moderate
Activities
Pescadero Creek Loop Information
This loop takes you through two parks in the heart of the Pescadero watershed, and some of the healthiest, continuous forest on the Peninsula.
Watch for:
As you walk, look for for black-tailed deer, raccoons, and mountain lions. And if you're really lucky you may spot endangered marbled murrelet, which nest within the park.
Hiking Details for Pescadero Creek Loop
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation change: 700 feet
Hiking time: 3 hours
Trail surface: Varied
Best Season: Year round
Managing agency: San Mateo County Parks
Parking lot location: Click here for directions
Overview: This loop takes you through deep redwood forests and oak woodlands, past an early shingle mill and a massive old-growth redwood tree with a circumference of over 40 feet.
Start your hike on the Upper Coyote Ridge Trail traveling south. About 0.5 miles in you will cross into Portola Redwoods State Park. Continue straight when Upper Coyote Ridge trail becomes Coyote Ridge Trail, and turn right onto Pomponio Trail, which leads you back into Pescadero Creek County Park.
Continue on the Pomponio Trail past the Tarwater Trail Camp. Stay right to turn onto the Shingle Mill Trail to head back north.
Pescadero Creek Loop Photo Gallery
More About Pescadero Creek Park
Pescadero Creek Park sits on top a deposit of natural gas and oil. Occasionally, crude oil pools up in the channel of Tarwater Creek and natural gas bubbles up through seams near Hoffman Creek. In the 1970s, oil exploration was attempted but failed.
The park is part of an 8020 acre parkland area which also includes Sam McDonald and Memorial county parks. It is also adjacent to Portola Redwoods State park, where POST protected about 120 acres in 1990, adding even more beautiful forested trails to explore. This loop hike takes you briefly into Portola Redwoods State Park, before returning to Pescadero Creek Park for the majority of the hike.