Purisima Creek Redwoods – Experience The Magic Of Coastal Redwoods
Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve is an astonishing hike to experience Coastal Redwoods which are amongst the oldest and tallest trees in the world. There are 20+ miles of trails to hike, bike, and horseback ride.
Purisima Redwoods is one of the few Redwood grove trails in the Bay Area. Located in the Santa Cruz Mountain range, it is part of the chain of Mid Peninsula Open Space Preserves that stretch down Highway 35.
Visiting Purisima Creek Redwoods – What to Expect
- Amazing trails surrounded by towering coastal redwoods with hilltop and coastal views as you climb the ridges.
- Hiking permitted on all trails while biking and equestrian access on select trails
- Open Hours: 8 AM to Sunset
- Free parking and no park admission fee
- Dogs are not allowed
- Trails are mostly shaded with breaks of sunshine
Costal Redwoods At Purisima Creek
Muir Woods is the Park that comes to mind when you think of going to see Coastal Redwoods. While Muir Woods is the most well-known park for Redwoods, Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve will also give you a glimpse of the magical nature of redwoods. What you won’t find at Purisima is the old-growth Redwood that’s present at Muir Woods.
Part of the magical nature of Redwood trees is their longevity and their height. They can live to be thousands of years old and can grow upwards of 300 feet tall. The Redwood trees at Purisima Creek are composed of younger second-growth groves. The site was once a site that was heavily logged in the 1800s for lumber to build the surrounding cities during the gold rush.
The old-growth Redwoods have since re-grown to the second-growth trees you see today. The Redwood trees at Purisima are approximately 100 years old, and are still massively tall and provide the experience of walking amongst giants. You can still see remnants of old-growth Redwood stumps and evidence of the logging.
Getting To Purisima Creek Redwoods
There are three main entrances to Purisima Creek Redwoods. The two eastern entrances are on Skyline Blvd and while the one western entrance is located on Higgins Canyon Road. Skyline Blvd is a 2 lane highway close to San Mateo and is the easiest and quickest way to get to Purisima Creek. Higgins Canyon Road is a one-lane road 4 miles inland from Highway 1.
Uber and Lyft are not a good option here since there is no cell service near the entrances. The closest city with service is relatively far from the trailheads.
Parking at Purisima Redwoods
Purisima Creek North Parking Lot
The North Skyline Blvd. parking lot is the largest lot of the three. The dedicated lot for the preserve has approximately 30 packed dirt spaces. In my experience, the parking lot starts to fill up by 9 AM to 10 AM on a weekend.
The North Parking lot will put you by the North Ridge Trail and the Harkins Ridge Trailheads.
Purisima Creek South Parking Lot
The South Skyline Blvd. Purisima Creek lot has room for approximately 8 cars and then there’s parking on the side of the road. The lot looks like an extended highway turn-out and consists of dirt parking. There is no sign on the road that identifies the south parking lot.
The South Purisima Creek Parking puts you at the trailhead for the Purisima Creek Trail.
Higgins Road Parking
The Higgins Road Trailhead parking is the smallest of the three lots with spaces for only 3 to 4 cars. Although there is street parking available at Purisima Creek Road, it is very limited.
This parking lot puts you at trailheads of three trails: the Purisima Creek Trail, Harkins Ridge Trail, and the Whittemore Gulch Trail.
Hiking Trails at Purisima Redwoods
There are multiple trails throughout Purisima Creek Redwood Preserve that connect with each other. You can create your own trail loop based on the mileage and elevation you wish to accomplish. The majority of the trails at Purisima have shade thanks to the tall Redwood Trees with the exception of North Ridge Trail and the Harkins Ridge Trail.
We recommend bringing a thin jacket as it can be a bit chilly, even in the summer months, due to the shade from the tall trees and fog that is present in the morning. It can then get drastically warm once you approach the ridges and come out into the sun.
Purisima Creek Trail
The Purisima Creek Trail is a 4.2-mile trail that follows Purisma Creek. It starts at Skyline Blvd. South Parking and descends down to Purisima Creek and ends at the Higgins Road Parking. Most of the dense Redwoods you would encounter would be on the half of the trail closer to Higgins Road when you’re traversing the valley floor. The entire trail is shaded with breaks of the sun as you get close to Skyline Blvd.
Craig Britton Trail
This 2.6-mile connecting trail connects the Purisima Creek Trail to the Harkins Ridge Trail. It traverses the hillside and up to the Harkins Ridge Trail. There are lots of dense Redwoods near the connection to the
Purisima Creek Trail, but it breaks out of the Redwoods as you approach the Harkins Ridge Trail.
Whittemore Gulch
The Whittemore Gultch connects the Skyline Blvd. North Parking and the Higgins Road Parking. It peaks at the Skyline Blvd. and descends the valley as you approach the Higgins Road entrance. A few of the switchbacks are open to the sun near the north ridge trail.
Local Tips
Best Time to Visit
Purisima Creek Redwoods has become increasingly popular with parking filling up around 9 AM on the weekends. We recommend visiting as early as possible for the most serene experience. During mid-day, you’ll cross paths with other hikers every 5 to 10 min.
No Cell Service
There is little to no cellular service in the in Purisma Creek Redwoods, or near the parking lots. If you’re coordinating with friends have a backup plan in case the parking lots are full and there is no place to stop your car.
Other Redwood Hikes
Henry Cowell Redwoods – Half an hour south from San Jose, Henry Cowell is a California State Park with miles of lush coastal redwoods.
Armstrong Redwoods – An hour north of San Francisco, Armstrong Redwoods is another California State Park that has miles of coastal redwoods.