Annual Stanford to the Sea Hike

The new season brings the Center's annual Stanford to the Sea hike. The 2024 hike is scheduled for Saturday, May 11.

We look forward to seeing you on the trail! Below are resources to help you find your way around, whether you're hiking all day, or just the morning or afternoon.

Before You Go

Please fill out the Mandatory Release of Liability Form

Hike Day Itinerary - May 11, 2024

Our 22-mile route winds from its starting point at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve through Wunderlich County Park, continues along Bear Gulch Road and the Skyline Trail before catching the Purisima trail downhill to shuttles for San Gregorio State Beach where the group will gather for photos and then hop on a shuttle bus to dinner at the TomKat Ranch. Hikers will celebrate with dinner at TomKat Ranch in Pescadero, then return via shuttle bus to either Jasper Ridge or Y2E2 on campus. 

Morning-Only and All-Day Hikers

6:45 a.m.: Please meet at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve  (4001 Sand Hill Road), rain or shine

We provide coffee and muffins to start the day along with a variety of trail snacks for you to pack.

Please bring plenty of water, dress in layers, and wear sturdy, comfortable shoes.

All hikers must submit the release of liability form that was included in your confirmation email.

All-day hikers: If you parked at the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, you'll be able to ride a shuttle bus back after dinner to pick up your car.

Morning-only hikers: You'll be able to ride a shuttle bus back after lunch to pick up your car.

Afternoon-only Hikers

11:45am: Please meet at the Y2E2 Building, (473 Via Ortega), rain or shine.

All hikers must submit the release of liability form.

Lunch will be served when we meet with the all-day hikers on Skyline Boulevard (Subject to change)

A variety of trail snacks will also be available for you to pack. Please bring plenty of water.

After dinner, you'll be able to ride a shuttle bus back to Y2E2 to pick up your car.

Tips for Hikers

• Water and Snacks: Hydration, hydration, hydration. Please bring at least two 32-ounce bottles of water (or equivalent) and enough snacks to last until lunch. We will begin the day at Jasper Ridge with a light breakfast and a selection of snacks to pack away for later in the hike. We will have a late lunch at the south Purisima Creek Redwoods trailhead at about 1:00 p.m. where you will be able to refill your water bottles and snacks. It is approximately 12 miles to the Purisima Creek Redwoods – a long way to go – so please bring whatever you need to keep going until then. We encourage you to eat a substantial breakfast, high in proteins and fats if possible.
• Gear/what to wear: 
  • Morning and all-day hikers are strongly advised to bring walking/hiking sticks for steep uphill segments of the Alambique trail. 
  • Sunscreen, hats, bug spray, insulating layers, rain/wind shell, long pants. Please bring sunscreen and hats. Comfortable, lightweight, long pants will serve as sound protection when we pass through areas with poison oak, which we will identify and seek to avoid. There are also ticks on the prowl this time of year. 
  • Weather: Coastal fog often reaches all the way into the western slopes of the Purisima Creek Redwoods and temperatures are typically cool, even during the summer. Please check the forecast for possible rain. The Half Moon Bay coast, where we will dine al fresco, will be in the low 50’s, so please plan your attire accordingly for the entire trip.
  • Feet: We will be walking over mixed terrain, about half paved and half unpaved paths, and some gravel covered surfaces. Please don't try to break in new shoes or boots on the day of our walk. Wear shoes that you are very comfortable in and have walked in prior to our trek. If you have some experience that makes you think you could get a blister, be sure to take proper precautions, with tape or moleskin, etc. We will also have first-aid supplies.
  • Only bring what you can carry for the entire hike.
  • Pit stops: Public restrooms are available at the Wunderlich park entrance (early morning), Purisima Creek Redwoods lunch spot, and the end of Purisima Creek trail (late-afternoon). We will make a few strategic pit stops for restroom breaks.

Expression of Interest

We have extremely limited space on the hike each year and are unable to accommodate everyone who wants to join us. You may use this form Request an Invitation  to let us know you're interested in participating in the hike this year. 

 If you have any questions, please contact Tina Lathia at vlathia [at] stanford.edu (vlathia[at]stanford[dot]edu)