Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve

Overview

Hours

Open a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset.

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 5,412-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.

Hiking: All Trails

Bicycling: Designated Trails

Equestrian: Designated Trails

Dogs on Leash: Not Permitted

Easy Access: Designated Trails

Parking: Designated Areas

Camping: No Camping

Restrooms: Available

Download Map Trail Closures

Virtual Public Meeting Oct. 11 at 1 p.m.

Join the Midpen board members on our Planning and Natural Resources Committee for a public meeting to learn about and comment on the preferred trail alignment and conceptual parking area designs for the Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail. When built, this long-envisioned trail will link the California Coastal Trail to the existing trail network in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, including the Bay Area Ridge Trail.

The project is guided in part by the early results of a soon-to-be completed study of public access to Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve that seeks proposed strategies for promoting greener modes of travel and better managing parking and visitation at this popular preserve. On August 2, Midpen’s PNR Committee held a public meeting to learn about the results of data collection and visitor survey efforts and to review the proposed transportation demand management strategies being recommended. The committee voted on the proposed strategies, which will now be incorporated into a draft report for further committee review at a public meeting later this year.

The October 11 public meeting agenda, staff report and zoom link will be available online on October 7.

Preserve Highlights & Features

Redwood forest on Midpen land by Claire Dawkins.

Coast Redwoods

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 rom southern Oregon to just south of Monterey.

Coast redwoods are the tallest trees in the world, growing up to 380 feet tall (38 stories). The oldest known age of a redwood is 2,200 years, although the average mature age is 500 to 1,000 year old. Most trees at Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve are about 100 years old. They make up what is called a second-growth forest. The original redwood forest was logged in the late 1800s - 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.

Stories from the Preserves

Endangered Marbled Murrelets Return to Purisima

Dozens of detections in numbers not seen since the 1990s indicate that marbled murrelets are nesting…

Bay Area Ridge Trail Connection and Parking Area Feasibility Study

In 2021, with support from a San Francisco Public Utilities Commission grant, Midpen began a 2-year…

Keeping the water running... with fish! How Midpen is restoring Santa Cruz Mountain waterways for at-risk salmon and trout

Our local Bay Area streams were once teeming with runs of steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and…

Seven Breathtaking Views

Discover a magical vista you can enjoy with that special someone in a Midpen preserve near…

Waterfalls and Water Wonders

Great places to explore in Midpen preserves when the water is flowing. The rainy season is an…

Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail and Parking Area

Midpen is currently planning the long-envisioned Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail that, when built, will…

Know Before You Go

Preserve regulations help provide a safe, enjoyable visit while protecting sensitive areas and wildlife.

YIELD. Bicycles yield to hikers and equestrians. HIkers yield to equestrians.

Share the Trail

Use designated trails to avoid damage to natural resources and prevent injury.
Avoid blocking the trail. Step aside to allow others to pass .
Whether you’re walking or biking, always yield to equestrians.
Leave no trace. Pack out what you pack in. Most preserves do not have trash cans. Littering is prohibited.
Abuses of trail etiquette should be brought to the attention of a ranger or call the Midpen main office at 650-691-1200.

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.
Parking restrictions in place along Purisima Creek Road and Higgins Canyon Road.

parking restrictions at lower Purisima Creek Redwoods

The following trail may be closed to bicycle and equestrian use during wet conditions.

Whittemore Gulch Trail is OPEN to bicyclists and equestrians.

Updated:

September 2, 2022

North Ridge Parking Area (41 spaces) - North Ridge Trailhead

From the North: From the Highway 92 and Highway 35 intersection, travel on Highway 35 south approximately 4.4 miles. The parking lot will be on your right.
From the South: From Highway 84 and Highway 35 intersection, travel on Highway 35 north approximately 8 miles. The parking lot will be on your left.

Redwood Roadside Parking (11 spaces) - Redwood Trailhead

From the North: From the Highway 92 and Highway 35 intersection, travel on Highway 35 south approximately 6.5 miles. Roadside parking area will be on your right.
From the South: From Highway 84 and Highway 35 intersection, travel on Highway 35 north approximately 6 miles. Roadside parking area will be on your left.

Purisima Creek Road Parking Area (7 spaces) - Purisima Creek Trailhead
Parking is extremely limited at this location. No Parking areas are strictly enforced.

From the North: 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.
From the South: Accessible from Purisima Creek Road. From the Highway 84 and Highway 1 intersection in San Gregorio, travel on Highway 1 north approximately 6.4 miles. Turn right on the third Verde Road intersection. 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.

No parking zones on Purisima Creek Road and Higgins Canyon Road

Bicyclists: Bicycles are allowed on designated trails only (marked on map). Helmets are required. Observe the 15 mph trail speed limit (5 mph when passing). Avoid startling hikers and equestrians by announcing your presence when approaching from behind. For more information visit the Bicycle Access page.

Equestrians: Horses are allowed on designated trails (marked on map). Helmets are recommended for all equestrians. For more information visit the Equestrian Access page.

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.

Fires are prohibited in preserves.
Plants & Wildlife: Please leave 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.
Smoking is prohibited in preserves.
Water Areas: Swimming, wading or engaging in any water-contact activity is prohibited.
Weapons are prohibited in preserves.

Drones and Model Aircraft: Drones, model airplanes and model rockets are NOT allowed.

Midpen trails and facilities are generally very safe. However, you are entering an environment where there are some naturally occurring hazards. Reasonable caution and common sense should be utilized when venturing into any outdoor environment.

Do not leave valuables in your vehicle! Lock your vehicle and store valuables out of sight or take them with you on the trail.
Travel in groups of two or more. Two of more people can assist each other in the event of an accident or emergency.
Dress for the environment. Temperature changes can be occur and you should dress in layers appropriate for the location, time of year and planned activities.
Carry water with you. Drinking water is not available at most Midpen preserves so you should bring your own. Two quarts per person per two hour hike is recommended.
Apply sunscreen and drink plenty of water prior to and during your outdoor activities.
Be aware that cell service is very sporadic on the preserves.

Be Prepared and Aware

Plan ahead before you leave. Check regulations and weather, download a map, pack water and first aid.
Know your limits and take safety precautions.
Rattlesnakes are native to this area and are especially active in warm weather.
Poison oak grows on most preserves: Learn to identify and avoid it in all seasons.
Ticks are present in this area and may carry diseases.
Mountain lions are a natural part of this region’s environment and are occasionally seen.

In Case of Emergency

If you experience an emergency (fire, accident or other immediate threat to life or property), call 911. For nonemergencies, call 650-691-1200.

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.

Language:

Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve

Overview

Grabtown Gulch Trail/Borden Hatch Mill Trail Loop

Purisima Creek Trail

Redwood Trail

Virtual Public Meeting Oct. 11 at 1 p.m.