Phleger Estate
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 24, 2025
Phleger Estate is a 1,200-acre park located in San Mateo County, California.
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Summary
The park is a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is known for its stunning redwood forest, hiking trails, and scenic vistas.
One of the main reasons to visit Phleger Estate is to experience its breathtaking natural beauty. The park is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna including towering redwoods, Douglas fir, and oak trees, as well as a variety of birds, reptiles, and mammals. The hiking trails in the park offer visitors a chance to explore this natural wonderland while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Another point of interest in Phleger Estate is the historic Folger Stable, which dates back to the early 1900s and now serves as a visitor center. The stable houses exhibits on the history and ecology of the park and offers interpretive programs and guided tours.
In addition to its natural beauty and historic landmarks, Phleger Estate is also home to several interesting facts. For instance, the park was once owned by William H. Crocker, a prominent businessman and philanthropist who helped fund the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. The park was later donated to the National Park Service by the Crocker family in 1972.
The best time of year to visit Phleger Estate is during the spring and fall months when the weather is mild and the park is less crowded. Visitors can also enjoy the park's stunning redwood forest during the summer months, but should be prepared for warmer temperatures and higher levels of visitation.
Overall, Phleger Estate is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts in the state of California. With its stunning natural beauty, historic landmarks, and diverse array of flora and fauna, the park offers visitors a chance to experience the best that the Golden State has to offer.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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