San Andreas Trail

beautiful views on the trail. must see!!!

I have a soft spot for this hike. I first went on it alone a few years ago, but wasn’t really too impressed. The 280 is so loud, and nearby, it frightened my oh-​so-​weak composition. There’s also not very much shade (although some patches of nice trees which make it fragrant).
Then about a month ago, I really wanted to encourage my sister to exercise and to expose my young toddler niece to the outdoors. So we went five times in two weeks. It was fantastic. My niece got to see the water, and she had so many questions about everything around her (most of which, I couldn’t really give a good answer to). We were still really close to the 280, but after explaining to my niece that it was just the highway, she would just yell gleefully whenever we got close «TT! It’s the 280!» Hilars, right? Can’t help but to feel more cheery about being near cars driving 90 mph.
Tips: No dogs allowed. No smoking. Stay on the trail (poison oak and ticks pretty much everywhere!) Be wary of cyclists, strollers. Sunny– bring a hat!
For runners, there’s a little bit of up and down hill that can really tire you out.

My boyfriend and I took a quick stroll on the San Andreas trail at sunset yesterday. We arrived at 430pm and since the sun comes down so much earlier nowadays, we had to cut our walk short so we wouldn’t get locked in. We were out of there by 515pm.
The trail is open from sunrise until sunset. You get a nice view of the San Andreas Lake on one side, but at some points, you walk alongside the 280S freeway. The trail itself is paved, so regular sneakers are just fine. It’s a great trail for a walk with the fam, running, and even biking. Do note that dogs and pets are not allowed. There aren’t many marked parking spots along Skyline Blvd., so you might need to make your own.
We’ll be back for another walk soon!

I’ve been on this trail a few times and it has gotten worse each time I’ve gone on it to exercise.
There are too many tree roots poking out from the pavement makes this trail a tripping hazard to those walking, jogging and biking on this trial. Not to mention that there’s a lot of negligent dog owners leaving their pets feces around the pathway.
Also the pavement is consistently very uneven throughout the whole trail as there are divets, cracks, partial smooth road work done.
Please fix this trail like that service road you have down near the reservoir which is smoothly paved throughout. It’s very annoying looking at that smooth road while the current trail is in shambles.

Good place to run! But please let your dog stay in the car or at your house its not a dog park sign is all over no dogs allowed…

Only walked/​jogged a portion of this trail. We parked our car along hwy 35/​near Lunardi’s. It’s paved road, some inclines and WINDY. To your right is a reservoir and to your left is a freeway. A bit noisy but I still wouldn’t want to walk this trail by myself.
Bring a hat, gloves, warm scarf, and a jacket!

Picturesque, accessible from 3 points, paved, available parking are all features of this roughly 3.5 mile out and back two lane path sandwiched between highway 35 and San Andreas Lake.
A gravel parking lot can be found where San Bruno Ave meets Highway 35, along 35 about half a mile from San Bruno Ave toward 280, and street parking can be found off 280 at Larkspur Drive.
The paved part of the trail ends at Larkspur Drive and continues south as a hiking trail running parallel to 280 that connects to Sawyer trail which is about 6 miles long one way.
Wear layers as it can be very windy at times, and there is quite a bit of exposure to the sun. No pets are allowed and the trail is sometimes used by cyclists, so be mindful of your left.

Upon reading the previous reviews I can see how those things are deterrents; however, the few times I’ve been through here, I throughly enjoyed my runs. Yes, at points you are literally a stones throw away from 280, eh, I guess I don’t mind after growing up in the city.
Paved, inclines & declines are not too long or intense.
There are a few benches along the way.
1 Bathroom (haven’t been in it, but I’m guessing glorified porto-​potty from the smell)
Parking by entrances:
*North (San Bruno Ave) — street
*Before the 280S– side of the road by the fence opening
*Larkspur — street
*Hillcrest– Under the freeway & street
TIP: Where most people think the trail ends at Larkspur, there is a UNpaved portion that is TRAIL running to get to North entrance of Sawyer Trail (Hillcrest) on the south end of this trail.
Next to the fence there is a narrow dirt path that runs up and then to the right. You’ll feel like a savage running through it, but it’s fun! A nice change of pace from the paved trails that sandwich this little portion.
However, if you’ve watched too many horror movies to trust the unpaved paths, you can continue the run along Skyline to Hillcrest instead.
Have fun!

Not much to add that Joshua hasn’t added already.
This trail is ok. I’ve only been here a couple of times so far as I just wanted something different to my usual spots (Walking, Jogging and Running).
Can’t say the transmission line is an issue but then I’m usually too busy taking in the other views to notice. As it’s near a main road it does get a little noisy at times but put on an IPod and go for a run it’s a good place to come to get some fresh air with your workout.
Plus… It’s FREE!
Limitations:
No dogs are allowed.
No smoking permitted.
It’s recommended you stay on the trail as well to avoid ticks and poison oak.
Otherwise it’s free for all.

San Andreas Trail is extremely functional. It has good length (running essentially from San Bruno Ave. to Crystal Springs Rd., but further linking up there with Sawyer Camp Trail), easy grading (generally flat or gently-​sloped), is mostly paved, and can be accessed quickly from adjacent Skyline Blvd or I-​280. It’s very stroller-​friendly (wide enough even for wheelchairs, actually), and is also used by walkers, joggers and bicyclists. So, utility marks are high.
Beyond that, things are «perfect from afar, but far from perfect». Yes, it’s next to beauty; there are two reservoirs and expansive green space running along its western edge. But the eastern edge is all-​cars-​all-​the-​time; the adjacent roadways create nearly constant traffic noise, with the corresponding vehicles frequently visible. Whether you look left or right will completely change the experience.
Or, you could look up. Then, you’d spy the enormous high-​voltage transmission line between the trail and the reservoirs, looming over you continuously. Even if you, unlike me, don’t wonder repeatedly if your brain is being cooked remotely, it’s still plenty f’ugly. And it’s undeniably a utility corridor first and nature trail second; if you have any doubts, check out the chainsawed stumps and treetops along the way, presumably victims of line maintenance clearing.
Again, it’s a very useful trail, and I’m happy it’s there, even given the occasional brush-​back by an unrelenting cyclist. But I prefer things a bit more quiet and unspoiled, and there are many other accessible trails nearby that better provide both.
***
Update 03/​18/​2011: This trail is actually in Millbrae. I’ve no idea why it’s showing up with a Morgan Hill listing. I’ve already requested that error be corrected. But the position shown on the map is correct.

It’s a nice short two-​mile trail, sort of a less glamorous sibling to the longer Sawyer Camp Trail to the South. You can pretty much get a full view of the San Andreas Reservoir throughout your walk or jog here.
I’ve only been here maybe two or three times, much less often than on the Sawyer Camp Trail. This past visit reminded me that it is usually windy here. It may be getting the same wind that occurs at the top of nearby Sweeney Ridge, which has also been windy every time I made a hike up there (and foggy too).
The northern trailhead is off San Bruno Ave and Skyline Blvd. There is a parking lot on the west side of Skyline. However, you can only access it from the southbound lane, and as I recall there’s no U-​turn to return the other direction (especially if you find no parking at the lot). I find it easier and more predictable to use the southern trailhead which is just off Larkspur Ave by the Millbrae Ave offramp from Southbound 280. Usually there’s parking under the freeway overpass.