San Mateo County Parks

San Mateo County Parks Discover San Mateo County's rugged tidepools, lush mountain forests, remote campsites, and sunny picnic sites!

Trail, culvert, and equipment repair work continues across our park system. đź“…Check our Advisory page before you visit! h...
09/01/2026

Trail, culvert, and equipment repair work continues across our park system.
đź“…Check our Advisory page before you visit! https://www.smcgov.org/parks/advisories
-Mirada Surf East trail: closed 8/31-9/4
-Bicycle Sunday on Cañada Rd: Canceled 9/6
-San Pedro Valley: section of Weiler Ranch trail closed 9/8-9/11
-Junipero Serra Park: various closures 9/8-11/6
-Flood Park: Closed Wednesdays 9/9–10/28
-Pescadero Creek Park – various trail closures thru Dec

Happy National Dog Day! Both coyotes and foxes belong to the Canidae family and are found in SMC Parks!Although both bel...
08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day!

Both coyotes and foxes belong to the Canidae family and are found in SMC Parks!

Although both belong to the same family, coyotes and foxes are very different and have key distinguishing features.

Side through the post, to learn more!

Remember that coyotes and foxes are both wild animals and should not be approached. Please notify Park staff if a coyote is spotted so that proper precautions are taken.

Continue celebrating Family Fun Month by visiting Flood Park!From tennis and volleyball to soccer fields and a bike pump...
08/24/2026

Continue celebrating Family Fun Month by visiting Flood Park!

From tennis and volleyball to soccer fields and a bike pump track, there’s plenty of space to play, explore, and enjoy time outside with your loved ones.💚✨

Looking for something to do next Sunday morning? Join our knowledgable Naturalists at Memorial Park for a challenging 1....
08/23/2026

Looking for something to do next Sunday morning? Join our knowledgable Naturalists at Memorial Park for a challenging 1.5 mile hike to learn about and observe the wildflowers that are blooming this time of the year on the Mount Ellen Summit trail.

More information here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1995155736516?aff=oddtdtcreator

BZZZZZZ.. Hear that?? That sound most likely came from a Western Honey Bee, also known as a European Honey Bee. While th...
08/22/2026

BZZZZZZ.. Hear that?? That sound most likely came from a Western Honey Bee, also known as a European Honey Bee. While there are over 20,000 Bee species globally, the Western Honey Bee is the primary species used for crop pollination and honey production. Even though they are not a native species to California, they still serve a role as crucial pollinators and honey producers. Today is a day to appreciate their work and enjoy the lovely and tasty honey that they produce.

Photo Credits:
Mauzegrafie

This or that: SMC Parks EditionHow do you like to spend your time in Parks? There is a little bit of everything for ever...
08/19/2026

This or that: SMC Parks Edition

How do you like to spend your time in Parks? There is a little bit of everything for everyone but we want to hear from you!

Comment down below what side you are on and compare your answers with other Park lovers!

While we love Fido as much as you do, no dogs are allowed at Don Horsley Park at Tunitas Creek Beach. This unique beach ...
08/18/2026

While we love Fido as much as you do, no dogs are allowed at Don Horsley Park at Tunitas Creek Beach. This unique beach is a key habitat for rare Western Snowy Plover, which is sadly at risk of extinction. The beach once hosted flocks of these tiny birds, but unmanaged human interference led to severe loss of their habitat. They are particularly at risk from dogs which can frighten and flush the birds, causing them to expend energy and risk exposure to predators.
To protect our adorable neighbor, San Mateo County Parks is working hard to maintain this sensitive site. Please help us by keeping dogs off the beach, packing out your trash, and leaving natural features on the sand, such as driftwood and oyster shells, which can serve as nesting objects.

Explore Plankton and Friends at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Visitor Center on Sunday, August 30 from 11AM to 1PM at th...
08/17/2026

Explore Plankton and Friends at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Visitor Center on Sunday, August 30 from 11AM to 1PM at the FMR Visitor Center, Nevada Ave, Moss Beach. Friends of Fitzgerald Volunteer Naturalists will be exploring plankton collected in Pillar Point Harbor, and dock organisms collected on pier pilings there. See microscopic plankton and learn about their role in the health of marine ecosystems, and the importance of plankton to life on earth! View limpets and candy-striped worms and skeleton shrimp up close! See colonial bryozoans and tunicates up close! Connect plankton to the great whales that roam the oceans! Join us for some hands-on fun!

Last week was International Cat Day! In honor of the tremendous feline species that can be found all over the world, we ...
08/15/2026

Last week was International Cat Day! In honor of the tremendous feline species that can be found all over the world, we will be highlighting our two feline friends that inhabit San Mateo County Parks: the Mountain Lion and the Bobcat! Many visitors confuse the two species, so below we have highlighted the primary traits of each species.

Mountain Lions feed primarily on deer, rabbits and raccoons.
They are solitary, large felines typically weighing 90-150 pounds. On average, a Mountain Lion's tail ranges in length from 2.5-3 feet, which makes up about 1/3 of their overall length. They lack the spotted pattern that is found on bobcats.

Bobcats feed on rabbits, small rodents, reptiles and ground birds. Bobcats are able to produce a vast array of unique vocalizations. They have a short bobbed tail, and a spotted camouflage coat. They are much smaller and lighter than a mountain lion, typically weighing 15-35 pounds.

Remember that both of these species are still wild animals, so it is important not to approach them and respect their natural territory and habitats.

Credits:
Mountain Lion Photo 1: Johanna Turner
Mountain Lion Photo 2: Johanna Turner
Bobcat photo 1: Kala Murphy King
Bobcat photo 2: Rob Cala
Bobcat Photo 3: Ignacio A. RodrĂ­guez

Come and celebrate World Lizard Day with San Mateo County Parks! There are over 7,000 species of lizards globally, howev...
08/14/2026

Come and celebrate World Lizard Day with San Mateo County Parks! There are over 7,000 species of lizards globally, however today we will be shining a spotlight on the three most common lizards found locally.

Western Skink:
- Juvenile Western Skink are found with a bright blue tail that fades as they age
- Skinks are diurnal reptiles that tend to be secretive
- Skinks feed on small bugs (spiders, sowbugs)
- Their blue tail acts as a distraction to predators, avoiding the vital parts of the body from being targeted. The tail can be dropped (autotomy)

Southern Alligator Lizard:
- This species of Alligator Lizard can be up to 16 inches in length (tail included)
- Regrown tails can be stubby and discolored when compared to the rest of the body
- Southern Alligator Lizards feed off of bugs, slugs, snails, small mammals, lizards and birds
- Colors range from brown, gray and yellow; however, a majority of adults can be found with a distinctive crossband pattern

Western Fence Lizard:
- Males are equipped with a bright “blue belly” that is used for defending territory and attracting mates
- Western black-legged ticks that feed off of Fence Lizards have their bacteria destroyed, which leads to far less cases of Lyme disease in locations with high Fence Lizard populations
- Males will partake in a push-up like motion to display their blue bellies to potential mates and rivals

Credits:
Western Fence Lizard #1: hsug1747
Western Skink: Lee Cain

Address

455 County Ctr, Fl 4th
Redwood City, CA
94063

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+16503634020

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