Life Science Hikers: Bay Area May Edition

​Exploring the "Grandfather" of SF Parks 🌲🥾

​For our May 3rd meetup, we’re heading to explore the John McLaren Park Outer Loop. While many flock to the Presidio or Lands End, McLaren remains one of the city’s best-kept secrets—offering 300+ acres of redwood groves, native grasslands, and some of the best 360-degree views in the Bay.

​The Route: We’ll be tackling a ~3-mile perimeter loop that hits all the highlights. Expect a mix of paved paths and dirt trails with enough elevation to get the heart rate up without losing the ability to chat.

​Why this loop works for us:

• ​Diverse Landscape: We’ll move through the "Green Tunnel," pass by the Upper Reservoir, and walk through towering redwood stands.

• ​Philosopher’s Way: Portions of our hike follow this curated trail, which features "musing stations" perfect for brief pauses to take in the history and scenery.

• ​The Views: From Philosopher's Hill, you’ll get clear lines of sight to both the downtown skyline and the San Bruno Mountains.

• ​Timing: At a steady group pace, we should comfortably wrap this up in just under 2 hours, leaving plenty of time for coffee afterward.

• ​Most importantly: the trail is super dog friendly.

​See you all soon.