Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve is a dog’s paradise! Located in the hills above San Carlos and Redwood City, this 366-acre preserve is one of the few spots on the San Francisco Peninsula where your pup can run free. The off-leash area is wooded and hilly, so it is an adventure for you and your pooch! The Preserve features an easy-access trail and a dedicated dog off-leash area, making it a top destination for dog owners in San Mateo County.
The Cordilleras Trail, which is designed to accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, or visitors desiring a less strenuous open space experience, adjoins the parking lot and travels through a meadow to a bench located in a quiet, wooded area by Cordilleras Creek. This paved, accessible trail is perfect for senior dogs or those with mobility limitations who still want to enjoy the outdoors.
Across the creek, the one-mile Polly Geraci Trail ascends an oak-covered hillside to the top of the Preserve, where vegetation changes to chaparral, providing a great place to enjoy the view. The Polly Geraci Trail meets the paved Hassler Trail, which in turn connects to the Blue Oak Trail and Cordilleras Trail, creating an easy two-mile loop. In total, the preserve offers about six miles of trails with a gentle elevation gain of roughly 300 feet, winding through cool canyons and along a ridge top with views toward the bay and surrounding hillsides.
Visitors may let their dogs roam off-leash in the 17.5-acre area in the center of the Preserve, accessible from the Cordilleras Trail, Polly Geraci/Hassler Trails, and the Blue Oak Trail. While in the off-leash area, you must have a leash in your possession at all times, and your dog must be under reliable voice control. On all other trails within the preserve, dogs must be on a leash of six feet or less. Self-retracting leashes are permitted with a maximum extended length of 25 feet. Visitors may bring up to three dogs per person.
To reach Pulgas Ridge, take Highway 280 and exit at Edgewood Road. Travel 0.75 miles northeast on Edgewood Road toward Redwood City, then turn left on Crestview Drive and immediately turn left again on Edmonds Road. Follow Edmonds Road to the preserve entrance on the right, where you will find a parking area with 23 spaces plus two ADA-accessible spots. The preserve is managed by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and is open from sunrise to sunset. For more information, call (650) 691-1200 or visit the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District website.
