If you’re looking for a way to mark the first day of spring today, Loma Mar Redwoods is a new destination to explore. The forest is now part of San Mateo County’s Memorial Park (external link), less than an hour’s drive from Silicon Valley.
Our members contributed to our $625,000 commitment for this project, sharing costs with Peninsula Open Space Trust, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the California State Coastal Conservancy to buy the property for addition to Memorial Park.
At Loma Mar you’ll find massive redwoods on the undeveloped 174 acres. This forest is so special that the California State Coastal Conservancy deemed it “regionally significant” because of its location adjacent to the main part of Memorial Park and the network of 8,000 acres of protected county parkland.
Loma Mar’s protection is good news for animals too. The rolling, forested hills provide good habitat for a wide array of wildlife, including threatened California red-legged frogs, black bears, mountain lions and black-tailed deer.
How to Get There
About a mile west of the Memorial Park entrance (external link) on the north side of Pescadero Creek Road, look for the Loma Mar sign and a parking lot for four to eight vehicles. Parking is free of charge. Neither trail markers nor maps are available yet. An unofficial trail gradually gains about 500 feet in elevation through the forest to the north and west for just under a mile. Restrooms are available near the entrance of the main part of the park at 9500 Pescadero Creek Road.
While You’re in the Neighborhood
The giant redwoods in the main part of the park are worth seeing. Near the park entrance, check out the Sequoia Trail, a short, flat path past the giants. Here’s a park map (external link). Stop for fresh seafood, soup and pie at nearby Duarte’s Tavern (external link). Then watch the seals and sunset at Pescadero State Beach (external link).
