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Photo: C N from San Francisco, CA, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
This park combines dense redwood groves adjacent to wide-open grasslands. A good choice if you can't make it to Muir Woods.
Sam McDonald Park, located between La Honda and Loma Mar in San Mateo County, California, United States, is operated by the San Mateo County Department of Parks. The park is 867 acres (3.51 km2) of redwood forest, mixed woods and open meadows. Trails climb up to a ridgeline with views across the Pescadero Creek valley, Butano Ridge, and the Pacific Ocean. The park includes Heritage Grove and borders Pescadero Creek County Park through which it connects to Memorial County Park, Portola Redwoods State Park, and Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Horseback riding is popular here, and many use Jack Brook Horse Camp. Part of the natural area is old-growth forest and recognized by the Old-Growth Forest Network.
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Sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Silicon Valley. Excellent in late winter and early spring when the wildflowers are in full bloom. Great place to watch the sunset.