Brilliant local secret...Located in Pacifica, Milagra Ridge is smack down in the middle of several neighborhoods. Apparently it has a very rich history going back to the 1700s! The city of Pacifica curently claims ownership to Milagra Ridge...but at one point the Army owned it and there were 6-inch guns mounted at Milagra Ridge!! All part of a project to defend the San Francisco Bay program! Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area; the entire open space is an isolated island ecosystem of protected habitat for native plants and animals. I did see several Butterflies and birds of prey when I was there.With several easy trails and a paved road within the entire open space I would say this is an easy spot to go hiking felt more like a stroll to me. The view from the top is brilliant! Unfortunately I didnt see the the Ocean due to KARL (SF fog! I have no idea why its called that...maybe some guy named Karl discovered it?!) lurking around...Looks like I will need to return for a stroll or a nice run and try again! But I can imagine the views on a clear day.

A lovely little park with fantastic views of Pacifica and the coast. If you enter from the west then views are very easy to reach without any significant climbing, or if you want more of a hike you can enter at the west and climb to the top from there.

Really fun to walk. Paths are sometimes a bit to narrow, but it’s fun to walk. Super windy on some parts -hang on to your hat- kind of wind. My walking buddy had to use the restroom, and apparently it’s not so bad. Come prepare for the windy.

A unit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Milagra Ridge is, to quote the NPS, is a habitat “island” with breathtaking coastal views and a surprising array of plants and wildlife. First used by native Ohlone people, this land was later claimed by Spanish settlers and Mexican rancheros. The U.S. Army installed a gun battery here in the 1940’s, and during the Cold War built a Nike missile station on Milagra and nearby Sweeney Ridge. In 1984, Milagra Ridge became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.Its fascinating history and ecology is described on NPS information signs on the trails through the area.