I went to the preserve in early August. There was overcast, so the weather was not as hot. There are 3 miles of trails at the preserve. This could take 2 – 4 hours, depending on your pace. The plant communities range from chaparral, grassland, redwoods to mixed-conifers. Less than 50% of the trails are shaded. We saw crows, lizards, hawks, and insects. There is a huge redwood tree. At certain vista points you can see the ocean, if there is no fog. Remember to bring water and snacks This preserve is accessible by permit-only by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. The permit is free.
Bradley N.
Place rating: 4 Woodside, CA
This under appreciated open space will have you jumping for joy at its sumptuous mountaintop vistas and superb panoramic views. Literally! While it is neither as spectacular nor as strenuous of some of the other preserves and parks along Skyline Ridge, La Honda Creek takes the cake for being the least utilized and difficult to access. For starters, you need to request a permit ahead of time to enter, which requires passing through a locked gate located at the end of a secluded private road several miles West of Skyline. Then, despite the fact that the preserve is some 5700 acres large, there are less than 5 miles of irregular, unmarked trails. Most are former ranch roads or fire trails, wide and easy to use but without signage to follow. It’s not really necessary, once you get your bearings. This is a place for leisurely strolls through wooded areas and along the tops of grassy meadows, accompanied only by the sound of hawks and raptors and the occasional disturbance of a deer, coyote, or bobcat. A picture-perfect vista point offers sweeping views from San Gregorio beach all the way to Russian Ridge, Black Mountain, and the distant East Bay Hills. Forested ridges and canyons alternate with grassy hilltops and ranchlands, clouds dot the deep blue sky, the wind blows gently through the trees, and you are free to absorb it all in near total isolation. This is not wilderness, and the trails are remarkably easy to follow with limited elevation gain and smooth grades. It’s the kind of place for reading, picnicking, relaxing, and having fun. It’s a little out of ordinary, with just enough adventure to make the trip seem memorable. A visit to La Honda Creek OSP is worth the minor trouble of planning ahead and reserving a permit. It’s truly a blast to be here, if you are into open-air walks, mountainous viewpoints, and narrow roads through the forest. Pick a clear day, bring a good traveling companion, pack a lunch, and take that book you’ve been meaning to finish(ours was the Bill McKibben Reader). A camera or set of binoculars aren’t bad ideas, either. And get ready to be stunned into silence by the beauty of this protected open space.
