Sign Hill

In addition to serving as a monument in North San Mateo County, Sign Hill provides a valuable 65 acres of open space and almost two miles of hiking trails, and unparalleled views of the San Francisco Bay. In 1996, Sign Hill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sign Hill also provides critical habitat for wildlife on the San Francisco Peninsula. It is home to a diverse set of species, including the endangered mission blue butterfly (Icaricia icarioides missionensis) and rare coast iris (Iris longipetala). In the springtime, colorful wildflowers like California poppies, hummingbird sage, and goldfields paint Sign Hill's slopes. Throughout the year, Anna's hummingbirds, red-tailed hawks, California scrub-jays, and dark-eyed juncos can be found on Sign Hill.

Resources

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

• Ridge Trail (0.77 miles) - Along the crest of Sign Hill from Ridgeview Court to Spruce Avenue
• Seubert Trail (0.36 miles) - From Poplar Avenue entrance up to the Ridge Trail
• Eucalyptus Loop Trail (0.27 miles) - Off of Seubert Trail along base of Sign Hill
• Iris Hill Trail (0.27 miles) - Off of Poplar Avenue up to the Ridge Trail
• Letters Trail (0.2 miles) - From Poplar Avenue along the base of the letters to the Ridge Trail

Please wear sturdy shoes. Trails can be very slippery and strenuous.

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.