- Parking restrictions in place along Purisima Creek Road and Higgins Canyon Road.
The following trail may be closed to bicycle and equestrian use during wet conditions.
- Whittemore Gulch Trail is OPEN to bicyclists and equestrians.
Preserve Info
Hiking
Biking
Equestrian
Wheelchair accessible
Restrooms
Overview
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is located on the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking Half Moon Bay. The centerpiece of this 4,711-acre Preserve is Purisima Creek Canyon, with its towering redwoods, rushing creek, and understory of ferns, berries, and wildflowers. Magnificent views of the coast and Half Moon Bay are visible from the northern part of the preserve.
The preserve was established with a gift of $2 million from the Save-the-Redwoods League.
Status Update
Please be aware that the parking areas at lower Purisima Creek Redwoods are often full on weekends. Overflow parking is not available at this location and there is no way to safely wait for parking to open up. Please be prepared to make alternate plans.
To avoid crowding and protect each other and the natural environment, check out some tips to know before you go.
Bike and Equestrian Access Limited: Activities may not be designated on all trails within the Preserve-- always refer to the map and trail signage for where the activity is permitted.
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.
- Parking restrictions in place along Highway 35, Purisima Creek Road and Higgins Canyon Road. Preserve parking is very limited at this time.
Gallery
-
Purisima Creek Redwoods
© Karl Gohl -
Newt
Newt © Lanette Otvos -
Irish Ridge Trail
View from the Irish Ridge Trail © Karl Pingle -
Hiking
Hikers © Randy Weber -
Redwoods and Creek
Redwood Creek © Randy Weber
Features
- Coast Redwoods - Redwoods are one of the oldest trees in the world. When dinosaurs roamed the earth, redwoods were the dominant trees in the Northern hemisphere. Today, coast redwoods are only found along the coast in a narrow band stretching from southern Oregon to just south of Monterey. Coast redwoods are the tallest trees in the world, growing up to 360 feet tall (36 stories). The oldest known age of a redwood is 2,200 years, although the average mature age is 500 to 1,000 year old. The trees seen here at Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve are probably about 100 years old. They make up what is called a second-growth forest. The original redwood forest was logged in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The largest redwoods were probably close to 1,000 years old when they were cut, with diameters between 10 and 20 feet. The large stumps along the Purisima Creek Trail are evidence of these trees.
How to Get Here
Roadside parking restrictions currently in place along Highway 35 and Purisima Creek Road and Higgins Canyon Road. Please observe all posted signage. Preserve parking is very limited at this time.
Main entrance and the North Ridge Trail trailhead: Located on Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35), 4.5 miles south of Highway 92. Parking is available for 30 cars.
Get directions to main entrance:
Access to the Redwood Trail or Purisima Creek Trail: there is an 11-car parking area at the trailhead 6.5 miles south of Highway 92.
Get directions to Redwood/Purisima Creek Trailhead:
The Preserve's Western Access Point: accessible from Purisima Creek Road. From the Highway 92 and Highway 1 intersection in Half Moon Bay, travel on Highway 1 south approximately 4.3 miles. Turn left on Verde Road. After turning on to Verde Road and traveling 1/4-mile, continue straight to remain on what becomes Purisima Creek Road. (Verde Road splits off to the right.) Travel approximately 3.7 miles on Purisima Creek Road to reach the Preserve. Parking is available for approximately 5 cars.
Get directions to western access point:
Trails
More than 24 miles of developed trails and historical logging roads provide opportunities for easy walks or long, strenuous hikes or rides. Remember to carry water on your hike, since the trails out of the canyon climb up to 1,600 feet and can be quite strenuous!
Redwood Trail - Suitable for visitors of all physical abilities. This Trail winds 0.25 miles through tall redwoods just off Skyline Boulevard. Visitors will find wheelchair-accessible picnic tables and a restroom along this flat easy route. The Redwood Trail was built through a grant from Peninsula Open Space Trust.
The Purisima Creek Trail - an old logging road on the western side of the preserve, passes by an accessible restroom and continues at a gentle uphill grade for the first mile into the preserve, although there are a few short sections that are a 10%-15% grade. The Trail follows along Purisima Creek, crossing the water over several bridges.
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
Logging History
By the early 1900s, all of the trees that were not too small, too twisted, or too inaccessible were gone from Purisima Canyon. There are seven recorded mill sites along the creek banks in this preserve. Evidence of these sites can be seen today. The redwood was used for shingles in the building of San Francisco after the Gold Rush, and for lumber for the development of Half Moon Bay, include the construction of a flume on Montara Mountain. Along the Purisima Creek Trail, visitors can see many of the cleared area that were once the sites of these sawmills.
Regulations
- Hours: Open half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
- Dogs: Dogs are not allowed in this Preserve. For information on dog-friendly preserves visit the Dog Access page. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Midpen accommodates service dogs in preserves wherever we allow public access.
- Bicycles: Are allowed on designated trails only (those shown on the map for bicycle use). Helmets are required. Observe the 15 mph trail speed limit (5 mph when passing). For more information 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
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is located on the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking Half Moon Bay. The centerpiece of this 4,711-acre Preserve is Purisima Creek Canyon, with its towering redwoods, rushing creek, and understory of ferns, berries, and wildflowers. Magnificent views of the coast and Half Moon Bay are visible from the northern part of the preserve.
The preserve was established with a gift of $2 million from the Save-the-Redwoods League.
Status Update
Please be aware that the parking areas at lower Purisima Creek Redwoods are often full on weekends. Overflow parking is not available at this location and there is no way to safely wait for parking to open up. Please be prepared to make alternate plans.
To avoid crowding and protect each other and the natural environment, check out some tips to know before you go.
Bike and Equestrian Access Limited: Activities may not be designated on all trails within the Preserve-- always refer to the map and trail signage for where the activity is permitted.
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.
- Parking restrictions in place along Highway 35, Purisima Creek Road and Higgins Canyon Road. Preserve parking is very limited at this time.
Features
- Coast Redwoods - Redwoods are one of the oldest trees in the world. When dinosaurs roamed the earth, redwoods were the dominant trees in the Northern hemisphere. Today, coast redwoods are only found along the coast in a narrow band stretching from southern Oregon to just south of Monterey. Coast redwoods are the tallest trees in the world, growing up to 360 feet tall (36 stories). The oldest known age of a redwood is 2,200 years, although the average mature age is 500 to 1,000 year old. The trees seen here at Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve are probably about 100 years old. They make up what is called a second-growth forest. The original redwood forest was logged in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The largest redwoods were probably close to 1,000 years old when they were cut, with diameters between 10 and 20 feet. The large stumps along the Purisima Creek Trail are evidence of these trees.
-
© Karl Gohl
-
Newt © Lanette Otvos
-
View from the Irish Ridge Trail © Karl Pingle
-
Hikers © Randy Weber
-
Redwood Creek © Randy Weber
Roadside parking restrictions currently in place along Highway 35 and Purisima Creek Road and Higgins Canyon Road. Please observe all posted signage. Preserve parking is very limited at this time.
Main entrance and the North Ridge Trail trailhead: Located on Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35), 4.5 miles south of Highway 92. Parking is available for 30 cars.
Get directions to main entrance:
Access to the Redwood Trail or Purisima Creek Trail: there is an 11-car parking area at the trailhead 6.5 miles south of Highway 92.
Get directions to Redwood/Purisima Creek Trailhead:
The Preserve's Western Access Point: accessible from Purisima Creek Road. From the Highway 92 and Highway 1 intersection in Half Moon Bay, travel on Highway 1 south approximately 4.3 miles. Turn left on Verde Road. After turning on to Verde Road and traveling 1/4-mile, continue straight to remain on what becomes Purisima Creek Road. (Verde Road splits off to the right.) Travel approximately 3.7 miles on Purisima Creek Road to reach the Preserve. Parking is available for approximately 5 cars.
Get directions to western access point:
Trails
More than 24 miles of developed trails and historical logging roads provide opportunities for easy walks or long, strenuous hikes or rides. Remember to carry water on your hike, since the trails out of the canyon climb up to 1,600 feet and can be quite strenuous!
Redwood Trail - Suitable for visitors of all physical abilities. This Trail winds 0.25 miles through tall redwoods just off Skyline Boulevard. Visitors will find wheelchair-accessible picnic tables and a restroom along this flat easy route. The Redwood Trail was built through a grant from Peninsula Open Space Trust.
The Purisima Creek Trail - an old logging road on the western side of the preserve, passes by an accessible restroom and continues at a gentle uphill grade for the first mile into the preserve, although there are a few short sections that are a 10%-15% grade. The Trail follows along Purisima Creek, crossing the water over several bridges.
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.
- Parking restrictions in place along Purisima Creek Road and Higgins Canyon Road.
The following trail may be closed to bicycle and equestrian use during wet conditions.
- Whittemore Gulch Trail is OPEN to bicyclists and equestrians.
Logging History
By the early 1900s, all of the trees that were not too small, too twisted, or too inaccessible were gone from Purisima Canyon. There are seven recorded mill sites along the creek banks in this preserve. Evidence of these sites can be seen today. The redwood was used for shingles in the building of San Francisco after the Gold Rush, and for lumber for the development of Half Moon Bay, include the construction of a flume on Montara Mountain. Along the Purisima Creek Trail, visitors can see many of the cleared area that were once the sites of these sawmills.
- Hours: Open half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
- Dogs: Dogs are not allowed in this Preserve. For information on dog-friendly preserves visit the Dog Access page. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Midpen accommodates service dogs in preserves wherever we allow public access.
- Bicycles: Are allowed on designated trails only (those shown on the map for bicycle use). Helmets are required. Observe the 15 mph trail speed limit (5 mph when passing). For more information 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
Biking
Equestrian
Wheelchair accessible
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.