01
Best overall pick
Wunderlich County Park
Woodside Road Corridor • Classic Redwood Canyon Park • Go-To Half-Day Hike
A staple Woodside hike with shady redwood climbs, old ranch buildings, and enough miles to feel like a real outing.
Start from the lower lot and head up Alambique or Bear Gulch for a steady but manageable climb under redwoods and bay trees. The historic Folger Stable area makes it easy to bring non-hikers along for a stroll while you tack on extra miles. It does get busy on clear weekends, so early mornings offer quieter trails and easier parking.
02
Shadiest summer escape
Huddart Park
Kings Mountain Road • Deep Forest County Park • Best For Hot Days
A cool, densely wooded network of trails that stays comfortable even when the rest of the Peninsula is baking.
Huddart’s switchbacking trails weave through Douglas-fir and redwood, giving you long stretches of soft, shaded singletrack. The park’s signed loop options make it easy to tailor the distance, whether you want a short family walk or a three-hour workout. Picnic areas near the trailheads are handy for post-hike snacks or meeting up with less-ambitious companions.
03
Best bay views
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
Skyline Boulevard • Ridge-And-Grassland Preserve • View-Packed Climb
A vigorous hike that trades shade for sweeping views over the Peninsula, Stanford, and the South Bay.
From the Portola Valley side, the hike up Spring Ridge or Hamms Gulch rewards you with big-sky vistas and a classic ridgeline feel. Expect more exposure and wind than in the redwood parks, so bring layers and sun protection. It’s especially striking in the late afternoon when the light drops over the Coastal Range and traffic noise fades to a distant hum.
04
Most immersive redwoods
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Above Half Moon Bay Road • Foggy Redwood Canyon Preserve • Cool All-Day Wander
A lush, often misty canyon where long, gently graded trails follow a creek through towering second-growth redwoods.
The Purisima Creek trail from the Higgins Canyon side offers a quieter, more remote feeling than the parks closer to town. Gradual grades and frequent creek crossings make the miles feel surprisingly gentle, even on longer loops. It’s a reliable choice when you want cool air, soft tread, and the sound of water instead of freeway noise.
05
Best spring wildflowers
Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve
Just Off I-280 • Oak Woodland And Grassland Preserve • Seasonal Highlight
Rolling trails with big sky, oak shade, and some of the Peninsula’s best spring wildflower displays.
Edgewood’s loop system mixes open grassy hillsides with pockets of oak and chaparral, giving you constant changes in light and views. In March and April, the meadows explode with color, and the signed nature trail helps you spot what’s blooming. The park is compact but layered, so locals often string together different loops to keep it interesting on repeat visits.