San Mateo County Birding Guide

Stuck at San Francisco International Airport?

Sometimes visitors are in San Mateo county only briefly, changing flights, going from a domestic to an international connection at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). It is not uncommon for local listservs to receive requests of how one can go birding in a two-six hour window. Should you find yourself in a much-delayed situation, or if your flight plans already give you an inordinately long lay-over at SFO, here are some ideas of where you can go and what you can see.  Just remember: Pack your binoculars in your carry-on!

SFO is located in the northeast section of the county. The US101 corridor can often become clogged with traffic, so if you have any time stress about making a connecting flight, don't wander too far (see Traffic Considerations section in this guide). The Skyline Boulevard Open Space Preserves, Pigeon Point and Año Nuevo: these excellent sites are probably out-of-range for any traveler who is changing planes on a same-day itinerary. But almost any spot along the bayshore, in the foothills, or along the Pacifica coastline, could be combined with a layover of six-eight hours.

If you have only two-three hours and no car, take the hotel shuttle for the Marriot, or for the Westin/Clarion, to Millbrae's Bayfront Park (SFO Mudflats). Colma Creek Public Shore, specifically the SAMTrans Peninsula section, can be reached by taking the shuttle to "Park SFO." This is not the same shuttle as the Long-term Parking sponsored by the airport, but an independent company. The address of Park SFO is 195 North Access Road, South San Francisco, 94080. They run regular shuttles from the airport. In the Colma Creek Public Shore description on this website, you will find a map pin marking their location as "Parking at LTP."

If you have at least three to four hours, and a car (or a cooperative friend with a car, or enough money for a cab), Coyote Point County Park, Radio Road or San Bruno Mountain are your best choices. Do not, however, attempt the Ridge Trail at San Bruno Mountain, or you may be watching as your connecting flight takes off! One can get a good sampling of all the trails and habitats at Coyote Point County Park in a two-three hour visit. Radio Road is very easy to get to, and there is almost no walking involved in assembling a species list (depending on the season) of over forty, mostly shorebirds and waterfowl, but with the occasional out-of-range sparrow, too.

If you have five to six hours, you could combine Coyote Point County Park and Radio Road, or do a survey of the various Foster City sites. Again, this would require a car (or a very good friend, or a very cooperative and opportunistic cab driver). If you want a pleasant walk to stretch your legs (a good idea, medically, for those who are between long flights), Sweeney Ridge's San Bruno Access is your best bet, as it is quite close to I-380, and gives you access to extensive chaparral and beautiful views of the San Francisco Watershed (Crystal Springs Reservoir). Another spot worth considering is the charming Mills Canyon Park in Burlingame; this gives panoramic views of the Bay Area, a refreshing riparian zone, some genuine exercise, and a rich assortment of local birds. Edgewood County Park or Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve could be considered, too; consult the Traffic Considerations page for more information.

Should you have seven to ten hours, you can start to think seriously about getting out to the coast. Again, this is dependent on traffic. Half Moon Bay is an attractive destination, with many habitats in a small space, but you need to be aware of just how slow traffic on SR92 can be during the Pumpkin Festival time of October, or on any beautiful weekend day. Getting to the beach parks of Pacifica, is marginally less fraught with potential traffic woes, but the opportunities for vagrants and for spotting pelagic species from land is also lower than in Half Moon Bay. All of this assumes you have a car.

If you have an overnight in the area, consult the owling page (yet to be added): Gazos Creek Road, because of its public access and variety of owls, is your best bet, but even under optimal traffic conditions, it is almost an hour from SFO to Gazos Creek. If you have your own choice of hotels, choose one along the Millbrae or Burlingame Bayshore, so you can wake up to the shorebirds.

Don't miss your plane!

— Article and Photos by Jennifer Rycenga