Protected Areas in San Mateo County
Protected Areas in San Mateo County
Protected Areas in San Mateo County
Protected Area Guide
San Mateo County is home to more than 20 protected areas, safeguarding a diverse array of natural landscapes. These preserves span from the wetlands of the San Francisco Bay, across oak-studded hills and redwood-filled canyons, to the rugged bluffs and tide pools of the Pacific coastline. The varied terrain offers an extensive network of routes for outdoor activities, including hiking, jogging, and mountain biking. This collection of parks and open spaces provides critical habitat for wildlife and numerous opportunities for…
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Last updated: April 23, 2026
4.7
(128)
4,492
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#1.
Ravenswood Open Space Preserve
Ravenswood Open Space Preserve is a 376-acre wetland in the San Francisco Bay, offering flat, accessible trails for cycling, hiking, and jogging.
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4.7
(154)
3,730
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#2.
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve offers diverse redwood canyons and Pacific Ocean views. Its extensive trail network provides opportunities for hiking, road cycling, and mountain biking.
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4.7
(94)
3,454
hikers
#3.
Teague Hill Open Space Preserve
Teague Hill Open Space Preserve offers tranquil hiking, cycling, and equestrian routes through diverse redwood, Douglas-fir, oak, and madrone forests.
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4.8
(189)
3,267
hikers
#4.
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (Closed Areas)
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (Closed Areas) offers over 1,300 acres of diverse terrain for hiking, jogging, mountain biking, and road cycling, from grasslands to redwood forests.
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4.8
(108)
3,244
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#5.
El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve
El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve offers diverse terrain, from redwood forests to chaparral hillsides, with extensive trails for hiking and mountain biking.
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4.8
(150)
3,118
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#6.
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve offers diverse terrain, from grasslands to redwood forests, with routes for hiking, road cycling, and mountain biking.
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4.7
(121)
2,747
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#7.
Thornewood Open Space Preserve (Closed Area)
Thornewood Open Space Preserve (Closed Area) offers 167 acres of forested hillsides and diverse woodlands with trails for hiking and horseback riding.
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4.7
(133)
2,711
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#8.
Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve
Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve offers diverse landscapes for hiking and jogging, including cool canyons, ridge views, and woodlands.
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4.7
(134)
2,654
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#9.
Miramontes Ridge Open Space Preserve (Closed)
Miramontes Ridge Open Space Preserve (Closed) features diverse ecosystems, from redwood forests to grasslands, with terrain suitable for hiking and cycling. Public access is currently limited.
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4.7
(129)
2,588
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#10.
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve (Closed Areas)
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve (Closed Areas) offers 6,142 acres of redwood forests, oak woodlands, and grasslands with diverse terrain for hiking and cycling.
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4.7
(112)
2,517
hikers
#11.
El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (Closed Area)
El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (Closed Area) offers diverse terrain in the Santa Cruz Mountains for hiking, mountain biking, and cycling through redwood forests and deep canyons.
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4.8
(76)
2,200
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#12.
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve (Permit Area)
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve (Permit Area) offers over 6,100 acres of diverse ecosystems for hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling routes.
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4.8
(103)
2,127
hikers
#13.
Tunitas Creek Open Space Preserve (Closed)
Tunitas Creek Open Space Preserve (Closed) offers diverse terrain from coastal bluffs to redwood forests, with routes for hiking, road cycling, and mountain biking.
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4.7
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2,121
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#14.
Thornewood Open Space Preserve
Thornewood Open Space Preserve offers tranquil hiking and jogging routes through forested hills and diverse woodlands, including Schilling Lake.
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4.8
(91)
2,087
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#15.
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve
La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve features diverse terrain, from grasslands to redwood forests, offering routes for hiking, road cycling, and mountain biking.
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4.8
(102)
2,079
hikers
#16.
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve offers diverse terrain, from ridge vistas to redwood ecosystems, ideal for hiking, cycling, and jogging around its two lakes.
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4.7
(87)
1,889
hikers
#17.
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve (Closed Area)
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve (Closed Area) offers diverse terrain for hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling through redwood forests and coastal views.
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4.8
(87)
1,827
hikers
#18.
Coal Creek Open Space Preserve
Coal Creek Open Space Preserve offers diverse routes for hiking, jogging, road cycling, and mountain biking through rolling hills and oak woodlands.
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4.8
(78)
1,555
hikers
#19.
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve offers 3,137 acres of diverse landscapes in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with trails for hiking, cycling, and jogging.
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4.8
(75)
1,487
hikers
#20.
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve (Closed Area)
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve (Closed Area) offers 3,137 acres of diverse landscapes for hiking, jogging, road cycling, and mountain biking with panoramic views.
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Most popular routes in San Mateo County
Frequently Asked Questions
What are protected areas in San Mateo County?
Protected areas in San Mateo County are parks, preserves, and reserves that safeguard diverse natural landscapes, from redwood forests to coastal wetlands. This collection aggregates over 20 such areas, offering a structured network of trails for recreation while conserving regional ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
What are some notable protected areas in San Mateo County?
Notable protected areas include Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, known for its redwood canyons, and El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve, with its dense forests. For different scenery, Windy Hill Open Space Preserve offers open grasslands and forest terrain.
What activities are available in San Mateo County's protected areas?
The primary activities in these protected areas are hiking, cycling, and mountain biking. There are over 2,000 documented routes, with specific collections available for Hiking in San Mateo County and MTB Trails in San Mateo County.
What are the main features of Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve?
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is characterized by its majestic second-growth redwood forest, steep canyons, and views of the Pacific Ocean from its upper ridges. The preserve has an extensive trail network suitable for hiking and mountain biking.
What kind of trails are in El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve?
El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve features a diverse and often challenging trail system through redwood forests and chaparral-covered hillsides. It is a popular destination for both hiking and technical mountain biking, with over 100 routes available.
What is Windy Hill Open Space Preserve known for?
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve is known for its distinctive, grass-covered summit and expansive views of the San Francisco Bay and Santa Cruz Mountains. The preserve offers a mix of open grassland and forested trails for hiking, jogging, and cycling.
Are there easy hikes in San Mateo County's protected areas?
Yes, many protected areas offer trails suitable for beginners or families. For example, Ravenswood Open Space Preserve provides flat, accessible trails through wetlands. A curated list of routes can be found in the guide to Easy hikes in San Mateo County.
Where can I find mountain biking trails in San Mateo County's preserves?
Mountain biking is a popular activity in several of the county's open space preserves. Areas like El Corte De Madera Creek and Purisima Creek Redwoods offer extensive trail networks for mountain bikers. A comprehensive list of routes is available in the MTB Trails in San Mateo County guide.
What are the options for road cycling near these protected areas?
Many of the roads that connect and pass through San Mateo County's protected areas are popular for road cycling, offering challenging climbs and scenic views. Routes often traverse the ridgelines and canyons near preserves like Teague Hill and Windy Hill. The Road Cycling Routes in San Mateo County guide details many of these options.
When is the best time to visit the protected areas in San Mateo County?
These protected areas are accessible year-round, but each season offers a different experience. The spring months often feature wildflower blooms in grassland areas like those at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve. The redwood forests provide shade during warmer summer months, while autumn and winter can offer clearer air and dramatic coastal views.
Are dogs allowed in San Mateo County's open space preserves?
Dog access policies vary by park and managing agency. For example, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District preserves, which include many of the areas listed, generally do not permit dogs on most trails to protect wildlife. However, some specific parks or trails, such as at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve, have designated off-leash areas. It is essential to check the rules for each specific park before visiting.
What is Ravenswood Open Space Preserve?
Ravenswood Open Space Preserve is a 376-acre tidal marsh located on the edge of the San Francisco Bay. It features flat, multi-use trails that are ideal for walking, jogging, and cycling while offering views of the bay and opportunities for birdwatching.
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