01
Best classic redwood escape
Huddart County Park
Woodside Hills Above Atherton • Shady Redwood Canyon Park • Best For Summer Shade And Mellow Climbs
A close-to-town maze of cool forest trails that feels much farther from El Camino than it really is.
Just a short drive up Kings Mountain Road, Huddart gives you towering redwoods, filtered light, and soft duff underfoot on trails like Dean and Crystal Springs. The grades are steady rather than brutal, so it is a good pick for relaxed weekend loops or easing visiting friends into Peninsula hiking. Go early on sunny weekends; the lower picnic areas and main lots can fill by late morning.
02
Best half-day loop
Wunderlich County Park
Woodside Along Mountain Home Road • Historic Estate Park With Redwoods And Oaks • Best For Longer Loops And Horse-Friendly Trails
A steady climb from a historic estate into quiet upper canyons, with plenty of room to stretch your legs.
Wunderlich starts near old carriage buildings and horse stables, then winds up through mixed forest toward Skyline on broad, well-graded paths. It is ideal when you want a solid two- to four-hour outing without technical terrain, and you will likely share the trail with equestrians on the lower sections. Shade is good on most routes, but the sustained elevation gain makes this a satisfying workout close to Atherton.
03
Best big-view ridge hike
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
Skyline Ridge Above Portola Valley • Ridgetop Open-Space Preserve With Big Views • Best For Bay And Ocean Panoramas
Open grassy slopes and a long ridge deliver classic Peninsula vistas that feel huge on a clear day.
From the lower Portola Valley trailhead, you can climb through oak woodland to broad, wind-brushed hillsides where the whole South Bay spreads out below. Strong hikers can make a figure-eight or Skyline-to-valley loop, while casual walkers stick to the gentler lower Meadow and Spring Ridge segments. Expect more sun and breeze here than in the redwood parks, so bring layers and a hat, especially in the afternoon.
04
Best spring wildflower walk
Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve
East Of I-280 Near Redwood City • Serpentine Grassland And Oak Woodland Preserve • Best Spring Wildflower Hike
Rolling hills above the freeway that turn into a wildflower showcase when the season hits right.
Edgewood’s compact network of trails offers short to moderate loops with frequent open views and a surprisingly wild feel given its proximity to 280. In March and April, the serpentine grasslands erupt with blooms, drawing local naturalists and photographers, but it is a pleasant shoulder-season hike any time the weather is mild. Parking can be tight on peak weekends, so time your visit for early morning or late afternoon if you can.
05
Best everyday training ground
Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve
Foothills Between Los Altos And Cupertino • Large Valley Preserve With Farm, Creeks, And Ridges • Best Everyday Training And Family Mix
A big, busy preserve with enough trails to please both stroller crews and hill-repeat regulars.
Rancho San Antonio is a bit farther from Atherton but worth the drive for its variety, from flat paths to Deer Hollow Farm to the steep PG&E Trail climb. Locals use it for everything from quick pre-work loops to long weekend circuits that piece together valley bottoms and ridge spurs. It does get crowded, especially near the main parking lots, but the farther you hike from the farm, the more the crowds thin and the more expansive the views become.