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Review:
Just half an hour away from San Francisco, the Sweeney Ridge Trail is a hilly hiking area that is adjacent to Thornton State Beach. Visitors can head up to the 1,200-foot-high summit of the ridge to see stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, the bay, coastal scrubs, and grasslands. At the trailhead, you will find a cluster of greenhouses that were originally built in 1949 but are now known as the Shelldance Nursery; within it, world-class hybrid orchids are cultivated and open to the public for viewing. Some of the flora and fauna that you may come across include spring wildflowers, deer, and hawks. If you’d prefer going on a guided hike, the park rangers there conduct several walks through Sweeney Ridge.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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