Arroyo Trail is within Pacifica’s southern coastal zone and is a trail of unique charm and access value. The Arroyo Trail on Pedro Point Headlands lies within a steep-sided gully and is accompanied by a seasonal brook that is a tributary to the San Pedro Creek to its east.
The natural character of the trail is a user-worn path along the north side of the brook and lined by a large variety of plants that are members of both coastal scrub and coastal prairie plant communities. Monterey pine trees are abundant within the arroyo, with canopies spreading over parts of the trail.
The Arroyo Trail has a modest degree of elevation change that provides access to a ridge trail. For the person who wants to climb to the higher elevation for panoramic views or the person who likes to saunter and stop to look closely at a trail habitat, the Arroyo Trail can accommodate either. This fertile canyon trail, less than a half-mile long, runs from east to west. It begins or ends at its junction with the California Coastal Trail and ends at the higher-elevation Ridge Trail, where one is greeted by a broad open space, and a trailside overlook that, on a clear day, provides breathtaking 360-degree views.
A unique characteristic of the trail is its abundance of California lilacs (Ceanothus Thyrsiflorus) currently resplendent with blue blossoms. On some parts of the trail, the abundance of the lilac plants form dense, verdant, and blue hedgerows. Luxurious blooms of Douglas irises, harbingers of spring, can also be seen along the trail, with a variety of other plants flourishing as a result of the abundant rainfall.
Although the Arroyo Trail provides different seasonal characteristics throughout the year, spring and summer may provide the best botanical experiences along the trail corridor. Various birds and butterflies are seasonally abundant on sunny days. The Arroyo Trail is an important lateral connector to and from the California Coastal Trail and the westerly Ridge Trail.
The condition of the Arroyo Trail is fair. A fallen tree, overgrowth, and water intrusion with areas of mud indicate needed maintenance. Several areas along the trail are good candidates for repose and/or viewing stations. Cautionary considerations for poison oak, ticks, seasonal hydrology, and imposing fog moisture should be noted. Access to the trail can be made from the northern Devil’s Slide parking lot. Although the trail has no posted restrictions, its condition is best suited to hiking.
The Pacifica Land Trust is undertaking restoration efforts, including botanical surveys and native plant restoration on Pedro Point Headlands, in partnership with San Mateo County Parks, the Coastal Conservancy, and the OHV Division of California State Parks.
Members of Pacifica’s Open Space Parkland Advisory Committee express their appreciation to the City of Pacifica, the Pacifica Land Trust, the California Coastal Commission, and the California Coastal Conservancy for Pedro Point Headlands and its Arroyo Trail.