Sam McDonald County Park

Sam McDonald County Park is an 850-acre San Mateo County park about 3 miles west of La Honda on Pescadero Road. Its northwest half, about 400 acres, is lush redwood forest; its southeast 450 acres are open ridge and grassy knolls with views of the Butano and Skyline ridges and the Pacific Ocean. The vehicle fee is $6, and dogs and other pets are not allowed.

Two Parks in One

The county describes Sam McDonald as two different landscapes. The roughly 400 acres between Pescadero Creek Road and Highway 84 are dense redwood forest. The other 450 acres climb to open ridges, grassy knolls and patches of brush. From the ridge you can see the Butano and Skyline ridges and the ocean, a change from the closed-in forest trails at Portola.

Where It Is

The park address is 13435 Pescadero Creek Road, Loma Mar. It is part of the county's 8,020-acre parkland with Pescadero Creek and Memorial parks.

Fees and Rules

• Vehicle fee: $6; the county offers waivers to those who qualify.
• Dogs and other pets: not allowed.
• Horses: equestrian use is listed, and the park has a horse camp.
• Mushrooms: the county warns not to pick or eat wild mushrooms.

Overnight Options

Sam McDonald has a horse camp and youth overnight camping, both through the county's reservable facilities. Family car camping is at Memorial County Park or Portola Redwoods.

Self-Guided Tours

The county's self-guided tour app includes tours on the history and ecology of Sam McDonald Park.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: combining redwoods and an open ridge with ocean views in one visit; equestrians.

Maybe skip if: you are bringing a dog, or you want family car camping.