01
Best overall pick
Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve
Foothills Above Cupertino And Los Altos • Large Open-Space Preserve With Varied Terrain • Local Favorite For All-Day Hiking
A sprawling preserve where you can string together everything from easy farm walks to lung-busting climbs with sweeping valley views.
Most locals treat Rancho San Antonio as the default place to hike, and it deserves the reputation. The network of trails lets you design short out-and-backs to Deer Hollow Farm or commit to longer workouts on routes like the PG&E Trail. Parking can fill quickly on weekends, so early starts or weekday visits make the day feel a lot calmer.
02
Best farm-to-forest mix
Hidden Villa
Los Altos Hills Canyon • Rustic Farm Property With Shaded Canyon Trails • Best Intro-To-Trails Spot
A working farm tucked in a cool canyon, with mellow shaded trails that make hiking feel relaxed and low-key.
Hidden Villa is a good choice when you want nature without committing to a big mileage day. Trails climb gently through oak and bay laurel, with the option to loop past pastures and gardens before heading up-canyon. It’s especially nice for newer hikers or mixed-age groups who want a peaceful outing rather than a push to a summit.
03
Best ridge views
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
Portola Valley Ridgeline • Open Ridgeline Park With Big-Sky Views • Best For Scenic Climbs
Climb through grasslands and oak forest to a breezy ridge with long views over the Peninsula and out to the bay.
Windy Hill is where you go when you want a classic Peninsula ridge hike with a bit of a workout. The lower trails wind through trees before breaking out into open slopes where you can see weather rolling in off the ocean and the city spread out below. It can live up to its name on gusty days, so a light layer is worth throwing in your pack.
04
Best rolling loop
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve
Foothills South Of Palo Alto • Grassy Hills And Ponds With Interconnected Loops • Best For Relaxed Mileage
A web of gently rolling trails through open hillsides and small ponds that’s ideal for looping as long or short as you like.
Pearson-Arastradero offers that open, airy foothills feel without committing to a major climb. The trails are broad and well-signed, making it easy to improvise a loop depending on how the group is feeling. It’s popular with hikers, runners, and dog walkers, so expect company but also plenty of room to spread out on the hillsides.
05
Best in-town escape
Redwood Grove Nature Preserve
Central Los Altos Creek Corridor • Pocket Redwood Preserve With Boardwalk And Creek • Best Quick Nature Fix
A tiny but surprisingly lush patch of redwoods and creekside boardwalk just minutes from Los Altos errands and neighborhoods.
Redwood Grove is more of a short wander than a full hike, but it’s hard to beat for a quick reset in the middle of town. The loop takes you through a stand of redwoods, over a seasonal creek, and along a boardwalk that feels far removed from nearby streets. It pairs easily with a longer outing elsewhere or stands on its own as a peaceful twenty-minute break.