Thornewood Open Space

The small and pretty Thornewood Open Space is pawfect for a morning or afternoon stroll with your canine companion. This 167 acre preserve is conveniently located just above the town of Woodside. It’s easily accessible, but will still give you a good dose of the great outdoors, with some easy hikes and lovely views. The variety of plant life here means that there is something exciting to see every time of year, whether it's wildflowers throughout the spring and summer or a show of colorful leaves in the fall.

The preserve can be accessed through a brick gate on the south side of La Honda Road. Once you’re past the gate, you’ll drive down to a parking lot that fits about 12 cars. From here, you and your best pal will start off on Shilling Lake Trail, a 0.75 mile out-and-back trail. This trail brings you through sunlit canopies of maple and oak trees, to the peaceful Shilling Lake, bordered by tall redwoods. At the lake there is a bench where you can enjoy the views while Fido rests his paws. Part of the trail also passes through the historic, 77 acre Thornewood Estate. The Thornewood House is in the process of being restored, but the rest of the acreage is open to the public.

From here you can either double back, or continue the adventure on Bridle Trail. This trail is also a 0.75 mile out-and-back trail, winding through a cool, dense forest and along the Dennis Martin Creek. This trail is often wet and may close seasonally.

Leashed dogs are welcome to join in on the fun in this preserve, as long as they follow proper petiquette. The trail is quite rugged and offers no amenities, so be sure to bring your own supplies, like doggy waste bags and drinking water. You and your doggo will love this charming preserve that offers wild nature close to convenience.