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Thornewood Open Space Preserve, Woodside, CA

Photo: Runner1928, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & Outdoors

Thornewood Open Space Preserve

A 167-acre hillside preserve above Woodside with gentle hiking and horse trails around a wildlife lake.

Woodside, CA

About Thornewood Open Space Preserve

Thornewood sits in the hills above Woodside and suits a short outing at either end of the day. Its roughly 167 acres hold easy trails for walkers and riders, shaded by Douglas fir, redwood, oak and madrone. The main draw is Schilling Lake, a wildlife habitat that is slowly turning into meadow and forest. Visitors also find interpretive panels that describe the remains of an early 1900s estate. The historic house is closed to the public while it is restored, but the wooded paths to the lake remain open. Bikes are not allowed, dogs must stay on a short leash on designated trails, and the preserve has no restrooms or campground.

  • #hiking
  • #horseback riding
  • #dog-friendly
  • #historic estate
  • #wildlife lake

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