Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve

Beautiful hike! There are so many scenic trails to choose from. PG&E is strenuous but gives picturesque views of the valley. I have always spotted deers on this trail! This hike is usually the highlight of all my weekends, its so pretty and you breathe the purest oxygen while here!

So this year I decided to take up hiking as my new hobby for 2016. Rancho San Antonio Open Preserve was one of the many hiking trails on my list that I wanted to explore here in the Bay Area. I certainly was not disappointed.
I hiked up the PG&E trail and up around to the Upper High Meadow Trail and High Meadow Trail passing the farm on the way back for a total of 10.6 miles. Initially, I was a bit skeptic about hiking the trails with all of the rain we’ve been having this winter, however, it proved not to be much of a problem.
Although I hiked up a single path, some of the areas along the trail seemed to closely resemble each other. I created this story in my head that I was hiking in a mystical forest which had a spell to prevent wondering footsteps (which, to me, explained the reason why I felt like I was walking in circles haha).
Once you’ve finally reached the top of the trail, you are presented with beautiful views overlooking the Bay. If you packed your lunch, this area makes a nice stopping point to eat and enjoy the view before turning back around down the trail. Or you can continue on like I did!
As I descended down the Upper High Meadow Trail I found that the scenery began to change. The trail opened up and exposed more views of the city and then turned into a meadow like area in which the trail, on one side, ran aside a stream and the other filled with trees, pretty flowers, and grassy areas. In one spot there were even a few deer feeding on the grass.
This scenic trail continued on until I reached the small farm. There are restrooms here and also an open barn where you can take another rest before walking a mile to the parking lot. At the farm, they have different farm life animals (goats, sheep, cows, ducks. etc.) which you can see and pet. You can buy farm fresh eggs laid by the chickens on the farm. They even have a feta cheese making class that you can sign-​up for.
Overall I enjoyed the experience that Rancho San Antonio had to offer me. I don’t consider myself physically fit but I do remain pretty active so this trail would be perfect for any person that is fit or finds themselves in the same category as me. You can try making it more challenging by strapping on weights or jogging up the trail. You’ll definitely break a sweat!

It’s a great place to hike! There are many scenic routes that do not disappoint!
I couple weeks ago, my friends and I decided to have a picnic there and hike after we ate. During our hike we were able to see many animals up close: mostly deer and squirrels. I don’t remember what route we took, but we ended up near a farm where they were offering a feta cheese making class sometime in the end of January.
Some of those hills are no joke. The hills can be steep, but once you make it to the top, you are rewarded with an awesome view! I def recommend this place!

Situated in the Los Altos Hills, Rancho San Antonio (RSA) is a combined 3,988-acre Open Space Preserve and 165-​acre County Park that is easily one of the most popular recreational areas that I know of in the Bay Area. With gorgeous scenery, tons of trails and a slew of different possible activities one can get into, it’s no wonder this former Ohlone Indian land is so popular. Regrettably, it’s popularity is also it’s biggest weakness as parking, solitude and communing with nature is almost impossible here because of the constant drove of people who apparently can’t shut their yaps for two minutes – but, I digress… Let’s focus on all the cool stuff RSA has before we dwell on the negative.
Features:
–ADA compliant restrooms and water stations in the County Park, and by Deer Hollow Farm.
–Twenty Four Miles of well-​maintained Hiking trails that, from my experience, are mostly shaded – which is a huge plus in the summer. Some of the trails here are ADA compliant, as well. Here’s a link to the trail maps you can download and store on your phone:
–x4 Tennis Courts
–Non-​Gas Powered Model Airplane flying area
–Equestrian Trails
–NO Dogs allowed
–Bike Trails (none West of Deer Hollow)
— My beloved Deer Hollow Farm (
)
Parking– This is where it gets ugly, folks… Parking is free –and actually quite plentiful!– but due to the incredible popularity you need to get here really, really early to snag a spot. I’ve arrived at 8:00 a.m. and still had to wait around for a spot. My best advice is to find one of the smaller lots and just wait for someone to leave; this method usually gets you a spot in anywhere from 10 – 30 minutes. Driving around from lot-​to-​lot is a fool’s errand, and can only lead to frustration, anger and kerfuffles. I almost wish they’d start charging…
Scenery– This is what RSA is all about! Beautiful views of the hills and forests, the trails are surrounded by wildflowers, and lots of birds, insects, and other critters to enjoy. Since RSA is mostly Oak trees and Bay Laurels you’re almost always going to have plenty of shade, and in the winter, the smell of the Bay leaves hangs thick in the air like Nature’s sweet perfume.
I really like RSA quite a bit, but the only reason I come here is to visit Deer Hollow with my son, and not hike. If I want to hike I require a bit more tranquility and solitude (read less people) than what RSA has to offer. Combine that with the parking issues, and you have a place that’s good for the occasional stop, but not a place I’d like to come regularly. I know I’m in the minority on this one, but can’t win ‘em all.

Rancho is something of nature beauty! I think it has one of those most versatile trails in the south bay. Because it has trails from easy, medium to more strenuous… theres a hike for everyone! On my first visit… a while back, i remember takin the PG&E trail which is the more difficult one. It was pretty much straight incline for the most part with telegraph posts at each stop. I think there are like 10+ posts but we only managed to make it to like the 7^th one before returning… It has clear an beautiful views of the Los Altos area and the hike kind of reminded me of Mission Peak.
On my most recent visit… we just wanted a light hike to start the day with… We took the farm trail which i think is most popular because it’s light and easy… suitable for anyone! On this trail… it is mostly flat ground and you can see a range of farm sheds, grasslands and assortments of trees. We didn’t end up doing the whole trail before returning but it was a great way to get the blood flowing!
There are plenty of parking lots around the area but the closest ones to the trail tend to fill up the quickest! There’s also a cool model plane field where people fly their planes and restrooms at the lot! Overall, a cool place to hike for many occasions!

A lovely park to have so close by. We went on a Saturday and there was no parking in the lots, so ended up street parking in the residential area near the cemetery, although I believe there’s a closer residential area than that one. We had to walk to the main parking lot to get the connector trail that leads to the Wildcat Loop.
Having a late start, the trail was deserted once we passed the farm but we were able to reach the vista view right after sunset, which was pleasant. Nice views of Mountain View and the bay. Wildcat Loop lead us back down the mountain and we took the trail split to the equestrian parking since it was closer to our car.
Wildcat Loop is not super easy, it’s definitely fairly uphill and takes an hour or two to complete. Not impossible for people in relatively decent shape, but might be harder for the children and couch potatoes among us.

This is such a great place to go to hike! I love taking my family and my girlfriend here because there’s a little farm along the way with a bunch of animals. We spent about 30 minutes at least just looking at the pigs, chickens, cows, and goats at Deer Hollow Farm. Even away from the farm, you’ll run into deer, quail, gecko’s, and other cute birds.
There are several great vista points on the hike as well. It’s pretty satisfying to get to the top and see a clear view of the bay area and even steal a kiss as a reward. The hike is also adjustable for levels so if you know where you’re going you can have a nice easy 5 mile hike or a 15 mile hike to the summit of Black Mountain.

My favorite place to hike! Some parts are shaded while others are not so I recommend bringing a hat and applying sunscreen. Also it’s convenient that there are bathrooms at the beginning/​near parking.
I love seeing the animals at Deer Hollow Farm. So cute and you can tell they are loved and taken care of. Even away from the farm, you’ll run into wildlife like deer, quail, and geckos. Awesome! :)

I sprained my ankle trail running 6 miles today and it was completely worth it. Went out to Vista point and then the trail with the meadow and bridges on the way down. Wear your trail running shoes and watch your step. Don’t wear sunglasses for better visibility. Cover up or the Mosquitos will eat you alive at dusk. Wear sunblock and mosquito repellant where you are not covered. Wear high ankle socks. Mosquito bites on both my ankles and it’s so itchy!
Lots of runners training out there tonight! I was lucky I was able to join a random running group training for the same marathon I’m training for (6:30p on Tuesdays, all paces, meet in front of bathrooms). There was also a triathlon group there doing hill repeats as well. Hardcore!