The area contains remnants of the historic logging town of Purisima, which thrived in the late 1800s before disappearing.
The North Ridge Trail provides one of the few vantage points in the region to see both the redwood canopy and the Pacific Ocean simultaneously.
The preserve acts as a biological corridor, connecting protected lands across the Santa Cruz Mountains to support wildlife migration.
Redwood recovery is evident throughout the park, with many trees exhibiting 'goose pens'—hollowed-out trunks from historical fires.
Purisima Creek is a spawning ground for steelhead trout and coho salmon, requiring strict adherence to trail boundaries to protect water quality.
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve spans over 5,400 acres along the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The preserve features a significant elevation change, dropping from the forested ridgeline down to the redwood-lined Purisima Creek canyon. Its diverse topography supports second-growth redwood forests, coastal scrub, and riparian corridors. The trail system provides access to interior canyons previously impacted by 19th-century logging operations. Vistas from the upper trails offer views across the Half Moon Bay coastline and the Pacific Ocean. Several miles of trails are multi-use, allowing for hiking, equestrian, and mountain biking access. The preserve functions as a critical watershed habitat for local flora and fauna, including endangered species. Access points are located at higher elevations, meaning hikes into the canyon involve significant descents followed by steep climbs on the return. It is managed by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.
The bench on the North Ridge Trail looking west toward the Pacific Ocean.
Park at the Higgins Canyon Road lot for the easiest access to the creek-side trails.
Always check the weather at the coast, as the ridge can be significantly colder and foggier than the inland canyon floor.
Bring trekking poles, as the elevation change from the ridge to the creek exceeds 1,500 feet.
Underestimating the return climb from the creek back to the parking lots; many visitors start at the top and fail to pace their return energy.
None.
Stay on marked trails to prevent erosion and avoid contact with poison oak; cyclists must yield to hikers and horses.
