Coast. Keep winding your way south along the trail and zigzag up to the top, where a weathered labyrinth awaits. From here you get even bigger views of the Pacific, all the way to Mount Tam and the Marin coast. Ahhh, good point.

Mori Point is dog-friendly. Parking fills up and is available on Mori Point Road or Bradford Way (map). Alternatively, you can enter a side trail that starts at the western end of Fairway Dr. off of Bradford Way. Or enter via Sharp Park Beach.