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Easy places to go to see the rare Bay Area snow

Snow near the summit of Mount Diablo in 2019. | Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

For the first time in years, snow is coming back to the hills of the Bay Area. And while the snowfall won’t be legendary, it’ll be enough to scrape together a snowman and maybe even a few snowballs before it melts away.

With flakes already falling well below 1,000 feet in parts of the Bay Area, here are the nearby hills to head for if you want to dip a toe—or even a boot—in the snow.

Twin Peaks, Mt. Sutro or Mt. Davidson

911-928 feet

Even the city’s highest hills are poised for a dusting this week! Twin Peaks is an easy drive or park and walk up to Mount Sutro’s tower or Mount Davidson cross.

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Here’s where and when you could spot snow flurries in SF this week. ❄️ #sanfrancisco #bayarea #snow #weather #fyp

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San Bruno Mountain 

1,319 feet

Aim for the Radio Mountain Summit Loop to see snow on the hill separating South SF from the city itself.

Marin Headlands

900-1,000 feet

Cross the Golden Gate and aim for the Golden Gate View Point, Hawk Hill or a hike up Slacker Hill if snow is visible on in the Marin Headlands.

Mount Tamalpais

2,572 feet

Head to Mill Valley and into Mount Tam State Park to find countless trails and roads lined with snow. The area around the open-air Cushing Memorial Amphitheater often gets dusted and has views of the city—or just drive up to the top at East Peak.

Grizzly Peak

1,758 feet

Drive along Grizzly Peak Boulevard, above the city of Berkeley and the UC campus, toward Grizzly Peak and the Grizzly Peak Trail for a chance at snowy patches and great views of San Francisco across the bay.

Mission Peak

2,517 feet

The Ohlone College parking lot is an easy place to access trails to snowy spots on  Mission Peak near Fremont.

Mount Hamilton

4,265 feet

Drive way up above San Jose to the Lick Observatory atop Mt. Hamilton for lots of white stuff and lots of views. 

Mount Diablo

3,848 feet

Head for the East Bay’s biggest peak at Mount Diablo State Park from Danville or Walnut Creek. Lots of parking and great views at the Summit Visitors Center.

Mount Umunhum

3,486 feet 

Among the tallest peaks in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Mount Umunhum area has already received some snowfall and visitors can drive or hike to the top.

Sonoma Mountain

2,100 feet

Located above Glen Ellen, Jack London Park, on the east slope of Sonoma Mountain, provides access to 29 trails for exploring a surely snowy hill in the North Bay.

Find All the Snowy Spots Near San Francisco