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San Francisco Bay Area Region
McNee Ranch State Park
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Valley Quail
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MCNEE RANCH STATE PARK
MCNEE RANCH STATE PARK
McNee Ranch State Park is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains of the United States, near the unincorporated community of Montara, California in San Mateo County. Its highest point rises to 1,898 feet above sea level. An unpaved fire road, the North Peak Access Road, accessible from the Pedro Mountain Road, provides access to the summit by hikers. The mountain has an extensive biodiversity especially on the serpentine soils of the lower slopes where such endangered species as Hickman's potentilla and San Mateo thornmint, Acanthomintha duttonii, are found. On rare occasions light snow has dusted the summit. On clear days the summit provides spectacular views of much of the San Francisco Bay Area.
History of the Area
This park was once a part of Rancho San Pedro granted to Francisco Sanchez in 1839. The land later became the property of Duncan McNee who used it for ranching purposes during the late 19th century. In 1954, Ray and Mildred Myers purchased parts of what is now known as Montara Mountain from McNee's descendants.

The couple donated their holdings to State Parks system after realizing its ecological importance. Officially opened on June 27, 1987; today it offers hiking trails with panoramic views over Pacific Ocean.



Trails
- Montara Mountain North Peak Loop Trail: A 7.3-mile loop trail featuring beautiful wildflowers, primarily used for hiking and nature trips.

- Gray Whale Cove Trail: This is a moderate level 2.5 miles out-and-back trail offering scenic views of the Pacific Ocean.

- Pedro Mountain Road: An easy to navigate 4 mile out-and-back path that offers stunning oceanic vistas and wildlife sightings.

- San Pedro Valley Park Brooks Creek Trailhead to Montara Mountain Summit via McNee Ranch State Park Route: Challenging but rewarding hike covering approximately an impressive distance of about 12 miles round trip with panoramic coastal views at the summit.

- Planet Of The Apes Wall Via Greywhale Cove And Old San Pedro Roads Trails : Approximately five-mile long route known for its rock climbing opportunities along steep cliffsides overlooking picturesque beaches below.

- South Ridge To Scarper Peak Hike : Roughly six-miles in length, this challenging trek rewards hikers with sweeping panoramas from atop one of Santa Cruz Mountains' highest peaks.

- Devil's Slide Bunker Via California Coastal Trail (McNee Ranch): Short yet visually striking two-mile journey leading towards remnants of World War II military installations perched on cliff edges overhanging azure waters beneath them.



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Area Campgrounds
Pelican Point RV Park
1001 Miramontes Point Road
Half Moon Bay, CA
650-726-9100
Candlestick RV Park
650 Gilman Avenue
San Francisco, CA
415-822-2299
San Francisco RV Resort
700 Palmetto Avenue
Pacifica, CA
650-355-7093
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Directions from San Francisco:

- Head south on US-101 S.
- Take exit 430A toward I-280/Daly City.
- Merge onto CA1-S via the ramp to Pacifica.

From Sacramento:

- Start by getting on I5-S.
- Follow signs for Stockton/San Jose, merging onto CA99S/I80-BR W/US50-W.
- Continue until you reach McNee Ranch State Park.

Coming from Los Angeles:

- Begin your journey northbound on US101-N
- Keep right at fork and follow signs for Ventura Fwy/Ventura/Los Angeles/Hollywood Fwy/Civic Center
then merge with US101-N again.

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California
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California State Parks

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