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San Mateo County Memorial Park
Overview
Overview
San Mateo County Memorial Park is a historic redwood forest sanctuary nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains of Loma Mar, California. This serene destination offers a classic, rustic camping experience, emphasizing immersion in nature over modern resort luxuries. Visitors will find themselves surrounded by towering old-growth trees, providing a peaceful escape from the nearby Silicon Valley bustle. It is an ideal spot for those who value quiet, natural beauty and a traditional, back-to-basics approach to outdoor exploration.
Location & Surroundings
Tucked away along the banks of Pescadero Creek, this park serves as a secluded gateway to the coastal mountains. The location is defined by its lush redwood groves and winding creek beds, which create a cool, shaded environment perfect for escaping the summer heat. While the setting feels remote, the park remains accessible to those looking to explore the rugged beauty of the San Mateo coast and the dense, misty forests that characterize this unique region of Northern California.
Amenities & Park Features
The park provides essential facilities designed to support a traditional camping stay. Amenities include basic restrooms and showers to ensure comfort during your visit. Each site features a picnic table and fire ring, encouraging evening gatherings under the forest canopy. While the park does not offer full RV hookups, its spacious, scenic spots accommodate smaller rigs well. Please note that the experience here centers on serene hiking trails and the natural majesty of the surrounding woods.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Nature enthusiasts will find plenty to occupy their time, from wandering the numerous scenic hiking trails that weave through the old-growth forest to enjoying a quiet afternoon of fishing in Pescadero Creek. A short drive away, the charming town of Pescadero offers a taste of local history, while the dramatic, windswept beaches of the Pacific Ocean provide a stunning contrast to the quiet, inland woodland environment of the park.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is best suited for nature lovers and families who prioritize a rustic camping experience over high-end amenities. It is an excellent destination for travelers with smaller RVs or camper vans who enjoy disconnecting from technology to focus on hiking and forest exploration. If your ideal travel style involves waking up to the sounds of a mountain stream and spending your days under a canopy of ancient trees, this destination is for you.
Features & Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
Reviews
Lisa Watson
For our annual family camping trip, we switched up our usual favorites (Russian Gulch, MacKerricher) to try Memorial County Park, a spot a close friend has raved about for 30 years. We are so happy with our decision!The Pros:Amazing Staff: Tyler greeted us warmly and gave great information.Clean & Maintained: Campsites were pristine, bathrooms were clean, and the hot water in the showers was a huge plus (just bring your own towel).Kid-Friendly Nature: Surrounded by stunning redwoods, the kids loved spotting banana slugs, filling out nature activity guides, and wading in the clean creek.Great Atmosphere: It was wonderful seeing so many kids on bikes and scooters. There is no WiFi/cell service, which was a fantastic excuse to unplug (though you can get a signal at the learning center if needed). Since there were no weekday camp programs, we made our own fun playing charades at the amphitheater.The Cons:No Fire Ring: Our site in the Azalea loop didn't have one, which disappointed the grandkids. Luckily, the neighboring site was empty so we "borrowed" theirs.Departure Encounter: We had a brief interaction with a rude employee on our way out, which was a bummer after such a great trip.Overall, it was an excellent experience and we will definitely return!
Jennifer Johnson
Beautiful trip to Pescadero State Beach beach off of Hwy 1 on the way to camping in amazing campgrounds under the redwoods. Not many spots for large trailer type camping, but it is beautiful. Bring your bikes and enjoy a hike through the redwoods.
Poi Li
One of our favorite since it is near-by for an out-of-heat camping trip. It is a drive away to beaches and charming small towns, while nice forest walk is also available.
Dawn Kwan
One of the most well maintained campsite amidst redwood trees. Bathrooms are clean, very cool, well stocked with soap and toilet paper. Love the summer programming of movie in the amphitheatre with free marshmallows and the wildflower hike. Wish the park can provide a place for their interns to stay the night instead of commuting three days a week esp with the high gas cost. Juliet and Jenny were really informative and passionate. Would highly recommend staying here esp for families.
Jessica Lucas
A great place to spend the day or night. We are local so we have a pass and come often for camping and day use. There is a large even area and great area for riding bikes. Watch out for banana slugs. There is warm water to wash your hands, flush toilets and showers you can use coins to pay for. We stayed for 2 nights during the rain and it was wonderful we even had the sun come out the 2nd day.