Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Located in San Mateo County within the Santa Cruz Mountains, Pescadero Creek Open Space Preserve protects over 6,000 acres of critical watershed lands in the Pescadero Creek drainage basin. This area features an extensive old-growth coastal redwood forest, mixed hardwoods, chaparral, and grasslands that support diverse wildlife including black-tailed deer, bobcats, and a wide variety of bird species. The preserve's varied topography ranges from deep creek canyons to ridge trails with occasional views of the Pacific Ocean. Historically, the land was logged extensively in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but since acquisition by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District starting in the 1980s, it has undergone significant restoration efforts to protect waterways and native vegetation. Key recreation opportunities include hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching on a network of well-kept trails that follow the meandering Pescadero Creek and climb through redwood groves. Notable landmarks include Steelhead Falls, a picturesque waterfall along the creek, and the historic Butano Ridge Trail that connects to neighboring preserves. Visitors are drawn to the tranquil forest environment, opportunities for solitude, and seasonal wildflower displays. The preserve does not offer camping but provides ample day-use access with trailheads at Memorial Park Road and Bloomfield Road. Pescadero Creek Open Space Preserve serves as a vital link in the protection of the California Coast Range ecosystem and a refuge for sensitive plant and animal species.
