San Pedro Mountain Preserve

A rugged ridge, rising up in central Marin

Rangers Recommend

The forested slopes of San Pedro Ridge form an impressive backdrop to Marin Civic Center.
Steep climbs to the top of the mountain will give you a good workout, rewarded by sweeping views.
Seasonal streams flow during a rainy winter.
Connects to City of San Rafael's Henry Barbier Park as well as China Camp State Park.
Dogs welcome, but must be leashed at all times.

Naturalist Notes

The preserve is heavily forested with oaks, bays, and madrones. There are small stands of redwoods in the upper canyons.
Find heart's ease, fairy bells, and adderstongue wildflowers blooming in open grasslands during spring.
Golden eagles have been spotted here.
Check out the iNaturalist field guide[External]. Add your own observations.

Activities

Dogs On Leash

Hike

Horseback Riding

Know Before You Go

Stay on roads and trails to preserve sensitive ecosystems and to avoid trespassing on private property.
Be courteous and safety conscious when sharing roads and trails. Go slow and say hello [External].
Dress appropriately for the weather. Trails can be muddy during rainy season.
Bring water.
There are no restrooms at this location.
Steer clear of poison oak.
After an outing, check for ticks.

Acres of wilderness, minutes from central San Rafael

Directions

From Hwy 101 in San Rafael, take the N San Pedro Rd exit east on N San Pedro Rd and turn right at Woodoaks Dr. Trailhead is at the end.

Parking

Limited street parking only on Woodoaks Drive in San Rafael. Please be respectful of local residents. Do not block streets, gates, or driveways. You can also enter San Pedro Mountain Preserve from Harry A. Barbier Park or China Camp State Park.

Public Transit

You can also dial 511 to find out about transit options from your location.

Map

Enter your location

38.001779

-122.520793

All visitors must respect rules to keep the preserves safe and sustainable.

Tab 3 Content

ALL VISITORS

No smoking or fires.
Weapons and hunting prohibited.
Motorized vehicles prohibited. (Individuals with qualified disabilities may operate certain kinds of zero-emission mobility devices on some roads,multiuse trails, and certain other facilities.)
Everyone must yield the right-of-way to horses. Bikes must also yield to pedestrians.
No model airplanes, drones, or other self-propelled crafts.
Dispose of waste properly. Pack it out.
Permit required for commercial use and groups of more than 15 people.
All resources are protected. Do not follow, approach, or feed wildlife.

DOGS

Dogs must be leashed at all timesLeash must not exceed 6 feet in length.
Dogs are allowed on signed fire roads and trails only. Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited.
Individuals accompanying dogs are required to clean up and remove pet waste.
A maximum of 3 dogs per person is allowed. No commercial dog walking permitted in this preserve.

BIKES

Permitted on signed fire roads and trails designated for multiuse and hikers/bikes.
Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited.
Speed limit is 15 mph or less. Must slow to 5 mph when passing others or around blind turns.
Electric bicycles are not permitted.

HORSES

Permitted on signed fire roads and trails designated for multiuse and hikers/horses.
Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited except when watering or resting the horse.

In an emergency, call 911. To report an incident or suspicious activity, call the Ranger Field Office at 415-473-2816 or submit an Incident Report.

Visitors are responsible for knowing and obeying all Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) regulations. Citations will be issued for violations. Read the official regulations: Marin County Municipal Code Appendix A.

Call 415-473-6387 for more information regarding allowable types and use of mobility devices for people with qualified disabilities.

The MCOSD is a special district pursuant to the California Public Resources Code. Marin County Parks oversees the management of the county parks system and provides public information on behalf of the MCOSD.