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PRESS RELEASE. From the SFPUC (San Francisco Public Utilities Commission), August 19th, 2026.
The trail opens to the public Monday, August 24, 2026 and will be open daily from 6:00am to 6:00pm.
A free permit is required and available online at sfpuc.gov/trails through a simple application process. Permits will be available for immediate use, valid for the calendar year, and cover up to 6 people in a group.
The SFPUC (San Francisco Public Utilities Commission) is proud to introduce the Skyline Watershed Ridge Trail, a new 6‑mile segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail located in San Mateo County. This trail provides sweeping views of the Peninsula Watershed’s reservoirs, shrublands, and forests.
This new stretch, formerly known during construction as the Southern Skyline Ridge Trail Extension, extends from Highways 35 and 92 to the Phleger Estate boundary, with a future connection planned to Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve. As part of the larger Bay Area Ridge Trail network, it contributes to a regional vision of a continuous ridgeline trail throughout Bay Area counties that connects people, parks, and open spaces. The Bay Area Ridge Trail Council has been an essential partner in championing and advancing this project.
The Skyline Watershed Ridge Trail welcomes hikers, bikers, runners, and equestrians into the Peninsula Watershed, offering opportunities to learn about the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System, watershed stewardship, and the diverse species protected within the 23,000‑acre landscape.
Built by the SFPUC in coordination with the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, the new trail brings the regional route to 413 completed miles of a planned 550 miles.
The new trail offers a new way to experience the 23,000-acre Peninsula Watershed and learn about its vital role in the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System, which has supplied high-quality drinking water to the Bay Area for more than a century.
Owned by the SFPUC, the watershed is a designated State Fish and Game Refuge and a protected area within the UNESCO Golden Gate Biosphere Reserve.
Ten interpretive panels along the trail tell the watershed’s story from drinking water to wildlife to how it shaped Interstate 280.
Directions
- Northern trail access point, south from Highway 92, parallel to Skyline Boulevard.
- Enter Upper Crystal Springs Reservoir Vista Point into map app for directions.
- Parking is free but limited.
Hours
Parking lot hours are 6 am to 6 pm.
How to Get There
The Skyline Watershed Ridge Trail parking area is located on Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard), just south of the Highway 92 intersection and Skylawn Memorial Park.
The parking area includes 22 standard vehicle spaces, 5 trailer spaces, and 2 ADA-accessible spaces. Parking is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- From the North: From the Highway 92 and Highway 35 intersection, travel south on Highway 35 for approximately 0.10 miles. The parking area will be on your left.
- From the South: From the Highway 84 and Highway 35 intersection, travel north on Highway 35 for approximately 12.3 miles. The parking area will be on your right.
Google Map to Trailhead, Coordinates: 37°29’39.9″N 122°22’03.1″W
Contact
Questions? Please contact us at ridgetrail@sfwater.org.
Author: mdrag
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