01
Best family-friendly redwoods
Memorial Park
Along Pescadero Creek Road • Classic Redwood County Campground And Trail Hub • Best For Easy Loops And Picnics
Shady, gently graded trails wind through big redwoods right on the edge of Loma Mar.
Memorial Park is where many locals first bring visitors to see real Peninsula redwoods up close. Short loops like the creekside paths make it easy to fit in a walk around a picnic or a camping stay, and the wide trails work well for mixed-ability groups. Expect a friendly buzz on summer weekends and quieter, almost mossy stillness on foggy mornings.
02
Top ridge-and-redwood mix
Sam McDonald County Park
Hills Above Loma Mar • Mixed-Forest Ridge Park With Horse-Friendly Trails • Great For Longer Half-Day Hikes
Trails climb from dark redwood groves up to open ridges with wide views toward the coast.
Sam McDonald is the go-to choice when you want more mileage and a bit of a workout without driving far. The Heritage Grove area delivers towering redwoods, while higher routes link into surrounding parks for figure-eight loops and longer circuits. Watch for horses on the wider tracks and bring layers—the temperature swings between canyon and ridge can surprise you.
03
Backcountry feel close to town
Pescadero Creek County Park
Between Loma Mar And Pescadero • Remote-Feeling Redwood And Creek Canyon Network • Best For Full-Day Explorations
A maze of interconnected trails lets you disappear into the woods just minutes from town.
Pescadero Creek County Park ties together several drainages into one of the largest continuous trail systems in the area. Long routes string together quiet ridges, shaded creek crossings, and pockets of old forest where you can hike for hours without seeing many people. There are few services once you leave the trailhead, so this is a good place to bring a map, extra water, and a flexible plan.
04
Quiet canyon getaway
Portola Redwoods State Park
Near La Honda • Secluded State Park In A Deep Redwood Canyon • Perfect For Cool, Shady Summer Hikes
Lush creekside paths and small waterfalls make this one of the most peaceful redwood walks nearby.
Tucked at the end of a winding road, Portola Redwoods feels farther away than it is from Loma Mar. Trails stay cool and damp much of the year, with soft footing, ferny undergrowth, and the sound of water never far off. It is an excellent choice when the rest of the Peninsula is baking in the sun and you want a quieter, more tucked-away experience.
05
Best coastal-forest crossover
Butano State Park
South Of Pescadero • Redwood And Chaparral State Park Near The Coast • Ideal For Varied Terrain And Seasonal Discoveries
Trails climb from damp canyon floor to sunny ridges with occasional peeks toward the ocean.
Butano offers a nice change of pace from the deeper inland canyons, with loops that combine redwood shade, mixed hardwoods, and open slopes. In winter and early spring, the park is known for mushrooms, newts, and a general feeling of lushness, while sunnier days reward hikers with long, quiet ridge rambles. It is a bit farther from Loma Mar, but the mix of coastal air and forest makes the drive worthwhile.