Stately in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Hiking among Redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Rolling hills, mountain panoramas, and towering redwoods said to be the largest in the Santa Cruz Mountains—Sam McDonald County Park just can’t seem to get any better … until you find out it’s also got one of the coolest A-frame cabins you can spend the night in! See the highlights of this 850-acre park on the 5-mile (round-trip) Heritage Grove and Hiker’s Hut Loop.

Start at the main parking lot and take Big Tree Trail, following signs for Heritage Grove Trail, and crossing Pescadero Creek Road. Big Tree Trail soon meets with Heritage Grove Trail, where Douglas firs team up with the redwoods. Continue on Heritage Grove, following signs for the Hiker’s Hut. You’ll arrive at Towne Trail, a meadow of panoramic views with layers of mountains unfolding all the way to the ocean and a junction to the Hiker’s Hut.

Owned by the Loma Prieta chapter of the Sierra Club, this rustic A-frame cabin is hemmed in by trees and can be rented by the public for $20 to $30 per person per night, depending on the time of week. It has a kitchen with a stove and microwave, and enough bed platforms to sleep larger groups—though you may prefer an intimate party of two. And yes, there are flush toilets. The large wooden deck makes a great hangout. Continuing the hike, make your way back uphill on Heritage Grove Trail. Continue on Towne Trail, following signs for Towne Fire Road, ducking back into the redwood groves for an encore before you’re back to Pescadero Creek Road.

From 101 or 280: Take Hwy. 84 west to La Honda. Turn left half a mile past village center in La Honda onto Pescadero Creek Rd. The park entrance is on Pescadero Creek Rd., about 3 miles from the turn-off. From Hwy. 1: Take Pescadero Creek Rd. east for about 11 miles to the park entrance. Day passes for parking are $6. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View