EXPERIENCE I recently visited Wunderlich Park to visit…read moretheir museum and carriage house. I didn't go for an extensive hike but want to return someday to do so! STARS (stand out qualities) -Beautiful and well maintained park -Well preserved historical site STAIRS (areas of growth) -More signage clarifying which of two entrances to enter at TIPS -Parking is limited so good to carpool or come during weekday if you can -Try signing up for tour. I learned interesting history of Chinese laborers!

Small Wunder A…read more940-acre park nestled in the eastern Redwoods and madrone-laden slopes of King Mountain. The name of the park is derived from contractor Martin Wunderlich, who donated the land to San Mateo County. The Good: * Free to visit * Parking lot * Picnic tables available * Restroom in parking lot * Seventeen miles of trails, including several loops. * If you like horses, then this is the place for you! There's a really cool old historic stable and lots of equine action to be found. * Camping available (https://www.smcgov.org/parks/make-reservation) The Meh: * Currently, no recreational horse activities like trail rides and lessons are available. * Crazy elevation gains, as trail elevations run from ±350' to over 4,300'. Be sure to check the trail guides to make sure you don't get in over your head. * No dogs allowed The Ugly: * The restroom has no running water, just hand sanitizer. * I'll admit, I'm not a fan of horses, and having to share trails with horses isn't my idea of a good time. Conclusion: Not the biggest park in this area that's full of fantastic OSPs, but it's certainly worth a visit--especially if you're a hippophile.

I've visited the three parks in the area, Huddart, Wunderlich, and Edgewood, and Huddart is my…read morefavorite of the three. That said, all three are great and you will not go wrong with going with one over the other. Huddart is nice because it has beautifully maintained trails that are surrounded by heavily wooded redwood trees. I came across numerous deer at the upper elevations and there were a bunch of huge banana slugs. The trails are mostly easily-walkable trails. I run on a regular basis on city streets, so even for me who does occasional hikes, it can get your heart pumping on the ascents. So if you want to spend a couple of hours here, you may want to make sure you have reasonable cardiovascular stamina before going deeper into the trails. Wunderlich has some pretty long, steep ascents, whereas Edgewood is probably the easiest to hike of the three. Huddart is in the middle. The place also a lot of picnic grounds and looks like it can be reserved for parties/get togethers. There is a six dollar cash entry fee (per car), but if you are a senior you don't have to pay. Definitely will be going back to Huddart.

I have lived in the Bay Area for over 20 years but never had the opportunity of visiting Huddart…read morePark until we were invited to a friend's kid's birthday party there. Huddart Park is such a great place if you're craving redwoods, fresh air, and well-maintained trails. The hiking options are great for all levels, with shaded paths, peaceful scenery, and plenty of spots to stop and take it all in. The picnic areas are spacious and well-kept, making this an easy choice for a relaxed day out with friends or family for a visit or a celebration. It never feels overly crowded, and the overall vibe is calm and refreshing--perfect for unplugging for a few hours. Whether you're hiking, picnicking, or just looking for a quiet place to reset, Huddart Park is a reliable favorite and absolutely worth the visit.

Sharon Park is such a lovely little park! I've had this place bookmarked for a few months now, and…read moreI finally visited it this past Saturday with my doggie buddy. There's a parking lot with good amount of spots. I think when I was there about 9am, there was about 3 cars. More people came later when we were leaving. There's a playground that's gated/fenced in so that's good for the families who has little kids. There's a cute little pond with lots of pretty flowers surrounding it. There's also some benches and picnic tables. There are also some grassy areas. We saw lots of cute other cute doggies here. It's a very dog friendly park. Someone didn't pick up their doggie's doo doo. Shame shame shame. Make sure be respectful and pick up after your doggies! We need to keep this beautiful little park clean. This spot will be added to my list of fave places to bring a doggie for a outing! :D

This is a beautiful dog-friendly park with a paved trail around a man-made, nicely landscaped pond,…read moreas well as a trail through a hilly area. We took our dog, Zoey, on both trails and spotted an egret, mallard ducks, and several deer. It's not a big enough park for a real hike, but it's a lovely place for a stroll/short walk with your kids or dogs.

Just gorgeous. The blue pool of water (not swimmable!), the water temple structure, the large green…read morelawn and hill. So many people come here for photos. It's a lesser known spot to Bay Area residents, but widely known enough nowadays! Portapotties are clean Parking lot open weekdays only

A hidden gem that I've passed by for years without truly noticing it until I stumbled upon it on a…read moresatellite map long ago. It's fascinating how such a serene, monument-like structure exists right here. While it has become quite popular on social media lately for its "Instagrammable" aesthetics, it's much more than just a photo spot. As a hiker, I find this place incredibly grounding. It's part of the Hetch Hetchy water system that serves the Bay Area, and there is something truly profound about seeing the culmination of such a massive water project captured in this classical, temple-like architecture. Whether you're here for the photography or just for a quiet, contemplative walk, it's a beautiful spot that demands respect. A unique intersection of infrastructure history and architectural beauty. Highly recommended.

Loved this hidden trail that was super easy to find! It was a ridiculous hot day, but the…read moresurrounding tall trees offer SO much shade that you forget about the heat. There is easy accessible parking, however there aren't too many parking spots. We refreshed our hands in the cold mini waterfall and had a cute photo opportunity. The hike is fairly easy for beginning hikers. There are areas that can be steep but there are many flat areas to take a break. We did miss a signed etched in a tree log and missed a pathway. But overall, a straight shot up and back, easily an hour or so round trip!

Lovely hidden trail with beautiful views and a true forest bathing vibe. It was a bit confusing…read moremaking our way on the trail as we hit a few dead ends but really great views.

Super cute playground. Plenty of parking when I went over the weekend and not many people around…read more The kids loved climbing and running around and it's gated too. Has baby swings and the little cabin was fun to play in. The bathroom is right next to it and had a clean changing table

A quick 15 minute drive from SFO. They have plenty of parking spaces in their private lot…read more Always a beautiful place. Even prettier the second time around. Flowers were abloom this summer afternoon in late June. The lavender herb bushes were oozing fragrance with the wind, the dahlias were on full display and the lilies were blossoming. Our first was during the fall. Not a lot of blooms but the autumn colors and the holiday decor were a sight to remember. We usually spend a good 3 hours here. Taking in the scenery and snapping a lot of photos. Though patrons come here for the garden, the mansion itself was a mini-castle worthy of a visit. I compare it to the likes of the the Hearst Castle and European palaces with a vast array of art and antiquities from allover the world. This place is very well maintained. It is easily one of the best maintained Historic Buildings and Gardens I have visited.

Would you pay $50 to visit a botanical garden? Yeah, how about in the middle of winter during the…read morecollege playoffs? And at night? Got to be crazy, the big parking lot was jammed with hundreds of cars. We were definitely not alone. It was a last night for the Christmas decoration activities at fioli gardens. Spectacular display of illuminated gardens with hundreds if not thousands of lights of all colors. Safe walking at night along lighted pathways, with illuminated waterways and ponds to break up the vast gardens. Had a great time even though my ears froze off from the bitter cold and winds. All I could think of was I needed to wear my ski outfits. Oh by the way Indiana blew out Oregon that evening so I didn't miss much

Had my first hike of the year, and it was a beauty! The weather worked in my favor, and hitting…read moregolden hour was a bonus. I should have stayed longer to hit sunset, but that can be for another time. It was definitely windy, so be mindful of that if you decide to trek here. The views were so worth it!

Stunning views!…read more I've been wanting to go to Windy Hill for a while and finally got to hike the Windy Hill loop today (Saturday). I got to the park around 7:45am and there was a decent amount of street parking near the trailhead then. I went clockwise (up Spring Ridge and down Hamms Gulch) - steep initially but the hike got easier as I went along. The trail was well-maintained, with benches throughout. The scenery was amazing, especially with all the green hills! Felt like a Studio Ghibli film. Weather was great as well - perfect hike for spring time. The trail got more crowded as time went on so I recommend going before 9am. Very safe for solo hikers. Highly recommend!

This is a nice, quiet smallish park next to some open space. It was a cool evening and I thoroughly…read moreenjoyed running around the park. It was nice to see a lot of families enjoying the park. I thought it was a little cold for a picnic but there were a few who were hanging out on the large lawn.

I almost don't want to write a review of this beautiful little park because it's been our secret…read morefor years. But I'll let you in on it, since unless you live in the area, it's doubtful you'd drive out of your way to get here. And drive you must. Nestled in Stanford Hills, just off of Sand Hill Road, there's no way you'd even notice the place unless you (a) had a dog; or (b) had a kid; and (c) lived nearby. A bit more than three acres of grass with a small little play area for kids, it's the perfect place for dogwalking or lounging on a lazy summer afternoon. Minuses are: there are no swings (just a play structure) and limited shade during peak hours. Pluses are: there are rarely any people here, it's quiet, and you can usually spot birds of prey circling overhead. There are better equipped parks out there (Burgess, for one), but this one is pretty great.

I love parks like that--so nice when there's a toddler area and a separate section for the older…read morekiddos. Plenty of space to run around too! There are swings for the smaller kids and the older kids, plus that cool swing ride for the bigger kids. And I love when they have lots of slides and different ways to climb--keeps them entertained forever!

Ohh Nealon Park, how I love you. Let me count the ways:…read more 1. You are a fully accessible park with activities for everyone. 2. You have room for your small and large friends alike, including parents, which makes my achy back and knees so happy. 3. You're well-maintained with plenty of parking, manicured landscaping, and all park equipment in good working condition. 4. You're fully fenced in so I don't need to worry about my child running into traffic or straying too far. 5. You're close to coffee and food shops. 6. You're great for birthday parties, with tons of space and tables! Whether you're a parent of a human child or a dog child, this park is fantastic. Fenced in playground, large open grass area, and plenty of shade. Wonderful little gem that we're lucky to have in the area!