Redwoods and Pigeon Point
Yesterday, I did a short driving tour of the Peninsula.
First stop: the redwood forests at Purisima. As part of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, it is part of a network of parks in the hills surrounding the Bay Area. The 3,000 acre park holds towering redwoods, rushing creeks and rich undergrowth of ferns, berries and wildflowers. The trail is easily accessible and brings one through a trail through the ancient redwoods, one of the tallest and oldest trees in the world.
Next, the Tunitas Creek Road led me down to Highway 1. This coastline road hugs the Pacific Ocean from Northern California all the way to San Diego. The drive boasts majestic views of rocky cliffs and enormous surf. Along the route are numerous parks and nature preserves that allow easy access to the cliffs and beaches.
Just north of Ano Neuvo park is Pigeon Point, where a lone lighthouse dominates the coastline. It is a fine example of a late 19th century design that held a Fresnell lens to aid navigation along the coast. A quiet hostel is located next to the lighthouse, although it is hard to imagine why anyone would lodge in such a remote location.
The drive brought me to Santa Cruz. My route home brought me through route 9, along the winding forested road that led through the San Lorenzo valley and into Saratoga.