Purisima Creek Redwoods

Location

Purisima Creek Redwoods has two trailheads, one along Skyline Blvd's ridge West of Woodside, and the other downhill near **.

The Skyline Blvd trailhead is about 0.7 miles North of the intersection of King Mountain Road with Skyline Blvd, and 4.5 South of Hwy 92, on the West side of Skyline. Here, there is a small parking lot for about 20 cars, maps, and a signed trailhead.

The Higgins Purisima trailhead is off Higgins Purisima Road. Higgins Purisima Road intersects Hwy 1 approximately 1 mile South of Half Moon Bay. This trailhead includes parking for 10 cars, maps, and a signed trailhead.

Attractions:

For a good hill workout, Purisima Creek Redwoods takes the cake!
Purisima has beautiful ferns, firs, oaks, wildflowers, and mosses. This preserve is packed with birds, dragonflies, and butterflies. Also find banana slugs and lizards.
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve's Skyline trailhead is directly across from Huddart Park, which has two gate entrances along Skyline. To extend your hike on a wider and more moderately graded trail, try one of Huddart's trails from this trailhead.
Bicycles are allowed when trails are dry - this is a popular mountain biking area.
Picnic tables abound, each with their own lovely shaded area, along Redwood Trail.
Redwood Trail is an all-access trail with a nice bench, bathrooms, and picnic facilities.

Limitations:

No dogs are allowed.
No smoking permitted.
Stay on the trail to avoid ticks and poison oak.
If you'd like a long, flat hike, this isn't your place. All long hikes involve some hills.

Season:

Year round, about 8 am to sunset.

Fees:

None.

Maps & More Information:

There are maps to take with you and a posted map at each trailhead. Trail junctions are also well marked.
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's website for Purisima: http://www.openspace.org/preserves/pr_purisima.asp
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Map of Purisima: http://www.openspace.org/preserves/maps/pr_purisima.pdf

Handicapped Access:

Redwood Trail is an all-access trail. It is moderately graded in places, but mostly flat. There is a handicapped-enabled bathroom, picnic tables, and a bench along the path.

Recommended routes:

Redwood Trail:
Begin at the Skyline Trailhead, turning right after the sign for the preserve, to follow Redwood Trail. The trail is clearly marked and bordered by logs or fences. The trail passes a beautiful sitting area with a bench, then a picnic table with a plaque. Follow it as it passes above a restroom, then continue straight to reach more picnic areas with tables. Turn back to return the way you came, if you are not ready for some hills, or turn left as the trail ends, to continue on a fire road towards Purisima Creek Trail. The trail will pass a memorial grove, then head downhill. The trail merges with Purisima Creek Trail / Bay Area Ridge Trail. Turn left and return uphill to the parking lot. Out and back Redwood Trail is about 0.6 miles total. Loop including short stretch of Purisima Creek Trail is about 0.9 miles.
Purisima Creek Trail:
Begin at the Skyline Trailhead, and head West, following the trail marked Purisima Creek Trail / Bay Area Ridge Trail. Follow the trail down, down, downhill as long as you like, minding the occasional rut or rock in the middle of the trail. Return the way you came, but remember that doing so will be uphill!

Alternatively, begin at the Higgins Purisima Road Trailhead, and walk straight, following signs for the Purisima Creek Trail / Bay Area Ridge Trail. Enjoy walking alongside the pretty creek, then hike uphill as long as you like, minding the occasional rocks or ruts in the middle of the trail. Return the way you came, downhill.