Visit Wunderlich Park
Park Overview
Wunderlich Park opens daily at 8:00 A.M. including all holidays.
The closing time varies depending on the season.
Address: 4040 Woodside Road, Woodside, CA 94062
Acres: 942
Miles of Trails: 17 Description and Trail Maps
Elevation: 354 - 4,251 ft.
Parking: Free
Restrooms: Yes
Picnic Facilities: Yes
Limitations: No pets, cyclists or smoking.
For current closures and conditions, go to the San Mateo County Parks advisory site.
Wunderlich Park Map
Local Flora
Huddart and Wunderlich Parks are situated in the biologically diverse Santa Cruz Mountains. Ecosystems largely consist of Redwood and Oak Woodland forests, riparian corridors, chaparral, and grasslands. Below are some of the flora (plants) that can be found in these parks.
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Big Leaf Maple
California Black Oak
California Bay Laurel
California Buckeye
Interior Live Oak
Douglas Fir
Hazelnut
Madrone
Coast Redwood
Tanoak
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Blue-eyed Grass
California Poppy
Crane’s Bill
Hound’s Tongue
Milk Maid
Miner’s Lettuce
Shooting Star
Soap Root
Trillium
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California Blackberry
Ceanothus
Chamise
Chaparral Pea
Coffee Berry
Coyote Bush
Manzanita
Poison Oak
Sticky Monkey Flower
Toyon
Wood Rose
Yerba Santa
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Bedstraw
Bunch Grass
Rattlesnake Grass
Wild Blue Rye
Wild Oat
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Chanterelle Mushroom
Death Cap Mushroom
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Fiddlehead Fern
Coastal Wood Fern
Bracken Fern
Five Finger Fern
Golden Back Fern
Maiden Hair Fern
Sword Fern
Local Fauna
Below are some of the fauna (animals) that can be found in Huddart and Wunderlich Parks.
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Big Brown Bat
Black-tailed Deer
Bobcat
Brush Rabbit
Coyote
Western Gray Squirrel
Mountain Lion
Common Opossum
Raccoon
Striped Skunk
Dusky Footed Wood Rat
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Acorn Woodpecker
Stellar Jay
California Quail
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Common Crow
Great Horned Owl
Dark-eyed Junco
Red Tailed Hawk
Scrub Jay
Turkey Vulture
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Northern Alligator Lizard
California Slender Salamander
Coast Garter Snake
Pacific Gopher Snake
Newt
Western Fence Lizard
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Banana Slug
Bumble Bee
Centipede
Grasshopper
Hover Fly
Orb Spider
Scorpion
Tarantula
Trap Door Spider
Turret Spider
Wasp
Water Strider
Yellow Jacket
History of Wunderlich Park
Before the redwoods were logged out and the Spaniards gave land grants to ranchers, and before the padres built the missions and the Spanish explorers claimed California for themselves, Native Americans thrived for centuries among the hills and gorges we now call Wunderlich Park.
Known by various names, depending on which tribe they belonged to, the Native Americans lived as hunters-gatherers of the abundant resources the land and water provided. They lived in concert with grizzly bears (now extinct locally), mountain lions, deer, coyotes plus many other species and carefully used them to their advantage along with the rich diversity of plant life. The last Native Americans known to be living in the local hills were spotted in 1857. Most had been converted by the Spanish missionaries some 75 years previously and were living near the missions. Unfortunately, the Spanish brought not only European religion but also tuberculosis and small pox that many Native Americans could not withstand.
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Woodside Valley entered current recorded history on November 6, 1769, when the first Portola expedition camped in the valley.
One of the first prominent settlers was John Copinger, an Irishman and one of the first non-Hispanic Europeans to live on the peninsula, who was granted the Canada de Raymundo Rancho on August 4, 1840 by Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado. This rancho consisted of most of the eastern slopes and valleys in the Woodside area, including Wunderlich Park. In 1846 Charles Brown received from Copinger a formal deed to 2,880 acres of timbered slopes and valley range, which contained Wunderlich Park.
In 1872 Simon Jones purchased 1,500 acres of the western portion of the property and named it "Hazelwood Farm." He went on to prove that it had value beyond its lumber. Under his guiding hand the mountainside bloomed. Utilizing Chinese labor, he cleared the matted natural growth, built rock retaining walls, planted grapes and fruit trees and developed the property into a working ranch. Some of what Jones built still remain and some of his planting is still evident.
Jones died in 1890 and his son Everett sold the property to James A Folger II on October 12, 1902. Folger came to California in 1850 and had gone into the coffee business in San Francisco. Under Folger's ownership, the land changed roles, becoming a recreation area, which suited the family's taste. Wagon trails and old skid roads became riding and carriage trails. Weekend campouts were quite common in the area of Alambique Creek. In 1904 Folger commissioned Arthur Brown Jr., in partnership with Henry Schulze, to design his estate and stables in Woodside. At the same time, Folger developed the first hydro-electrical power system in this part of California. Waters from Alambique Creek were used to develop this power.
The next owner of the property was contractor Martin Wunderlich, who purchased the property from the Folgers in November 1956. In 1974 he graciously tendered it for public recreation by deeding 942 acres to San Mateo County for use as park and open space.
Equestrian Information
Wunderlich Park, though known for family outings and holiday barbecues, has a lot to offer the hiker and equestrian.
Wunderlich Park is a shady, creek-side gem with year-round, all-weather trails, picnic areas and restrooms with tie racks. 17 miles of public riding trails are accessible from the parking lot with designated horse trailer parking.
For up-to-date information about trail accessibility for horse riding at Wunderlich Park, go to the San Mateo County Parks trails site and filter by Park and Usage.
For current closures and conditions go to the San Mateo County Parks advisory site.
Boarding and horse care are available as well as a groomed sand riding arena for boarders and by membership, suitable for all disciplines, including dressage, jumping, and cutting.
Visit the County of San Mateo Parks website for more information about Horse Boarding & Recreational Activities at Wunderlich Park.
Trail Use Guidelines
Visitors are required to stay on the marked trails, especially when riding horses, and particularly in the open meadow and grassland areas where endangered plants and animals may exist. Please respect your fellow trail users and follow the guidelines for safe and courteous trail use.
When passing horses on trails stop and yield enough space to pass safely – this may require stepping off a single-track trail.
Do not run or jump near horses – especially from behind – announce your presence from a distance as you approach by simply saying, "Hello" or "I'm here." Runners must stop for horses.
Hikers with backpacks, large hats, walking sticks, strollers and large groups may confuse or excite horses. Again, speak to the rider so the horse recognizes you're not a threat, then follow the rider's instructions.
Equestrians must ride safely, courteously and pass all trail users at a walking pace.