Join Elan Alford, our Chapter's Rare Plant Chair for San Mateo County, to see the coastal beauty at McNee Ranch, which is a rare plant hotspot in San Mateo County. McNee Ranch is on Montara Mountain and offers coastal mountain bluff trails.

We’ll start by meeting at 9am at La Costanera Restaurant (8150 Hwy 1, Montara, CA 94037). There, we’ll explore nearby coastal prairie to see the rare perennial goldfields (Lasthenia californica ssp. macrantha).

After exploring, we will drive less than a mile north to Gray Whale Cove Parking lot for the hike. We will explore the Gray Whale Cove trail and see coastal scrub and coastal prairie. We may also see the rare and threatened Potentilla hickmanii, a California Rare Plant Rank (CRPR) 1B.1 plant. The trail parallels Highway 1 and has extensive Pacific Ocean views. The hike is about 2.5 miles out and back with about 270 feet in elevation gain.

There is poison oak along the trail, which is exposed to the sun and wind, so bring sun protection and a hat. Also bring adequate water and a lunch. We will eat at the picnic tables along the trail.

This is a popular weekend trail and thus we will limit the hike to 12 people. To reserve your spot, email Elan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..