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Memorial County Park commemorates the men of San Mateo County who died in the First World War, and it is an incomparable tribute. The park doesn't just enclose a few haphazardly spared giant redwoods but an entire old growth grove, and the difference is astounding. The steady supply of oversized trees throws off any innate sense of the space-time continuum, leaving one a bit disoriented. (What century is it again?) This is what used to be, now suspended in time, and available for any ol’ afternoon picnic or car-camping weekend.

Adding to the time traveling effect, Memorial Park is San Mateo County’s oldest public open space, established in 1924. FDR’s Work Projects Administration built many of the restrooms, roads and picnic sites; and they look it, in a really good way. Modern renovations to bathrooms and other facilities have taken place in the 2020s, in a really good way too.

Towering trees stand guard over rock-hewn picnic tables and fire pits that are so beautifully crafted and artfully moss covered they seem more like ancient ruins than functioning eateries (note that many have been upgraded but you can still find some that endure). But pull up a patch of redwood sorrel among the ferns and stay, cause it’s all here for you.

And that’s just the picnic area. Memorial Park covers an entire 673 acres, including a Pescadero Creek, visitor center (renovation underway with end of 2024 ETA), camp store, campsites and awesome day hikes. Memorial’s larger neighbor, Pescadero Creek County Park, is also accessible from the Hoffman Creek Trailhead via Old Haul Road. Bikes are allowed on this road but no other park trails.

Hunt for huckleberry thickets (watch out for poison oak!) while keeping an eye out for bright black and blue Steller’s jays, redheaded acorn woodpeckers, raccoons, skunks and squirrels. Splash around in the Pescadero Creek swimming hole (dam was removed in 2015 but you can still get in the water), but be respectful of resident or spawning steelhead trout and the banana slugs sliding along the banks.

Day use at the park is allowed from 8am to sunset. Campsites—complete with showers and water—are generally open year round. At the Nature Center that's attached to the ranger station children and adults can learn about the redwood forest, creek habitat and local history (renovation underway with end of 2024 ETA).

A FINE PLACE TO CHILL: Stay cool in some very deep shade and the occasional coastal fog come summer, or set up camp while exploring the entire Pescadero Creek Complex.

PLEASE DO NOT: bring your horse or dog, as neither is allowed, or ride a bike anywhere except Old Haul Road.

YOU'LL FEEL SO CLEVER IF YOU: bring a jacket for the chill and watch out for, and avoid, steelhead redds (fish nests) in the creek.

YOU MIGHT EVEN: have the whole place to yourself in the winter.

—L. Clark Tate

Memorial Park, 9500 Pescadero Creek Rd, Loma Mar, CA. 650.879.0238. Learn more at the official website.