Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is the northern most preserves, and a few miles south from the junction between Skyline boulevard (highway 35) and Highway 92. There is a small grocery stores near the entrance, so you can enjoy cold drinks before or after the hiking. This preserve has the best view of Pacific oceans. A steep descent trails (or ascend trail depending on the direction) gives good views of Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz Mountains. But bring a lot of water during the summer time; there are 1400 feet of vertical change, and there are few shadows in some trails.
Even during the hot summer day the temperature drops rapidly as the evening sets. Coastal fog runs up the Santa Cruz mountain.
One
of the best time to visit the open spaces is spring time, when wild flowers
explodes with colors. The best choice is in Russian Ridge Open Space
Preserve. Lots of yellow, purple, and orange flowers covered the
hill. The preserve gives not only the grassy hills but have many other
types of plants along the steep ridges. Redwood covers along creeks, and
ancient oak tree trail gives oak trees as well as nice ocean views.
Wild Flowers in the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. Does someone know the name of these flowers?
Many of the open preserves are located along the San Andreas Fault, responsible for the 1989 earthquake in SF area. The best place to learn about the fault is to visit San Andreas Fault Trail in the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve. This short 1.5 mile trail is built right on top of the San Andreas Fault. There are 7 stations along the trail where you can see geological features related to the fault. Make sure you pick up the "brochure" at the entrance of the Open Preserve; it along which explains the features in details.
