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San Pedro Mountain ( edge of China Camp)

More than 1,000 feet above sea level on the ridge of San Pedro Mountain. It sits at the edge of China Camp State Park, and reaching this point means you’ll also have gained 360-degree views on Marin, from Mount Tamalpais to San Pedro Bay to Novato.

The hike to the former missile battery begins on Gold Hill Fire Road in what is now the city of San Rafael’s Harry A. Barbier Memorial Park, on the southern slope of San Pedro Mountain.

At the T-intersection just after the start of the trail, keep left.

There is a gentle uphill grade for about 1.5 miles. Keep a lookout for a long-ago wrecked car resting in a heavily wooded ravine on your left.

It then turns into old pavement.

At about the mile point, where there’s another split, keep right — every inch of this hike is fire road, so avoid all beckoning single tracks. The last half mile to former missile battery mostly traverses the ridge along San Pedro Fire Road.

Look down at the Las Gallinas birding area ponds at the end of Smith Ranch Road.
A bit farther past the site, to the intersection with Scettrini Fire Road, there is a hefty gate, held closed by a dozen enormous padlocks, and flanked by sturdy iron pylons.

Head back the way you came, mostly downhill 2.2 miles.

Gold Hill Fire Road is a major attraction for seeing spectacular sunsets.

From Highway 101 southbound:

1. take exit 454A to Lincoln Avenue,
2. turn left onto Linden Lane,
3. right onto Grand Avenue, and
4. left onto Locust Avenue.

From Highway 101 northbound:

1. take exit 452,
2. continue onto Irwin Street,
3. turn right onto Belle Avenue,
4. left onto Grand, and then
5. right onto Locust.

At the end of Locust Avenue, on the right, are a few parking spaces just ahead of where the Gold Hill Fire Road begins. There are no facilities.
The trail alternates between shade and exposure, so bringing water.
The dog question is mixed: They’re OK on much of this trail, but the last part of it overlaps with China Camp State Park, which prohibits dogs on trails.

Emily Willingham is a Marin science journalist, book author and biologist. You can find her on Bluesky @ejwillingham or Instagram at emily.willingham.phd.