Author: Alex Sabo

Autumn Adventures on the Ridge Trail

The weather is cooling, leaves are changing, and there’s a hint of pumpkin spice in the air… what better time is there to get out and explore the ridgelines surrounding the San Francisco Bay? Here’s your guide to experiencing fall to the fullest on the Ridge Trail.

See the Changing Colors

On the Vine

Ridge Trail Section: Jack London State Park and East Slope Sonoma Mountain
One-way Distance: 5.5 miles
Rating: Difficult
Access: Hike, Bike, Equestrian

Photo: Donna Holbrook, AllTrails

Ridge Trail Section: Skyline Wilderness Park and Napa Solano Ridge Trail
One-way Distance: 6.7 miles
Rating: Difficult
Access: Hike, Bike, Equestrian

Ridge Trail Section: Robert Louis Stevenson State Park: Lower Oat Hill Mine Trail to Palisades
One-way Distance: 4.5 miles
Rating: Difficult
Access: Hike, Bike, Equestrian

Photo: Lynnette Batt, AllTrails

Around the Bay

Ridge Trail Section: Sanborn County Park: John Nicholas Trail
One-way Distance: 3.5 miles
Rating: Difficult
Access: Hike, Bike, Equestrian

Photo: Christopher Sutterley, AllTrails

Ridge Trail Section:Coyote Creek Parkway North
One-way Distance: 9.3 miles
Rating: Easy
Access: Hike, Bike, Equestrian

Ridge Trail Section:Coyote Creek Parkway South
One-way Distance: 9.2 miles
Rating: Easy
Access: Hike, Bike, Equestrian

Photo: Les Tom, AllTrails

Need more ideas? Check out current photos and reviews on AllTrails.

Pick up a Pumpkin

Make the most of your next Ridge Trail excursion by adding a stop at a nearby pumpkin patch. (We recommend trail first, then pumpkin patch, unless you’re looking to make your outing extra challenging with some weight training )

East Bay
Hayward
Pumpkin Patch: Classic Pumpkin Patch
Nearby Ridge Trail Section: Cull Canyon to Five Canyons Parkway and Don Castro Regional

South Bay
San José
Pumpkin Patch: Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch
Nearby Ridge Trail Section:Coyote Creek Parkway South

San Francisco
Pumpkin Patches:
– The Great Pumpkin Patch
– Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch
Nearby Ridge Trail Section: Lake Merced to Stern Grove

North Bay
American Canyon
Pumpkin Patch: ABC Tree Farms & Pick of the Patch Pumpkins
Nearby Ridge Trail Section: Lynch Canyon Open Space to Hiddenbrook Open Space via McGary Road

Petaluma
Pumpkin Patch: Pronzi Farms Pumpkin Patch
Nearby Ridge Trail Section: Helen Putnam Regional Park and City of Petaluma Ring Trail 

Novato
Pumpkin Patch: Grossi Family Farm
Nearby Ridge Trail Section: Indian Tree Open Space Preserve to Stafford Lake (Novato)

Get Curious about Creepy Crawlies

There’s plenty of amazing flora and fauna to discover during the fall in the Bay Area.

Marin Headlands

Visit Hawk Hill to catch a glimpse of the many species of raptors that migrate through the area during the fall.

Photo: Siobhan Ruck, GGRO Volunteer

South Bay

Participate in a Bioblitz to become a citizen scientist while recording and learning about all the fungi, insects, plants and animals that thrive along the Ridge Trail. 

Photo: Merav Vonshak, Bioblitz Club