Hillcrest Boulevard Climb

We don't rate roads as safe or unsafe: crash counts can't say how risky a ride is, and roads people like to ride draw more riders, so they see more crashes. What the records show: no bike crashes were reported along the climb from 2021–2025.

How long and steep is the Hillcrest Boulevard climb?

1.7 miles (2.8 km) at 6.5% on average, climbing 594 ft (181 m) from 20 ft to 614 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 12.7%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 37.60194, -122.39214, where Hillcrest Boulevard leaves El Camino Real, and ends at a gate at 37.58709, -122.4115.

Is Hillcrest Boulevard paved?

Yes, by its OpenStreetMap tags.

How is the category worked out?

From the climb's shape only: length in metres × average grade (%) of 16,000 or more for Cat 3, 32,000 for Cat 2, 64,000 for Cat 1 and 80,000 for HC. It describes how hard the climb is, not traffic or crashes.

Where does this data come from?

The climb is found from OpenStreetMap roads and USGS 3DEP elevation (every climb, not a list of famous ones). Access is from OpenStreetMap tags; gates and closures change, so obey posted signs. Crash counts are police reports in the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS) on data.ca.gov, counted where their map location is within 100 ft of the climb. The forecast is from the National Weather Service.

• Millbrae AvenueCat 3 · 1.9 mi at 5.5% · 548 ft · starts 0.4 mi away
• Trousdale DriveCat 3 · 1.6 mi at 6.8% · 568 ft · starts 0.7 mi away
• Hillside Drive from Balboa AvenueCat 3 · 1.9 mi at 5.4% · 541 ft · starts 1.5 mi away
• Skyfarm Drive from Redington RoadCat 3 · 1.3 mi at 7.8% · 551 ft · starts 2.4 mi away
• Sneath LaneCat 3 · 3.0 mi at 4.2% · 676 ft · starts 2.9 mi away
• Ralston Avenue from Elm AvenueCat 3 · 2.3 mi at 4.8% · 581 ft · starts 2.9 mi away
• Sneath Lane TrailCat 3 · 1.5 mi at 7.2% · 591 ft · starts 3.5 mi away
• Hayne RoadCat 3 · 2.2 mi at 4.9% · 558 ft · starts 4.0 mi away