Beautiful fall colors Wonderful little walk through the very quiet forest Different types of mushrooms everywhere! Banana slugs! read more

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Sam McDonald Park was such a pleasant surprise! I loved the variety of trails and the peaceful, remote feel of the area. Parking was easy, though it's tucked away enough that you could easily pass by if you don't know it's there. Does have restrooms. Overall, a beautiful spot--I really enjoyed my time here! read more

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Hiked with friends from work during early Apr. Some areas were still quite muddy from the abundance of rain this year, dodging the muddy areas was like adding obstacle courses to the hike, more challenging and fun. We did not see any other hikers the entire day so it felt like we had the whole forest to ourselves, heard birds chirping in the background, wild flowers were in full bloom, saw many newts, banana slug, giant mushrooms. The Heritage Grove Trail had thick redwood forest as far as you can see in 180 turns. Later we popped out of the woods to a top grassy plateau with views of rolling green hills. The humble Hikers Hut seems to be a hidden secret. We spoke to a fellow from within to learn about the hut, it looks comfy and quaint. The amenities of the park were top notch - plenty of parking, clean bathrooms, picnic tables and benches, well maintained trails and signages. read more

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Another 5 star hike at Sam McDonald park. Went with a visitor from Estonia today (her first time seeing and touching redwoods). We both enjoyed. Saw four other souls in 13.5 kms of hiking Towne Fire Road to E Brook trail back to Towne Fire Road to the hikers hut and finished the loop through the Heritage Grove trail. So many redwoods and diverse trees along the trails. Saw a few shrooms and many banana slugs. Definitely my favorite park in San Mateo county. read more

Sam McDonald Park - Parks Near Me - Loma Mar, California

All I can say is please come here prepared with the right outfit and shoes... oh, and cash to pay for parking. Wait, also a pen. Or a pencil. It's self-parking and by a trust system here. The envelopes are located at the building so you just take one yourself, fill it out, put cash in, and then deposit it in the bin. While we're not sure how often the park rangers check the parking, it's best to be safe than sorry if you'll be here for a while. We walked one of the shorter trails as we were not really prepared for a hike (we were just driving by), but even that hike was a nice one. There was horse poop along the road, though, so keep your eyes peeled. read more

After the CZU fire, some of the beloved state and county parks are closed and under repair in the Santa Cruz Mountains. My go to near Pescadero had been Butano State Park which was heavily fire damaged. I love hiking in this area and was happy to find Sam McDonald Park. It's run by the county of San Mateo and a lovely and quiet, albeit out of the way park. You can find some old growth redwoods, sweeping ridge top views and once all parks are open again, hiking access to Pescadero Creek County Park (also currently closed due to fire damage.) Parking lot was pretty large and flush toilet restrooms were clean and well stocked. After a long drive out here from the East Bay, that was super important! $6 for parking, paid via envelope and drop box so come with exact change. Also grab a map near the pay box. Trail signage was easy to follow and I opted to take the Towne Road trail. My original goal was to take this to Big Tree Trail. However, Big Tree is currently closed while some trail damage is being repaired. The website doesn't currently call that out so be aware that the closure was in place as of March 6, 2020. No matter...while the Towne Road trail is a wide fire road, it still has some lovely scenery through the woods and then up to wide sweeping views and emerald green hills. It will lead you up to the Sierra Club Hikers hut which has a nice deck you can rest and enjoy a snack on. After that I headed back down on the Heritage Grove trail which was all shaded and had an array of early season wildflowers and winter mushrooms. This section leads down to a winding trail of redwoods and eventually the Heritage Grove (this has its own parking area if you want more direct access to the grove.) Keep an eye out on the ground for banana slugs and newts-I saw plenty! Elevation was moderate and trails were quiet-I only saw about 6 other hikers on a 5 mile loop. Next time I'd like to park right at the grove since I didn't get to spend as much time in that section. Beautiful county run park and a place for peace and tranquillity in these crazy times. Review #12 of 100 review goal in 2021 read more

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Wild, junglesque! What an original way to spend the 4th of July, so close to San Jose and so far from civilization. This park was in my list since I visited the Butano Park with a girlfriend some months ago, but never found the excuse to go until the 4th (we were trying to avoid the crowds going to the beach and since the day was very hot still wanted to enjoy the outdoors). I remembered then about Sam McDonald and we went thinking the parking lot would be full to find out we were just around 3 cars and very few people trying to find the heritage trail and the Big Tree. The scenery full of ancient and tall redwoods is magnificent and you can smell the solitude. I can imagine the Japanese experiencing shinrin-yoku or forest bath among those trees. Looks like a very safe trail and even though when we went there was no ranger around (still, we paid out duties as visitors to support the State Parks system), it is not a long hike, around 5 miles loup and very easy to walk around. Do not miss the experience to enter inside one of those huge redwood trees and feel like you are in the womb of mother nature. It is a great surreal feeling. read more

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Sam Mcdonald is a county park that features Heritage Grove which is a area of old growth forest that was saved from logging by a citizen's group that purchased the grove to protect the trees there. We drove up to the main county park entrance which has a decent sized parking lot, rangers hut, and bathrooms. There is an entry charge of $6 per vehicle. There wasn't any one in the hut on the day we went. There are envelopes that you put your parking fee in (cash only - make sure you bring exact change) and fill out details of your vehicle. There's a little slip that goes on the dash in your car. The restrooms are single stall male/female washrooms. I was actually really impressed at how clean it was. The trails are maintained pretty well. None were overgrown or washed out. There are notices on the San Mateo Parks Department website of which trails are closed so I suggest you check that out first. The site indicates that no dogs are allowed. Along the trail we noticed that a lot of the markers would indicate whether or not horses were allowed as well. We took the Heritage Trail Loop and some smaller offshoots. The trees in the old growth section are really a sight to behold. Some of the giants have toppled over so you can get a good look at what the roots look like. Some parts of the trail can be a little narrow so you can't walk side by side with someone else. Other parts come a little close to the road so you might hear some car noises. A section of the loop opens up to grassy lands and you'll probably hear some planes overhead in that area. On our visit in August we didn't see too many flowers or wildlife but there were a couple banana slugs at the very end of our hike as promised. We saw them coming south from the Forest Trail into the parking lot area if anyone is looking for them. read more

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Great place to get outdoors! They have a bathroom and plenty of parking. The trails are plentiful and people are super respectful on the trails. Cost is $6.00 per vehicle No dogs allowed unfortunately read more

Back again to Sam McDonald Park in Loma Mar, San Mateo County Park Sat 8/29/15. We went to the main park entrance off Pescadero Creek Rd. Lots of parking spaces. Parking is $6, they keep raising rates quietly, back in 2008 it was $5. Both men & women's flushed bathrooms. Women's had 2 stalls and 2 sinks. It was a little wet today over there, drizzly almost the whole day. We did Heritage Grove and Big Tree Trail. Towne Trail to Jack Brook Horse Camp. Jerk of an ranger said we couldn't picnic at the Horse Camp - we asked some equestrian if we could use the 2 picnic tables there, she was cool and said go ahead. We did, but then jerk ranger came back and kicked us out. Whatever, we were done anyways. Horse Camp has separate flushed toilets in a building over there. Some people went back to the parking lot for total 5 mi hike, but we did an extra 3 miles by doing the Ridge Loop Trail, to Forest Loop Trail, past the water tank, and the campgrounds Modoc Youth Camp and Chinook Youth Camp. When Forest Loop Trail splits again go to the Left (unmarked) that is back to the Park Entrance! We saw lots of banana slugs and equestrians we meet on the trail and at Horse Camp. read more

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Came here this past weekend and had no issues finding the place. There's a huge parking lot but no so many spots in the shade. Parking is $6 per car and you place it in an envelope into the drop box and place the stub on your windshield. The trail markers are horrendous and will probably be one of the biggest reasons I do not return here. It seems as though someone flipped them around, or maybe they really are that difficult to get right. The trails are fairly shaded but on a super hot/sunny day you might want to reconsider and go elsewhere. Seeing as how this is so close to Big Basin and Memorial Park, I think I'd rather hit up one of those places next time for a more enjoyable hike. read more

Sam McDonald Park - Nature everywhere - Parks Near Me - Loma Mar, California

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Sam McDonald County Park is one of the smaller open-space parks in the Santa Cruz range, just down the hill from the sleepy town of La Honda, CA. A mere 850 acres (I say "mere" because other parks in the area tend to exceed 2000 acres). I've driven through it many times on my way to the town of Pescadero, or to Memorial Park, or Butano State Park. It is oblong and oddly-shaped, and Its shorter cross-section is bisected by Pescadero Rd. I never thought it amounted to much...until the day I decided to hike here. What I discovered were lush redwood forests filled with an understory of tanoaks, red alder and bay; with a carpet of ferns, sorrel and trickling streams (even during the dry summer). On the western side of the park I found open vistas to the ocean; hilltop pastures, even a horse camp and a cabin-for-rent. (More on that later). In short, Sam McDonald has become my newest, favorite outdoor discovery. What's more, the park doesn't really end there (if you don't want it to). It turns out that Sam McDonald connects to the massive Pescadero Creek Park, which connects to both Portola Redwoods and Big Basin State Parks. And from Big Basin there's a connection to both Butano and Ano Nuevo state parks...and finally the ocean. (I haven't counted it all up, but I'd estimate over 100 miles of trails can be accessed from the Sam McDonald parking lot.) But back to the park itself. On my first visit, I was able to complete an eight-mile loop, starting at the main lot and proceeding north, going counter-clockwise around the trails on the periphery. (In order: Camp Trail; Youth Camp Fire Rd; Old Stage Fire Rd; Ridge Trail; Towne Trail and Heritage Grove trail.) The highlights of the loop were a stunning 270 degree overlook off the Towne Trail, as well as the beautiful old growth redwoods on the lovely Heritage Grove Trail. I've since returned to repeat this loop two more times with friends in tow. They were as impressed as I. (It also doesn't hurt that Alice's restaurant is less than 20 minutes away - always perfect for a post hike beer and nibble). And that cabin-for-rent? - It's official name is the "Hiker's Hut" (HH) and sits in a tree-sheltered nook on the ridge line, about a two mile climb uphill from the main lot. The name doesn't do it justice - It's really a large modern cabin than a hut; and the views are spectacular. The HH is owned by the Sierra club but can be rented by the general public for $25-$30 per person, per night. And finally, I love the original history of the park. The northern 400 acres were once owned by Sam McDonald, a descendent of African slaves and also part Choctaw Indian. Mostly self-taught, he was a 50-year employee of Stanford University, starting his career as a janitor and ending it as the superintendent of athletic grounds. Sam was generous, outgoing and upbeat, becoming a student favorite and constant presence on campus. He was also a great contributor to underprivileged children, and on his death in 1957, his will bequeathed his woodland investment to his favorite charity school, which later sold it to the county for parkland. In short, Sam McDonald was one cool dude, and I felt honored to enjoy his hideaway and his legacy. It could also be the Choctaw in me. Hike Spot Checklist: -- Parking: A large lot at main entrance ($6 for all day) -- Bathrooms: Flush toilets at main entrance -- Potable water: Yes, at main entrance, at youth campgrounds, the horse camp and outside the hiker's hut -- Maps provided: Yes -- Highlights: Heritage Grove redwoods; views on the ridgetop from multiple locations My Peninsula Hike Collection is here: (https://www.yelp.com/collection/qBI6U6Lz9LJQjnGjFW6ubg) read more

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Incredible wilderness in the middle of the Bay Area. Truly a hidden gem for hikers and wildlife enthusiasts. While it's not an incredibly tough hike at all, perhaps 4 miles approximately round trip at its longest- the scenery and the absolute silence and amount of wilderness that surrounds you is so entrancing. We stood still for about a minute and you could just about hear a lizard's fart, it was that quiet. There were a few trees blocking the path having fallen over on our Christmas Day hike (which I thought would be free parking since it's a holiday but we got a nice reminder of an envelope left on our windshield which we gladly paid). The parking lot is ample with bathrooms as well (when the ranger is there during open hours) and the path actually crosses the road which was kind of weird since you literally have to run across the intersection and hope you're not flattened. Top of the mountain has the hiker's hut which is a nice end of the trail accomplishment milestone. Highly recommend this hike to all in the Bay Area! It felt more like I was in north bay than I was on the peninsula. It felt incredibly lush with all the greenery, a nice respite away from the hectic traffic and 101 freeway to say the least! Drive up is therapeutic and winds all around up the mountain. Be sure to stop by Apple Jack's on your way out for a warm or inebriating beverage. read more

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This is a nice park and all but definitely not worth 4 or 5 stars. Also with $6 fee I definitely can't rate this higher than a lot of places I've been. We did the ridge trail and forest loop and it was pretty but I mean of the trail was a fireroad. I was hoping for single track to hike on. The maps they have pretty difficult to understand as it's hard to get oriented with the map. If I didn't have a compass it would've taken a lot longer to figure North. You need to do this in order to figure out the map they give out for free. Anyways maybe there are some better single track trails around here but I was not too impressed with the fire road trails that we were on. read more

A little secret nestled up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Miles of intertwining paths or a main fire road, varied terrain, gorgeous views, a creek, redwoods, picnic spots...what more could you ask for? Well there are 3 horse camps for you equestrians, and you can rent out the Hiker's Hut--run by the Sierra Club--for special events. I know you meant it for the kids, but thank you Sam McDonald. :) Some things you should know: There is a $5 parking fee. Get the trail map for $2 or print one out before you go from the website, because the free one you get at the ranger station is pretty much worthless if you plan on doing some of the smaller trails. ================= Park history, From the website: "Sam (Emanuel) McDonald, descendant of slaves, was born in Louisiana in 1884. Moving several times, and working at various jobs, he finally settled in Mayfield (South Palo Alto), and in 1903 took employment as a teamster for Stanford University. This was the beginning of a long and pleasant career with Stanford, spanning some 50 years, with Sam eventually becoming Superintendent of Athletic Grounds and Buildings. While working at the "Farm," McDonald took a correspondent course in law and served as Secret Service Agent for the Treasury Department, as Deputy Constable for Pale Alto Township, and as Deputy Sheriff for Santa Clara County. McDonald began acquiring the La Honda property in 1917, with the purchase of a two-room cabin and some ground along Alpine Creek in the northern portion of the property. Standing 6'4", he became part of the Stanford legend. He probably had a wider acquaintance with students and faculty than any other member of the Stanford family did. Dr. Ray Lyman Wilbur, University President, said on one occasion: "I am glad I do not have to run against Sam for office; I would fear the results. The Stanford Convalescent Home for Underprivileged Children on campus was one of McDonald's pet projects; he planted large gardens for the children during the war years, and cooked barbecues for them. The home named a "Sam McDonald " in his honor. When he died in November 1957, he left his La Honda property (400+ acres) to Stanford, which had given him so much in opportunity, friendship and happiness. McDonald specifically requested that his heirs use the land as a park for the benefit of young people. San Mateo County acquired the land in 1958 for $67,000 and dedicated it for public use in 1970. An additional 450 acres were acquired in 1976 from Kendall B. Towne, bringing the total acreage of the park to 867 acres. read more

AKA the north entrance to Pescadero Creek County Park. Why it has no reviews compared to Memorial's 9 I'll never know--actually, I'm betting it's the lack of picnic facilities (and the fact that the entrance is easy to miss even when you're looking for it). Really, there's not much to do at Sam McDonald but to hit the trail. There are in fact some trails north of Pescadero road, but the obvious route is the 4-mile loop formed by the Heritage Grove trail and the Towne Fire Road. You'll get a leisurely walk along redwood-filled glades, plus a rolling grassy ridgetop with a viewpoint looking downstream towards the coast, plus a chance to check out the Hiker's Hut (truly a lamentably rare amenity in American parks), which you can reserve by calling the park service. And most importantly, you can extend the hike well into the depths of Pescadero Creek. read more

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The whole park is pretty great, we hear, but these four stars are specifically for the awesome and easily-accessible Heritage Grove old-growth redwoods, which are within walking distance from the parking area off of Alpine Road. This is a great way to introduce out-of-town visitors to the Santa Cruz Mts and then head on to Pescadero and the coastal splendor that greets you when entering Highway One from Pescadero Road. http://www.redwoodhikes.com/Portola/Heritage%20Grove.html My parents, who had never been to CA until this past summer, loved the Grove. My father, who cannot hike like he once could, seemed particularly impressed by the soaring trunks, trickling streams, and lush ferns that are best viewed up close, not from behind a car window. read more

Yes, it is smaller than some of the nearby parks and open-space areas. But it has its own strengths: 1) If you hike up to the "hikers' hut" (which can be rented from the Sierra Club) you can see the Pacific Ocean. It is beautiful to sit up there and look at the mountains and sea. 2) Depending on how far you want to hike, you can go to Heritage Grove or even to Big Basin. There are a lot of choices. 3) There is a horse camp. So if you want, you can camp with your horse. I wish I had a horse so I could take advantage of it. 4) It has a variety of ecosystems - Redwoods, Pines, open fields - all in a small area. It made for a great day of hiking. A few important notes: 1) Parking is $6 via an envelope system. No change. 2) There are bathrooms only in the parking lot. While they are bathroom facilities at the horse camp and the Hikers' hut, they are not open to the public (apparently). I particularly loved the view and how empty and quiet the trails were. The hike from the parking lot to the Hikers' Hut was steep (for me) in places, but doable even when muddy. read more

We enjoyed the park's 4 1/2 mile hike along the Heritage Grove Trail. It had a little of everything, from gigantic old growth redwood trees to sweeping open views over the neighboring Santa Cruz mountain ridge-tops. For the most part this loop trail's twists and turns fall under the shelter of a forest canopy, which makes it a good choice for a peninsula hike on a hot summer day. Remember to check out the Heritage Grove site where you'll find a collection of old growth redwood trees saved from logging by local concerned citizens. The park requires a day-use fee and is usually unmanned, which means you'll want to bring along a pen and a small fist-full of bills just in case. I have full details and a map of the trail over here: http://www.trailspotting.com/2008/12/heritage-grove-sam-mcdonald-county-park.html read more

Been wanting to do a redwood hike and came across this little county park. $6 to park seemed a little steep, but there are a variety of trails. Headed out intending to do Heritage Trail and went around in a weird way. Started on Towne Fire Rd, hit up Hiker's Hut and then ended up on the paved Alpine Rd, instead of heading back onto Heritage Trail. I might have missed out on all the redwoods :( The markers are a little confusing and sometimes conflicting. Try to use the map ($2) to guide you. Otherwise, I can't wait to come back and try out the other trails! I hope to be back and can see more redwoods! read more

A great hiking experience within an hour from the hustle-bustle.I went there today with my husband and 2yr old. We took the Heritage Grove trail since the distance(4 miles roundtrip) was perfect with our 2yr old on the hike-pack. It was a a very refreshing hike for early February. A bright day - but hiking under the shades of lush green picturesque red-woods. Every few steps one comes across logs that have unique shapes that you'd want to capture in your camera. Great for a nature-lover. The drive is great too and my son had a great time watching motorcyclists and bicyclists along the way. Will definitely come here again to check out more trails. read more

5 mile easy hike. very quiet and peaceful redwood but have open views as well. the trailhead is very small and limited parking. read more

Awesome park to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and go on a 3-4 mile hike. They have lots of good trails some wide and some that are small and narrow. They are people on horseback, hikers and even joggers. read more

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Heritage Grove is the best. It is not very demanding and most people can do it in under 2-3 hours (back to main parking lot). Parking fee is $6. read more

There are some really great hikes here and some hidden spots where you can sit and listen to the wildlife :-) if your patient you'll even see deer or maybe a coyote! There are ticks though so watch out and make sure you check yourself when you leave. Be careful if you go off trail, there are ground bees and some nasty hidden holes that can trip you up! It's also about 10 degrees cooler up in the mountains but once you start hiking you'll warm right up :-) read more