The following trail may be closed to hiking and equestrian use during wet conditions.
- Folger Ranch Loop Trail is OPEN to hikers and equestrians.
Preserve Info
Hiking
Equestrian
Dogs on Leash
Restrooms
Overview
Offering magnificent views of the coast, colorful wildflower displays in the spring, and immersion into a historic ranchland, La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve is an ideal spot to escape the pressures of everyday life. The more than 6,100-acre preserve, considered by many as the gateway to the San Mateo Coast, features forests and redwood to the north, open rolling grasslands to the south, and spectacular panoramic views of the coast and ridgelines throughout.
A no-fee permit is required to park in the upper portion of the preserve. No parking is allowed outside the gate or along Allen Road.
Temporary COVID-19 Restrictions
- Face coverings are required when you can’t stay 6 feet away from persons you don’t live with. Many Midpen trails are narrow — wear a mask, bandanna or gaiter you can pull over your mouth and nose as needed.
- Paper maps are not available at preserves. Please download a map before leaving home or snap a photo of the signboard map before you hike.
Public access is currently available in two unconnected parts of the preserve.
- Upper La Honda Creek features 3.5 miles of shorter sections of trail through forest and redwoods. Due to parking limitations, a no-fee permit is required for access to Upper La Honda Creek (Allen Road entrance).
- Lower La Honda Creek offers 6 miles of trail through open rolling grasslands. Trails run through an active grazing operation, and visitors may encounter cattle and ranchers. A no-fee permit is required for equestrian parking at the Event Center, all other visitors park at the Sears Ranch Road lot (Sears Ranch Road entrance).
Dog Access Limited: Dogs are only allowed on designated trails in Upper La Honda Creek, accessible by permit only.
Sharing the Trail with Cattle
Cattle are large animals and can be intimidating, but they are not aggressive by nature. Keep your distance and walk around groups of cows, allowing plenty of space.
Find out more about hiking with grazing animals.
Gallery
-
Along Trail to the Vista Point
Along Trail to the Vista Point © R. Birnel -
Waterfall
Waterfall © Deane Little -
Sunset
Sunset © Ross Finlayson -
View from Vista Point
The Vista Point © Ross Finlayson -
Wild Iris
Wild Iris © Deane Little
Features
Lower La Honda Creek
- Explore the rolling grassland ridges of this working cattle ranch. As the wind whistles past, look overhead -- raptors can usually be seen soaring on the updrafts above. A variety of wildlife make their homes here, including coyotes, deer and bobcats.
- Trailhead at Sears Ranch Road.
Upper La Honda Creek
- The truly impressive "Big Tree," is one of the few remaining old-growth redwoods in the area.
- Vista Point offers a spectacular panoramic view of the seemingly never-ending valleys leading to the coast. On a clear day, visibility extends to the ocean.
- Trailhead at Allen Road, no-fee permit required.
How to Get Here
Lower La Honda Creek
- Access to Lower La Honda Creek at the Sears Ranch Road parking lot off of Highway 84 in La Honda
- Equestrian parking is available by permit at the Event Center. Passenger vehicle permit parking will be available at the Event Center beginning April 1. A limit of five vehicle parking permits are available each day.
Get driving directions:
Upper La Honda Creek
Vehicle access to northern La Honda Creek Preserve requires a parking permit. Four permit parking spaces are available, permits are free and should be requested at least 48 hours in advance. There is no parking available outside of the preserve gate on Allen Road.
Trails
- Lower La Honda Creek offers 6 miles of trail through open rolling grasslands. Trails run through an active grazing operation, and visitors may encounter cattle and ranchers.
Tips for hiking among grazing animals - Upper La Honda Creek features 3.5 miles of shorter sections of trail through forest and redwoods. A no-fee permit is required for access to Upper La Honda Creek.
Trail Conditions
This information is updated as needed when trails are opened or closed, or when there is scheduled trail maintenance. Visit the full Trail Conditions page for more information.
History
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve was established in 1984 with the purchase of a 255-acre property. Following many additional land acquisitions, the preserve now encompasses over 6,100 acres. Over 4,500 acres of these lands, including the former Driscoll Ranch, were purchased by the Peninsula Open Space Trust and transferred to Midpen to add to the preserve.
In order to manage the preserve’s rich ecological and cultural resources, and to provide opportunities for public enjoyment and education, Midpen completed a comprehensive 30-year master plan in 2012. Through this public planning process, a preserve vision was created: to harmoniously blend recreation and ranching uses for the benefit of the land, wildlife and surrounding commuting, both present and future. As part of implementation of the master plan, Midpen has completed many land stewardship projects. Five ponds were deepened and reinforced to allow threatened California red-legged frogs to breed, and encourage the endangered San Francisco garter snake to return to the preserve. Miles of ranch roads were repaired to reduce sediment flowing to Harrington, La Honda and San Gregorio creeks, which provide habitat for endangered coho salmon and threatened steelhead trout. Fences and springs were upgraded to support cattle grazing. Existing trails and staging areas were improved in Upper La Honda Creek, and a parking lot was constructed on the lower preserve. More trails and a staging area near the historic Red Barn are planned, which will link the upper and lower preserve areas and provide additional recreation opportunities, including mountain bicycle use, in the near future.
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve Master Plan
Regulations
- Hours: Open half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed only on designated trails in this Preserve. Must be controlled on a maximum 6-foot leash at all times. Dogs are allowed only in designated preserves or areas as posted. Dog walkers are required to bag and remove all dog waste from the Preserve by packing it out. Moving dog waste off trail is not permitted. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Midpen accommodates service dogs in Preserves wherever we allow public access. For more information visit the Dog Access page.
- Bicyclists: Bikes are NOT allowed in this Preserve. For information on preserves open to bikes visit the Bicycle Access page.
- Equestrians: Horses are allowed on designated trails in this Preserve. Helmets are recommended for all equestrians. For more information visit the Equestrian Access page.
- Groups: For safety reasons, permits are required for all groups of 20 or more people.
- Permits: A use permit is required for any activity or event which: may be attended by twenty (20) or more people; OR is advertised or noticed in any publication, poster, electronic posting or flyer; OR requests/requires a fee be paid for participation. Visit the Permit page for more information.
- Fires: Fires are prohibited in preserves.
- Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in preserves.
- Weapons: All weapons are prohibited in preserves.
- Plants & Wildlife: Please leave plants and animals undisturbed. If you encounter wildlife during a visit, do not approach, startle or feed it. Although wild animals are generally fearful of humans and will run away, some wildlife can be dangerous.
- Water Areas: Swimming, wading or engaging in any water-contact activity is prohibited.
Overview
Offering magnificent views of the coast, colorful wildflower displays in the spring, and immersion into a historic ranchland, La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve is an ideal spot to escape the pressures of everyday life. The more than 6,100-acre preserve, considered by many as the gateway to the San Mateo Coast, features forests and redwood to the north, open rolling grasslands to the south, and spectacular panoramic views of the coast and ridgelines throughout.
A no-fee permit is required to park in the upper portion of the preserve. No parking is allowed outside the gate or along Allen Road.
Temporary COVID-19 Restrictions
- Face coverings are required when you can’t stay 6 feet away from persons you don’t live with. Many Midpen trails are narrow — wear a mask, bandanna or gaiter you can pull over your mouth and nose as needed.
- Paper maps are not available at preserves. Please download a map before leaving home or snap a photo of the signboard map before you hike.
Public access is currently available in two unconnected parts of the preserve.
- Upper La Honda Creek features 3.5 miles of shorter sections of trail through forest and redwoods. Due to parking limitations, a no-fee permit is required for access to Upper La Honda Creek (Allen Road entrance).
- Lower La Honda Creek offers 6 miles of trail through open rolling grasslands. Trails run through an active grazing operation, and visitors may encounter cattle and ranchers. A no-fee permit is required for equestrian parking at the Event Center, all other visitors park at the Sears Ranch Road lot (Sears Ranch Road entrance).
Dog Access Limited: Dogs are only allowed on designated trails in Upper La Honda Creek, accessible by permit only.
Sharing the Trail with Cattle
Cattle are large animals and can be intimidating, but they are not aggressive by nature. Keep your distance and walk around groups of cows, allowing plenty of space.
Find out more about hiking with grazing animals.
Features
Lower La Honda Creek
- Explore the rolling grassland ridges of this working cattle ranch. As the wind whistles past, look overhead -- raptors can usually be seen soaring on the updrafts above. A variety of wildlife make their homes here, including coyotes, deer and bobcats.
- Trailhead at Sears Ranch Road.
Upper La Honda Creek
- The truly impressive "Big Tree," is one of the few remaining old-growth redwoods in the area.
- Vista Point offers a spectacular panoramic view of the seemingly never-ending valleys leading to the coast. On a clear day, visibility extends to the ocean.
- Trailhead at Allen Road, no-fee permit required.
-
Along Trail to the Vista Point © R. Birnel
-
Waterfall © Deane Little
-
Sunset © Ross Finlayson
-
The Vista Point © Ross Finlayson
-
Wild Iris © Deane Little
Lower La Honda Creek
- Access to Lower La Honda Creek at the Sears Ranch Road parking lot off of Highway 84 in La Honda
- Equestrian parking is available by permit at the Event Center. Passenger vehicle permit parking will be available at the Event Center beginning April 1. A limit of five vehicle parking permits are available each day.
Get driving directions:
Upper La Honda Creek
Vehicle access to northern La Honda Creek Preserve requires a parking permit. Four permit parking spaces are available, permits are free and should be requested at least 48 hours in advance. There is no parking available outside of the preserve gate on Allen Road.
Trails
- Lower La Honda Creek offers 6 miles of trail through open rolling grasslands. Trails run through an active grazing operation, and visitors may encounter cattle and ranchers.
Tips for hiking among grazing animals - Upper La Honda Creek features 3.5 miles of shorter sections of trail through forest and redwoods. A no-fee permit is required for access to Upper La Honda Creek.
Trail Conditions
This information is updated as needed when trails are opened or closed, or when there is scheduled trail maintenance. Visit the full Trail Conditions page for more information.
The following trail may be closed to hiking and equestrian use during wet conditions.
- Folger Ranch Loop Trail is OPEN to hikers and equestrians.
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve was established in 1984 with the purchase of a 255-acre property. Following many additional land acquisitions, the preserve now encompasses over 6,100 acres. Over 4,500 acres of these lands, including the former Driscoll Ranch, were purchased by the Peninsula Open Space Trust and transferred to Midpen to add to the preserve.
In order to manage the preserve’s rich ecological and cultural resources, and to provide opportunities for public enjoyment and education, Midpen completed a comprehensive 30-year master plan in 2012. Through this public planning process, a preserve vision was created: to harmoniously blend recreation and ranching uses for the benefit of the land, wildlife and surrounding commuting, both present and future. As part of implementation of the master plan, Midpen has completed many land stewardship projects. Five ponds were deepened and reinforced to allow threatened California red-legged frogs to breed, and encourage the endangered San Francisco garter snake to return to the preserve. Miles of ranch roads were repaired to reduce sediment flowing to Harrington, La Honda and San Gregorio creeks, which provide habitat for endangered coho salmon and threatened steelhead trout. Fences and springs were upgraded to support cattle grazing. Existing trails and staging areas were improved in Upper La Honda Creek, and a parking lot was constructed on the lower preserve. More trails and a staging area near the historic Red Barn are planned, which will link the upper and lower preserve areas and provide additional recreation opportunities, including mountain bicycle use, in the near future.
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve Master Plan
- Hours: Open half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed only on designated trails in this Preserve. Must be controlled on a maximum 6-foot leash at all times. Dogs are allowed only in designated preserves or areas as posted. Dog walkers are required to bag and remove all dog waste from the Preserve by packing it out. Moving dog waste off trail is not permitted. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Midpen accommodates service dogs in Preserves wherever we allow public access. For more information visit the Dog Access page.
- Bicyclists: Bikes are NOT allowed in this Preserve. For information on preserves open to bikes visit the Bicycle Access page.
- Equestrians: Horses are allowed on designated trails in this Preserve. Helmets are recommended for all equestrians. For more information visit the Equestrian Access page.
- Groups: For safety reasons, permits are required for all groups of 20 or more people.
- Permits: A use permit is required for any activity or event which: may be attended by twenty (20) or more people; OR is advertised or noticed in any publication, poster, electronic posting or flyer; OR requests/requires a fee be paid for participation. Visit the Permit page for more information.
- Fires: Fires are prohibited in preserves.
- Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in preserves.
- Weapons: All weapons are prohibited in preserves.
- Plants & Wildlife: Please leave plants and animals undisturbed. If you encounter wildlife during a visit, do not approach, startle or feed it. Although wild animals are generally fearful of humans and will run away, some wildlife can be dangerous.
- Water Areas: Swimming, wading or engaging in any water-contact activity is prohibited.
Preserve Info
Hiking
Equestrian
Dogs on Leash
Restrooms
Hours
Preserves are open from one-half hour before official sunrise until one-half hour after official sunset.
Preserve Activities
There are no events scheduled at this preserve currently.