Sweeney Ridge Trailhead - From Campus to History
A stop on Skyline College Campus Walk, a free self-guided tour.
At the south edge of campus is the start of the Notch Trail, which climbs about a mile to Sweeney Ridge, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You don't have to hike it today, but it's worth knowing it's here.
The ridge holds two pieces of history. Near the top are the remains of Nike Site SF-51, a Cold War radar station that guided anti-aircraft missiles launched from nearby Milagra Ridge until the site was abandoned in the 1970s. Farther along is the Portola Discovery Site, which marks where Gaspar de Portola and his Spanish expedition became the first Europeans to see San Francisco Bay, in 1769. They had been looking for Monterey Bay and had gone too far north.
The round trip to the discovery site is about four miles, with a steady climb and little shade. When you're ready, walk back north past the fields to Building 2 to finish the loop.
Getting here: From the gym, walk south past the tennis courts and baseball field, then follow the road toward Lot B to the trailhead.
Did you know?: The Portola Discovery Site on Sweeney Ridge is a National Historic Landmark, and today it has no buildings, just open hilltop and views.
Photo op: Frame the trail as it climbs out of campus toward the ridge, with the college behind you.
More on Wikipedia: Sweeney Ridge · Portola expedition · Gaspar de Portola · Project Nike
Stops on this tour
- Building 2 - Student Services Under One Roof
- Building 1 - Theater, Gallery and Studios
- Building 12 - The Lookout at Vista Point
- Building 7 - STEM Center and Fab Lab
- Building 6 and the Quad - Where Campus Gathers
- Building 5 - The Learning Commons
- Building 4 - Salon, Shop and Administration
- Gym and Fields - Home of the Trojans
- Sweeney Ridge Trailhead - From Campus to History