Peter's Creek Falls

San Mateo County, California

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: San Mateo County, California
Access status: Partial guide: final half mile is an unofficial path; permission not confirmed
The walk: Roughly 2 to 2.5 miles return (estimate)
Ground & access: Official trail, then an unofficial, frequently used creekside path. Steeper rough paths below the falls are used by climbers.

Waterfalls around Castle Rock State Park and the Skyline Blvd ridge (Peters Creek Falls)

From the Grizzly Flat trailhead, hike 0.4 mile down Peters Creek Trail and turn right on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Shortly after the trail crosses the private paved Portola Heights Road, turn left on an unofficial path that follows the creek about a half mile downstream to the top of the falls. Return the same way. This last half mile is not an official preserve trail.

Plan your visit

Grizzly Flat trailhead, Skyline Boulevard, by Peters Creek Trail and Bay Area Ridge Trail, then an unofficial creekside path

The visitor notes give 0.4 mile on Peters Creek Trail, an unstated stretch of Ridge Trail, then a half mile down the creek. The return range is an estimate from those parts.

Official trail, then an unofficial, frequently used creekside path. Steeper rough paths below the falls are used by climbers.

Where to start

Grizzly Flat trailhead lot on Skyline Boulevard; the trailhead is across the highway. Weekend Sherpa says parking is free.

Timing & water

Best after heavy rain. Check the preserve page for temporary trail closures.

Before you go

No fee or reservation is stated. No dogs on this route per Weekend Sherpa.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore California

Waterfall location

San Mateo County, California.

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