01
Best overall pick
Pescadero Creek County Park
Inland Along Pescadero Creek Road • Expansive Redwood Canyon Network • Best For Full-Day Adventures
A sprawling web of creekside and ridge trails that feels unexpectedly remote just a short drive from town.
If you want to disappear into the woods for a few hours, this is where locals go. Long loops link redwood groves, ferny creek crossings, and quiet ridgelines, so you can tailor a route from a mellow stroll to a serious workout. Expect limited services, changing trail conditions after storms, and the kind of quiet you rarely find this close to the Bay Area.
02
Classic redwood hike
Butano State Park
Foothills East Of Pescadero • Shady Redwood And Fern Trails • Classic Redwood Experience
A compact but varied network of cool, shaded trails that showcase towering redwoods without a long drive into the mountains.
Butano’s narrow canyon feels instantly cooler and quieter than the coast, with trails that climb gently from the creek into mixed redwood and oak forest. Short out-and-back walks follow the water, while longer loops add switchbacks, viewpoints, and a bit of leg burn. It’s a solid pick on hot or windy days when you want shelter from coastal weather.
03
Best coastal scenery
Año Nuevo State Park
Coast South Of Pescadero • Windy Coastal Bluff And Dunes • Iconic Wildlife And Ocean Views
A series of sandy and bluff-top trails where sweeping ocean views share top billing with elephant seals and seabirds.
Trails here trace low bluffs and dunes above a wild stretch of shoreline, with constant surf noise and wide horizons. In season, guided routes bring you close to elephant seal colonies, but even the standard loops are rich with birdlife and big-sky views. Expect wind, sand underfoot, and the feeling of hiking on the edge of the continent.
04
Easiest coastal walk
Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve
At Highway 1 And Pescadero Creek • Flat Marsh And Lagoon Paths • Best For Casual Strolls And Birding
An easy network of level paths that weave through wetlands and along the lagoon just off Highway 1.
This is the go-to leg-stretcher when you do not have time for a big hike but still want to be outdoors. Short, mostly flat trails skirt channels and ponds, with regular chances to spot herons, egrets, and seasonal migratory birds. It pairs well with a beach stop across the highway or a quick detour into Pescadero for a snack.
05
Quiet forest retreat
Portola Redwoods State Park
High In The Santa Cruz Mountains • Cool, Deeply Forested Canyons • Best For Shade And Solitude
A higher-elevation redwood park where cool, shaded trails and small waterfalls reward the extra drive inland.
Portola feels a step wilder and more tucked away than the parks closer to the highway, with dense forest and narrow, often damp trails. Classic routes follow creeks, pass small cascades, and climb to ridges that trade redwood shade for filtered views and birdsong. It is a strong choice on busy weekends when coastal trailheads feel crowded.