Outdoors lovers like me look at that big hill west of 101 in the Dominican area of San Rafael, and think "I wonder what is up there." Thankfully, you can find out. Why? Because it's there.
When I lived in San Rafael, I did find out. I started at the trailhead near Dominican University, and did the slow incline up the fire road. It's a dense wooded forest of oaks, very shady. If I remember right, I made it to the top a few times. The big surprise: I looked down the hill, and saw the remains of a car that didn't quite get the curve right, and now it's rusting 40 feet down from the fire road! I don't know if it's there anymore, but it was in the last millennium.
Today, I found out more. This time, I started at a trailhead near the Civic Center. Now there is manzanita along with the oaks, alternating between shade and open space. And views, first of the Terra Linda area, then of the neighborhood west of downtown SR and also Mt. Tam.
Names of parkland, depending on where you are: Harry Barbier Memorial Park, City of San Rafael; San Pedro Mountain, Marin Open Space; China Camp State Park, Land of Fruits and Nuts. You don't just happen upon the trailheads, you need to know how to get to them.
This is not an easy place to hike. If you get winded on hills, you'll have trouble on these trails. It's enough of a challenge to give experienced hikers a good workout. Dogs love it too. Several single-track trails, and mountain bikes are allowed on them. NO WATER.
San Pedro Ridge is not a unique place, but it is a very nice getaway when you're tired of being cooped up in your too-expensive Marin shack. The big thing about San Pedro Ridge is not the destination, but the journey. And what a good little journey it is. read more