Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve — Local services in Los Altos

I hiked inside of rancho San Antonio county park and open space preserve for so many times over so many years. I was always wondering what's outside of the park, well, open space preserve. You can have a glimpse of a few Grand mansions deep in the woods.

From any map, it's easy to tell it's Los Altos hills, a super rich and affluent town with zip zigged road. The town is pretty conservative. Residents do not like outsiders get into their life, totally understandable. And that's why they chose this exclusive location to live at first place.

One Sunday afternoon this winter, I finally got a chance to ride a newly built electrical bike to explore this spot. The journey was wonderful. Along the way, I met more deer than people. Both are very friendly. The ambience is serene. You can feel the green.

To get there, you have to get on foothill express way first. At loyala corner, turn towards hill direction. Follow the tiny Mora road, over freeway 280, with multiple up and down, you will reach Mora trail head at the end of the road. Well , that is not this spot, you have to back out a little bit, turn to sun hill road, a even smaller road. Not far from that point, you can get the...

Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve Review: Rancho San Antonio is one of the best outdoor spots in the Bay Area for hiking, running, or just getting some fresh air. The trails are super well-maintained and range from easy walks to more challenging hikes, so there’s something for everyone. The park is full of greenery, open meadows, and shaded forest paths — it’s hard to believe it’s so close to the city. Deer sightings are common, and the sounds of birds make it even more peaceful. The trail to Deer Hollow Farm is a nice bonus, especially if you’re with family or kids. Parking can get tight on weekends, so it’s best to come early in the morning. Overall, it’s a perfect spot to unwind, recharge, and enjoy nature without driving too far.

Rancho San Antonio Vista Point Review: The Vista Point is the highlight of the preserve — the view from the top is absolutely stunning. You can see the entire South Bay stretching out below, and on a clear day, even the skyline of San Francisco in the distance. It’s a bit of a climb to get there, but the scenery makes every step worth it. Ideal spot for photos, quiet reflection, or a mid-hike break...

One of my favorite parks to go for a hike or running. There is some for everyone at every age group. There are good bathroom that are reasonably clean. There is a picnic tables in couple of spots along the trail. The kids favorite part is the animal farm after a little walk. The trails are hilly after passing the farm and offers possibilities to make various lengths of hikes from 2 to 10+ miles. The woods are incredibly beautiful especially in the spring, when there is water in the creeks. I would recommend the Wildcat loop trail. It’s about 4-5 miles, so depending on how fast you walk and stop it can take 1.5-2+ hours. Parking is tough during the weekend. If you see a free spot at any of the parking lots upper lots, just take it. No guarantee there is any spots left after checking the lot in the bottom. Remark dogs are not welcome, because it has...