Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve

Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve spreads across about 5,400 acres on the western slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains above Half Moon Bay, and was founded with a $2 million gift from the Save-the-Redwoods League. Its heart is Purisima Creek Canyon, with tall redwoods, a rushing creek, and an understory of ferns, berries, and wildflowers. Most of the redwoods are about 100 years old, second growth after the original forest was cut in the late 1800s and early 1900s for San Francisco shingles and Half Moon Bay lumber; seven mill sites have been recorded along the creek, and huge old stumps line the Purisima Creek Trail.

The Purisima Creek Trail follows an old logging road from the west end, past an accessible restroom and over several bridges, climbing gently through redwood groves and meadows. At the top, the quarter-mile Redwood Trail off Skyline Boulevard is flat and suitable for all abilities, with wheelchair-accessible picnic tables and a restroom. For a longer outing, a nearly five-mile loop leads deep into the quiet forest from Tunitas Creek Road. The upper Harkins Ridge and Soda Gulch trails have the best coastal views, and the steep Whittemore Gulch Trail is popular with mountain bikers.

Dogs are not allowed; bikes and horses are allowed on designated trails, some of which close in wet weather. The North Ridge lot (41 spaces) is on Skyline Boulevard about 4.4 miles south of Highway 92, and the small Purisima Creek Road lot (seven spaces) fills quickly and is strictly enforced.