Trail Center Workday - Junipero Serra Park

Junipero Serra Park

Nestled behind the cities of Millbrae and San Bruno, Junipero Serra affords a spectacular panorama of the Bay Area; unequaled views to San Bruno Mountain, San Francisco Airport, San Francisco Bay and Mount Diablo. Visitors are drawn to the Oak Foothill plant community, spring wildflowers, the El Zanjon Creek, and the peaceful retreat the area affords from surrounding urban development.

Historically, Costonoan Indians lived in the park’s vicinity prior to the year 1800. They had a varied diet of shellfish, gathered from the bay, as well as native herbs, berries, nuts, birds and mammals, all of which could be found in the park.

The park was once part of the 15,000 acre Buri-Buri Rancho owned by Jose Sanchez. In 1860, Ansel Easton, D.O. Mills, and James Lux acquired title to the Buri-Buri lands. Slowly the large estates were sold and sub-divided, and in 1956, San Mateo County purchased 108 acres for a park.

Junipero Serra Park was named after the missionary father, Father Serra, who came to California in 1770 with Don Gaspar de Portola. Father Serra was responsible for the founding of the missions from San Diego to Sonoma.

Hiking trails, including the Quail Loop Trail (1.5 miles), lead the visitor through a changing panorama of habitats from the creek, through the woods and to the open grasslands. The self-guided Live Oak Nature Trail (.3 mile) offers short interpretive loop along the park's lower north-facing slope.

The other trails are: De Anza Trail (.3 mile), Buckeye Trail (.25 mile), San Bruno City Park Spur Trail (.2 mile), and Oak Cove Trail (.25 mile).

Location: Junipero Serra Park, San Mateo County, California - Quail Loop Trail

Directions: When coming to Junipero Serra Park from the north (San Francisco), use Highway 280 (southbound). Turn off at the Crystal Springs Road exit. Turn right onto Crystal Springs Road. The park entrance is 1/2 mile up the road on the left-hand side.

When coming to Junipero Serra Park from the south (San Jose), use Highway 280 (northbound). Turn off at the Skyline Blvd exit. At the first stoplight turn right onto San Bruno Ave. Turn right onto Crestmoor Dr. The park entrance will be on your right.

SamTrans buses provide service to key destinations throughout San Mateo County and San Francisco, such as work, schools, malls, civic centers and parks. Please visit SamTrans website to find out how you can take one of their buses to this park.

1801 Crystal Springs Rd., San Bruno, CA 94066-4004, (650) 589-5708

Agency: Carla Schoof, San Mateo County Parks Volunteer Coordinator

Supervisor: Dave Taylor

Project Lead: Dave Taylor

Additional Information: Participants should bring water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, lunch and normal precautions against poison oak exposure (work gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants). The Trail Center provides tools, training, gloves, and refreshments after the workday.

Assemble at 8:30 for assignment to crews and for the safety and tool usage talk.

We will start work at 9 am and finish by 3 pm.

Saturday, February 20, 2016 - Quail Loop Trail - Rain Date: Activities: TBD
Volunteer