Trail experiences at local parks and open space preserves range from leisurely strolls to strenuous hikes to exhilarating bike rides. Miles of trails cut through a wide variety of terrain, offering glimpses of various plants, trees, birds, and animals, as well as breathtaking vistas. You can come for a simple hour-long hike or spend entire weeks in the wilderness. The following are a few of the best place to try.
Almaden Lake Park San Jose: Almaden Expwy. & Coleman Ave.; 408/277-5130
At this sandy beach and swimming area with lifeguards, visitors can also enjoy fishing, non-motor boating, hiking, volleyball and windsurfing. Open daily 6am-dusk. Swimming (Wed-Sun only) starts Memorial Day weekend.
Almaden Quicksilver County Park San Jose: 21785 Almaden Rd.; 408/268-3883
This park is full of roads once used to transport cinnabar to the reduction works. Hikers and joggers now traverse the 34 miles of trails through chaparral, oak woodlands, and grasslands. A great time to visit is during early spring, when the park offers stunning wildflower displays. Open daily, 8am-sunset.
Alum Rock Park San Jose: Alum Rock Ave. & Crothers Rd.; 408/259-5477
California’s oldest park features 720 acres of rugged beauty within Alum Rock canyon for hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and picnicking. Open from 8am to a half hour after sunset.
Arastradero Preserve Palo Alto/Los Altos: Arastradero Rd. & Page Mill Rd.; 650/329-2423. www.acterra.org
Ten miles of gently sloping hiking trails through open grassland and oak woodland lead to Arastradero Lake. Open daily, 8am-sunset.
Año Nuevo State Reserve Pescadero: New Year’s Creek Rd., off Hwy. 1; 650/879-2025; reservations: 800/444-4445
The world’s largest on-shore elephant seal rookery offers an interpretive center and exciting close-up views of these impressively large animals. Naturalist-led tours during the breeding season (Dec-March) consist of a three-mile hike over mildly rough beach terrain. Hiking at this ruggedly beautiful reserve is allowed year-round. Open daily, 8am-sunset.
Baylands Nature Preserve Palo Alto: Embarcadero Rd., east of Hwy. 101; 650/329-2506
At this largest area of undisturbed marshland in the San Francisco Bay, catwalks extend out over baylands and 15 miles of trails provide access to tidal and freshwater habitats. The preserve is a well-known bird-watching spot and also offers an Interpretive Center, programs on ecology and natural history, and nature walks. Preserve open daily, 8am-8pm. Interpretive Center open Tues-Wed, 10-5; Thurs-Fri, 2-5; Sat-Sun, 1-5.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park Boulder Creek: 21600 Big Basin Way; 831/338-8860. www.bigbasin.org
California’s oldest state park offers over 18,000 acres of old growth and recovering redwood forests. More than 80 miles of trails travel from sea level to 2,000 feet past sparking streams, waterfalls, and superb vistas of the ocean and coastal mountains. The 28-mile Skyline-to-the-Sea trail winds its way from Castle Rock through Big Basin to the sea at Waddell Beach. Open daily, 6am-10pm.
Butano State Park Pescadero: 1500 Cloverdale Rd.; 650/879-2040
This secluded 2,200-acre park lies in a redwood-filled canyon. Panoramic vistas are available from a variety of trails of varying degrees of difficulty. The Año Nuevo Trail offers a spectacular view of Año Nuevo Island on clear days. Open daily.
Calero County Park San Jose: 23201 McKean Rd.; 408/268-3883
The main attraction of this park is the Calero Reservoir, a popular spot for water-skiing, jet skiing, fishing, power boating, and sailing. The park’s 18 miles of backcountry hiking is a great place to see birds and wildflowers in the spring. Park: daily, 8am-sunset; reservoir: daily, 8am-half hour before sunset.
Castle Rock State Park Los Gatos: 15000 Skyline Blvd.; 408/867-2952)
Over 30 miles of hiking and equestrian trails pass through 3,600 acres of rugged forests and open terrain with majestic views. This park is also an optimum place for rock climbing, due to its steep canyons with unusual rock formations. Open daily, 6am-sunset.
Coyote Hills Regional Park Fremont: 8000 Patterson Ranch Rd.; 510/562-PARK or 510/795-9385
This 976-acre wildlife sanctuary offers tours, bird-watching sessions, fishing expeditions, and workshops, plus trails for hikers and bicyclists. The park has a rich and fascinating history of Native American and Spanish inhabitants. Open daily, 8am-7pm.
Coyote Point Recreation Area San Mateo: 1961 Coyote Point Dr., east of Hwy. 101; 650/573-2592
This large 670-acre recreation complex located along the San Francisco Bay provides swimming, fishing, and picnic facilities, plus playgrounds, a marina, and a nature museum. Open daily, 8am-8pm.
Edgewood Park Redwood City: Edgewood Rd. & Hwy. 280; 650/368-6283
Close to urban centers, this 467-acre area is composed of rolling foothills terrain with large expanses of grasslands, chaparral, and pockets of oak woodland. Hikers can enjoy eight miles of trails that reach a high point of 872 feet. In the spring, the grasslands afford unique wildflower displays. Open daily, 8am-8pm.
El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve Woodside: 3.9 miles north of Hwy. 84 on Skyline Blvd.; 650/691-1200. www.openspace.org
This rugged preserve provides scenic ridge-tops, verdant valleys overflowing with Douglas fir and second-growth redwoods, and great ocean vistas, but its most popular attraction is a spectacular sandstone formation with shallow caves and honeycomb depressions. An extensive system of old, steep logging roads makes this place a favorite spot for mountain bikers. Open daily from dawn until half hour after sunset.
El Sereno Open Space Preserve Los Gatos/Saratoga: Montevina Rd., 3 miles west of Hwy. 17; 650/691-1200. www.openspace.org
At this 1,412-acre preserve spans, hikers, bikers, and equestrians can travel through six miles of wide, gradual trails, most of which wind through chaparral and some wooded creek-side areas. A three-mile trek along a ridge—the preserve was named for the 2,249-foot Mt. El Sereno—offers panoramic views of the Lexington Reservoir and the South Bay. But beware: parking is limited. Open daily from dawn until half hour after sunset.
Elkhorn Slough and Reserve Watsonville: 1700 Elkhorn Rd., 831/728-2822. www.elkhornslough.org
One of the few remaining coastal wetlands in California, the slough is home to 200 species of birds and 80 species of fish. The main channel winds inland nearly seven miles, flanked by broad salt marshes, while the surrounding reserve land includes oak woodlands, grasslands, and freshwater ponds. Kayak rentals are available nearby. Open Wed-Sun, 9am-5pm.
Forest of Nisene Marks State Park Aptos: Aptos Creek Rd.; 831/763-7062
This beautiful park offers 10,000 acres of rugged wilderness, rising from sea level to coastal mountains at 2,600 feet. A former logging site, the park contains remnants of the industry, as well as over 30 miles of trails of various levels of difficulty for hiking and biking. Open daily, 6am-10pm.
Fremont Older Space Preserve Saratoga: Prospect Rd.; 650/691-1200. www.openspace.org
This gorgeous 739-acre preserve in the west valley foothills offers hiking purists a treat with forested hillsides, open hayfields, Stevens Springs Canyon, and Hunters Point, a 900-foot peak offering stunning views of the Santa Clara Valley. Open daily from dawn until half hour after sunset.
Henry W. Coe State Park Morgan Hill: 9000 E. Dunne Ave.; 408/779-2728. www.coepark.org
With over 80,000 acres of wild open space, this is the largest state park in northern California. Rugged, varied, and beautiful, the terrain includes lofty ridges and steep canyons, plus over 250 miles of hiking trails that vary in levels of difficulty and 100 miles of rugged roads and trails for experienced mountain bikers. In addition, visitors can fish in the park’s lakes, ponds, and creeks, although you’ll have to hike to get there. Open daily.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Felton: off Hwy. 9; 831/438-2396
A popular hike at this park is the one-mile Redwood Grove Nature Trail that winds through beautiful old-growth redwoods. The rest of the 20 miles of trails—some of which are very steep—take visitors on a self-guided nature path and past Douglas fir, madrone, oak, and an unusual strand of Ponderosa pine. Relax post-hike at the picnic area above the San Lorenzo River. Open 8am-sunset.
Hidden Villa Farm & Wilderness Preserve Los Altos Hills: 26870 Moody Rd.; 650/949-8650. www.hiddenvilla.org
Located on the Adobe Creek watershed, this working farm is designed to foster environmental and multicultural awareness, especially among children. Eight miles of trails through the preserve are open to the public except during children’s summer camp, mid-June to mid-August. Open Tues-Sun, 8am-sunset.
Huddart County Park Woodside: 1100 Kings Mountain Rd.; 650/851-1210
This popular recreation area set on the eastern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains offers picnic areas, a playground, playing fields, an amphitheater, and an archery range. Miles of hiking trails lead into shady canyons and forests and up to Skyline Boulevard. Open daily, 8am-8pm.
Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve Stanford University: off Sand Hill Rd., west of Hwy. 280; 650/723-1589
This 1,189-acre biological preserve features a remarkable diversity of plants and animals and serves as a natural laboratory for researchers. Docent-led tours are held Oct 1-May 31 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 10am and 2pm and typically involve two hours of walking on hilly terrain. Call in advance to schedule tours.
Lake Cunningham Regional Park San Jose: 2305 S. White Rd.; 408/27-PARKS. www.lakecunningham.org
The 50-acre Lake Cunningham is surrounded by 200 acres of open space, offering opportunities to jog, bike, rollerblade, sail, boat, fish, or play volleyball and horseshoes (but bring your own equipment). Raging Waters water theme park is also located here. Open weekends in spring and daily in summer, from 8am to half hour after sunset.
Loch Lomond Recreation Area Felton: 100 Loch Lomond Way; 831/335-7424
At this unique mountain lake environment, visitors can hike, picnic, or enjoy the reservoir by boating and fishing. Boats are available for rent, but as the lake is a drinking water reservoir, swimming is prohibited. Open daily, 6am-sunset.
Los Trancos Open Space Preserve Palo Alto: Page Mill Rd. west of Hwy. 280; 650/691-1200. www.openspace.org
Five miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails wind through grasslands and cool shaded forests, with clear days offering stunning views of San Francisco and the East Bay’s Mount Diablo. Hike the 1.5-mile self-guided San Andreas Fault Trail and learn about earthquake geology at one of the world’s longest and most active faults. Open daily from dawn to half hour after sunset.
McNee Ranch State Park Montara: off Hwy. 1; 650/726-8819
Hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians are welcome at this park, which offers magnificent views of the Pacific Coast, San Francisco, the East Bay, and the Peninsula at its highest points. Three main trails offer very different hikes: an easy one-mile trail runs through beautiful wildflower fields in the spring, a moderate trail offers a good tour of the park’s many habitats, and a challenging 3.9-mile trail climbs from sea level to 2,000 feet. Open daily, 8am-sunset.
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve Palo Alto: Page Mill Rd., west of Hwy. 280; 650/691-1200. www.openspace.org
This 2,943-acre preserve teems with diverse wildlife. An excellent way to see much of it is on the self-guided interpretive Stevens Creek Nature Trail, a three-mile loop that takes hikers into a forested canyon, along a creek, and back up through grasslands. The Canyon Trail is one of the area’s most popular bicycle routes, plunging from Page Mill Rd. into the canyon and onto Saratoga Gap. From there, visitors can travel another 28 miles to the ocean via the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. Open daily from dawn to half hour after sunset.
Mount Madonna County Park Gilroy: Hecker Pass Hwy. at 7850 Pole Line Rd., 408/842-2341
This scenic, 3,688-acre park straddles a steep ridge near the southern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains, offering one of Santa Clara County’s few ocean vistas. The park’s extensive 14 miles of hiking and equestrian trails, many of which are old ranch roads, cover a wide range of scenery including redwoods, oaks, chaparral, and grassland. On Saturday nights from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the park’s amphitheater features free live music and slide shows. Open daily, 8am-sunset.
Pescadero Creek County Park Complex La Honda: entrances at Alpine Rd. and Pescadero Rd.; 650/879-0212
Facilities at this vast wilderness complex of parks include a network of hiking and equestrian trails through hills and redwood forests along Pescadero Creek. Memorial Park features old-growth redwoods, as well as picnic facilities, a visitor center, a creek swimming area, and hiking trails. The shady Sam McDonald Park provides views of rolling grasslands, the Pacific Ocean, and old-growth redwoods. And Heritage Grove is a magnificent old-growth redwood forest on Alpine Creek, providing a network of trails through the grove. Open daily, 8am-8pm.
Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve Pescadero: off Hwy. 1; 650/879-2170
A one-mile loop offers a field day for bird-watchers, as 200 different species of birds rest, feed, or nest here during the year. The preserve is also home to 380 species of plants and 50 different types of animals. Open daily, 8am-sunset.
Portola Redwoods State Park La Honda: Portola State Park Rd.; 650/948-9098)
Eighteen miles of trails traverse this rugged park’s redwood-forested canyon and two streams. The park is also home to one of the tallest redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains, measuring 300 feet high. Open daily, 6am-sunset.
Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve Half Moon Bay: parking at Skyline Blvd. or Higgins-Purissima Rd.; 650/691-1200. www.openspace.org
Overlooking Half Moon Bay, the main attraction at this 3,120-acre park is its creek, complete with towering redwoods and coastal shrubs. Over 20 miles of developed trails and historic logging roads offer a variety of hikes, including the Redwood Trail with a special surface suitable for visitors of nearly any physical ability. Others climb to 1,600 feet, providing amazing views of the coast. Open daily from dawn to half hour after sunset.
Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve Los Altos: Cristo Rey Dr. off Foothill Blvd.; 650/691-1200. www.openspace.org
This huge preserve is a local favorite with hikers, bikers, and horseback riders due to its 23 miles of trails through shaded creeks, open meadows, and oak woodlands, many offering great views. Open daily from dawn to half hour after sunset.
Russian Ridge Los Altos: Alpine & Page Mill Rds.; 650/691-1200. www.openspace.org
In the spring, this preserve explodes with blooming wildflowers, but diverse plant communities, forests, and springs make this 1,822-acre area worth visiting year-round. Eight miles of trails bring hikers to stunning panoramic views, including the 2,500-foot Borel Hill affording views from the Monterey Bay to San Francisco Bay to the East Bay Hills. And you’ll likely see a raptor or eagle enjoying the same sights. Open daily from dawn to half hour after sunset.
San Bruno Mountain State and County Park Brisbane: Guadalupe Canyon Pkwy.; 650/363-4020
Hiking trails at this 2,266-acre park lead to breathtaking views of San Francisco and the Bay. Alternatively, Radio Road offers visitors a drive to the mountain’s summit, from which stunning vistas of Mount Tamilpias, Mount Diablo, the Oakland foothills, and the Farallon Islands can be seen. Open daily, 8am-8pm.
Sanborn County Park Saratoga: 16055 Sanborn Rd., 2 miles west of Hwy. 9; 408/867-9955
Covering over 3,688 acres on the steep eastern side of Skyline Boulevard, this lushly wooded park offers scenic trails, sweeping views, and great picnicking facilities. The self-guided one-mile nature trail offers beautiful vistas of the Santa Clara Valley while passing through several different ecological zones. Redwood, Douglas fir, tanoak, bay, and madrone trees can all be seen along the park’s other 14 miles of trails. Open daily, 8am-sunset.
Santa Teresa County Park San Jose: 260 Bernal Rd. off Hwy. 101; 408/225-0225
This park offers year-round beauty with a colorful array of wildflowers March through June and bronze-hued dry grasses in the summer and fall. Activities include archery, volleyball, biking, horseback riding, golfing, picnicking, and hiking on 18 miles of unpaved trails. Open daily, 8am-sunset.
Sawyer Camp Trail San Mateo: Skyline Blvd. & Crystal Springs Rd.; 650/589-4294
This scenic paved trail along Crystal Springs Reservoir is a fun and popular trek for bicyclists, rollerbladers, hikers, and joggers. Open 8am-8pm
Shoreline Park Mountain View: N. Shoreline Blvd.; 650/903-6392)
This 660-acre recreation and wildlife area features eight miles of pathways, open spaces for picnics and kite-flying, irrigated meadowlands, two creeks, extensive wetlands, and wildlife areas with a self-guided interpretive sign system. Also at the park are an 18-hole golf course, the historic Rengstorff House, and the 50-acre Shoreline Lake offering sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and boating.
Sunnyvale Baylands Park Sunnyvale: 999 E. Caribbean Dr.; 408/730-7751
Over 70 acres of developed parkland offer recreation and picnic areas, while an additional 105 acres of protected wetlands serve as home to a variety of plants and wildlife. Open daily in spring and summer, 8am-8:30pm.
Vasona Lake County Park & Oak Meadow Park Los Gatos: 333 Blossom Hill Rd.; 408/356-2729
Picnicking and playing on the grassy hills and sailing, paddle-boating, and fishing on Vasona Lake are popular activities here. Boats are available for rental early spring through early fall. A multiple-use trail begins at Lexington Reservoir and follows the Los Gatos Creek for 14 miles. Open daily, 8am-sunset.
Wilder Ranch State Park Santa Cruz: north of city off Hwy. 1; 831/423-9703
This 4,505-acre park includes four public beaches, redwood and eucalyptus groves, and over 30 miles of hiking trails. The Wilder Ranch historical preserve takes visitors back in time to life on an 1830s dairy farm and offers tours. Park is open daily, sunrise to sunset
Wunderlich Park Woodside: 4040 Woodside Rd.; 650/851-1210
A hillside area of redwood forest, open meadows, and beautiful oaks and madrones, this area was once the ranch of the coffee-producing Folger family. Largely open space, the park features a system of beautiful trails for hiking and horseback riding. Open daily, 8am-8pm.
Trail experiences at local parks and open space preserves range from leisurely strolls to strenuous hikes to exhilarating bike rides. Miles of trails cut through a wide variety of terrain, offering glimpses of various plants, trees, birds, and animals, as well as breathtaking vistas. You can come for a simple hour-long hike or spend entire weeks in the wilderness. The following are a few of the best place to try.