Coal Creek Open Space Preserve

Portola Valley, San Mateo County, CA

EntryFree entry
Source
ParkingNo parking fee
Source
DogsOn leash, designated trails
Source
HoursSunrise to sunset ±30 min
Source
Size
487 acres Source
Managed by
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

About Coal Creek Open Space Preserve

Short loop hikes, including with dogs on designated trails, and grassland views of the Bay Area. Source

Coal Creek is an ideal place for a quick afternoon hike with one's dog. Several trails can be combined to create a pleasant 2- or 3-mile loop. Views of the San Francisco Bay Area can be seen from the open grassland ridges below the Caltrans vista point parking area.
From the official park page · checked Oct 15, 2026

Facilities

  • RestroomsNot available

Facility details: official park information

Sunrise & sunset

Coal Creek Open Space Preserve hours follow the sun (Sunrise to sunset ±30 min). Mid-month times for this location:

MonthSunriseSunset
Jan7:21 a.m.5:13 p.m.
Feb6:59 a.m.5:47 p.m.
Mar7:21 a.m.7:15 p.m.
Apr6:35 a.m.7:42 p.m.
May6:00 a.m.8:09 p.m.
Jun5:47 a.m.8:30 p.m.
Jul5:59 a.m.8:29 p.m.
Aug6:24 a.m.8:02 p.m.
Sep6:49 a.m.7:18 p.m.
Oct7:15 a.m.6:33 p.m.
Nov6:47 a.m.4:59 p.m.
Dec7:15 a.m.4:52 p.m.

Calculated from the park's coordinates (NOAA solar equations), Pacific time.

Coal Creek Open Space Preserve at a glance

PPP
  • PParking · 3
  • Named trails · 6

Outline: CPAD. Points and trail lines: OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Trails

TrailMapped lengthElevationSurface & uses
Coal Road0.8 mi294 ft up & down1,756–1,940 ftBikesHorses
Alpine Road Trail0.8 mi372 ft up & down1,164–2,066 ftBikesHorses
Crazy Pete's Trail0.7 mi329 ft up & down1,668–1,940 ftBikesHorses
Meadow Trail0.6 mi200 ft up & down2,004–2,178 ft
Clouds Rest Trail0.6 mi294 ft up & down1,829–2,157 ftBikesHorses
Crazy Pete's Road0.4 mi182 ft up & down1,940–2,167 ftPavedBikesHorses

Trail names and mapped lengths come from OpenStreetMap; lengths count only the part inside the park boundary. Up-and-down totals (climbing plus descent, one way) and elevation ranges are estimates from USGS 3DEP elevation (about 15 m grid) sampled along the mapped line. Use the official guide map for the route and current closures.

Rules & reservations

Official park page
  • Dogs

    Leash 6 feet or shorter; dogs are not allowed in any Midpen water areas (district rules). Source

Open a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset.

Map & directions

1Location overview · map data © OpenStreetMap

37.331038, -122.201489Get directions

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance
Russian Ridge Open Space PreservePortola Valley · 0.7 mi · RestroomsSkyline Ridge Open Space PreservePalo Alto · 2.3 mi · Drinking Water, Historic SiteWindy Hill Open Space PreservePortola Valley · 2.8 mi · Drinking Water, Picnic AreaSam McDonald ParkLa Honda · 4.3 mi · Drinking Water, Picnic AreaLong Ridge Open Space PreservePalo Alto · 4.3 mi

Continue exploring

San Mateo County parks Parks in Portola Valley

Sources & verification

Last verified: Oct 15, 2026
  1. California Protected Areas Database (CPAD) 2026aname, county, agency, access, acres
  2. Midpen preserve pageofficial_url, hours, hours_note, dogs, facilities.restrooms, description
  3. Midpen visitor FAQ (no entry or parking fees)fees
  4. Midpen dog access rulesdogs
  5. OpenStreetMap facilities and trailstrails
  6. U.S. Census Bureau place boundaries (nearest place)city
  7. OpenStreetMap: parking, restrooms, water, trailheads, trail lines, and bus stopsvisit
  8. Terrain Tiles elevation (USGS 3DEP), sampled every 20 m along OpenStreetMap trail linestrails.elevation
  9. Official park page (introduction excerpt)intro
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