Glimpsing Woodside's Storied Past at Wunderlich

It only took me 9 miles and 19 minutes to travel back in time 106 years. The short drive from my house in San Carlos to Wunderlich County Park in Woodside transported me back to 1905 when coffee magnate James Folger II completed construction of his estate and stable. I had hiked these serene, wooded trails many times, but a recent visit revealed the newly renovated stable and museum housed in the original carriage room. If you are a history buff, or just want to learn what Woodside was like before the dot-com millionaires erected their McMansions, this park offers a retrospective of the various uses of the property from the Costanoan Indians to contractor Martin Wunderlich who deeded it to San Mateo County in 1974.

Exhibits in the Carriage Room Museum include a life-size replica of a tie stall and blacksmith shop, original carriages, history of the Folger family, and period tools and equipment. Folger bought the property from Simon Jones, a former Senator from Texas, who had developed the original land into a working ranch. Folger's tastes ran more to recreation and leisure, and the carriage and riding trails reveal his mark on the land. Vintage photographs and artifacts illuminate life during the bucolic horse and buggy era and emphasize the importance of the horse to American culture.

After soaking up the local history I set off on a run to explore some of the 17 miles of trails meandering through the 942-acre park. Several of the trails follow roads built by Chinese laborers in the late 1800s. I followed the Bear Gulch Trail that connected to the Alambique Trail for an hour-long "lollipop" loop back to the stable. The baby blue forget-me-nots blanketed both sides of the trail like spectators at a race. If you are ambitious, take the Skyline Trail to Huddart Park for more mileage through second-growth redwoods, oaks, madrones and wild irises.

After runs such as these it's important to replenish lost fluids. Two obvious choices on the way home are Buck's Restaurant, where you can rub shoulders with venture capitalists and titans of industry or mingle with spandex-clad pedalers at Woodside Bakery and Cafe. I finished my time traveling excursion feeling invigorated and just a little bit smarter.

Download a trail map

Fun Fact:

The Folger family made their fortune by selling packets of coffee "ready for the pot" to 49ers during the gold rush. Starbucks, eat your heart out.

The Fine Print:

The Carriage Room museum is open on Saturdays from 1-4pm, and docent tours are available on Tuesdays by appointment. The San Mateo County Historical Association leads educational programs for third and fourth graders. Bay Area Equestrian Connection offers lessons, horse camps, and trail rides on Saturdays from 11-4 or by appointment.

Get Going!