Redwood forests near Palo Alto

Palo Alto is named after a redwood. El Palo Alto, the tall tree that Spanish explorers camped beside in 1769, still stands next to the Caltrain tracks at the north end of town. To see coast redwoods growing as a forest, though, you need to head west into the Santa Cruz Mountains or north to Marin. The good news is that you have plenty of choice. There are six excellent redwood forests within an easy day trip, from a short accessible trail 40 minutes away to the ancient giants of Big Basin.

The status of these parks has changed a lot since the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire, which burned through Big Basin and parts of the surrounding mountains. This guide covers what is open now, what needs a reservation and which forest suits your day. We checked each park's official page in October 2026, but conditions change, so look again the week you go.

The forests at a glance

All drive times assume light traffic. Mountain roads are narrow and winding, so allow extra time and do not rely on your phone for directions. Cell service drops out in most of these parks. You need a car for all of them except Muir Woods, which has a seasonal shuttle. If you do not have one, you can compare rental cars for the day.

Purisima Creek Redwoods

Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve covers 5,412 acres on the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains above Half Moon Bay. It is run by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and it is the quickest way from Palo Alto into a true redwood canyon. Drive Interstate 280 to Highway 92, then head south on Skyline Boulevard, which is Highway 35.

The Redwood Trail, off Skyline Boulevard, is a flat quarter mile under tall redwoods with accessible picnic tables and a restroom. It suits all abilities. For a real hike, the Purisima Creek Trail follows an old logging road down the canyon along the creek. Combine it with Harkins Ridge or Whittemore Gulch for a loop with big climbs and views over the ocean. Remember that loops from Skyline start downhill and finish with the climb.

Three parking areas serve the preserve: North Ridge and Redwood Roadside on Skyline and a small lot on Purisima Creek Road on the coast side. All fill early on sunny weekends. The preserve is open from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Dogs are not allowed. Details are on the Midpen preserve page.

Huddart Park

Huddart Park is a San Mateo County park on Kings Mountain Road in Woodside, about 3.5 miles west of Highway 84. Its steep, cool canyons are filled with second-growth redwoods and the park has picnic areas, barbecue pits, a playground and miles of trails. The Bay Area Ridge Trail passes through. A vehicle entry fee applies. Huddart pairs well with a morning at Filoli and lunch in Woodside. Check the county park page for hours and closures.

Portola Redwoods State Park

Portola Redwoods State Park lies in a deep, quiet canyon in the mountains southwest of Palo Alto, reached by Alpine Road and Portola State Park Road. The access roads are steep and winding, so use a low gear. There is no gas or store nearby and California State Parks warns that there is no cell reception in the park or the area around it.

The CZU fire reached parts of the park in 2020. Portola reopened for day use in 2021, including the old-growth Peters Creek Grove, which the fire did not touch. Some trails stayed closed for longer because of fire damage. The park's day use hours are 6 a.m. to sunset and a vehicle day use fee applies. The visitor center is open on weekends and holidays as staffing permits. No camping reservations were listed in late October 2026, so do not count on a campsite this fall. Our Portola Redwoods guide covers camping status, trails and fees. Dogs are allowed only in the campground, picnic areas and on paved roads and a few fire roads, not on trails. Check the Portola Redwoods page for any trail closures before you go.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Big Basin is California's oldest state park, established in 1902 after a campaign by the Sempervirens Club to save its ancient trees. It protects the largest continuous stand of old-growth coast redwoods south of San Francisco.

The 2020 fire

In August 2020 the CZU Lightning Complex Fire swept through the Santa Cruz Mountains and burned about 97 percent of Big Basin. It destroyed the historic park headquarters and more than 100 buildings. The good news is that most of the old-growth redwoods survived. Their thick bark protects them and many are now sprouting fresh green needles straight from their blackened trunks, which is an extraordinary thing to see.

Reopening status

Big Basin reopened for day use on July 22, 2022, at first by reservation only. In late 2026 the park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Several trails and fire roads have reopened and more are expected to open as recovery continues. Parking reservations are no longer strictly required, but the park says they are highly recommended because spaces are limited. A vehicle day use fee applies and a reservation costs less than paying on arrival. Oversized vehicles and trailers cannot park for day use.

Other things to know:

• The park page says all campgrounds are closed while the multi-year Reimagining Big Basin project rebuilds facilities. A May 2026 State Parks release says an interim walk-in and bike-in campground opened at Rancho del Oso on the coast. The two sources conflict, so confirm with the park before you plan to camp.
• The Sequoia Trail to Sempervirens Falls reopened on May 22, 2026, for the first time since the fire.
• A free summer shuttle returned in 2026 after pilot runs in the summers of 2024 and 2025. It ran on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, from a parking area at Saddle Mountain. Santa Cruz Metro Route 35 also offers seasonal weekend service.
• Rangers lead guided walks in the redwood grove on some weekends, including October 31, November 1 and November 7, 2026.
• If you use a rideshare, confirm a return ride, since some drivers will drop off but not pick up.

Read the Big Basin page on parks.ca.gov and its Big Basin Access advisory before you leave. Our Big Basin Redwoods guide covers parking, fees, trails and a sample day. From Palo Alto, the usual route climbs Highway 9 from Saratoga and then follows Highway 236 into the park, about 1 to 1.5 hours in all.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, just inland from Santa Cruz, is the easiest place near Palo Alto to walk among true old-growth giants. Its 0.8-mile Redwood Grove Loop is flat and runs through the old-growth grove, including the Fremont Tree, which is hollow enough to step inside. Bring a flashlight. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, the visitor center is open daily and a vehicle day use fee applies. Dogs are not allowed on the Redwood Grove Loop.

Next door, Roaring Camp Railroads runs a steam train through the redwoods to the top of Bear Mountain. Henry Cowell is about an hour from Palo Alto via Highway 17 and combines naturally with an afternoon at the beach. See our Santa Cruz guide for the rest of that day.

Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods, a few miles from Mill Valley in Marin County, is the most famous redwood forest in the Bay Area. Its main path, the Redwood Creek Trail, runs along the canyon floor through towering old-growth trees. It is also the farthest forest on this list, roughly 1.5 hours or more from Palo Alto through San Francisco and across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Muir Woods uses a reservation system that catches out many visitors:

• Parking reservations are required for every vehicle and are booked at gomuirwoods.com. Each one comes with a 30-minute arrival window. Weekend and holiday slots often sell out.
• Shuttle reservations are required too. The shuttle leaves from the Larkspur Ferry Terminal. It runs Friday to Sunday plus holidays from early spring through September, then on Saturdays and Sundays only in October. It is now off until spring, so plan to drive in winter. Our Muir Woods guide has the details.
• Entrance passes are separate. Visitors 16 and older need a pass, bought online in advance or at the visitor center. Children under 16 enter free and America the Beautiful passes are accepted.
• Download everything in advance. Cell service is unreliable and there is no signal to call a rideshare home.
• Pets are not allowed and bikes are not allowed on the trails.

The park is open every day with hours that change by season. See the Know Before You Go page on nps.gov. If you would rather skip the logistics, many Muir Woods tours from San Francisco include transport and entry. Combine the trip with our San Francisco guide if you are staying in the city.

Tips for redwood visits

• Go early. Small parking lots fill by mid-morning on weekends at almost every park.
• Dress in layers. Redwood canyons are cool and damp even on hot days.
• Watch for poison oak and ticks. Stay on trails and check yourself afterward.
• Look for banana slugs. These bright yellow slugs are common after rain.
• Visit after rain. Winter and spring bring full creeks, waterfalls and the freshest green.
• Stay over. For a slower trip into the Santa Cruz Mountains, you can rent a cabin among the redwoods.

For trails closer to home, see our guide to the best hikes in and near Palo Alto and the outdoors section.

Frequently asked questions