TARWATER TO POMPONIO: PORTOLA REDWOODS & PESCADERO CREEK PARKS

TARWATER TO POMPONIO: PORTOLA REDWOODS & PESCADERO CREEK PARKS

Hike Date:  Saturday, May 16, 2026

Leader:  Gary Weiss | gary@sfhiking.com  | 415 279-5570

Carpooling Meeting Times:  8:30 AM from SF OR Rockridge, departing shortly afterwards.

Please only show up at the carpool meeting place if you've arranged to meet your ride or driver there.

Rating: Level 3

Mileage:  9.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 1850'

Description: The hike begins at a crazy remote parking area in the middle of nowhere in what is considered part of Pescadero Creek County Park.  Almost immediately we're deep inside the redwood forest.  The redwoods remain with us all the way down into Portola Redwoods State Park.  Once on the canyon floor we'll be on the beautiful and mostly level Pomponio Trail until we begin our climb back up to the top via Bear Ridge, Canyon and Tarwater Trails - a fairly steady climb all the way up. Near the top we'll pass a most photogenic old barn ruin (photo above).  All in all, it's an especially beautiful hike. 
There's an option to reduce the length of the hike by 2 miles if the weather isn't cooperating, or for those interested in a shortened hike. 
Sorry - dogs not allowed.

Bring / Wear:  Please bring water (nowhere to fill up), lunch, snacks, sturdy hiking shoes, LAYERS and hiking poles if you use them.  And chocolate!

Weather Policy:  Check with hikeleader in the event of questionable weather.

Trailhead Meeting Place: PLEASE DOWNLOAD YOUR MAP BEFORE LEAVING THE CITY!   (Ask me if you're not sure how to do this.)

From the intersection of Skyline Blvd. (Hwy. 35) and Alpine Rd, go downhill west for about 4 miles.  At an intersection, Alpine Road makes a 90 degree right turn - but you don't!  Stay straight on what is now Camp Pomponio Road.  There's a very small sign on the left saying Pescadero Creek.  That's what you should take.  You WILL think you're lost and on someone else's property.  It's a crazy, single-lane, pothole-covered dirt road.  Small parking lot on the left at the end.  Here's a photo of your final turnoff (you'll take the upper one-lane country road):

Google Maps Link 

Trailhead Meeting Time:  10:05 AM, departing at 10:20 AM.

Total driving distance, there and back: 107 miles from SF; 129 miles from Rockridge.

Passenger Carpool Fees from SF: $14;  From Rockridge BART: $18

(I will inform you of carpooling arrangements by late Thursday or early Friday.)