Pescadero Creek County Park
Pescadero Creek County Park is a San Mateo County park on Pescadero Creek between Portola Redwoods State Park and the coast. Together with Memorial and Sam McDonald county parks it forms an 8,020-acre parkland of forest and watershed, crossed by the Old Haul Road. Dogs are not allowed, horses may use all trails, and bikes are limited to designated service roads. Cell service is limited and unreliable.
Pescadero Creek Park at a Glance
How It Fits With Portola Redwoods
On the State Parks map, Pescadero Creek County Park borders Portola Redwoods to the west. The Old Haul Road leaves Portola near the Iverson Cabin site and crosses the county park to Memorial County Park. The county lists its trailhead as Hoffman Creek Trailhead on Old Haul Road, Loma Mar.
The Creek
Pescadero Creek flows all year and is a major steelhead spawning stream, the county says, and it may be restored for coho salmon. Portola Redwoods, upstream, does not allow fishing at all.
Trails
The county says its trails range from an hour to all day. It lists, among others:
- Brook Trail Loop, 6.0 miles, with views of the Pacific, grassland and old-growth redwoods; it connects to the Pomponio Trail, the Old Haul Road and Memorial Park
- Bravo Fire Road, 1.5 miles, steep, past old-growth redwoods
- Bridge Trail, 1.1 miles, linking the Old Haul Road with the Pomponio and Tarwater Loop trails, with a view of the creek from the bridge
- Bear Ridge Trail, 1 mile, 340 feet of climb, a connector to the Brook Trail Loop and Pomponio Trail
- Canyon Trail, with views of Tarwater Canyon and old-growth redwoods
The county warns that some of its individual trail pages may be wrong and that its current complex map and brochure are the better guide. Download the Pescadero Creek Complex Map from the county before you go.
Current Closures (October 19, 2026)
- Tarwater Trailhead: the road and parking lot are closed because of degraded road conditions.
- Tarwater Flat: closed.
- Baker Fire Road: closed between junctions 74 and 75 after a bridge failure.
- Old Haul Road: open; earlier closures for forest health work have been lifted.
The forest health and fuel reduction project, funded by a CAL FIRE grant, is scheduled to continue in spring 2027, so expect more temporary closures. Check the county's closure page before you go.
Rules
- Dogs and other pets: not allowed anywhere in the park.
- Horses: allowed on all trails; check trail conditions with rangers first. Some trails close in winter. No rental horses.
- Bikes: only on designated service roads.
- Water: the county has advised visitors to bring their own drinking water.
- Mushrooms: the county warns not to pick or eat wild mushrooms.
Good For / Maybe Skip If
Good for: long, quiet trail days; equestrians; linking Portola and Memorial on the Old Haul Road.
Maybe skip if: you are bringing a dog, or you want a developed day-use area with a visitor center (try Memorial or Portola).
Pescadero Creek County Park FAQ
Where is Pescadero Creek County Park?
In the Santa Cruz Mountains near Loma Mar, between Portola Redwoods State Park and Memorial County Park. The county lists the Hoffman Creek Trailhead on Old Haul Road as its address.
Are dogs allowed at Pescadero Creek County Park?
No. Dogs and other pets are not allowed anywhere in the park.
Can you bike in Pescadero Creek County Park?
Yes, but only on designated service roads such as the Old Haul Road.
Is the Tarwater Trailhead open?
No. As of October 19, 2026, the Tarwater Trailhead road and parking lot are closed because of degraded road conditions.
How big is Pescadero Creek County Park?
The county describes an 8,020-acre parkland made up of Pescadero Creek, Memorial and Sam McDonald county parks.