Sam McDonald Park

Deep in the northern valleys of the Santa Cruz Mountains, towering Coastal Redwoods with a parking lot and bathrooms. Bring $6 cash to pay with envelope if there are no rangers present. The sketch part is that you have to cross the road to get to most of the trails, and people zoom. But it's worth it, magnificent place.

Beautiful Place. I'd highly recommend visiting here if you want a nice day in the woods. Although I will say this, it's a bit of a hike but the view is worth it!

Amazing county park with trails that make you forget how close you are to civilization. Even has access to trail campsites as long as you're ready for a bit of a hike.

Bathrooms, maps, and sometimes rangers are available at this parking lot.

Sam McDonald Park is a great smaller park to visit and hike at. The Heritage Grove is a great place to visit within the park and the hike up to the Hiker's Hut is well worth it as well. The grove and surrounding trees are incredible to hike through and the hiker hut and views from the ridge of the surrounding forest is amazing on a clear day.

I hiked the Heritage Grove trail, stopping for an hour of hammock & reading. It was a nice respite from San Jose heat (90!) on the shaded trail and I only saw a few people which made it a lovely escape. Parking and bathrooms were top notch. Of course, the trees are awesome with several 6-8 ft in diameter. An hour of winding roads to get here, but it was one of my favorite quiet hikes in the area.