Savor Summer with These 11 LOCAL Excursions Since 1977, POST Has Protected Over 76,000 Acres of Open Space

PENINSULA & SOUTH BAY EasEasyy SummerSummer EscapesEscapes

savor summer with these 11 LOCAL excursions Since 1977, POST has protected over 76,000 acres of open space. These mountains, creeks, ridgelines, meadows, islands and beaches are yours to explore. This is a guide to 11 outings right in our own backyard. Have fun out there!

Click the map’s icons to start your summer adventure:

MILLBRAE PACIFICA UNION CITY

SAN MATEO

FREMONT

EL GRANADA PILLAR POINT BAIR ISLAND BLUFF HALF MOON REDWOOD CITY BAY

PALO ALTO

WOODSIDE STEVENS CREEK MILPITAS SHORELINE NATURE STUDY AREA LOS ALTOS SANTA ARASTRADERO CLARA

SAN GREGORIO SAN JOSE

CUPERTINO LA HONDA SKYLINE RIDGE

FREMONT OLDER

LONG RIDGE PESCADERO

MEMORIAL LOS GATOS PARK

LEXINGTON ALMADEN BUTANO STATE PARK RESERVOIR QUICKSILVER PACIFIC OCEAN

DAVENPORT

APTOS SANTA CRUZ

EASY SUMMER ESCAPES PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST Table of Contents

ALMADEN QUICKSILVER

ARASTRADERO

BAIR ISLAND

BUTANO STATE PARK

FREMONT OLDER

LEXINGTON RESERVOIR

LONG RIDGE OPEN SPACE

MEMORIAL PARK

PILLAR POINT BLUFF

STEVENS CREEK NATURE STUDY AREA

SKYLINE RIDGE

Features

Dog-Friendly Family-Friendly

Camping Available Wheelchair Accessible

Equestrian Bike-Friendly

EASY SUMMER ESCAPES PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST DIG INTO LOCAL HISTORY Almaden Quicksilver

EXPLORE REMNANTS OF A GOLD RUSH ERA MINE Miller 2017 ©Teddy

Take a trip back in time at Almaden Quicksilver County Park, once the site of a Gold Rush era mercury (“quicksilver”) mine. Our favorite hike leads to the San Cristobal Mine where you can actually stand inside the entrance of the mine’s main shaft. All the trails in the park are dog-friendly, so be sure to bring your four-legged hiking buddy. Afterward, make a stop at the mining museum to learn more about the rich history of this local treasure.

See it on the map

EASY SUMMER ESCAPES PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST PICNIC WITH THE OAKS Arastradero

DINE AL FRESCO UNDER ANCIENT OAKS Miller 2016 ©Teddy

Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is the perfect picnic spot, especially for a last-minute date night or trip with the kids. There are plenty of places you could throw a picnic blanket down, but the junction of the Meadowlark and Woodland Star Trail in the shade of massive valley oaks is the ideal spot. The views are amazing here, with oak-studded hills and sweeping vistas of the skyline. If you get thirsty on your way home, be sure to stop at the Alpine Inn Beer Garden (known locally as “Zotts”) for a cold beer or glass of wine. See it on the map

EASY SUMMER ESCAPES PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST ESCAPE TO BAIR ISLAND Bair Island

DISCOVER THE BAY’S LARGEST UNDEVELOPED ISLAND ©Matthias 2016

Bair Island is yours to explore. Grab a kayak and embark on this wetland adventure. The public boat ramp in Redwood City is the best place to launch your craft. From there, it is a short paddle to the island’s wildlife-rich tidal channels. The trip through the Corkscrew and Smith Sloughs is our favorite. Don’t forget your binoculars for birdwatching—you may even spy the endangered Ridgway’s rail. Learn more with our Natural Guide to Bay Area Birds. At the end of your adventure, toast your discoveries at the nearby Gourmet Haus Staudt beer garden.

See it on the map

EASY SUMMER ESCAPES PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST RETREAT TO THE REDWOODS Butano State Park

CAMP UNDER THE WORLD’S TALLEST TREES Miller 2016 ©Teddy

Escape for a quiet night in the redwoods at Butano State Park, a Bay Area hidden gem. Cozy up in the family tent and enjoy a night under the park’s towering redwoods. Miles of trails wander through the 4,728 acres of protected open space, but the Candelabra Trail is our favorite and leads to a one-of-a-kind old-growth redwood. On your way home, stop in Pescadero for some tasty treats. Try the fresh artichoke bread from Archangeli Grocery and the tacos at Taqueria de Amigos—some of the best on the coast!

See it on the map

EASY SUMMER ESCAPES PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST TOAST TO THE TRAIL Fremont Older

CLIMB A PEAK AND SIP TASTY LOCAL WINE Miller 2017 ©Teddy

Step back in time at the Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards, family-owned since 1893. From the parking lot, it’s a short hike to the top of Maisie’s Peak within the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. Enjoy stunning views of the South Bay from the top of the peak before returning to the winery to relax and savor the flavors of world class wine. Looking for a little live music? On Sunday afternoons, check out Cooper-Garrod’s Music at the Vineyards series. For equestrians, Garrod Farms also offers horseback riding.

See it on the map

EASY SUMMER ESCAPES PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST ENJOY THE BEST OF THE SOUTH BAY Lexington Reservoir

EXPLORE THE HILLS OF LOS GATOS ©Don DeBold 2013

Jump start this adventure with a cup of coffee from the Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company. Then stroll down Main Street to the Los Gatos Creek Trail and follow it to the Lexington Reservoir. Enjoy the expansive view of Bear Creek Redwoods from the edge of the reservoir. Back in town, make a stop at Los Gatos Birdwatcher, a favorite for birders and nature lovers.

See it on the map

EASY SUMMER ESCAPES PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST LET LOOSE ON LONG RIDGE Long Ridge Open Space

FIND THE ROOM TO ROAM ON TOP OF THE SKYLINE ©William Matthias 2011

Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is a hiker’s paradise and boasts one of the longest continuous segments of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, making it a favorite for trail runners as well. One of our favorite destinations is the Wallace Stegner Bench at the junction of Long Ridge Road and Long Ridge Trail. The views here will take your breath away! The nearby Jikoji Zen Center offers meditation and yoga classes that are open to the public. It’s also a nice place to take a moment to unwind after your time on the trail.

See it on the map

EASY SUMMER ESCAPES PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST COOL OFF BY A CREEK Memorial Park

On hot days, we like to escape the heat at Memorial County Park under the shade of massive redwood trees. If you’re feeling energetic, the Mt. Ellen Nature Trail is a short and shady loop hike. Then grab an ice cream at the park’s camp store (open Memorial Day through early October) and cool off on the banks of nearby Pescadero Creek.

See it on the map

EASY SUMMER ESCAPES PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST DISCOVER LIFE AT THE EDGE OF THE SEA Pillar Point Bluff

For an intertidal treasure hunt, the tide pools at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve are some of the best in state. Check the tide tables before you go and be sure to arrive an hour before or after the low tide. Round out this adventure with a stop at the Moss Beach Distillery, famous for its local seafood (and ghosts). The venue’s ocean-side setting has a patio where you can relax and continue to enjoy views of the Pacific.

See it on the map

EASY SUMMER ESCAPES PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST GO FLY A KITE Stevens Creek Nature Study Area

There’s just something uplifting about flying a kite. The kite lot at the Stevens Creek Nature Study Area is one of the best spots around the Bay to fly them. And, if the wind isn’t right for flying a kite, enjoy a stroll on the nearby Bay Trail. The trail leads through rich wetland habitat, home to a wide range of local birds. At end of the trip, head over to the Shoreline Lake Bistro for a relaxing lakeside meal.

See it on the map

EASY SUMMER ESCAPES PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST CRUISE THE SKYLINE Skyline Ridge

Cruise the Skyline and enjoy one of the most scenic mountain bike trails in the area. From the main entrance of the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, follow the Sunny Jim Trail north along the ridge for jaw-dropping views of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. The trail leads to the David C. Daniels Nature Center which lies on the edge of Alpine Pond. If the center is open (Saturday and Sunday, Noon–5 p.m.), there is a multimedia tour you can take around the pond, or just relax and recuperate.

See it on the map

EASY SUMMER ESCAPES PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST Quick Links

ALMADEN LONG RIDGE QUICKSILVER OPEN SPACE

Almaden Quicksilver County Park Long Ridge Open Space Preserve San Cristobal Mine Bay Area Ridge Trail Mining museum Wallace Stegner Bench Jikoji Zen Center

ARASTRADERO MEMORIAL PARK Pearson-Arastradero Preserve Meadowlark and Woodland Star Trail Memorial County Park Alpine Inn Beer Garden Mt. Ellen Nature Trail

BAIR ISLAND PILLAR POINT BLUFF

Bair Island Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Public boat ramp Check the tides tables Corkscrew and Smith Sloughs Moss Beach Distillery Natural Guide to Bay Area Birds Ghosts Gourmet Haus Staudt

STEVENS CREEK BUTANO STATE PARK NATURE STUDY AREA

Butano State Park Kite lot Enjoy a night (camping) Stevens Creek Nature Study Area Old-growth redwood Bay Trail Archangeli Grocery Shoreline Lake Bistro Taqueria de Amigos SKYLINE RIDGE FREMONT OLDER Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards Sunny Jim Trail Maisie’s Peak David C. Daniels Nature Center Fremont Older Open Space Preserve Alpine Pond Music at the Vineyards Garrod Farms horseback riding

LEXINGTON RESERVOIR

Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company Los Gatos Creek Trail Lexington Reservoir Bear Creek Redwoods Los Gatos Birdwatcher

EASY SUMMER ESCAPES PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST POST protects and cares for open space, farms, and parkland in and around Silicon Valley.

openspacetrust.org