Live Your Best Lives
Rancho San Antonio County Park Reviews
4.5
1 of 33 Best Attractions in Cupertino
Reviews
SO many trails from level to steep going up into the coastal range here. Watch for wild animals because there have been several Mountain Lion sightings here. Many deer and turkeys roaming the area.
There are several trails in rancho san antonio with various levels of difficulties for every level of hiker. The best part (unlike Mission peak) is that most of the area has good tree cover which allows you to hike round the year and any time of the day. People with young children can always take a leisurely walk to Deer Hollow farm and get close to farm animals. There is an area dedicated to model plan flying and it can be fun to watch people come with all sorts of model planes.
Been to this place many times. Just wonderful to hike or run for a few (or a lot of) miles with a view to some of the South Bay area or on a clear day a view all the way to San Francisco.
There are many trails you can follow, all well marked and maintained. Some of the hikes are very challenging (try the PG&E power line trail) while others are pretty tame. Always count on the possibility of watching some of the wild life (I saw many deer during my last walk) but nothing dangerous.
If going with children you can enjoy the farm with some petting animal. Also a great place for a picnic with the family.
Just try to go there early, especially during the weekends, because of the parking situation. But there is a lot of turnovers because many people just go for a power jog.
Rancho San Antonio is just a short drive outside Mountain View. You can go from seeing Google to deer roaming about. I've seen a bob cat at Rancho and wild turkeys. There is a nice paved trail that goes from the parking lot to the farm (Deer Hollow Farm). So all ages can walk up, have some lunch, see farm animals and return to your cars for a nice afternoon.
Well maintained, large with many trails of all degrees of distance and difficulty. An oasis of tranquility in the midst of Silicon Valley hubbub
I enjoy going there to unwind and be with nature. It can be a little crowded on the trails closer to the parking but not that many people go on the back trails. Get there early, parking can be difficult mid day.
Well, with 3,988 acres of open space combined with another 165 acres you got it all! There are bike, equestrian and hiking trails. There is a working farm with cow, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens and other animals as well as an organic garden. Wow, bring the kids!
Love the variety of hikes around the Rancho. Seriously dislike the parking situation. It has two big parking lots but both get filled very fast on weekends. Friend of mine got a ticket there for parking along the curb... The park itself is great - it also has a small farm - with animals kids can pet and vegetable garden to admire. Parts of the path are shaded, but still plan on plenty of water and sun screen.
I've run Rancho San Antonio trails for the past 2 years several times a month and have never run the same trail twice. I've done timed runs, CrossFit workouts (yes kettle bells and then hill climbs with burpees) and long/short runs....for those of you training for Tough Mudder or Spartan Beast, this park is a must!
Rancho San Antonio Park is a popular hiking area for locals located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Local weather is usually clear when coastal fog lifts (usually mid morning) so hikers/walkers are rewarded with panoramic views of the Santa Clara Valley that can be spectacular. Can be crowded on weekends.
This is my go to place to be in nature in the south bay! I have hiked here hundreds of times over the years and there is a mix of flat and hills and even a small farm with goats, pigs, cows, chickens, rabbits etc. Recently a trail was closed due to mountain lion activity. The rangers really keep on top of things. In the summer I often see snakes. I hike there a few times a week on average and often alone. I never feel unsafe but also think hiking together is a better choice in practice. There are miles of running trails both flat and hilly. You must arrive a dawn on weekends to get parking or hike in from nearby neighborhoods with curb parking. I love to walk past the farm and see the animals. In the spring the wildflowers are beautiful. During the week parking is not too hard to find though it gets pretty full most days in the summer. It's a great local hiking spot! If you want either flats for strollers or hills for hiking and running, you will not be disappointed!
This place is so rugged and beautiful, but there is no need to drive hours to get to it (esp from where I live) from the south bay. Went there for a quick afternoon hike. The trails are well marked and clean. There are varying degrees of difficulty for the different trails. Parking spaces are plentiful.
I will try the biking trails next time.
Summer have arrived: it's time to plan your Trecking adventure with your family. The spot have to be safe for the family, at the same time you should feel adventuresome. One such spot is this. The walk upto Deer Hollow form goes without difficulty. You can spend some time showing your little ones, livestock animals and there is a large shed, where you can sit and make a picnic. If you feel more adventuress, you can go further up. With oak trees shades, the claims are not difficult. But not for small children.
Rancho San Antonio County Park provides a myriad of choices on trails. Many views, and many things to see in the way of plants and wildlife. Good areas for all kinds of uses.
The park is nice for a trail run. There were quite a few people there, you would encounter others walking/hiking about every few hundred yards or so, like a park not a secluded hiking trail. The grade going out is 10 to 20 degrees, so it felt like a good workout. It is easy to get to and I would really recommend it.
It’s great hiking spot for beginners like self. It’s relativley short hike paths and easy to navigate. Only reason for not giving 5 star is because the small parking area. There are two parking spots and they are always packed.
It is a splendid park with a big open space to bike, walk, fly remote controlled helicopters and airplanes, and it's a great outdoor experience.
Great place to go running, it's nearby and there are lots of trails. It's a great way to get some exercise and fresh air before heading to the office.
However, beware of weekends! This place is packed on weekends. Parking can be a pain, including people who don't understand what a line is, and instead jump ahead and snipe a spot. On top of that, these same families often walk 3-4 abreast, in large groups, and clog up trails, making it a pain to pass them while jogging.
Avoiding the weekend rush, you'll see the regulars, who are often courteous, and friendly.
Best to get there early for parking could be a challenge, specially on weekends and holidays! Lots of choices on trails for hikes or walks.
There is also a small farm that has been restored, complete with farm animals. The exhibit is closed Mondays. For great views all the way to the Bay, check out the PG&E trail.
This park is only two miles from my home and I walk out there often and have for over 40 years. It is such a nice break from suburbia - a hilly wooded area with an abundance of wildlife including bobcat, coyote, rabbit, quail, turkey, cougar, and deer; except for the cougar I have seen them all.
There is a "working farm" a little over a mile from the parking lot and it is a flat walk to get there. There are ducks, chickens, rabbits, goats, pigs, a cow, etc. In the spring many of the newborn may be seen. This is great for the kids and at times they can view a milking demonstration.
Other hiking paths have more elevation changes and some are significant. The PGE Trail is about two miles of up hill climbing and some sections are steep. However, when you get to the top you can take a seat on a bench and enjoy great views of the bay and the valley.
On weekends finding a parking place can be a real challenge - if you can walk to the park. The lower trails and those to the farm tend to get a lot of traffic, but once you leave the farm area and take on some of the more rigorous trails traffic lightens up significantly.
This is a very nice place to enjoy a great walk in the woods and hills - so glad to have it close by.
Have walked several of the trails in this park and found them to be in good shape and providing some great views of south bay. They can be tailored to almost any length and should be good for families as well. Lots of wildflowers in the spring. Bring a picnic and plan on being there all day so you don't feel rushed.
What a wonderful find! We were looking for some exercise after sitting in a car. This is a huge park with lots of hiking trails, a working farm, picnic areas, wildlife, etc. We spent a couple of hours hiking the trails (beware-Vista Point requires a mostly uphill climb, but it is a great view). If you are in the area (or just live here), visit this park. Be sure to bring water with you, as the trails are long and dusty.
Weather you are a running or walking, beautiful trails. During the day, you can also visit the animal and vegetable section. Good for children and adults. "Bring water"
I have hiked almost all of the trails. The tranquility is amazing. Excellent views. You can pick the trail suitable for you. Most trails are in shade, Step out an enjoy this wonder.
Lots and lots of good trails for all levels of hikers, runners, and nature lovers. Last hike saw turkeys, deer, and lots or ground rats (squirrels). They have a place for riding horses (bring your own), flying model airplanes, and a small farm for visiting about a mile in.
Right in the "middle" of Los Altos, almost, this a great place to get away from it all and to go for a refreshing walk in the nearby wilderness....
A wonderful venue for hike and strolls. Many trails. Early morning, deer, rabbits and other wildlife make this a superb place to appreciate life. A small farm, with sheep, pigs and hens, are fun for kids, young and not so young. Flat paths in shade and high paths, best not at high sun, with great views, make this area so special. Tradition to put the turkey in the oven, on low temperature, on Thanksgiving and go for a family hike. A place to appreciate life.
Rancho is one of the places which comes in mind when you want to walk or Hike ( Its also that I just live across the road :-) )
Its ideal loops make your hking adjustable to 1 hour or 4 hours and if you are lucky, you can see few animals too..
They do have deer hollow ( ZOO) for kids too.. Nice for cycling or Kite flying...
Gets really crowded on weekends... (gotta get there before 8am to get a parking spot). Tons of trails to either jog or hike.. good for the whole family
I can walk to my house to Rancho. Love this place. Used to take my boys to the working farm to check out the farm animals: ducks, chicken, rabbits, cow, sheep & pigs! Kids love this place. Sometimes you can buy the fresh veggies and eggs! Great hikes: short and super long hikes. I used to hike every week, but I just got a dog: they won't allow pets so I don't go there anymore :(.
If you want to hike in the AM on weekends, go early to get parking or else you'll have to park on the streets. So be there before 7:30am or have to try later around 10am.
Have fun!
I'm not really one to hike with no destination... and hiking to see smoggy views of San Jose in the distance doesn't do it for me. That being said, a lot of my friends like this area. Meh. I know dry hills are common for SJ but, I'd rather work-out in a gym than hike barren landscape.
Great park especially if you can ride share there. Parking is tough! Great hiking trails, best during the week due to the popularity.
Went for a hike with friends over a weekend. It's a very nice place for biking, hiking, running and other outdoor activities.
There is a nice farm, a picnic spot, about 4 lawn tennis courts and quite a lot of trails. I really enjoyed the trek up to the vista point.
The only con is parking! For the kind of crowd that the place got, parking was woefully insufficient.
We went there for hiking recently and were happy to have discovered such a nice place. We went till the peak and the view from there was nice. We could see the whole south bay area and some sea... it was nice. Trail itself isn't very hard so anyone can go there. We also spotted some deer that was kinda refreshing. Would love to go again sometime.
I've walked in this park for several years. The trails can take you from Cupertino all the way up to Palo Alto. If you come after 4pm during the week, parking can be a challenge. They are located right off the freeway (85 and 280). The place has a small working farm and is safe. If the temperature is over 80 make sure you bring bottled water. They usually close around sunset, during the weekend people often fly there (small) planes near one of the parking lots.
It seems odd that in order to get to enjoy Rancho San Antonio Park one must jockey for quite limited parking and then maneuver the crowds on the trails.
The farm, the trails, the overall beauty is worth every single minute you can be there
This place is great for exercise and plenty of parking exist. I good time to walk is around 3:30pm, if you arrive after 5pm good luck trying to find a place to park. I've been walking in this park for years, they even have a small farm. This park will connect into a trail that goes to Palo Alto. Be careful in the summer, the temps can go into the 90's and bring water.
My favorite is PG&E, long tough and good work out. The rest of the trail is nice. Avoid walking thru deer hollow on the weekend. too many people and lots of young kids. If you are taking kids - perhaps they will like it.
Whether it is to take the young kids on a flat trail to see the goats, hens, rabbits and other farm animals, or to take a strenuous hike on the PG&E trail, the park has much to offer everyone. The park is popular, so parking sometimes can be a challenge, but there are many activities that people do there. Tennis, kites, remote controlled airplanes, picnics, photogaphy are just some of the other activities I have seen.
With the approximate distance to the Los Altos, Mt. View , Cupertino area there is no better place for a scenic walk or hike. Especially this year with the creeks running high. A comfortable 1 mile family hike to the farm or a more intense loop hike of 3-5 miles to the top. I give this review a 4 instead of 5 only because of parking which at time can be frustrating and this soon will be better as the county is working on this.
I have been hiking at Rancho San Antonio for 30 yrs. I never get tired of the beautiful trails, especially in the less crowded winter and spring months. Our kids loved Deer Hallow Farm, an educational "working farm". Springtime is great for seeing baby goats/pigs:) Parking can be a challenge on summer weekends, so we try to go during the week days. You can literally hike from Rancho San Antonio to to Skyline and hike on trails all the way to the ocean through Big Basin State Park! I love this open space preserve.
My husband and I hike at San Antonio County Park each week since we live close by. This is a great time to reflect and rejuvenate our minds and exercise at the same time. Each time we are there, we usually see deer, turkeys and many other wild animals. One time, we even saw a mountain lion in the distance stalking a deer! Fantastic Park!
Across from the Forum in the Santa Cruz mountain is a county park that allows you to escape from the madness of the valley, walk around Coastal Redwoods and see deer and squirrels. So if you can walk 2-4 miles and want to have A GREAT WALK come up to this treasure in the valley of Hearts Delights.
A great place to bring your children to - they have a small petting zoo/farm - kids can see pigs, goats, chickens... If you are into some serious hikes, you will like it as well. The only bummer is parking - be careful, if parking illegally you can get a parking ticket
Short drive off highway 280. But parking is a problem in the morning, evening and weekends. Lots of trail to select but can be very hot during Summer because most of them do not have shades.
Great nature park for hiking and family picnic. There is also a farm with pigs, goats, cows and chickens. Great educational trip for little kids. There are many different hiking trails.
This park sits in the heart of busy silicon Valley. Many trails, hills and astonishing views available to freshen up!
A great spot to get immersed in nature. An excellent variety of trails for the most novice to the most experiences hikers. The diverse number of trails also makes it great for trail race training.
Keep a look out for the deer and wild turkey that roam free here
Decided to visit Rancho San Antonio on a recent trip to California so our granddaughter could see some real farm animals. Luckily our son knew that parking at the park on a Saturday morning was nearly impossible so he drove us in and then parked the car about a 15 minute walk away. TIP parking opened up after noon. We walked to the farm which was about a mile away and looked at the animals while our granddaughter napped. Walked another mile back to the entrance and waited for our son to get the car. We definitely got our exercise.
No food options available near...better to carry something to eat if travelling with kids. Nice place if you are nature lover.
This beautiful park has many trails that can accommodate hikers of different levels, from easy to very difficult!
fun place, but may be hard to find parking spot - 10-15 wait will get you a parking spot on weekend mornings
many different trails with different levels.
Great for day hiking. Beautiful park, good trails, farm is fun to visit along the way, especially in the spring to see the baby animals.
Rancho San Antonio is the nearest "hiking" park to my house, but I've never been a fan of it. I don't like the crowds or the fight for parking, but more than anything, I find the hikes there boring. It take 15+ minutes to get into the hills, and even after that investment, many of the trails are repetitive and visually uninteresting.
Recently, I tried a new trailhead in Rancho San Antonio, and it totally changed my attitude about the park. This time, I started at the Rhus Ridge parking lot and hiked to Black Mountain via the Rhus Ridge Trail and the Black Mountain Trail, a RT of about 9 miles and 2300 feet of elevation gain. In contrast to starting from the main Rancho San Antonio parking lot, the hike starts strong and keeps getting better. In fact, I think this is the nicest mid-range/half-day hike within a 20 (or even 30) minute radius of Mountain View.
Unlike many other trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains facing the Bay, where vegetation often obscures the view, the trail offers frequent panoramic vistas of the Bay from San Jose to Palo Alto, with Mt. Diablo and Mt. Tam poking up over the haze. Personally, I think the views along the way are better than the views from the top of Black Mountain. The trail goes through ecosystems ranging from moist and shaded ridgesides to fully exposed semi-arid chaparral. There was only one uninteresting spot when the trail goes along the power line easement for a bit (a number of Rancho San Antonio trails suffer from this defect), but it's brief. The first and last mile are quite steep, so it's a tough workout, but it's manageable for hikers that pace themselves, and the rest of the trail is nicely graded. Signage is excellent. I saw plenty of people but it wasn't "crowded" (the parking, discussed below, helps limit the crowds). All of Rancho San Antonio (and most parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains) gets frequent airplane noise. Refreshingly, the trail was mostly free of horse poop.
Two crucial downsides of this hike:
1) Like other Rancho San Antonio hikes, don't do this hike on warm days. I went when temperatures were in the 50s, and it was pleasant. Indeed, the perfect time to go is on a cool but sunny Winter day after a storm, when temperatures are comfortable but the storm has cleaned up the haze. In contrast, when the temperatures get into the high 60s or warmer, this hike will become miserable or even unbearable. On warm days (up into the 70s), I prefer hiking Wunderlich County Park because its trails are mostly shaded.
2) The parking lot is TINY! It holds maybe a dozen cars max. The local residents have done a good job making street parking illegal for a mile in every direction too, and I sense they take a perverse delight in towing illegally parked cars. The result is that finding a parking spot feels a little like winning the lottery. As usual, go early. The good news: if you can snag a spot, parking is free.
This place is such a great area that when planning my business trips to San Jose, I also plan my running to be ready and fresh when I get the park.
I've worked my schedule so I finish my day during my last two trips here. I prep my Seattle running to maximize my energy because I pick a challenging route and it's more fun when I have my stamina up and fresh legs so I can enjoy the beauty and peace that this park offers.
The organization responible for keeping this public and maintaining it for the hikers and runners needs to give themselves a pat on the back.
It's awesome!
I cannot count the times I have gone here for an outdoor escape. There is flat land if you are out with people who cannot or will not climb the hills. There is a little farm at the end of a flat one mile trail where during the right time of year you can see goat kids and lambs. Early spring you are almost certain to see wild turkeys. On the back trails you can see coyotes, jack-rabbits, and deer. If you are a hiker there are great trails with varying elevation challenges. If you want a "butt-kicker" hike take the PG&E trail to the top of the ridge. This is not for beginner hikers. Luckily there are more moderate choices for beginners or those who want to get into shape. Maps can be found at parking lots on the far left and far right of the park (north and south ends). If you are a trail runner this is also an awesome option. Most trails leave plenty of space for passing or slow traffic with groups or strollers. Weekends can be VERY crowded. Parking is often a challenge. I have found the best option is to stay put and wait. People are coming and going so often spaces open regularly it is just about being there to get it. The only bathrooms are at the north end parking lot and at the west end of the farm. This is an amazing place full of people walking, hiking, running, strolling, picnicking, birdwatching, you name it.
This is a convenient location if you're situated in the valley and there are trails from flat to 2500 feet vertical. For trail runners, this is a good place. Most of the trails are fire-access roads and thus are wide without too many ankle-busting terrain.
I went the first time as a hiker, doing a 12 mile loop to Black Mountain (and a bit beyond as some reviewers recommended), then back down the other side of the valley. Nice views of silicon valley, but I didn't get the same wilderness feel as other places along the Santa Cruz mountain range. The Quarry trail was my favorite part of that loop -- winding narrow switchback with a few vistas along the way, and varied vegetation. It also wasn't busy like the rest of the trails.
I went back for trail running, and that was a good, but dusty, choice.
The hiking trails here are relatively easy. When I was still living in Cupertino, this was my to-go hiking spot. If you managed to get to the top, there is a scenic view of the bay area. There is also a small farm here with this really huge pig. Parking during the weekend is a pain in the a^^ so come early or during the weekdays. Overall, a peaceful sports to exercise, relax and recharge,
Hiked to the top with my family. The view was great. The parking is awful on the weekend or holidays.
I'm from Vermont so the usually-brown hills don't exactly speak to me, but this is a great place to unwind and see the local wildlife. I wish dogs were allowed, although seeing how many people don't know how to pick up after their dogs (and the risk of them being eaten) I understand the restriction.
My other loves this place and even rides horse there. I feel like I've been there too much, but it is a great place to hike. Lots of people on the weekend.
This is one of my favorite places near the city. Beautiful trails, good options for families with strollers (some paved trails) as well as relatively remote trails. As some note, there are a lot of people on weekends when the weather is nice, so parking can be an issue.
Also, there are many trail options - the one that many people take, between the main parking lot and farm, is covered with families, but there are others. For more solitude, a good alternative is Hidden Villa, which is adjacent, has a $5 parking fee, but a lot less people.
And lot of them with beautiful trails- up hills and flat. You are rewarded with birdseye views of the silicone valley near and far as you hike. The beauty of it is, you don't have to drive too far. It's right at the Cupertino foothills.
A gem of a natural environment for running and walking. Lots of variety - steep, flat, woods, meadows. Enjoyable year-round. But just try to find parking during peak times. And there's LOTS of parking spaces - proves how incredibly popular it is!
It's beautiful and not too far away from home. Sometimes it's crowded but it's always a nice walk.
Now let me tell you, I will probably be biased as I've been coming here ever since elementary school and this place is what sparked my love for hiking and the outdoors yadayada.
I love how this place is free (no entrance or parking fees) and they provide quite a few parking lots, however this place does fill up fast. Because of its close proximity to civilization (don't have to drive miles of winding roads to get here unlike some hiking spots) and lack of fees, this place definitely does get crowded, especially on weekends and even some weekday afternoons. Aim for weekday mornings/lunches (I always come here during my lunch break for a nice solo hike :D) or come SUPER early on weekends to nab a spot.
What also makes this place so popular is its variety of trails-from short to long, zero incline to steep. Most of the trails are shady, especially when you start hiking further inwards. All the trails are labeled pretty thoroughly so you know where you're heading to and how far it will be. Moreover, there is a farm around almost an mile from the parking lot that's open most days -except for Mondays- and features your standard farm animals such as sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, and a cow or two. They sell eggs too!, but they're usually always sold out by the time I get there.
Exhilarating scenery, hobnobbing w/deer, the gurgling brooks make it my go to place on a weekly basis - love it!!
I am a regular visitor and neighbor to Rancho San Antonio Park. I love going there to walk the trails, and usually see wildlife, such as deer, turkey, quail, ground and tree squirrels and various hawks. Rainy season brings herons and egrets to the hillsides, looking for frogs and small mammals. Occasionally I have seen bobcat and coyote, which are shy during heavy-use times. Rancho is home to the white-tailed kite, which can often be seen hovering over a meadow. Deer Hollow Farm, about a mile into the park, is a must-see, especially if you have children. It serves as a teaching farm, and features a cow, ducks, geese, chickens, goats, sheep and pigs; there is also a garden with the crop-plants labeled. I like that it is level around the most heavily used area of the park for an easy walk, but you can also get a great workout climbing the PGE trail up to the top of the mountain for a terrific view. Trail maps usually are available in the Park. As other reviewers have said, parking is difficullt on weekend mornings.
I grew up in the Bay Area so Rancho San Antonio County Park has been in my backyard. Its a place to run if you are runner, hike if you like to hike, sit under a tree if you want to relax. See wildlife, birds, watch people, and get a rural look at the Bay Area. Well worth the short haul to come to Ranch San Antonio, you must explore to find the great gems in this place. But...they are all over the place.
Having logged well over 1000 miles of hiking here over the last number of years, it's hard to fault a place that offers so many trails and combination of trail loops, views, wildlife, a chance to get away from the TV with the family, and of course, fresh air. We had our kids walking here when they were only 2, and they're all avid hikers now.
There's a great online trail map that can help you calculate any and every trail and trail combination too...http://www.stevenscreek.com/goodies/rancho.html
That said: parking is worse than awful, and it's only been getting worse each year too. I've seen fights (no joke) between people over a spot, and personally have had to wait over 20 minutes for a place to park at the wrong time of day (mornings/evenings and pretty much anytime on the weekends). So... carpool, or be prepared to add a mile to your walk and park at the corner of Foothill Expy in front of the church that's there.
This park is less than 10 miles from our home, and we usually end up at Rancho when we want to go for a 2-4 hour hike. The variety of trails makes it possible to have a great time whether your group includes very young or old people or very fit people. The PG&E trail appeals to those who want a challenging hike. The others go from moderate to easy. Lots of deer and other wildlife to see during mornings and evenings. And the farm is a delight for kids of all ages.
This is my favorite place for hiking especially in feb-apr. The creek is flowing and I love it.
There are couple of trails. Also there is a farm which is an attraction for little kids. Usually takes about 1:30 -2 hrs for wild cat loop hike. There are longer hikes available too.
Parking is not exactly limited but it is favorite spot so its hard to find parking no matter what time of day you go.
Superb walk close to Stanford. Nature a stone's throw from the city... Prey/predator "Dialogue": Coyotes and terrestrial pitfalls at "Rancho San Antonio County Park" / CA / USA. Walking advice for those passing through or near Stanford
We go there when we feel like going hiking - We are not keen on having to drive too far for it to start with. The park has nice creeks which when filled with water after rain make me feel like "Yosemite in my back yard" !
The park still maintains a historic cabin, there is a large Bay tree in the open, several trails; sometimes we have seen deer crossing pathways, and of course there are cows, goats, chickens and pigs on the small farm that are so much fun for the kids; Last time we went there were locally grown apples for sale there too - made for a great snack.
Pets are not allowed; and on a hot day, some of the trails can get really hot, so best to go there early morning. Also, there are picnic areas which can be good anytime of day.
Overall a wonderful place always!
There are plenty of trals... just flat all the way, to low level grades to a hill top climb with awesome views.. IN the spring you can hike along side streams.. there are also small farm animals on one trail.. thats why I said, whatever kind of hike you want its here, within minutes from Cupertino.
I love to walk the mornings or late afternoon and feel the cool air along the clearing by those giant twisted trees. I especially love it in the spring when there is new life. The birds, rabbits and deer followed by their young are a joy to see. The farm animals are also a treat. I walked those areas as a child and always love the fragrance of nature. I hope and pray that it will not be disturbed for the next generations to enjoy as I have. To see the deer in the shroud staring statuesque like and quietly moving with their young and suddenly run into the woods is a sort of Disneyland. I am grateful for the beauty of the creation
If you like a leisure hike and enjoy an inexpensive time with your kids, this hike is awesome. They will get to see farm animals and beautiful views of our valley.
This is a local park where cyclists, joggers and hikers abound. There is Wild life along the way. Trails lead outside the park to connect with miles and miles of trails all along and across the hills. The park itself has something suitable for all age groups. A farm house with organic farming and farm animals, a meadow with picnic benches, a promontory from where battery operated planes or drones can be flown in the area below. There are toilets in the main parking lot. The park has some really majestic coast live oaks and California bays. Trails are dirt trails but within some parts there is a tar road access (for park personnel and handicap persons) you can walk on if you prefer that. On occasions the dust from dirt trails has bothered me when there is a wind gust but that does not happen often. Overall it is a breath of fresh air, tranquility, and relaxation from the bustle and traffic.
This is a terrific place to take wonderful hikes, very close to Los Altos, Sunnyvale and Cupertino. This is a very well used park. You should be able to find parking on the weekdays but on the weekends it can be challenging. There are so many options for difficulty and variety of hikes. Many of the hikes are among the trees and shade which is great on a hot sunny day. There is a working farm with animals and a garden to visit. There are often baby animals to see. There are a couple of bathrooms, one by the farm and another in the larger parking lot area. There is also an area for flying radio controlled aircraft. You can't take your dog but if you have a horse you can ride on the trails. This is my one major pet peeve about this park I don't think they should allow horses on the most used trails in this park. It is pretty disgusting to come up on all the horse poo while you are hiking. There are plenty of other areas for horses to ride and this park has so much pedestrian use, I think horses should be banned. Other than horse poo, I am a huge fan of Rancho.
My wife and I are avid hikers and we've hiked throughout the country and internationally. The trails that begin at Rancho San Antonio rank among the best. Our route included the PG&E, Coyote, Rogue Valley, High Meadow, and some other trails - as we found our way As far as difficulty goes, I'd rank them a 5 on a 1-10 scale. Most of the paths are flat, and seem to be manicured to remove roots, rocks, and other obstructions. Up and downhill grades have little erosion. Great city and mountain views, parts of the trail meander along a babbling brook, meadows, and a few steep (but not too steep) rises. Our route was about 7 miles, but you can find much shorter or longer routes. We did encounter 1 snake - but it wasn't a rattlesnake. Also saw a deer, lizards, and lots of birds. I will definately return when in the Bay area. Finally: thanks to the government personnel that preserved this land and maintain it for our enjoyment. A worthy investment of taxpayer dollars.
Lots of great green space with a myriad of paths. The parking however can fill up on weekends. Range of steepness and lengths to accommodate most any fitness level.
Great hikes of varying difficulty. Good place to see wildlife (deer, turkey, etc.). Difficult to find parking on weekends, so its best to go early in the morning or late in the evening. Note: park closes at dusk.
This is our "go to" hiking destination. Easy to get to off 280, this park has a variety of trails. Many are easy, some are quite steep. A farm with many different animals (babies in the spring!) is easily accessible on a flat trail. Several parking lots, real bathrooms (as well as outhouses), make it a pleasant experience.
Amazing place in the middle of the bay area. Great hiking trails and you see the odd wild life.
Parking in the summer on weekends is a nightmare. There are times when you get there at 6:30am on a saturday and the parking lot is full. Opens up later in the day, but then it gets hotter as well.
If you run or walk, there is no better place to commune with nature while building endurance. The trail choices allow for runs of 2 to as many miles as you want. There are 4 and 8 miles loops I enjoy where I can see deer, rabbits, and turkeys. The uphill portions are great endurance builders.
A moderate level hike through a few hills. Doesn't get too steep but you'll be going up quite a bit (and then down). There isn't a ton of tree coverage so bring your sunscreen and avoid during the summer.
This is one of our regular local hiking spots. It has hills and long trails. You can have a few mile trail, or a 10 miler.
Scenic hilltop views and some forest as well. Has a small farm for the kids.
However, parking is limited, and on our beautiful weekends, either get here very early or expect to wait. Some street parking, but not a lot. Or, go weekdays.
There are OK trails and such. But the huge population nearby has made it very hard to find parking here. It may be better to try one of the many spots off of highway 35 for your hiking experiences.
a wonderful gem for local hiking in Silicon Valley. Well marked trails with many options for differing levels of hikes. Be sure to decide how far you want to go before setting out as there are one mile, 3 mike, 10 mile and more hikes. Easy to do a 3-4 mile loop.
Parking is terrible, not nearly enough spaces for the number of people that utilize these trails. No worries about people crowding in trails, but 75% of the time we can't find parking and end up going to Picchetti Open space for a nice hike and very easy parking (and a glass of wine at the end of our hike at Picchetti Winery).
Great place for a good walk in the country - up to the farm. Very popular on weekends so parking is at a premium. Ranch is big enough to absorb the crowds. Nice barn just beyond the farm for a picnic lunch. Farm has baby animals in spring. Open areas can be hot in summer.
A 20 minute drive from when we stayed, it was a worthy Sunday evening visit. If you are going, make sure to take your jackets along as it might get a little cold. However, if you're planning on some rigorous walking and jogging, don't bother as you are going to sweat anyway! You can take your kids too. They ll have a fun time cycling and running around.
I'm not a great hiker, but the Steven A. trail was superb, because there was terrific elevation, lovely views, and some shade (in the afternoon in July, shade is a gift). The trails are easy to follow and well marked, and I felt safe.
There were mountain lions spotted, but the areas with the spottings were closed.
This area is great for bikers (on the paved paths), hikers, joggers, and families.
Wear sunscreen!
Rancho San Antonio will have something for everyone. There are trails for all experience levels at this park. The trail options allow for short 1-2 mile hikes, 3-6 mile moderate hikes, or 7+ miles if you decide to go deeper into the mountain. The trails are maintained nicely, with a good amount of shade so you're not fully exposed to the sun all the time. There are mountain biking trails, as well as a small farm that children can enjoy.
The only draw back I would say is parking. There are a lot of spots, but on weekend mornings they fill up quickly as this is a very popular place.
Amazing views. Of course, that means you will be climbing very very high. The trails are steep. There is a farm at the base. A great variety of chickens, goats, sheep, a very large pig and some cattle. We bought some persimmons. 3 for $1. Public restrooms are available at the base.
We went to Rancho San Antonio County Park. There are several large parking lots. There are hiking trails. There is also a large dry pool area to hold rain water in the winter. Nothing in there right and looks bizarre. . Many people were out but being August everything looked a bit dry.
They have a section with farm animals and the kids enjoy spring with the new lambs,. chickens and often piglets. The park is very large with many opportunities to hike ( mountain lions have been know to be here)., Special events like Indian camp reenactments often are held.,
I visit this park almost every weekend as I try to get my heart a good workout.
PG&E trail is probably the most popular trail for the hikers and definitely challenges your fitness level.
There are other trails in the park (accessed from the main parking lot) that are more leisurely. These trails also have plenty of shade from the tall trees and usually more moisture than the exposed PG&E trail.
The barn in the park is a favorite place for the little ones and adults alike. The pigs are really big! Definitely visit this attraction when you are at the park.
Being a local favorite, finding a parking here can be very tricky, especially on the weekends. Either plan on arriving early, around 6:00am or be prepared to park at a distance and walk up to the park.
Some trails do not have tree cover so packing a sunscreen is a good idea.
Last but not the least, there is an amature/ hobby aircraft test strip. One gets to see the flight enthusiasts tweaking and testing their hobby aircraft here. It's fun to watch.
If you are in this area and want to get some workout this park is definitely the place.
Can't express how much I loved this place during my stay at Silicon Valley for 3 years.. Every weekend on every opportunity, even weekdays with Daylight Saving, just used to drive till this heaven.. Very well maintained, trails with directions, friendly hikers all around, you would love this! Very easy to reach, just a little off 280 interstate. I cherish the memory of this place - travelled both alone and with friends.
I walk and jog here once a month. The people at the park are nice and the park is clean. I would go back, but I would bring a hat on a hot sunny day.
Do not visit after 6pm (if it's your first time here). We came at around six, and we entered the Wildcat Loop Trail at about 7:25. To our disappointment, we stayed there until 8:45 and couldn't find out way out. When we looked at the signs for directions, there were no directions for the parking lot. It was already dark (bring flashlights) so we had to get a ranger to get us.
This place has multiple entrances and you cash take one of the several hiking trails. The trail also can take you to the kids farm which houses a cow, pig, sheep etc. You can have a picnic in the shed next to the farm. The hikes cash be easy to strenuous depending on the path you choose. Parking can be a pain at times. Sometimes you may see folks flying model remote controlled airplanes in the field close to the parking lot
Excellent park for hiking, running - no bikes on the trails. Can be crowded on the weekends - parking can be tough.
Very good variety of lengths, terrain, views, shade and sun. You can walk/run short or long. Nice small farm w/animals. Water, toilets and picnic areas are available.
This place has been around for ever it seems. It used to be fun walking there, is good for running, but now its so over packed with people, little parking and just not peaceful as much. Plus the fact that you cant even walk your dog is so stuffy... dogs are family too. Cupertino should try and be more like Los Gatos... its not a fun place anymore and you would know what I mean if your a native.
I always take my out of town weekend visitors to Rancho San Antonio County park for a long walk after breakfast. I really like the range of walks and the scenary, conversation and adventure. For out of town visitors it let’s them see that Northern California is not all tech business but forward thinking land conservation and preservation that is intertwined in the Bay Area lifestyle. Thank you openspace.org for advocating for lands to be set aside for public use and preservation so the community may enjoy the splendor and benefits.
Great to escape the valley. Quite busy over the weekend but there's plenty of space to get away. Nice mixture of flat and a little bit more steep trails. Gorgeous view from top of the mountain.
I have been a regular to this place for the past 12+ years. You can customize your hike based on several factors: Shade/grade/distance/family.. Large parking lots (although is is getting difficult these days), restroom, and the farm with animals makes it very family friendly. Serious hikers can go all the way to black mountain (4-5 hours intense hike) and PG&E. I love this and this is amazing 6000 acres of landscape in the middle of silicon valley.
I hike here with a friend every week. It is often the best thing I do all week. The trails are shaded, the views from the top stunning and it is free!
San Antonio Park is a popular place to hike and run. There are lots of trails ranging from easy to moderate, both in full sun and also on shaded wooded trails. Great place to spot deer, turkeys, lots of lizards, woodpeckers, hawks, and squirrels. Convenient to hwy 280 in Mt View, flanking Cupertino and Los Altos foothills.
We go there quite often for walking and hiking. Great place , clean ! Parking some times is a mess. Kids have their fun at deer hollow ranch.
I hike a lot and doubt I will return to this place because it is way too busy. Maybe I just took the wrong trail, but I like to feel like I'm relatively alone in nature when I hike and this place has a ton of families and kids.
I am an extremely fit forty year old woman. I spend sixteen hours a week at the gym. Half of that on cardio and the other lifting weights. I needed a change if pace. I needed more if a challenge and thought this would make me sweat more. It was almost equal. I am an extremist.
Deer Hollow Farm is located within the Rancho San Antonio Park and a great place for kids of school age. My kid went there for a school field trip and I tagged along. The last time I visited the farm was when I was in school myself so it bought back a lot of memory.
The docents from the farm led us through the park, explaining various highlights of the park. For example, they had to cut down all of the Eucalyptus trees except one because of the high oil content that poses threat to wild fire. The farm features sheeps, goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits, ducks, geese, cow and a vegetable garden. There was even a demonstration on how to milk a cow.
All the features are very hands-on and informative, so the kids had great fun while learning lots of things about farm life, farm animals, and Nature.
Rancho San Antonio is tucked away off of the 280 freeway. It has many trails with varying distances. From high elevations for those who need a strenuous workout to less strenuous. View at the top is spectacular. They even have a little farm with farm animals for kids. Only negative is the parking can be a challenge.
Great place for an afternoon hike, the farm is a joy for animal lovers of all ages. Parking can be a challenge on weekends.
It is hard to believe that, only half a mile away from the center of high tech, there is such a place with spectacular views, lush trees and animals both domestic and wild. A farm is in the county park on which sheep, cows, rabbits, pigs, chicken, ducks, and goats are raised. Outside the farm, there are wild turkeys and deer. We spent half a delightful day here.
Go past the crowds and past the farm. Check out the animals first of course. Do the major or minor loop. take plenty of water as it get dry here. for major loop (8 miles from parking lot) take 2 liters per person. Shooter loop take 1 liter (3-miles). Don't go straight as you will end up in san francisco (maybe los altos:-)). Has a bathroom at the beginning so take potty packs on hike especially with kids. creak is dry. If you want to play hooky from work then this is the place to go as cell reception is pretty good.
Rancho San Antonio off ers a number of trails of various length and difficulty. The topography and vegetation changes with altitude and direction, so there is something for everyone. The animals I have encountered there are deer, coyotes, rabbits, bobcats and a large variety of birds. Kids and I enjoy the historic farm, especially in the spring when the young have been born.
We went at 1pm do there weren’t very many people there which was great. So peaceful and it was a beautiful afternoon. Did the wildcat Loop Trail about 4 miles.
It’s the best place to hike. Saw squirrels and wild turkeys. No deer this time
I come here most weekdays to enjoy the beauty, wildlife and recharge. On weekends parking can be a problem and the paths are full of groups of people. The view of Silicon Valley on a clear day is a treat for out of town guests when you hike Wild Cat loop. Plenty of lizzards on a warm day, along with quail, wild turkeys, deer, rabbits an occasional snake in summer. Deer Hollow farm is a treat for young and old alike. Meet Apple Blossom and Olive, the giant sows. There's Luna the cow and chickens galore, sheep and goats plus the Phoebe Garden.
I did Back Mountain as a training hike to prepare for Kilimanjaro. It did not disappoint. It is the toughest hike on the Penninsula and takes some time to get through. We completed it in 3.5 hours but I felt it the next day.
Highly rewarding though, the top view amongst the black rock quarry is terrific, we saw all the way to the ocean and chilled out with some sun beaming on our faces!
There are easy, medium and long trails of interest plus a farm with cattle, goats, chickens, pigs and a garden prior to hiking trails.
We love this place, great walks and even a little farm my son love to look at all of their animals.
There are plenty of wild animals too, so keep scanning all around you.
Wonderful green space and hills in the middle of Cupertino! This is super easy to get to if you are living in South Bay and will worth the trip. The hiking trails are pretty short however. Still a very nice walk.
My wife and I have been hiking a "Rancho" for more than 20 years. It offers a wide variety of habitats just a couple of miles from the bustle of Silicone Valley. First timers should do the Wildcat Canyon ~5 mile loop to explore a beautiful stream and catch a spectacular view of the south San Francisco Bay.
Kids (of all ages) will enjoy Deer Hollow Farm. There are always a variety of critters to see. However, be warned that the farm is about a mile from the parking lot.
Have patience with the parking. At the worst of times, a spot will open up in a few minutes. Enjoy!
Great place to walk. Good trail for kids that ends at a "farm". Parking very tough on weekends.
This park is a great place to walk/hike/jog. Its rolling hills and scenic views help make it an interesting outing. However, it is very busy, parking can be tough especially on weekends and, in season, one should be alert for the rare rattlesnake.
Can never go wrong here. Any time of day, any time of the year. Shaded trails, open trails, steep hikes, casual walks - you name it - something for everyone. One tip - parking can be a problem, unless you get there by 7 am, or after 10 am.
Hills, pine trees, views, this is a beautiful and peaceful hike. Lots of hills so you can get a decent work out too.
have been to this place once only but was amazingly good. nice, greeny, comfortable trails and city view from top.
Great park! But the young rangers are a bit over zealous, and the park is not friendly to dogs, bikes, and on occasion model airplane flyers.
You would think those are the very people our county tax dollars are supposed to be serving! Imagine that.
Rancho is a great place to go hiking IF you go really early on the weekends, or during the week. It gets insanely busy on the weekends. I've used the Power Line trail to train for international trekking adventures. The ridge trails are very exposed, so they are not good when the temperature is high. The interior canyon trails have a lot of shade. You can literally hike all day = Power Line to the extension up to Black Mountain and down the other side, and loop back into Power Line at Farm.
I've seen the usual suspects - Quail (chicks in June), Rabbits, and Deer (Bucks in Oct). A couple of times I've also been lucky enough to see a Red Fox, Bob Cat, Coyotes, and Mountain Lions (only twice, and they could have cared less).
wonderful, fabulous, terrific place to take a hike with friends!
Run here all the time and bring the kids for hiking. You can even take the little ones to Deer Hollow Farm to see the cows, sheep, goats, chickens, etc. You'll often see deer, turkey, owls, rabbits, bobcats, and perhaps a fox roaming around. Parking is a nightmare on weekend mornings.
Fantastic public open space with tons of trails and an educational farm along the way! The vista point on the High Meadow trail is really nice, a great place to relax with a gorgeous view of the whole South Bay.
A little more varied than Windy Hill, and a wonderful place to get some exercise without being cooped up for the day!
The main plus point is that it was so close to Palo Alto where I was staying for a week. Great place to generally hike and bike. It's spread over quite a vast area, so better to plan your route. More open and less woody if that's your thing.
On the way to the hill trails there is a small animal and vegetable farm which the children and adults enjoy. Great walking and hiking for everyone.
Super spacious open area. It has great hiking trails for all to enjoy, including lots of hard core - steep climb - running trails. There's a farm and it's very family oriented. Don't be surprised if you go there on the weekend to wait a while before parking is available. You just can't keep a great place hidden!
This is a wonderful park, if you want a little exercise. The usually have plenty of parking, it can fill up on the weekend.
I've run the various trails here for many years. What a resource this is. Crowds up early on weekends, so plan to get there early.
Rancho San Antonio is a great park for all ages.
- First part of the hike at Rancho is an easy hike (paved roads most of the way) to a small farm. This was always a big treat for my kids when they were young and they even look forward to the farm even now that they are much older. The farm has cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, and rabbits. Right after the farm is an old barn with picnic benches where we sometimes would eat a snack or eat a picnic lunch.
- Beyond the barn are several different trails. One trail, straight ahead, is mostly flat and easy. Good for jogging. One time we saw a number of tarantulas on that trail.
- Beyond the barn to the left is a trail that will go up the mountain and eventually circle around. That trail is 'moderate' and you won't be able to easily take a stroller on that trail, as it is a climb and it is not paved or even. But it is a very pretty trail, if you walk the entire loop - which will take approx an hour, I recall.
For the walk to the farm, you likely won't need to bring anything, as it is a simple 20 minute walk and there is a water fountain near the barn - although there are sometimes wasps around the water fountain. For a hike on the back trails, you will need to bring water. Note that there is a "hole in the ground" bathroom near the barn, so probably better to use the facilities before you start your hike.
Even on the small hike to the farm, I often see deer and sometimes wild turkey and once a bobcat.
Also note that parking is a problem at Rancho. There are parking lots near the restrooms (where the trail that goes to the farm starts) and there is parking some distance away, as well as up on the hill where mostly those flying toy planes and kites park. But unless you go early or late, you can probably count on needing to wait for a parking space.
All in all, this is an excellent walk, and probably the best hiking spot in the bay area for small kids - because at the end of their walk, they get a treat, to see the farm.
This is a great place to spend some time outdoors, hiking and walking. Stroller accessible (not all areas) and the area near the parking areas is good for small children. For those with more experience you can take trails that take you further into the hills.
A short drive just off of highway 280 to escape from the silicon valley pace and high density housing to enjoy nature. Several miles of hiking trails that are fire roads and narrow paths. Spectacular views of the valley are abundant up several hills. Nice smells of the oak trees, bushes, chapparral, etc. Scenic creek runs through the park and often wildlife are seen such as rabbits, wild turkeys, squirrels, bobcats, deer, and various birds. A hike up to a small working farm is great for the kids. And tennis courts are available at the far end. Restrooms available in two areas. Take a drink and a meal and relax in the open space or on your hike. You won't be disappointed. Note: after work and weekends can be crowded. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon are not the peak times.
Beautiful park! I saw many deer in the deer meadow area. It was quiet, even though there were a few running groups I passed by along the way. The farm was an interesting area among secluded trails.
The only issue was parking. It was too small and I ended up having to park in a lot above a hill, which was a little out of the way but not a huge deal as you are doing so much walking in the park anyways. I seemed to have gone at a busy time (Monday around 6pm).
Overall would recommend if you'd like to see some beautiful nature views or hike in the woods, picnic, go running, or see some animals at the farm.
Want to go on hikes but the issue is parking. By 8am on weekends they are full. So get in there much early to find a suitable parking.
Hikes are fun activity with teen and young adults. Sometimes I request another family member to drop off for our hikes.
Lots of trails to fit different physical levels. Some are more shaded than others. The park opens 15 min before sunrise, and many cars already line up outside. The parking is a serious issue after 9 am.
Just a few miles from the Cupertino Apple headquarters is a wonderful park for hiking, running, limited biking and horseback riding. Lots of varied trails for any level of hiker.
Our favorite is to hike up to Hunters Point and rest while taking in the wonderful view of the valley. Great spot for a photo nature walk with lots of wild life including deer, coyote, mountain lions (beware), snakes (be careful for rattlesnakes), bunnies, rodents and birds.
We often our dog on a leash (permitted) giving them a great workout.
Highly recommend this for visitors, it makes for a fantastic outdoor activity and great view.
I love the hike out past the farm. Look at all the animals. Spring is fun with all the piglets! Continue straight, then go up the switchbacks. Hit the top and follow the shady trail on down back to the farm. Lovely back side with several foot bridges over the creek.
Coming here always brings back memories of my cross country training days. Great views with challenging hills. What more could you want?
There are some easy and some more challenging hiking trails. There is an animal farm which is fun for the kids.
Rancho San Antonio is a beautiful place to take the kids for a nature hike, see some animals on a farm, and even bike. But be careful, adults are required to wear helmets too inside this park!
Great place for hiking, come early because it is so popular that the parking lot fills very quickly..
This is a great hiking place well connected to Cupertino .This park has multiple trails catering from young trekking enthusiasts to senior citizens.The tracks are lust green with the feeling of walking in thick jungle.It is quite refreshing to go around the tracks.We are lucky to spot some deers .
I like this park for many reasons. It has enough trees that you can enjoy the shade in sunny day.
2- Family / kids friendly
3- you can go higher on steeper trails if you wish
4- It is patrol by rangers all the time
5- No pets
6- beautiful view on the top
I hiked Black Mountain trail several times and enjoyed it each time.
It is a good time to spend with friends and love one
This is by far the best hiking area in Cupertino to go with your friends and pets, or just by yourself. The view is amazing! If you like hiking this is the place to go!
This park is excellent for hiking: different challenging trails, safe, open or shady, wild animals, beautiful vegetation. My friend and I meet after work and park by the former dirt parking lot (under construction, being asphalted) and hike half of the PG&E trail. Occasionally, we see hikers but it's usually not crowded at all. If you go on weekends, there is tons of people and no parking.
Natural open space 5 minutes from home in the south bay. Nice for walking, biking, and jogging. Its very likely to see deer there...
I am fortunate to live right next to this large county park and open space preserve. It's a popular place -- the most heavily used park in the County system. But it's big enough -- nearly 4,000 acres of woodland, hills, and ravines -- that it is comparatively easy to get away from the crowds and enjoy the extensive hiking trails. The park offers both steep trails that provide views of the Bay and also flat trails that are easy to walk. There is also a diversity of wildlife: I've seen lots of deer, wild turkeys, bobcats and coyotes, and snakes including the occasional rattler. The park is posted as a mountain lion habitat, but in more than a decade of hiking in the park, I've never seen one. But recently, there was a report of a full-grown mountain lion at the edge of the park!
Another popular feature of the park is Deer Hollow a small working farm with pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, a cow, etc. It's a nice place to stop on a hike.
An interesting aspect of the park is the international nature of its users. As I've hiked through the park, I've heard languages spoken from all over the world -- Chinese, Russian, Hindi, French, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew, etc.
This is a nice place to take a hike. In addition, it is enjoyable to see the farm animals at the Deer Hollow Farm area, which is a working homestead and educational center.
It can get busy on the week-ends.
This is the best place to hike or run, whether you want a short outing or want to spend the day. Some of the trails I have explored include Black Mountain Trail, Upper Wildcat Trail, Chemise Trail, and the PG&E Trail.
There is no water on the trails once you cross the Farm, which is 1 mile from the parking lot. So, it is advisable to carry water/drinks if you plan to spend more than a couple of hours on the trails.
Have seen many deer, rabbits, turkeys, blue jays - and the occasional rattlesnake.
This is a lovely place for family walk, or a more rugged hike. There are several trails to choose from, but they are all beautiful!
This is a very popular place to come for an easy walk, a picnic or a more vigorous walk or run. The lower parts can get pretty crowded, particularly on weekends, but go up the trails a ways and the crowds thin out pretty fast.
The park is a nice place to spend few hours with relax and quiet. Maybe because of season but was not crowded even if I went there on Sunday.
Hike is very easy and does not require much effort even to the highest part of the canyon.
I spend about 3 hours to make all loop even diverting to the high trail.
I think I will come back and next time with some sandwiches to spend more time in this beautiful park. A recommendation: bring bottles of water with you, there is no refreshment areas inside the park.
...if you can get a parking spot. Have been coming out here for about 30 years, seen it change so much but its still a great place to come. On the weekends if you aren't there before 7am, forget it, parking is going to be practically nil. During the week, we get there by 7:30am and we're ok, but when we come out an hour or so later, its packed and cars are circling trying to get a spot. The trails are wonderfully maintained. You can go a mile to the farm or up to an 11 or 12 mile hike up and around the PG & E trail. A favorite is the Wildcat loop where I like to go up the switchbacks (8 in total) and down the other side into the canyon. But the possibilities are endless. If you're bringing little ones to the farm, be sure to make sure its open as the farm is closed one or two days a week.
If you are looking for a quality hike in the woods with moderate grades, this is a good choice. The views do not compare with most NorCal trails but trail choices and trail lengths are worth a 4 rating. Get there early on weekends and holidays because parking, although numerous spaces, fills up quickly.
Great outdoors....must go for a hike.
The place has ample parking space and the landscape is really beautiful
My wife, children , friends, and grandchildren have been going on the hiking trails and the farm for many years. We like to see the model airplane flying.
However, population growth and the refusal of County and the local residents to add parking is making this wonderful place of family fun, nature experience , and exercise is an unpleasant situation. Parking is such a premium that fights are breaking out. for space. There are only 3 parking lots for the whole park. Even early morning hours are tough for parking.
You can have a great 1 hour hike or four hour hike. Steep or flat. You will without a doubt encounter animals and friendly people on whichever route you take. Access is just 1/4 mile off Interstate 280. The trails are well maintained and well signed.
I learned of this place here on TripAdvisor and decided to give it a try. Parking was very easy and the trails had good signs and they are great for an exercise walk or hike. The park is very well kept and felt very safe, plus we ran into several deers all across the trail, which was beautiful.
Trails have several ups and downs so be ready for it! It has beautiful views and it's a great place to relax too!
I've run or hiked this lovely area since the 1980s. In spite of the parking problem (one can circle for hours looking for a spot on weekends), it's a favorite spot in the South Bay to meet for a walk or run on the many trails traversing the Santa Cruz Mountains.
After the last few years working in the Los Altos/Cupertino area, I never even paid too attention to this place until now. Really glad I finally had the fun opportunity to hike here with a great group of friends. Be careful with parking, though. On weekends, parking can get pretty crazy. Would definitely be a good choice to go early in the morning or maybe late morning when it's not too hot. But there's lots of shade and trees along the trail and we also saw a farm! Deer Hollow Farm, I think it was called. Would love to come back soon enough for another adventurous hike :)
I've been to Rancho San Antonio countless times. I went hiking there when I was a kid (about 10 years ago or so). I went hiking recently and I still love this county park. The walk is easy and you can look at farm animals. I was able to meet a pregnant cow! The cow didn't have any spots! :O I saw bunnies, goats, sheeps and heard pigs. I didn't get a chance to look at the pigs because I was not feeling too well that day but I'm pretty sure the pigs are cool to take a look at.
We've been there last Sunday after years living in its immediate vicinity. To be honest; I feel guilty I have not been there!!!
But; I finally we got there and found it fantastic....
It has couple of parking locations, nevertheless You might find it hard to find a parking lot. But no worries; people come and go and you finally will find a spot to park your car.
A list of places:
- open space
- Farm
- picnic area
- multiple trails
- biking road
- hiking trails
- vista point
- wildlife, deer, ...
This is a beautiful trail close to city , there are many different length of trail available to all kind of hiker, good for daily or weekly walking , safe and convienent.
There are many different trails for hiking, some level and some uphill. Some areas have lots of shade.and you can pick a path that is mostly shaded. Undoutbedly this park is popular with hikers. But unfortunately this leads to a parking nightmare on weekends when there are more people looking for parking spaces than are available. There is an animal farm in the park and when they have special events in the farm, parking is almost impossible as overflow parking into neighborhood streets are illegal.
Yosemite like setting allows you to hike here every day
PG&E trail vistas are awesome. At the top of the switchback, you can san francisco downtown on a clear day
Always a pleasant hike, small farm in the middle to view pigs and chickens. Hills, if you like them, flat lands if you prefer. You can do a couple miles or 5 or more depending on the trails you seek out.
We go here once in a while and bring our dog.
The trails are easy and the views are great. Good place for older trailblazers.
Give it a try
This is the best Mid -Pen hike due to Deer Hollow Farm. I get to hike those beautiful trails, and I feel like I'm miles away from civilization. There are incredible views, as well as beautiful wildflowers.
But the real bonus is the farm animals. Where can you find, cows, goats, sheep, and chickens? Yes, this is a real working farm.
And it is spring, and the babies are here (and more to come). There are 6 adorable lambs and 6 cute baby goats.
What an incredible treat.
If you like to hike, this is an awesome park. Many choices, and if you go towards the top on a clear day you can see to San Francisco and down to San Jose. Good options for muscle burning hikes as well as more casual stroller hikes. Make sure to park in the parking area and NOT the resident neighborhood area, though! Bring a lunch, and note that there are only portable bathrooms.
Great place to pick a trail and get in shape! Various livestock including baby pigs, picinic area, and great views of the entire bay. Take your family out for the day!
Out of all the parks in the South West Bay, this is one of my favorites. Short hikes, 2 to 3 hours, with a lot of variety, welcome shade. The parkings might be full in the morning, even during the week, afternoon are much less crowded.
We have been to Rancho San Antonio over the years, sometimes for a leisurely walk till the Deer Hollow Farm which is a pleasant little over 2 miles return trip. If you like a long one, then pick any of the trails heading off into the hills and you would be surprised at the shady trails pleasantly turning into the mountains and as you go higher and higher there might be less trees along the way. We have seen different birds, lizards, and ofcourse squirrels. Parking is easy on weekdays, but hard to find on weekends..runners and hikers come early on weekend mornings. There are multiple parking lots, one of them where patrons fly mechanical airplanes and copters. Kids would love to see the farm animals at Deep Hollow Farm and there is a shaded picnic area to rest right by the farm. Keep on the trails!
I love Rancho for the beauty and being able to get to nature quickly. No better place for a solo trail run because of the variety of routes. I also feel safe here because of the number of visitors. It is crowded and at times you will not get a parking space. I avoid it on weekends for this reason. That being said there are enough trails that you can find peace and quiet once you get a bit further out. The farm is awesome for families and PG&E trail is a challenging workout.
Very dry and dusty in October 2016. Lots of parking but crowded doing the weekend mornings. Many many miles of walking and running trails. It is a wonderful outdoor area.
You can keep going back to RSA and always see something new. Lovely expanse and in the middle a cute little farm/petting zoo for kids. Nice and shady.
Half the trails are mostly flat, half are more of a climb. And good views about half the time.
Take your kids to Deer Hollow Farm. Check times/days when docents are there and animals are out. It's an easy (flat) mile walk (bike or stroller) from the parking lot. Picnic area is there, too. Bring your own food! You can buy fresh eggs (again check when they're on sale). Hiking and biking trails for the novice all the way to more rugged areas (steeper inclines). All trails are well-marked and maintained. Views are spectacular in many places. Wildlife? You bet: deer, wild turkeys, bob cats, many species of birds. Drinking fountains at the Farm; bring your container to fill up. It can get hot in the summer.
We hiked for a little under 2 hours in the evening. Nice thing to do after work. After entering the park, we went to the left and parked in the lot there. We started out on the PG&E trail, which led us to the Coyote Trail, to the Wildcat Loop Trail, where we enjoyed Vista Point overlooking the valley, then High Meadow Trail back to Coyote Trail back to where we started. Very nice!
Great for family. Beautiful Bay views.
Great for family and kids. Cannot bring dogs so not to disturb the wildlife. Very convenient parking.
There are miles and miles of great trails for runners and hikers. A little dusty, but not at all. The only bad thing is that the parking is VERY limited and can take a long time to find a spot.
This park seems like one of the local favorites for weekend morning hikes or runs. This is a great place for novice to accomplished outdoors people alike. You can run or hike all the way up to, and back from the station building atop the Black Mountain trail - that's about 3000 ft elevation gain and 16 miles for the whole round trip.
It's not a walk in the woods, so you will be exposed to the sun probably over half the time. Make sure you have sunscreen on during summer.
The parking lot quickly fills up around 7 a.m. on weekends, so watch out for that. If you sleep in and miss it, you will need to find some legal parking about half mile away from the park.
Very close in and great hiking. Do the PG&E trail for a workout or extend to the hidden cutover to Black Mountain for a real trek. Nice views, beautiful wildflowers in season. Only problem is that is can be crowded down on the lower elevations. Most people enjoy the farm which is also very nice.
This is a beautiful, easily accessible place for running or hiking. There are restrooms in the parking area. It is very popular so parking can be a challenge at peak times. About a mile from the main parking is a small farm with several animals, which both children and adults can enjoy. Wild animals, including deer, coyote, rabbits, squirrels and many birds many be seen also.
It was nice to see some open land in the middle of crowded Silicon Valley. Nice flat trails for walking, plus some steeper trails for horses. Lots of wildlife and native plants. A very pleasant place to walk, plus it has benches on rest on. There is a farm area with animals to see (but not touch or feed) A couple of very pregnant goats, and some chickens. The flies made it slightly annoying to sit for long. Be sure to bring hats or sunscreen, and water. There are water fountains, but they often had bees flying around them.
If you are a walker, runner or hiker coming to Cupertino then you don't want to miss this popular area. The trails are well laid out and there is even an historical farm to visit; yes, in operation with sheep, cows, chickens and a garden. The kids in particular love the farm. On the many trails you will see deer, wild turkey, quail and more wildlife. There are creeks and amazing views of Silicon Valley bellow.
This park is well worth a visit. Enjoy
This is a beautiful park with several trails of differing elevations. For strenuous hiking, start at the equestrian parking lot and take the hike up the hill, joining with the PGE trail for further uphill climbing. If you want a stroll, take the valley trail to the kids working farm and continue up to the dam. Only issue with this park is that parking lots fill up quickly on the weekends. Later in the day is better after the hordes of runners have finished up their early jogs.
I hike the trails often. For a close-in park it is well maintained and has variety. There are a number of 2 through 6 mile hikes and a couple of 10 mile ones.
I have been to this park since I lived in the area for almost 30 years. I like to hike uphill to give myself a harder workout. Although the scenery is so-so, I still keep coming back because I feel safe here. I have not seen mountain lions here. I have probably only seen a snake once, unlike other parks in the Bay Area. I have seen deer here, but they were no surprise to me, because I see them all the time in my garden.
We went here on the weekend and the hardest part was finding parking, but after that it was very easy to navigate the trails. The trails never felt crowded and were well maintained. I wish I would've brought some charcoal and meat because the grills were wide open.
We stopped in at the farm and it was great seeing all the animals. The volunteers had a lot of information to offer too. We hiked up to the lookout point from there and there were some nice benches to sit on. The hiking was moderately steep at some points and made for a good workout.
Remove your self from the hustle and bustle of silicon valley without spending 5 hours traveling. This is a great little park offering a small working and petting farm for kids ( yes you have to walk in- give the kids some exercise), many hiking trails ( which for me is its main draw), a large open area for flying model airplanes ( no more kites alas) and lots of cool shade on hot days.
Good for giving cooped up children an outdoor space to roam. It also has a nice little farm with animals. Great if you are in the area, but not a destination outing.
The park has so much to offer - multiple trails of different intensities and elevations, a working mini animal farm, and even a small area for flying model planes and drones.
One down side - enough people know about it that there's never enough parking. So, get there real early.
What a spectacular view and the animals are right there. We saw wild turkeys and deer. They stared at us and we stared right back. They seem to love visitors. Its a very nice place to visit and take a walk. Weather was nice the day we visited.
You can take a short 1 hour walk/run or a much longer many mile walk/run at Rancho San Antonio. And it is free. The entire area provides the beauty of nature and is a wonderful escape from our urban/suburban environment. It is fun to stop by the family home from the 1850s and to see the farm animals.
More details online for this Open Space Preserve.
I often bike up to the farm in the park and then hike the various trails. Usually take the wildcat loops and occasionally the PG&E trail to the top of the park (fairly strenuous). The trails are usually shady with various oaks, madrone and elms. Usually a creek is flowing in winter/spring near farm and up wildcat trail. Biking into the park is best up St. Joseph at the end of Grant Rd. and going under 280 near the back of The Forum. What is nice is that it is downhill from the farm into los altos and mountain view. Early or late in the day you may see deer and Turkeys. I've seen several bobcats and a handful of snakes in the 30 years of coming here. Bring a water bottle and a hat if you are easily dehydrated. If you have little kids, check the hours for the farm. There are cows, pigs, chickens, goats.
Went for a nice hike, very nice park!
The working darn is pretty nice for kids.
It does get a little crowded on the weekend but once to get past the farm, it thins out...
One of my favorite weekday hikes.Wildcat loop is my favorite. Not to strenuous and great view at the top. Weekends are overwhelming. Parking is crazy especially early mornings and now the local neighborhood requires parking permit. They do ticket.
Rancho is always a delight... for long hikes or shorter walks, it's a miracle that this beautiful place is right in the middle of Silicon Valley. The farm animals, wild turkeys, deer, pheasant, rabbits, squirrels and geckos are common sights and the trails are well traveled with a variety of residents enjoying this beautiful place.
Small farm for the kiddos to see farm animals. Lots of wild turkeys roaming around. Hike to top of hill for great view of the South Bay Area.
This is a great place for hiking, I go with friends , in addition to hike we usually have a good discussions on various topics from economics, politics to technology. Parking can be a challenge so car pool with your buddies. Hiking is followed by bagel breakfast either at Noah's or other places.
A fabulous trekking plaza within comfortable distance from Cupertino and Silicon valley. Has a variety of trails for trekkers with a taste of flora and fauna for company. The rivulets running along the trails add value to the already exciting walk on the path and even as you start to enjoy it becomes even exiting with the ascent to the hill top which gives a breathtaking view of the silicon valley below. A must go fall all living around the valley and tourists alike
As a traveller from the East Coast, I loved taking in the scenery from the trails along the foothills. We walked up Coyote trail, pushing my daughter's wheelchair up the 600ft elevation, and got a few inquisitive looks from the many hikers and runners that frequent the trails. Besides pretty views, we saw quail and a thrush, but the runners coming through made photographing them unlikely. This is a popular spot among physically active locals, and if I lived in the area, I'd probably hike there frequently, too. But the foot traffic does make it a little hard to enjoy as a more casual tourist/sight-seeker. I think I was the only one there with a camera.
This was a short drive from Cupertino and it was a nice spacious place. I went for a long 6 mile walk on a trail and it was good fun and nice exercise. Also spotted a lot of hobbyist flying model aircraft. Good way to spend half a day.
This is a very accessible hike for families with young children...at least the portion from the parking areas to the small "working" farm. Can be crowded and parking can be a challenge. Stronger hikers will enjoy going up into the hills for some great views of the South Bay.
Rancho San Antonio(RSA) is a wonderful place to hike and jog. It is only 10-30 minutes drive from many places in the south bay and the mid peninsula. You can take a short hike(1 mile) to the farm, which may families do with kids. You can do a 5 mile Wildcat loop and take a break on the bench on top of the hill overlooking the bay, Mission Peak and Mount Diablo. Another popular loop (8 miles) is to go up thru the PG&E trail , take a break on the bench, where-on a clear day-you can see San Francisco. You can do a long hike or run (16 miles RT) to the top of Black Mountain. Since RSA is connected to other preserves such as Monte Belle, you can go all the way to the ocean via Saratoga Gap and then Sky to Sea trail (this will be around 50 miles one way).
This park offers open fields along with being a beautiful place of nature there are rolling hills and many trails to fit your needs
Popular Attraction Reviews
This park has everything for everyone: Short hike to a little farm for families with children on most weekend mornings, challenging running trails (Wildcat loop, PG&E trail ) for runners of all ages (mostly good early in the morning) and a variety of trails for hikers of all shapes and sizes. Don't miss the overlook view from Wildcat trail. If you live in the valley and haven't been to this park, you better run here!