Portola Redwoods State Park is a 2800-acre (1133 ha) state park in Northern California situated in San Mateo County. Due to seasonal volume, access to the ReserveCalifornia website and the telephone line may at times be limited. Providing the BEST park experiences right in our own backyard We love Castle Rock and Portola Redwoods State Parks Castle Rock and Portola Redwoods are two Bay Area treasures that feature … There was a water pump with drinkable water at the site and the clean bathrooms were a short walk away. Portola… Reservations for campsites are available on the Reserve California website. Online reservations are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The main attraction are those amazing coastal redwood giants, but you’ll also see some amazing Douglas fir and live oak. Save the Redwoods League has helped permanently protect more than 150,000 acres in 37 of California State Parks redwood parks. This is a fan page for those that love Portola Redwoods State Park. Anyone who wants quietness and a day with no urban noises can hike at Portola. For camping reservations and fees, please visit www.reservecalifornia.com. Just 5 miles north of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Portola Redwoods State Park offers visitors solitude and some of the tallest, most majestic redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. If you don't have the energy, this 7 mile loop has a shorter option allowing you to turn it … Prepare yourself for bugs and mosquitoes. Old Haul Service Road heads through Portola’s redwoods through Pescadero Creek County Park to San Mateo County Memorial Park. Waterfalls on Fall and Pescadero creeks tumble down mossy banks over rocks and woody debris. … A permit is required for each vehicle parked at a SNO-PARK site. At night they must be confined with their guardian inside a tent or vehicle. Portola Redwoods State Park Campground is located off Highway 35 in the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 1½ to 2 hours from the Bay Area. Its a good place for picnics, hiking, playing outside, and camping. As mentioned multiple times in this article already, Portola Redwoods State Park is loved in large part due to the serenity and seclusion found there. Except for service animals, dogs are not allowed in the visitor center or on hiking trails or dirt roads. The weather was hot (early August), but bearable because of all the shade. The road leading to the park's 2,800 acres drops from a ridgetop into a deeply shaded redwood forest, offering a hushed getaway from the suburban bustle of nearby Silicon Valley and the South Bay Area. High public-use indoor facilities, including museums and visitor centers. Please. Get directions before you head out! 37.253970054449-122.207365036011 14 … It's a pretty good drive from San Jose out to the State Park, but if you've never stood next to a Redwood, 100% worth the drive! Find out more at SaveTheRedwoods.org. The parks' primary watercourses - Peters Creek , Pescadero Creek and their associated … The length limit is probably due to the narrow and curving roads driven to get to the spacious campsite. The remote Portola Redwoods State Park is located 14 miles south of Sky Londa, California, and 30 miles southeast of San Jose, California. NO CELL RECEPTION within the park and the surrounding area. This page is NOT managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. It’s part of a network of eight Santa Cruz Mountains backcountry trail camps that extend to Big Basin, Butano, and Castle Rock state parks. not rely on GPS or cellphones. Illegal parking is prohibited. A tranquil retreat from Silicon Valley, right over the hills into a dark and shaded redwood forest. Hotels near (SJC) Mineta San Jose Intl Airport, Hotels near (OAK) Metropolitan Oakland Intl Airport. The visitor center was really. When you do arrive, you will be out "in the middle of nowhere" among redwoods and other trees, in a beautiful environment. Camper/Motorhome: 24 Feet, Day use hours: 6am-Sunset (In severe weather the park might be closed. Use low gear as … Special events and tours continue to be canceled until further notice. To protect wildlife and cultural resources, and for the safety and welfare of visitors and staff, the park is closed to the use of Model Aircraft, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and Gliders in flight. [Regular Sized Auto: $10 (Senior $9, age 62 or older); Bus Parking (10-24 passengers): $50; Bus Parking (25+ passengers): $100]. - See 24 traveler reviews, 45 candid photos, and great deals for La Honda, CA, at Tripadvisor. Driving Directions to Portola Redwoods SP From Highway 35, turn west onto Alpine Road, go 3 miles, and turn onto Portola State Park Road. Portola Redwoods State Park Portola Redwoods State Park. More information can be found at. Get directions before you head out! I'd go back again if I'm in the area and highly recommend the visit. HORSES are not allowed on any hiking trails. Go camping in the majestic Portola Redwoods State Park prepared for the kind of cool fog and occasional summer … DRONES are not allowed in the park. nicely done and our group, consisting of several generations including young children, loved playing by the creek. Portola Redwoods State Park – Area Recreation. more, Things to do near Portola Redwoods State Park. I just love experiencing God's creation first hand, and no amount of U-tubin' or looking at pics online will ever do this place justice. Especially on a hot summer day, it's a cooler and beautiful experience as you explore for the redwood trees in this hidden gem! Overview Q&A Reviews Amenities Overview of Portola Redwoods State Park. FEES - There is a $10 vehicle day-use fee. Helmets are required for riders under 18 years of age and recommended for adults. Location and setting: Portola Redwoods is south of La Honda on the west flank of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It also protects some of the most remote and scenic redwoods in the region, the Peter’s Creek Grove. The public is advised that parking lots are filling up early in the day. click for Fullsize. Portola Redwoods State Park Campground (and the rest of the state park) was threatened with closure in 2012 due to state budget cuts it was given at least a year’s reprieve by generous donations. View Location View Map. Fall Creek has … Please choose a different date. Visitors will find a forested basin with stands of redwoods… Although it’s just a few miles from the Bay Area, Highway 35 is long and winding–a deterrent for many visitors. Old Haul service road is open to equestrians and cyclists - it winds through redwoods, out of the park to Memorial County Park. Eighteen miles of trails follow meandering creeks, where moisture-loving coast redwoods … The park has a 55-site family campground, 4 group campsites, and a trail camp for backpackers. Portola Redwoods State Park Campground. Shriners owned this retreat for 40 years. Portola Redwoods State Park - La Honda, CA. Pescadero Creek is home to the lovely Tiptoe Falls. One of the  most scenic beginner rides in the Bay Area, it’s a 10-mile round trip, accessed via the service road near the Iverson Cabin site. Getting there is half of the adventure!! These birds eat the eggs and chicks of an endangered seabird that nests in old-growth forests along the coast, the marbled murrelet. 215 were here. This … PORTOLA REDWOODS STATE PARK is an amazing place to camp, hike or visit simply because it enjoys much of the very similar visual beauty of Big Basin but with fewer visitors. At Portola Redwoods State Park, silence and tranquility rule. Portola’s trail camp is about 2.5 miles from Old Tree trailhead along the Slate Creek Trail. The road leading to its 2,800 acres drops from a ridgetop into a deeply shaded redwood forest, offering a hushed getaway from the suburban … Camped two non-weekend nights in a beautiful quiet campsite. Learn what safety precautions you should take when exploring the outdoors at, SNO-PARKS: Make sure your vehicle is snow ready. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. My friends and I ended up here when we had to cancel our yearly trip to the Sierra mountains due to fires. Take in the best that Portola Redwoods State Park has to offer: tall redwoods, a waterfall and, wildflowers. Its trees may be smaller, but it’s still pretty scenic and it’s also a lot less busy. The park has one of the tallest redwoods (over 300 feet high) in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Portola Redwoods State Park, La Honda: See 24 reviews, articles, and 45 photos of Portola Redwoods State Park, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 5 attractions in La Honda. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Portola Redwoods State Park Campground Map near 9000 Portola State Park Rd, La Honda, CA. Even those from Mapquest and Google, though correct in directions are not correct in mileage. Feb 24, 2016 - Explore CA State Parks's board "Portola Redwoods State Park", followed by 4371 people on Pinterest. Portola Redwoods State Park, La Honda: See 24 reviews, articles, and 45 photos of Portola Redwoods State Park, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 5 attractions in La Honda. The park … BICYCLING is not allowed on any hiking trails. DOGS are permitted only in campsites and picnic areas and on paved roads and the Upper and Lower Escape Roads. We were married at Portola Redwood State Park, so a return visit to the park is always a special time for us. Portola is a magical wonderland of redwoods tucked in the corner of the valley. In just over six miles it ascends two ridges and stops in on the most impressive old-growth redwood in the park. Portola Redwoods State Park: Very Hidden Redwood Gem!! It features the same … FIREWOOD is available for purchase at the park office or from the camp host. The hikes are wonderful and enchanting. This park is Crumb Clean. Visitor Center host, Sarah, camped here with her family as a kid and she was also a great source of information. As you come down Alpine Road and Portola State Road, you may think you have gone the wrong way (not possible) as you seem to drive and drive down twisty and seemingly narrower and narrower roads! )Visitor Center: Monday through Sunday 9 am to 5 pm. When you visit this park, you will drop down off the top of a hill into a … The Portola and Castle Rock Foundation (PCRF) is the official state-chartered cooperating association supporting an interpretive agenda at these parks. Number of Sites 53. Camp Host Mike was very welcoming with history and hiking. This is the essential loop at Portola Redwoods State Park. The ongoing pandemic response continues to be dynamic and fluid. The Visitor Center sells cans of both Pepsi and Coke from their cooler. As of Sunday September 13, the park reopened to campers and day use. We visited in December and didn't see another person in the park, although there were other cars. Reservations can be made 6 months in advance beginning at 8:00 a.m. Going there, do not rely on GPS or cellphones. It is a lovely place, full of giant and beautiful redwoods. Upload Photos View 29 Photos. PST via the website, by mail, or by calling the toll free telephone number at 1-800-444-7275. Eighteen miles of trails follow meandering creeks, where moisture-loving coast redwoods stand tall among ferns and huckleberries. our bearings we headed up the "Old Tree" trail to have a look at the largest and oldest tree in the park. There are 52 campsites in Portola Redwoods State Park … Portola Redwoods State Park A Secluded and Beautiful Redwood Forest Located in San Mateo County just a few miles from the Bay Area, Portola Redwoods State Park’s is a secluded place, and that’s exactly why it’s worth visiting. The park is only 30 miles east … CRUMB CLEAN - Jays, ravens, and crows are attracted to food left behind by campers and picnickers. The flipside, of course, is that low traffic means high risk, as … The only downside was the mosquitoes are ravenous from about 5-8 pm. The park is situated within a deep … The visitor center, with its couches and fireplace, feels like a wilderness lodge. Pad Type … WEDDINGS, PARTIES, AND SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS please call (831) 335-6324 or email mtnspecevent@parks.ca.gov. Leave no food out: not even a crumb. Portola Redwoods is just two miles north of the much better-known Big Basin Redwoods. Bring repellent, candles, and a screenhouse. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Portola Redwoods State Park is open. Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a place or activity you would go to on a, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Portola State Park Rd, La Honda, CA 94020, Very Nice Redwood Park - Portola Redwoods State Park, La Honda, Ca. Because no one rates less than a % for State Parks. We camped at the Ravine group campsite, and really enjoyed it. California > San Francisco Bay Area > Portola Redwoods State Park The Peters Creek hike features a descent into one of the Santa Cruz Mountains’ incongruously lush, redwood-filled canyons. The park’s 2,800 acres are within a deep redwood … The park is beautiful with redwood trees, plants, and streams. Last minute campers … information. We visited the beautiful redwood state park. Portola Redwoods State Park is located in San Mateo County. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a … Portola Redwoods State Park is completely submerged in unsoiled nature, and if you're looking to get off-grid for your next RV vacation, this scenic park could be perfect for you. At Portola Redwoods State Park, silence and tranquility rule. Other than that, Portola was perfect. After a brief stop at the visitors center to get. Special Event FormSpecial Event Guidelines. This park is like a redwood oasis in the dryer hillsides of the northern Santa Cruz Mountains. Going there, do. About 1/4 mile up the trail we encountered a bunch of storm damage I suppose as there were piles and piles of branches that blocked the path. I believe there was a $5 park entrance fee. Parking is on a first come, first-serve basis at all SNO-PARK sites. The road dead ends in the park. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet and attended at all times. Trailer: 21 Feet My husband and I did the bike ride along Old Haul rode among the first and second generation redwoods, and it was great. The road leading to its 2,800 acres drops from a ridge top into a deeply shaded redwood forest, offering a hushed getaway from the suburban bustle of nearby Silicon Valley and the South Bay. Coming that far, and being from treeless Kansas, I wasn't going to be deterred by a few fallen trees! Please do not gather wood; the health of the forest depends on the nutrients provided by fallen wood. Portola Redwoods State Park Don’t be fooled by late July heat and leave your rain fly behind. Vigorous and diverse six-mile hike takes samples the best of Portola Redwoods State Park west of Silicon Valley. Visitors are required to watch this short video about the impact human food has on park wildlife. YesDogs allowed only on campsites and paved roads. visit the webpage of your local outdoor destination, First come, first served campsites starting Feb. 11, Some park units and campground sites continue to be temporarily closed due to the pandemic, impacts from wildfires or other issues. The Visitor Center was built by the Islam Temple Shrine of San Francisco who owned the Redwood property as a summer retreat from 1924 to 1945 when they sold their operation to the State of California to create a new state park. Prior to leaving home, check the webpage of your outdoor destination you plan to visit to find out if it is open, if parking is available, and what visitor guidelines are in effect. Paved roads excepted, this is the only route at Portola Redwoods State Park that allows bicycles. Due to this, ridesharing services are not recommended. This park is like a redwood oasis in the dryer hillsides of the northern Santa Cruz Mountains. There are 5 RV sites with an RV length limit of 24’. BRING PLENTY OF GAS & SUPPLIES - The nearest gas station is in Sky Londa (14 miles away at the intersection of highways 84 and 35) and the nearest groceries are in Sky Londa and La Honda (9 miles away on Highway 84). A hiker explores Portola Redwoods State Park, which has reopened afte r the wildfire. See more ideas about portola, redwood, park. Oh my goodness, how small and humbled you feel next to this behemoth. Available to book online for the date ( s ) you selected a camp. The region, the Peter ’ s still pretty scenic and it was great County... Page is not managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation 'd go again... 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