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Portola Redwoods State Park

Explore Redwoods and Waterfalls in a Peaceful Park

Off Highway 35 in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Portola Redwoods State Park remains quiet and peaceful despite its proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area thanks to the long, winding approach to its hushed forest canyon. The Park’s 2,800 acres drop from ridgetops to a natural basin of shaded redwood forest and huckleberries. The towering redwoods and waterfalls on Pescadero and Fall Creeks can be admired from Portola Redwoods 18-miles of trails. Many plants and wildlife live in the habitat provided by the Park’s creeks and old-growth redwoods including black-tailed deer, coyotes, mountain lions, and endangered marbled murrelet, coho salmon and steelhead trout.

Sempervirens Fund helped create Portola Redwoods State Park in 1945 and continues to protect land for people and wildlife to enjoy in the Park for generations to come.

photo by Silencetheshadows.

Sequoia Nature Trail

This easy 1.5-mile loop under the shade of redwoods along Pescadero Creek has interpretive signs that offer information about the surroundings making it a great option for curious minds and families with small children. The trail begins near the Visitors Center and typically takes less than an hour. The footbridge crossing the creek is removed during the winter due to larger water flows.

Portola Redwoods Pescadero Creek by Laura Hamilton
Portola Redwoods Pescadero Creek by Laura Hamilton
Portola Redwoods Tip Toe Falls by Wayne Hsieh
Portola Redwoods Tip Toe Falls by Wayne Hsieh

Tip Toe Falls

An easy hike 1.6-mile out and back on Iverson Trail, which connects to Sequoia Nature Trail, climbs to Tip Toe Falls, a 6-foot waterfall fed by Fall Creek which Sempervirens Fund is working to protect. Described by many hikers as magical, the fall tumbles over a mossy cliff into a circular pool. The roundtrip hike typically takes about two hours.

Peter’s Creek Trail

Peters Creek Trail is an 11.9-mile loop trail through lush redwood and tanoak forests. The long hike with two sections of climbing are rewarded by 1.5-miles through an awesome old-growth redwood grove. Sempervirens Fund preserved 33-acres next to the Peters Creek Trail for people and wildlife to enjoy forever.

Portola Redwoods Old Growth by Elaine With Grey Cats
Portola Redwoods Old Growth by Elaine With Grey Cats

Plan Your Hike

Address: Portola Redwoods State Park, 9000 Portola State Park Road, La Honda, CA 94020

Hours: 6am-Sunset (in severe weather the park might be closed), Visitor Center: 9am-5pm

Directions: click here for Google maps directions

Park Activities

  • Hiking Trails
  • Picknicking
  • Swimming
  • Camping
  • Nature & Wildlife Viewing
  • Geocaching

Park Amenities

  • Restrooms
  • Drinking Water Available
  • Picnic Areas
  • Interpretive Exhibits
  • Visitor Center

Volunteer

Throughout the year, Sempervirens Fund holds a variety of volunteer events, including invasive species removal, trail clean ups, and more! Check out our Volunteer Page for more information.

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