During the cold war era from approximately 1953 to 1979, the United States Army built and operated close to 300 Nike missile firing batteries in the United States. There were over 33 along the coast of California alone and most are now dilapidated. I know of one in Marin Headlands(Nike Missile Site SF-88) that is still intact and is now a museum. These missiles sites were strategically placed and built along the coast as a last line of defense against Soviet bombers. If you been to Mt. Tamalpais in Marin or along the San Francisco coast and Fort Funston, they are prominent fixtures among the terrain on cliffs and bluffs. This particular site is on top of Sweeney Ridge in Pacifica, and it’s the highest point in the area. On a clear day, you can see across the bay all the way to Mission Peak. There are several ways to hike up here: Sneath Lane Trail —(5 miles round-trip, 540 ft. elevation change) paved to the top of the ridge, begins at the end of Sneath Lane in San Bruno Baquiano Trail —(2 miles round-trip miles roundtrip, 550 ft. elevation change) follows a high ridge for great views, begins at the end of Fassler Avenue Mori Ridge Trail —(4 miles roundtrip, 1020 ft. elevation change) a steep climb on a service road through lovely coastal prairie, it starts at Shelldance Nursery off Highway One Skyline College Trail —(2.5 miles roundtrip, 700 ft. elevation change) leaves from Parking Lot #2, traverses two very steep and eroded slopes before leveling off at the ridge This site is now badly deteriorated and is in decay. However, there are cool works of art made by local graffiti artists. The view up here is spectacular as you can see all the way North Bay, East Bay and South Bay. You have a nice view of the airport and San Mateo Bridge to the east. However, you can’t see the Bay Bridge from there since San Bruno Mountain is blocking your view. Weather permiting, you can catch a glimpse of Golden Gate Bridge looking pretty and grand as always. It’s a cool part of the history of California and United States right in our own backyard, and it’s worth the hike just to get up here.
