Old St. Hilary's Preserve

If you are visiting the Tiburon peninsula near San Francisco, don't miss the trails at Old St. Hilary's Open Space Preserve. This is a small area of land located on a ridgetop, but the view is breathtaking. Here, you and Fido can find panoramic vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco itself, Angel Island, and the Marin Headlands. Old St. Hilary's Open Space Preserve is home to Old St. Hilary's Church and an array of botanical gardens.

There are a few unofficial trails that have been hiked so often that there are pathways among them, and there is also a small trail located on Vistazo Fire Road, but it does not take you to the main trail, called Heathcliff Fire Road. 

This main trail is a popular destination for tourists and locals both. Cyclists, hikers, and horseback riders frequent this trail for its beautiful wildflowers and amazing view. If you stay on the trail, you will go through grasslands that lead you to a gradually graded uphill climb. The exact elevation is not given. Staying on the trail and not meandering off onto any of the smaller side trails will take you to the main views along the ridgetop. The trail also leads you to a legally accessible skirt through private land and onto a wide path that takes you and Fido to the ultimate view, Picnic Rock.

Following the pathway will bring you back towards the end of the trail, but it will also take you and Fido into contact with coyote brush and poison ivy, so be careful. 

If you are really lucky and you are visiting in mid-May to mid-June, you may see the rare Tiburon jewelflower. This flower is only located in two places in the entire world. There are many other unique flowers and plants in this area, so while exploring is great, you and Fido need to ensure that you stay on the trail so as not to cause damage to these habitats.

Please note that dogs are permitted on trails with a leash, but on the fire roads they can be off-leash as long as they're under voice command. However, dog owners must have a leash for each dog.