Thornewood Open Space Preserve

The 167-acre preserve contains Douglas fir forests, redwood groves, and oak woodlands intersected by 1.5 miles of maintained trails through the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Julian Thorne purchased the land in 1908, constructing a summer residence designed by architect Gardner Dailey in the 1920s before Edna Thorne donated it to Sierra Club Foundation.

The preserve maintains a close connection to California land heritage as part of the former Rancho Cañada de Raymundo, linking present-day conservation with regional history.

Visitors can access two primary paths: the 0.75-mile Bridle Trail through forest sections and the 0.75-mile Schilling Lake Trail leading to a natural water feature.

Schilling Lake undergoes natural succession, transforming from an open water body into a wet meadow system that will eventually become forested terrain.

Location: San Mateo County

Part of: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

Website: http://openspace.org/preserves/pr_thornewood.asp

GPS coordinates: 37.39080,-122.25900

Latest update: March 2, 2025 23:19