The park was established in 1924 as a living monument to honor San Mateo County soldiers who served in World War I.
It is the largest of the San Mateo County parks, serving as the gateway to over 9,000 acres of contiguous protected forest land.
The park's redwood trees include second-growth giants that reach heights exceeding 200 feet.
Pescadero Creek, which flows through the park, is a critical spawning ground for endangered Coho salmon and steelhead trout.
The park contains the remnants of historical logging infrastructure from the early 20th-century timber industry.
The Pescadero Creek County Park Complex, of which this park is a part, represents one of the largest protected forest blocks in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Memorial County Park is a 673-acre sanctuary located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, characterized by its dense old-growth and second-growth redwood forest. The park serves as a hub for the Pescadero Creek County Park Complex, connecting to an extensive network of regional trails. Visitors can explore the landscape via the Pescadero Creek, which runs through the center of the park and provides a riparian habitat for local wildlife. The area features extensive overnight camping facilities, including sites specifically designated for tents and recreational vehicles. The terrain includes elevation changes that offer views of the surrounding redwood canyon ecosystem. The park provides access to diverse botanical life, including ferns, huckleberry, and tanbark oak beneath the redwood canopy.
The wooden bridge crossing Pescadero Creek provides the most balanced view of the creek and surrounding towering redwoods.
Download offline maps before arrival as cellular service is virtually non-existent in the canyon.
Check the county's official park page for active trail closures before heading out, as winter storms frequently cause erosion or fallen debris.
Pack layers, as temperatures under the deep redwood canopy are significantly cooler than the nearby coastal bluffs.
Attempting to find mobile connectivity or relying on GPS for navigation once you leave the main highway.
Camping facilities are seasonal and typically require advance reservations; the park may have limited access during extreme fire weather warnings.
Practice Leave No Trace principles; keep dogs on a leash at all times; do not disturb or feed local wildlife.
