Monte Bello Open Space Preserve — Attraction in Los Altos

This is a beautiful area to walk in. (And apparently to bike or ride horses in). The trails are well graded and midweek, offseason, we found a wonderful sense of being alone and being able to hear all of the birds and sounds of nature. The vistas were beautiful. The terrain is varied and in spring it feels alive and lush and filled with wildflowers and ferns and greens and trees that are everything you'd hope from an open space. The bathrooms by the parking area were clean and well maintained. The parking lot is small but there is some additional parking across the road. One warning: the road to this open space is a series of curves for five or more miles. There are a few pullouts just in case you're riding with someone who is sensitive to...

Monte Bello Preserve is a great place for a day hike. I visited here in March/7/2021. No entrance fee,the parking lot has good size but can fill up quickly, They also have a bathroom at the trailhead. My hike was a 6 miles loop and 1,000 ft of elevation gain. The trails are well maintained, it’s easy to follow. This loop starts at the Monte Bello Open Space parking lot, hiking up to Black Mountain and back. On my way up, I got beautiful rolling mountain hills, grasslands. A lot of lovely views at Black Mountain, the landscape is very beautiful. As I went down, I got into the forest. There were many trees covered with lots of moss on their stems, which makes it very peaceful. This loop is good for 3 seasons per year, not summertime. I will be...

I visited there in May. I enjoyed changing scenery throughout my walking. There is an open space of meadow hills with a great view around the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve Parking Lot. As I went down, I got in the forested area. There were many trees covered with lots of moss on their stems. I walked down Stevens Creek Nature Trail, then returned walking up Canyon Trail.

I’ve also hiked Grizzly Flat Trail which extends from Skyline Blvd. I kept walking down and down until I met Stevens Creek. This is more wild than the trail above. Be careful of...