{"id":5315,"date":"2020-02-07T02:44:29","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T02:44:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/cactus-flats-near-big-bear-copy\/"},"modified":"2025-10-10T04:30:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T04:30:10","slug":"san-andreas-san-francisco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/san-andreas-san-francisco\/","title":{"rendered":"San Andreas Fault Tour on the San Francisco Peninsula"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-5315\" data-postid=\"5315\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-5315 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_ob16262 tb_first tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-2 tb_t91b262 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_6cpc262    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"zoomIn\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong>We\u2019ve taken our readers on tours of the San Andreas Fault before, this time however, we\u2019re going to take you on an urban back roads tour of where the fault can be seen along the San Francisco Peninsula.<\/strong>\u00a0 Our tour starts near Stanford University in Palo Alto, and ends where the fault plunges into the Pacific Ocean at Mussel Point near Daly City, just southwest of San Francisco.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_deiv262 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_ib4k262 image-top rounded drop-shadow  tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInRightBig\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=95meMSxr4Pk\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"211\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFran.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5309\" title=\"SanFran\" alt=\"SanFran\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_zrvj812 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_ehvd812 first\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_59yw812 button-bottom-center red  rounded embossed shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInLeft\" data-tf-animation_delay=\"1\" data-lazy=\"1\" id=\"video-2\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\"><\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <strong>Click image<\/strong> to watch Virtual Video Tour and see viewer comments.\nThen come back to get the rest of the story.        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_1szh812 image-center bordered  tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"lightSpeedIn\" data-tf-animation_delay=\"1.5\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7hcP59KSLZ0\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/YouTubeSanFrancisco.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6974\" title=\"YouTubeSanFrancisco\" alt=\"YouTubeSanFrancisco\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/YouTubeSanFrancisco.jpg 640w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/YouTubeSanFrancisco-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_9lpm812    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"zoomIn\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2>Trip Specs<\/h2>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_ankk605 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_z2wz605 first\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_sjx4605  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Length<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <p>\nAbout 36.5 miles one-way\n<\/p>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_a7yw605  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Attractions<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <ul>\n<li>Features of San Andreas<\/li>\n<li>Mountain scenery<\/li>\n<li>Great views of the Bay Area<\/li>\n<li>Open space areas\n<\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_kzfe605 last\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_loeb605  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Difficulty<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <ul>\n<li>Easy<\/li>\n<li>One very twisty road<\/li>\n<\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_ajxz104 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_lf31104 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_t81y104   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2>Our Trip<\/h2>\n<p>Unlike other trips we\u2019ve taken along the San Andreas, the landscape on the peninsula is mostly covered by vegetation.\u00a0 It\u2019s also in a very urbanized and built-up area.\u00a0 This means that, traces of the fault, will be hard to see.\u00a0 The best way to see where the fault is located on the peninsula is to see it from aerial imagery.\u00a0 Using Google Earth is the best way to experience such imagery.\u00a0 Our virtual video tour on YouTube uses several animation sequences from Google Earth easily pointing out the fault\u2019s location in relation to our tour.\u00a0 See the last paragraph to learn how to watch it.<\/p>\n<p>Visiting San Francisco is always a fun and grand experience.\u00a0 After a day or two of the hustle and bustle of the big city, our tour will offer the visitor a view outside of it and into the nearby urban and rural areas.\u00a0 Public transportation does not service areas along our tour, so you\u2019ll need your own vehicle to follow the route.\u00a0 The tour we explain here can easily be done in half a day.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_5ymi104   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Skyscraper160x600 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_z2ay104   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2>Geology<\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re interested in geology or just curious on how various landforms were created, points along the tour offer great vantage points to seeing what occurred over a very long time, as well as the process that is still going on today. \u00a0The San Francisco Bay Area, including its neighboring mountains and the low spot where water from the ocean seeped in through the Golden Gate strait, were formed by the sliding actions of both the San Andreas and Hayward fault zones.<\/p>\n<p>Both fault zones are parallel to each other, with the bay sitting between the two.\u00a0 The land (or Earth\u2019s crust) between the two faults sank because of the stretching that occurred as the two faults pulled the land away from each other.\u00a0 On the opposite sides of each fault, land was compressed and pushed up, to form the mountains we see today.\u00a0 This process becomes more obvious when viewing our video tour on YouTube.<\/p>\n<div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-29\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MjksMTEsNjA=\" title=\"BackRoadsWest.com\" href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/geology-tour-st-george\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Ad-800x500-GeologyTour2.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_5zuh104   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Pictures<\/h3><p>Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><div  class=\"module themify_builder_slider_wrap tf_clearfix module-slider tb_f7q8104  slider-default  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"themify_builder_slider tf_carousel tf_swiper-container tf_rel tf_overflow\" data-lazy=\"1\"        data-visible=\"1\"\n        data-tab-visible=\"1\"\n        data-mob-visible=\"1\"\n        data-scroll=\"1\"\n                            data-auto=\"4000\"\n            data-controller=\"0\"\n            data-pause_hover=\"1\"\n                data-speed=\"1\"\n        data-wrapvar=\"1\"\n        data-slider_nav=\"1\"\n        data-pager=\"1\"\n        data-effect=\"scroll\" \n        data-height=\"variable\"\n        data-css_url=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/carousel,http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/slider\"\n                    >\n        <div class=\"tf_swiper-wrapper tf_lazy tf_rel tf_w tf_h tf_textc\">\n                         <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#07230d 25%,#071731 25% 50%,#99b29f 50% 75%,#1b212f 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#6e6351 25%,#88742d 25% 50%,#1a101b 50% 75%,#95ad89 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#262722 25%,#d2dce8 25% 50%,#1b1311 50% 75%,#85af5d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#918f9c 25%,#616884 25% 50%,#1b2c3e 50% 75%,#b19e9a 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-5310\" title=\"SanFranSldr1\" alt=\"Sag pond\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5310\" title=\"SanFranSldr1\" alt=\"Sag pond\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Sag pond at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#92bfe8 25%,#abc3e5 25% 50%,#98c8f0 50% 75%,#88bde5 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a18e92 25%,#bab5b9 25% 50%,#5b6a7d 50% 75%,#f9f7ff 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#ceb193 25%,#7e6d66 25% 50%,#8b796f 50% 75%,#a78c77 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#424c34 25%,#23200d 25% 50%,#63431c 50% 75%,#56390f 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-5311\" title=\"SanFranSldr2\" alt=\"View of Bay Area from Skyline Blvd\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5311\" title=\"SanFranSldr2\" alt=\"View of Bay Area from Skyline Blvd\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>View of Bay Area from Skyline Blvd<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#7cbef2 25%,#225887 25% 50%,#466a82 50% 75%,#39556a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#040500 25%,#1d6fa7 25% 50%,#1471aa 50% 75%,#1a73ab 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#827177 25%,#9d8465 25% 50%,#a6927a 50% 75%,#6a6057 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#726763 25%,#988672 25% 50%,#886d5a 50% 75%,#775f45 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-5312\" title=\"SanFranSldr3\" alt=\"Crystal Springs Reservoir\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5312\" title=\"SanFranSldr3\" alt=\"Crystal Springs Reservoir\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>View of Crystal Springs Reservoir<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#e6dcd3 25%,#dad6d5 25% 50%,#cbcbd3 50% 75%,#babfc2 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#9ea4a2 25%,#687480 25% 50%,#533628 50% 75%,#a36939 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#536f72 25%,#283440 25% 50%,#482e1f 50% 75%,#7c4d21 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#67767b 25%,#637778 25% 50%,#65472b 50% 75%,#945721 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-5313\" title=\"SanFranSldr4\" alt=\"Mussel Rock\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5313\" title=\"SanFranSldr4\" alt=\"Mussel Rock\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Mussel Rock: where the San Andreas plunges into the sea<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#4482bd 25%,#5994cc 25% 50%,#c4d9f8 50% 75%,#889cb7 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#2d608b 25%,#3d7cb2 25% 50%,#4081b9 50% 75%,#4380b9 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#66727e 25%,#7c8894 25% 50%,#656370 50% 75%,#31669c 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#97989c 25%,#9d9f9e 25% 50%,#8a93a2 50% 75%,#eee9e5 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-5314\" title=\"SanFranSldr5\" alt=\"San Francisco\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5314\" title=\"SanFranSldr5\" alt=\"San Francisco\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>It&#8217;s difficult to spot the fault in San Francisco<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>            <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_f6gl831 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_jsp9831 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_2mcf831   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p>Most of the maps in our videos were created using Gaia GPS. Click the ad below to purchase a Gaia GPS subscription and we&#8217;ll earn a few dollars to fund our next trip.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_o3jk831 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_7623831   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Skyscraper160x600 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_37s5467 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_ardi467 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_rzlr747   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-29\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MjksMTEsNjA=\" title=\"BackRoadsWest.com\" href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/geology-tour-st-george\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Ad-800x500-GeologyTour2.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_p2po358   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2>Tour Route<\/h2>\n<p>Our tour begins halfway down the peninsula (south of San Francisco) near Palo Alto.\u00a0 From anywhere in the Bay Area, take the 280 Freeway towards Palo Alto and take the Portola Valley \/ Alpine Road exit (exit 22).\u00a0 Head south on Alpine Road for 2.9 miles to the junction of Portola Road.\u00a0 Turn right.\u00a0 You will now be heading northwest, which is the same direction as the San Andreas Fault and the same direction for the remainder of the tour.<\/p>\n<h3>Windy Hill Open Space Preserve<\/h3>\n<p>Our first stop is the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve at 3.8 miles on the left.\u00a0 Drive down the driveway and find a place to park.\u00a0 Walk the short trail to a small pond.\u00a0 This pond, known as a sag pond, was created by the fault\u2019s grinding action and has trapped water into the small depression here.\u00a0 You\u2019ll notice that the base of the hills behind the pond trend in the same direction as the pond.\u00a0 That\u2019s because the fault zone is at the base of these hills.\u00a0 Other trails allow you to explore the area where the fault zone lays inconspicuously.<\/p>\n<p>Continue the drive on Portola Road.\u00a0 At 6.4 miles, be sure to turn left and continue on Portola Road, then a sort distance, bear left again.\u00a0 In less than a mile, Portola Road turns into Woodside Road.\u00a0 All along this portion of our tour, the fault zone is within a quarter of a mile to the left, but under private property and barely noticeable because of all the vegetation.<\/p>\n<h3>Skyline Blvd &amp; View of the Bay<\/h3>\n<p>At 8.9 miles, turn left onto Kings Mountain Road.\u00a0 This road will cross over the fault and then climb the mountain ridge created by the fault.\u00a0 It is a very twisty road.<\/p>\n<p>At 13.5 miles, make a hard right onto Skyline Blvd, Hwy 35.\u00a0 You will now be following Hwy 35 for the rest of our tour to Mussel Rock.\u00a0 Although the trees block your view for most of this segment of the tour, you will spot some great views of the Bay Area on the right.\u00a0 At about 18.4 miles, there is a brief open area where you can enjoy a great panorama and see where both the San Andreas and Hayward faults shaped the Bay Area.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_xqm6239   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Skyscraper160x600 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_rh5v14   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Crystal Springs Reservoir<\/h3>\n<p>Continue on Hwy 35 as it descends from the hills and turns right onto Hwy 92.\u00a0 At 22 miles, Hwy 35 crosses over Crystal Springs Reservoir, which stores drinking water for San Francisco from Yosemite National Park.\u00a0 You\u2019ll notice the reservoir is long and skinny.\u00a0 That\u2019s because it sits in a trough that was gouged out by the San Andreas.\u00a0 For nearly 12 miles, this and another reservoir marks the exact path of the fault, which you\u2019ll pass by while driving on Hwy 35.<\/p>\n<p>Just after crossing the reservoir, turn left to follow Hwy 35.\u00a0 At 23.8 miles, you can take a short walk along the Sawyer Camp Trail to get a closer look at the reservoir and how the San Andreas shaped the landscape here.<\/p>\n<h3>Mussel Rock<\/h3>\n<p>Continue the tour by continuing northwest on Hwy 35.\u00a0 The best option at this point is to use your phone or GPS to navigate to Mussel Rock.\u00a0 It is labeled on most maps.<\/p>\n<p>Park your vehicle at the end of Westline Drive and walk into the Mussel Rock Open Space area.\u00a0 Providing it\u2019s not foggy, if you examine the landscape and hillside carefully, you\u2019ll see that it\u2019s very rugged and chaotic.\u00a0 This is all in the fault zone and this ground is constantly moving.\u00a0 This is a nice walk that leads down to the beach and gives you an opportunity to see where the mighty San Andreas heads into the ocean on its track north.<\/p>\n<h2>Trip Map<\/h2>\n<p>To help plan your trip, use our interactive Google Map below. Be sure to switch to Satellite view to see the terrain.<\/p>\n<p>Most of the maps in our videos were created using Gaia GPS. Click the ad below to purchase a Gaia GPS subscription and we&#8217;ll earn a few dollars to fund our next trip.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/map\/\">Learn more<\/a> about our maps.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module maps pro -->\n<div  id=\"tb_voss53\" class=\"module module-maps-pro tb_voss53  tf_lazy\" data-zoom=\"10\" data-type=\"HYBRID\" data-address=\"37.531656825508634, -122.35448128985588\" data-scrollwheel=\"1\" data-draggable=\"enable\" data-disable_map_ui=\"\" data-polyline=\"\" data-geodesic=\"\" data-polylineStroke=\"2\" data-polylineColor=\"\" data-trigger=\"\" data-mapid=\"\" data-style_map=\"pale-dawn\" data-legacymarkers=\"\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"maps-pro-canvas-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"maps-pro-canvas\" style=\"width:100%;height:500px\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<template>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.40917230966216,-122.19473236914315\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-info.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPortola Valley \/ Alpine Road exit (exit 22)\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.66622911083309,-122.4948467107282\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-hiker.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMussel Rock\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.256602880862225,-113.62574414172437\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-info.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOther (north) cinder cone\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/template>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<!-- \/module maps pro --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_pdz786   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Comments<\/h3>\n<p>Read and leave comments about this post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7hcP59KSLZ0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-17\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest.com\" href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/tour-planning\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Ad-800x500-TripPlan2.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_1udo365 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_yd1g365 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_qgy3365   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Support Us<\/h3><p>Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we&#8217;ll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p><p>Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. 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center;\"><em>See all our comprehensive virtual tour guides at<\/em>:<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg\" alt=\"BRWlogo\" width=\"300\" height=\"40\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo.jpg 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We\u2019ve taken our readers on tours of the San Andreas Fault before, this time however, we\u2019re going to take you on an urban back roads tour of where the fault can be seen along the San Francisco Peninsula.\u00a0 Our tour starts near Stanford University in Palo Alto, and ends where the fault plunges into the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5309,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,24,15,30,17,19,18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5315","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-california","category-geology","category-roadeasy","category-san-andreas-fault","category-season-fall","category-season-spring","category-season-summer","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 4.9.9 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Go on an urban back roads tour of the San Andreas 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Francisco Peninsula and find out where to see the fault&#039;s various features.\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/san-andreas-san-francisco\/\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-02-07T02:44:29+00:00\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-10T04:30:10+00:00\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"San Andreas Fault Tour in San Francisco | BackRoadsWest.com\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Go on an urban back roads tour of the San Andreas Fault along the San Francisco Peninsula and find out where to see the fault&#039;s various features.\" \/>\n\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" 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03:39:31","updated":"2026-05-13 18:39:43","seo_analyzer_scan_date":null},"aioseo_breadcrumb":"<div class=\"aioseo-breadcrumbs\"><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\" title=\"Home\">Home<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/california\/\" title=\"California\">California<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\tSan Andreas Fault Tour on the San Francisco Peninsula\n\t\t<\/span><\/div>","aioseo_breadcrumb_json":[{"label":"Home","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog"},{"label":"California","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/california\/"},{"label":"San Andreas Fault Tour on the San Francisco Peninsula","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/san-andreas-san-francisco\/"}],"builder_content":"<p><strong>We\u2019ve taken our readers on tours of the San Andreas Fault before, this time however, we\u2019re going to take you on an urban back roads tour of where the fault can be seen along the San Francisco Peninsula.<\/strong>\u00a0 Our tour starts near Stanford University in Palo Alto, and ends where the fault plunges into the Pacific Ocean at Mussel Point near Daly City, just southwest of San Francisco.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=95meMSxr4Pk\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFran.jpg\" title=\"SanFran\" alt=\"SanFran\"> <\/a>\n<h3><\/h3> <strong>Click image<\/strong> to watch Virtual Video Tour and see viewer comments. Then come back to get the rest of the story.\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7hcP59KSLZ0\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/YouTubeSanFrancisco.jpg\" title=\"YouTubeSanFrancisco\" alt=\"YouTubeSanFrancisco\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/YouTubeSanFrancisco.jpg 640w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/YouTubeSanFrancisco-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/> <\/a>\n<h2>Trip Specs<\/h2>\n<h3>Length<\/h3> <p> About 36.5 miles one-way <\/p>\n<h3>Attractions<\/h3> <ul> <li>Features of San Andreas<\/li> <li>Mountain scenery<\/li> <li>Great views of the Bay Area<\/li> <li>Open space areas <\/ul>\n<h3>Difficulty<\/h3> <ul> <li>Easy<\/li> <li>One very twisty road<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h2>Our Trip<\/h2> <p>Unlike other trips we\u2019ve taken along the San Andreas, the landscape on the peninsula is mostly covered by vegetation.\u00a0 It\u2019s also in a very urbanized and built-up area.\u00a0 This means that, traces of the fault, will be hard to see.\u00a0 The best way to see where the fault is located on the peninsula is to see it from aerial imagery.\u00a0 Using Google Earth is the best way to experience such imagery.\u00a0 Our virtual video tour on YouTube uses several animation sequences from Google Earth easily pointing out the fault\u2019s location in relation to our tour.\u00a0 See the last paragraph to learn how to watch it.<\/p> <p>Visiting San Francisco is always a fun and grand experience.\u00a0 After a day or two of the hustle and bustle of the big city, our tour will offer the visitor a view outside of it and into the nearby urban and rural areas.\u00a0 Public transportation does not service areas along our tour, so you\u2019ll need your own vehicle to follow the route.\u00a0 The tour we explain here can easily be done in half a day.<\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n<h2>Geology<\/h2> <p>If you\u2019re interested in geology or just curious on how various landforms were created, points along the tour offer great vantage points to seeing what occurred over a very long time, as well as the process that is still going on today. \u00a0The San Francisco Bay Area, including its neighboring mountains and the low spot where water from the ocean seeped in through the Golden Gate strait, were formed by the sliding actions of both the San Andreas and Hayward fault zones.<\/p> <p>Both fault zones are parallel to each other, with the bay sitting between the two.\u00a0 The land (or Earth\u2019s crust) between the two faults sank because of the stretching that occurred as the two faults pulled the land away from each other.\u00a0 On the opposite sides of each fault, land was compressed and pushed up, to form the mountains we see today.\u00a0 This process becomes more obvious when viewing our video tour on YouTube.<\/p> <p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p>\n<h3>Pictures<\/h3><p>Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.<\/p>\n<img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#07230d 25%,#071731 25% 50%,#99b29f 50% 75%,#1b212f 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#6e6351 25%,#88742d 25% 50%,#1a101b 50% 75%,#95ad89 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#262722 25%,#d2dce8 25% 50%,#1b1311 50% 75%,#85af5d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#918f9c 25%,#616884 25% 50%,#1b2c3e 50% 75%,#b19e9a 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"SanFranSldr1\" alt=\"Sag pond\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"SanFranSldr1\" alt=\"Sag pond\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Sag pond at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#92bfe8 25%,#abc3e5 25% 50%,#98c8f0 50% 75%,#88bde5 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a18e92 25%,#bab5b9 25% 50%,#5b6a7d 50% 75%,#f9f7ff 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#ceb193 25%,#7e6d66 25% 50%,#8b796f 50% 75%,#a78c77 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#424c34 25%,#23200d 25% 50%,#63431c 50% 75%,#56390f 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"SanFranSldr2\" alt=\"View of Bay Area from Skyline Blvd\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"SanFranSldr2\" alt=\"View of Bay Area from Skyline Blvd\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> View of Bay Area from Skyline Blvd <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#7cbef2 25%,#225887 25% 50%,#466a82 50% 75%,#39556a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#040500 25%,#1d6fa7 25% 50%,#1471aa 50% 75%,#1a73ab 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#827177 25%,#9d8465 25% 50%,#a6927a 50% 75%,#6a6057 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#726763 25%,#988672 25% 50%,#886d5a 50% 75%,#775f45 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"SanFranSldr3\" alt=\"Crystal Springs Reservoir\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"SanFranSldr3\" alt=\"Crystal Springs Reservoir\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> View of Crystal Springs Reservoir <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#e6dcd3 25%,#dad6d5 25% 50%,#cbcbd3 50% 75%,#babfc2 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#9ea4a2 25%,#687480 25% 50%,#533628 50% 75%,#a36939 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#536f72 25%,#283440 25% 50%,#482e1f 50% 75%,#7c4d21 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#67767b 25%,#637778 25% 50%,#65472b 50% 75%,#945721 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"SanFranSldr4\" alt=\"Mussel Rock\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"SanFranSldr4\" alt=\"Mussel Rock\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Mussel Rock: where the San Andreas plunges into the sea <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#4482bd 25%,#5994cc 25% 50%,#c4d9f8 50% 75%,#889cb7 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#2d608b 25%,#3d7cb2 25% 50%,#4081b9 50% 75%,#4380b9 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#66727e 25%,#7c8894 25% 50%,#656370 50% 75%,#31669c 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#97989c 25%,#9d9f9e 25% 50%,#8a93a2 50% 75%,#eee9e5 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"SanFranSldr5\" alt=\"San Francisco\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"SanFranSldr5\" alt=\"San Francisco\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/SanFranSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> It's difficult to spot the fault in San Francisco\n<p>Most of the maps in our videos were created using Gaia GPS. Click the ad below to purchase a Gaia GPS subscription and we'll earn a few dollars to fund our next trip.<\/p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n<p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p>\n<h2>Tour Route<\/h2> <p>Our tour begins halfway down the peninsula (south of San Francisco) near Palo Alto.\u00a0 From anywhere in the Bay Area, take the 280 Freeway towards Palo Alto and take the Portola Valley \/ Alpine Road exit (exit 22).\u00a0 Head south on Alpine Road for 2.9 miles to the junction of Portola Road.\u00a0 Turn right.\u00a0 You will now be heading northwest, which is the same direction as the San Andreas Fault and the same direction for the remainder of the tour.<\/p> <h3>Windy Hill Open Space Preserve<\/h3> <p>Our first stop is the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve at 3.8 miles on the left.\u00a0 Drive down the driveway and find a place to park.\u00a0 Walk the short trail to a small pond.\u00a0 This pond, known as a sag pond, was created by the fault\u2019s grinding action and has trapped water into the small depression here.\u00a0 You\u2019ll notice that the base of the hills behind the pond trend in the same direction as the pond.\u00a0 That\u2019s because the fault zone is at the base of these hills.\u00a0 Other trails allow you to explore the area where the fault zone lays inconspicuously.<\/p> <p>Continue the drive on Portola Road.\u00a0 At 6.4 miles, be sure to turn left and continue on Portola Road, then a sort distance, bear left again.\u00a0 In less than a mile, Portola Road turns into Woodside Road.\u00a0 All along this portion of our tour, the fault zone is within a quarter of a mile to the left, but under private property and barely noticeable because of all the vegetation.<\/p> <h3>Skyline Blvd &amp; View of the Bay<\/h3> <p>At 8.9 miles, turn left onto Kings Mountain Road.\u00a0 This road will cross over the fault and then climb the mountain ridge created by the fault.\u00a0 It is a very twisty road.<\/p> <p>At 13.5 miles, make a hard right onto Skyline Blvd, Hwy 35.\u00a0 You will now be following Hwy 35 for the rest of our tour to Mussel Rock.\u00a0 Although the trees block your view for most of this segment of the tour, you will spot some great views of the Bay Area on the right.\u00a0 At about 18.4 miles, there is a brief open area where you can enjoy a great panorama and see where both the San Andreas and Hayward faults shaped the Bay Area.<\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n<h3>Crystal Springs Reservoir<\/h3> <p>Continue on Hwy 35 as it descends from the hills and turns right onto Hwy 92.\u00a0 At 22 miles, Hwy 35 crosses over Crystal Springs Reservoir, which stores drinking water for San Francisco from Yosemite National Park.\u00a0 You\u2019ll notice the reservoir is long and skinny.\u00a0 That\u2019s because it sits in a trough that was gouged out by the San Andreas.\u00a0 For nearly 12 miles, this and another reservoir marks the exact path of the fault, which you\u2019ll pass by while driving on Hwy 35.<\/p> <p>Just after crossing the reservoir, turn left to follow Hwy 35.\u00a0 At 23.8 miles, you can take a short walk along the Sawyer Camp Trail to get a closer look at the reservoir and how the San Andreas shaped the landscape here.<\/p> <h3>Mussel Rock<\/h3> <p>Continue the tour by continuing northwest on Hwy 35.\u00a0 The best option at this point is to use your phone or GPS to navigate to Mussel Rock.\u00a0 It is labeled on most maps.<\/p> <p>Park your vehicle at the end of Westline Drive and walk into the Mussel Rock Open Space area.\u00a0 Providing it\u2019s not foggy, if you examine the landscape and hillside carefully, you\u2019ll see that it\u2019s very rugged and chaotic.\u00a0 This is all in the fault zone and this ground is constantly moving.\u00a0 This is a nice walk that leads down to the beach and gives you an opportunity to see where the mighty San Andreas heads into the ocean on its track north.<\/p> <h2>Trip Map<\/h2> <p>To help plan your trip, use our interactive Google Map below. Be sure to switch to Satellite view to see the terrain.<\/p> <p>Most of the maps in our videos were created using Gaia GPS. Click the ad below to purchase a Gaia GPS subscription and we'll earn a few dollars to fund our next trip.<\/p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/p> <p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/map\/\">Learn more<\/a> about our maps.<\/p>\n<template> Portola Valley \/ Alpine Road exit (exit 22) Mussel Rock Other (north) cinder cone <\/template>\n<h3>Comments<\/h3> <p>Read and leave comments about this post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7hcP59KSLZ0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>.<\/p> <p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p>\n<h3>Support Us<\/h3><p>Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we'll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p><p>Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p><p>[paypal-donation]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Subscribe<\/h3> <p>[mc4wp_form]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>See all our comprehensive virtual tour guides at<\/em>:<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg\" alt=\"BRWlogo\" width=\"300\" height=\"40\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo.jpg 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5315","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5315"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5315\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8005,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5315\/revisions\/8005"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5309"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5315"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5315"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5315"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}