{"id":107141,"date":"2026-03-14T12:29:37","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T12:29:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/14\/the-cool-shaded-bay-area-hikes-that-are-perfect-for-a-heat-wave\/"},"modified":"2026-03-14T12:29:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T12:29:37","slug":"the-cool-shaded-bay-area-hikes-that-are-perfect-for-a-heat-wave","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/14\/the-cool-shaded-bay-area-hikes-that-are-perfect-for-a-heat-wave\/","title":{"rendered":"The Cool, Shaded Bay Area Hikes That Are Perfect for a Heat Wave"},"content":{"rendered":"


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If that\u2019s you, then outdoor-loving heat-hater: You\u2019re in the right place. While others <\/span>hit the beach<\/span><\/a>, we\u2019ve got recommendations galore for shade-seeking hikers \u2014 from cool trails with crisp ocean breezes to dark redwood forests and everything in between.<\/span><\/p>\n

For guaranteed shade, go to the Santa Cruz Mountains<\/h2>\n

The best way to escape the heat is to head into the forest \u2014 specifically, the dense, shady forests of regions like the Santa Cruz Mountains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Carla Schoof, spokesperson for the San Mateo County Parks Department, said the redwood and oak forests in places like Huddart Park, Memorial Park and Sam McDonald Park create a dense, cool oasis for hikers, not to mention being near water.
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Bridge over Purisima Creek in Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve, Santa Cruz Mountains (Sundry Photography\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cSometimes, it just makes you feel cooler if you\u2019re next to a creek or some running water,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Loma Mar, Schoof recommended you head to Memorial Park\u2019s Mt. Ellen, \u2014 either for the short one-mile easy <\/span>nature trail<\/span><\/a>, which is perfect for kids, or all the way up to the <\/span>summit<\/span><\/a> for a bigger challenge.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also in Memorial Park is <\/span>Loma Mar Redwoods<\/span><\/a>: a more wild experience, where many trails aren\u2019t as clearly marked or maintained. This remote feeling makes it feel like \u201ca magical place,\u201d Schoof said. \u201cYou could almost be in Jurassic Park.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In Sam McDonald Park, just adjacent and closer to La Honda, the <\/span>Heritage Grove Trail<\/span><\/a> has old-growth redwoods, where \u201cyou\u2019re guaranteed the shade,\u201d Schoof said. And the 2.5-mile trailhead is right there in the parking lot, so it\u2019s easy to find and easy to bail out if temperatures get too high or you run out of steam, she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The San Mateo County Library system loans out backpacks and other hiking gear for free to anyone with a library card. (Courtesy San Mateo County Libraries)<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s never any shame in realizing that you only have so much gas left in the tank and you need to turn around,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For a slightly higher-temperature choice, Schoof also recommended <\/span>Huddart Park<\/span><\/a> in Woodside, which may be easier to access from the Peninsula and has its own immersive trails, so much so that the county parks department has a <\/span>forest bathing tour<\/span><\/a> of the park you can access via its <\/span>app<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Chickadee Nature Trail<\/span><\/a> is stroller-friendly and great for kids, and with many interconnecting trails, you can make loop hikes as long as you\u2019d like, Schoof said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay close to the coast for cooler temperatures<\/h2>\n

The other surefire way to stay cool while hiking this weekend is to head to the coast. Schoof called out <\/span>Quarry Park<\/span><\/a> in El Granada, where the dense eucalyptus trees shelter hikers away from the sun \u2014 but breaks in the tree coverage still provide stunning ocean views.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Want something less strenuous? The trek down to the park\u2019s namesake quarry is a relatively flat and shaded adventure, and don\u2019t forget to check out the <\/span>labyrinth<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A view of Stillwater Cove on Feb. 12, 2026, in Pebble Beach, California. (Tracy Wilcox via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gabe McKenna, public safety superintendent for state parks\u2019 Santa Cruz District, recommended <\/span>Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve<\/span><\/a> as well as a number of beaches and hikes around Santa Cruz, like <\/span>Wilder Ranch<\/span><\/a>\u2019s Old Cove Landing and the <\/span>Forest of Nisene Marks<\/span><\/a>\u2019 Aptos Ranch Trail, where the lower elevations and proximity to coastlines will keep hikers cool. <\/span><\/p>\n

But McKenna cautioned that there\u2019s only so much you can truly escape the heat here. \u201cIt\u2019s still going to be quite hot,\u201d he stressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

An obvious,<\/span> classic-for-a-reason coastal hike<\/span><\/a> up north is the Dipsea Trail. <\/span>Pop into Muir Woods or skip it entirely to avoid crowds, then journey through the redwood and oak canopy all the way to Stinson Beach. <\/span>On a hot day like this weekend, that final reveal when the dense tree cover opens into sweeping ocean views is sure to be dramatic.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n