This 4-mile out-and-back day hike to takes us to the site where Gaspar de Portolá, assisted by the Ohlone people, made the first European sighting of San Francisco Bay.
In 1769, Spain sent Captain Juan Gaspar de Portolá to lead an expedition to stake claim to southern and central California. Portolá and his party of sixty men and 200 horses left from San Diego in search of Monterey Bay, but from their overland approach, they overshot it. Lost, hungry, and sick, they were assisted by the local Ohlone people, who accompanied the explorers to the top of Sweeney Ridge. It was there that the Portolá party became the first Europeans to see San Francisco Bay.
The story continues on the trail…
Length
4.6 mi
Elevation Gain
1,200 ft
Estimated time
4.5 hr
Itinerary
Noon
Lunch at lake Merced
Provided by Troop 333
12:30 pm
Depart
12:45 pm
Depart from trailhead
3:15 pm
Arrive back at trailhead
3:30 pm
Arrive back in SF
See route on Alltrails