Sign Hill

Sign Hill is not only an iconic landmark that embodies South San Francisco’s history and civic pride, it is also an incredibly rich natural resource for people and wildlife. The Hillside Sign which reads “SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO THE INDUSTRIAL CITY” was commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce and built by students from South San Francisco High School  in 1923, making this nod to the City’s industrial roots over 100 years old. In 1996, it was added to the National Registry of Historic Places.  

The 65-acre park is South San Francisco’s largest natural open space and has significant ecological value. It provides important habitat for the federally-endangered mission blue butterfly as well as several rare plant species, including the coast iris featured on the SSF Parks & Recreation logo. Visitors will enjoy nearly two miles of hiking trails, spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay, a rich diversity of wildflowers, and may catch a glimpse of wildlife such as brush rabbits, coyotes, alligator lizards, or the many local and migratory raptors and songbirds that rely on Sign Hill’s coastal prairies for refuge.

Resources

• Map of Sign Hill (interactive)
• Directions to Sign Hill

Map of Sign Hill (interactive)

Ridge Trail

Distance: 0.77 miles

Elevation Gain: 600 ft

Enjoy panoramic views of urban landscapes, San Bruno Mountain, and the San Francisco Bay along the most leisurely hiking trail that Sign Hill offers. The trail spans the entire length of Sign Hill from west to east from the parking lot on Ridgeview Court to Spruce Avenue. This hiking trail has smooth paved sections from the parking lot to the top of Seubert Trail, and from the park entrance on Diamond Avenue to the top of Letters Trail which may be more suitable for young children or those with more limited mobility. 

Seubert Trail

Distance: 0.36 miles

Elevation Gain: 530 ft

Ascend the southern face of Sign Hill and take in beautiful cityscapes and views of the San Francisco Bay. This hiking trail is moderately steep beginning from Poplar Avenue up to the west side of Ridge Trail. A great option to loop back to the parking lot on Ridgeview Court after hiking the Ridge Trail and viewing the historic Hillside Sign along Letters Trail. 

Iris Trail

Distance: 0.27 miles

Elevation Gain: 600 ft

Put your endurance to the test on this steep hiking trail from Poplar Avenue straight up to Sign Hill’s summit on Ridge Trail. Your hard work will be rewarded with South City’s most spectacular views. 

Letters Trail

Distance: 0.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 410 ft 

This is Sign Hill’s only hiking trail offering views of the historic Hillside Sign and offers some shade in through the native oak grove. This relatively laid-back hiking trail begins from Poplar Avenue and follows the base of the Hillside Sign to the eastern side of Ridge Trail. Catch some nice cityscapes and views of the San Francisco Bay along the way, or take the Ridge Trail switchbacks to the summit for the South City’s best scenery and make a loop back to Poplar Avenue down either Iris Trail or Seubert Trail.

Park hours: Sunrise to sunset.

Stay on Trail: Sign Hill is natural open space with sensitive habitat that local wildlife rely on for refuge and forage. Wandering off trail disturbs natural ecosystems by introducing invasive weeds and pathogens as well as fragmenting the habitat and increasing erosion. There is also the potential to step on small sensitive species like the federally endangered mission blue butterfly or their larvae. Please do your part to protect the natural environment by keeping yourself and your pets on trail.

Dogs on Leash: Municipal Code 10.36.090 states dogs must be kept on a leash, not to exceed 6 feet in length, in all City parks. Owners are also expected to pick up after their pet. Keeping dogs leashed and on trail at all times and cleaning up after them helps to protect the environment and your pet. Many Bay Area open spaces restrict access for dogs, Sign Hill is one of the few that allow dogs on leash to access the trail system. Please respect pet safety rules when bringing a leashed dog to Sign Hill.

Bicycles Prohibited: Bicycles cause erosion to our trail system, please lock your bikes at the designated park entrances. 

Smoking Prohibited: Wildfires are part of California’s natural ecosystem function and can be started easily with a tiny spark. Please do your part to protect the park and local residents from wildfire by refraining from smoking. 

Leave No Trace: Municipal Code 8.20.040 states that illegal disposal of litter is unlawful. Please dispose of any trash or pet waste or carry it out with you. Several trash cans are located in the park for your convenience. 

Plants and Animals: Picking or removing wildflowers or other natural material is prohibited. If you are fortunate enough to observe wild animals on your visit please do not approach, startle, or feed them. When wild animals learn to associate people with food it increases the risk of dangerous encounters for children and pets.

Failing to follow these policies may result in a citation by the Police Department. Individuals may report these concerns to the Police Department by calling (650) 877-8900 (non-emergency)

Prepare for Your Hike

Dress for the environment. Weather on Sign Hill can vary greatly from surrounding urban areas, and even within the park. Be prepared for variable temperatures and high winds by dressing in layers appropriate to the season. 

Protect yourself from the sun. Sign Hill’s open grasslands offer very little shade and higher elevations can increase your exposure to harmful UV rays. Make sure to apply sunscreen and consider wearing a sun hat, sunglasses, and long sleeves.

Wear sturdy hiking shoes. Trails can be uneven and have loose terrain which could cause you to slip and fall. For more steep and strenuous trails, you may want to bring a hiking stick. 

Carry water with you. Water is not available on Sign Hill and hiking trails are steep and strenuous. Please protect yourself from heat exhaustion by staying hydrated.

Threats to Your Pet and the Environment

Coyotes are common throughout the Bay Area including on Sign Hill, and while attacks are rare, they can happen. Likewise coyotes can be victimized by pets. Unlike pets, which can depend on being fed multiple times per day, coyotes must exert a lot of energy to hunt and forage every meal in the wild, so being chased by dogs is very stressful and hazardous to their health. For the health of your pet and coyotes it is best to prevent their interaction. If you should encounter a coyote, make loud noises and clap to scare them away. Remember, never feed wildlife. When wild animals learn to associate people with food it increases the risk of dangerous encounters for children and pets.  

Coyotes are not the only threat to your pet on Sign Hill. When wandering off designated hiking trails you are likely to encounter poison oak and disease-carrying ticks. Protect yourself and your pet by staying on trail.  

Dog feces also pose an environmental threat. Feces do not simply decompose, they are a source of pollution that can cause problems with water quality and human health. Rainwaters flow from Sign Hill into Colma Creek, and eventually into the San Francisco Bay. Help prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and nutrients into local waters by properly disposing of your pet’s waste. 

Failing to follow these policies may result in a citation by the Police Department. Individuals may report these concerns to the Police Department by calling (650) 877-8900 (non-emergency).

Seubert Trail and Seubert Grove is named after Alphonse Seubert, who was a long-time resident of South San Francisco and original member of the South San Francisco Beautification Committee. Also known as "Mr. Sign Hill," he was known for his involvement on Sign Hill since the 1960s. It is estimated that Mr. Seubert had single-handedly planted an estimated 5,000 trees on Sign Hill, and was regularly seen going up and down the hill watering and nurturing all of the seedlings he had planted. Additionally, he was instrumental in the development of the trails that are in use today. While the Seubert Grove burned down in the 2020 Diamond Fire, Al Seubert's story continues to inspire the community.

In 1991, Mr. Seubert was named a recipient of the National Arbor Day Foundation Lawrence Enersen Award. Recipients of the award are individuals whose life's work exemplifies commitment to tree planting and community improvement. Mr. Seubert passed away in 2006.

Sign Hill Stewards

In 2019, the Parks Division launched the Sign Hill Habitat Restoration Project as part of a Measure K grant with San Mateo County. Since then, project staff and volunteers have spend hundreds of hours restoring Sign Hill by installing native grassland plants and removing invasive plants.

The Sign Hill Habitat Restoration Project provides opportunities for community engagement through volunteer workdays and environmental programming. If you are interested in volunteering, please register on the Eventbrite page.

Subscribe to the Sign Hill Stewards email newsletter to learn more about the project. Want to get involved? Complete the Volunteer Application below or email parks.volunteers@ssf.net.