Attractions and Places To See around Woodside - Top 20

Woodside offers a wide range of outdoor activities, primarily focused on hiking, cycling, and equestrian pursuits. You can explore extensive trail networks in parks like Wunderlich County Park and Huddart Park, which feature dense forests, redwood groves, and scenic paths. For cyclists, challenging climbs and exhilarating descents are available on roads such as Old La Honda Road and Kings Mountain Road. There are also numerous routes for road cycling and touring bicycles, including those around Pulgas Water Temple. For more detailed route information, you can check out guides like Road Cycling Routes around Woodside or Cycling around Woodside.

Yes, Woodside is home to several excellent hiking trails. Wunderlich County Park and Huddart Park both offer extensive networks of trails suitable for various skill levels, winding through redwood groves, oak woodlands, and meadows. Thornewood Preserve provides tranquil trails for birdwatching and peaceful strolls, while Teague Hill Open Space Preserve offers more challenging routes with stunning panoramic views. For easy hikes, consider trails like Bear Gulch, Redwood, and Madrone Trail Loop or Schilling Lake Trail. You can find more options in the Easy hikes around Woodside guide.

Woodside boasts a rich history reflected in its preserved sites. The Pulgas Water Temple is a notable Beaux Arts monument commemorating the Hetch Hetchy Project. You can also visit the Woodside Store Park, a historic landmark from the 1850s that offers insight into the area's logging and farming past. The Folger Stable Historic District within Wunderlich County Park showcases the region's equestrian heritage, and the Woodside Community Museum preserves local history through exhibits.

Beyond historical sites, Woodside offers unique cultural and artistic experiences. Filoli Historic House & Garden features a meticulously preserved Georgian Revival mansion and 16 acres of exquisite formal gardens, hosting tours, art exhibits, and seasonal events. For art integrated with nature, Djerassi Ranch and Runnymede Sculpture Farm both showcase extensive collections of outdoor sculptures across their properties.

Woodside is renowned for its natural beauty and commitment to preserving open spaces. Key natural features and parks include:

• Wunderlich County Park: Over 1,000 acres of dense forests, creeks, and trails.
• Huddart Park: More than 900 acres with redwood groves, oak woodlands, and meadows.
• Thornewood Preserve: Secluded trails through forests and meadows, ideal for birdwatching.
• Teague Hill Open Space Preserve: Rugged trails with panoramic views of the Peninsula and Pacific Ocean.
• Windy Hill Open Space Preserve & Purisima Open Space: Popular for hiking, horseback riding, and cycling.

Yes, Woodside offers several options for families. The Pulgas Water Temple is considered family-friendly and provides an interesting historical visit. Many of the local parks, such as Huddart Park and Wunderlich County Park, have trails suitable for families, including easy walks. These parks offer open spaces for picnicking and enjoying nature together.

The best time to visit Woodside for outdoor activities is generally during periods of good weather, which allows for comfortable hiking and cycling. While specific seasonal considerations vary by activity, the region's moderate climate makes it enjoyable for outdoor pursuits for much of the year. Weekends with good weather often see heavy bicycle traffic on popular routes like Junipero Serra Boulevard, indicating favorable conditions for cycling.

For scenic viewpoints, consider the challenging climb up Old La Honda Road, which offers rewarding views as you ascend towards Skyline Boulevard. Teague Hill Open Space Preserve also provides stunning panoramic vistas of the Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean from its higher trails, making it a great spot for expansive natural scenery.

Cyclists particularly enjoy the challenging and scenic routes around Woodside. Old La Honda Road is appreciated for its consistent climb and light traffic, offering a good workout. Kings Mountain Road is known for its fast, exhilarating descent through moderate tree cover with good pavement. The Bike Hut on Tunitas Creek Road is a unique, unattended supply shack that cyclists find very convenient, operating on an honor system for snacks and emergency supplies.

Yes, for those seeking a luxurious wellness experience, Canyon Ranch Woodside offers a retreat nestled amidst the redwoods. It provides holistic treatments, yoga, meditation, and gourmet dining, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Yes, wine enthusiasts can visit Thomas Fogarty Winery. It is a recommended stop for those interested in tasting local wines and enjoying the vineyard setting.

Woodside has a strong equestrian heritage. The Horse Park at Woodside is a premier equestrian facility that hosts various events and competitions throughout the year, making it a key destination for horse lovers and participants in equestrian sports.