Community Corner

Devil's Slide Coastal Trail Opens to Public; Public Transit Available, Too

Devil's Slide runs hundreds of feet above the Pacific Ocean from the southern end of Pacifica to Montara. SamTrans offers connections from Half Moon Bay and Pacifica.

A 1.3-mile stretch of coastal highway formerly known for its harrowing curves and weather-related closures is San Mateo County's newest public park. 

Devil's Slide Coastal Trail, which runs hundreds of feet above the Pacific Ocean from the southern end of Pacifica to Montara, opened Thursday, according to the San Mateo County Parks Department.
 
And SamTrans riders can now take the bus to the new Devil's Slide hiking trail, as well.

Outdoor aficionados from northern San Mateo County can take SamTrans routes 100, 112 or 118 to Pacifica to connect with Route 17, and on to the new bus stops on Devil's Slide, according to SamTrans officials.

Hikers from the southern part of the county can take route 294, which connects to route 17 in Half Moon Bay.

Additional schedule and fare information for the new bus routes can be found online at www.samtrans.com.

The abandoned piece of state Highway 1 -- made obsolete when the Tom Lantos Memorial Tunnels opened to traffic in 2013 -- was given a yearlong $2-million makeover to accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and birdwatchers along a remote and undeveloped stretch of the California coast. 

The roadway was resurfaced and three scenic overlooks with observation scopes were installed, along with informational placards that describe some of the rich bird life, marine life, geology and historical points of interest encompassed by the park. 

San Mateo County Supervisor Don Horsley, whose district includes Devil's Slide, called the cliff-side trail "breathtaking" and said that its location offers Bay Area residents unique foot access to a formerly treacherous bit of roadway. 

"This is a great opportunity for people to come out and explore the trail and take in the views that drivers in the past wish they could have glimpsed but didn't dare," Horsley said. 

Parking at the trail is limited, and visitors are encouraged to carpool. 

A 17-space parking lot on the northern end of trail closest to Pacifica can only be entered from southbound Highway 1. 

A 24-space lot on the southern end near Montara is accessible from north- and southbound Highway 1. Both lots have toilets. 

No motorized vehicles of any kind are allowed on the trail. Dogs are permitted when on a six-foot leash. 

More information about the Devil's Slide Coastal Trail is available online at parks.smcgov.org. 

Copyright © 2014 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. 


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