Thornewood Open Space Preserve

#3484 among destinations in the United States

National park

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Facts and practical information

Nestled in the serene town of Woodside, California, Thornewood Open Space Preserve offers visitors a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. With its lush greenery and diverse wildlife, this regional park is a nature lover's paradise. The preserve boasts over 160 acres of open space, making it the perfect destination for hiking, bird-watching, and picnicking.

One of the highlights of Thornewood Open Space Preserve is its network of scenic trails. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a casual stroller, there's a trail for everyone to enjoy. The trails wind through oak woodlands, grassy meadows, and shady groves, providing a peaceful setting for outdoor enthusiasts to explore. Along the way, keep an eye out for native flora and fauna, including wildflowers, deer, and birds of prey.

For those seeking a bit of adventure, the park also features a challenging mountain biking trail. With its steep climbs and thrilling descents, the trail offers an exhilarating experience for cyclists of all skill levels. After a day of outdoor activities, visitors can unwind at one of the park's picnic areas, where they can enjoy a leisurely meal surrounded by the beauty of nature.

In addition to its natural beauty, Thornewood Open Space Preserve also offers a glimpse into the region's history. The park is home to several historic structures, including an old barn and a water tower, which harken back to the area's agricultural past. These remnants of the past add a touch of nostalgia to the park's picturesque landscape, creating a unique blend of past and present.

Elevation: 971 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 37°23'27"N, 122°15'32"W

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CaliforniaUnited States

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Day trips

Thornewood Open Space Preserve – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Stanford Shopping Center, Stanford Dish, Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden, Old Union Fountain.

6 miNE
Shopping, Shopping centre
Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto
154 min walk • Stanford Shopping Center is an upscale open air shopping mall located on Route 82 at Sand Hill Road in Palo Alto, California. It is on the campus of Stanford University although the university only owns the land and not the actual buildings or stores.
4.6 miE
Museum, Observatories and planetariums
Stanford Dish, Palo Alto
116 min walk • The Dish, also known as the Stanford Dish, is a radio antenna in the Stanford foothills. The 150-foot-diameter dish was built in 1961 by the Stanford Research Institute.
5.2 miNE
Park, Garden
Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden, Palo Alto
134 min walk • In 1994, Jim Mason, a graduate student in the Department of Anthropology at Stanford University, arranged for two groups of men from the Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea to carve the New Guinea Sculpture Garden at Stanford University. The men were from several communities or villages of the Iatmul people and the Kwoma people.
5.4 miNE
Fountain
Old Union Fountain, Palo Alto
139 min walk • Old Union Fountain is a fountain on the Stanford University campus in Stanford, California, United States. The fountain exhibits traditional mission style architecture, and is one of several on campus used in the tradition of "fountain hopping".
5.1 miNE
Nature, Lake, Natural attraction
Lake Lagunita, Palo Alto
131 min walk • Lake Lagunita, informally referred to as Lake Lag, is an artificial dry lake in Stanford University, California, located on the western side of the Stanford campus near the Lagunita residences.
5.8 miNE
Music and shows, Nightlife, Theater
Bing Concert Hall, Palo Alto
149 min walk • Bing Concert Hall is a performing arts facility at Stanford University that opened in January 2013. The heart of the building is the oval-shaped concert hall, which has 842 seats arranged in a vineyard style surrounding the stage in terraces.
5.9 miSE
National park
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
150 min walk • The preserve is a popular destination for hikers, with over 10 miles of trails that wind through the landscape, providing stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The iconic Bay Area Ridge Trail also passes through the park, offering a challenging...
5.7 miNE
Theater
Stanford Memorial Auditorium, Palo Alto
147 min walk • Memorial Hall, was built in 1937 to commemorate those students and faculty from Stanford University who died in World War I. Designed by Arthur Brown, Jr. in conjunction with Bakewell and Weihe, construction of the building was funded primarily through student contributions.
1.5 miNE
Dam
Searsville Dam, Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve
38 min walk • Searsville Dam is a masonry dam in San Mateo County, California that was completed in 1892, one year after the founding of Stanford University, and impounds Corte Madera Creek to form a reservoir known as Searsville Lake.
5.8 miNE
Music and shows, Nightlife, Theater
Frost Amphitheater, Palo Alto
148 min walk • The Laurence Frost Amphitheater, commonly known as Frost Amphitheater, is a prominent amphitheater at Stanford University. It first opened in 1937 and was the site of commencement ceremonies for the university from 1938 until 1984.
5.3 miNE
Library
Branner Earth Sciences Library, Palo Alto
136 min walk • Dedicated on October 21, 1993, the Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Earth Sciences Research Building at Stanford University houses classrooms, offices, and laboratories for research in the field of earth sciences.