01
Best overall pick
Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve
Foothills Above Cupertino And Los Altos • Busy Open-Space Preserve With Farm, Canyons, And Forested Trails • Go-To Weekend Workout Loop
A classic South Bay hike with rolling hills, shaded canyons, and plenty of route options for all fitness levels.
Most Mountain View hikers treat Rancho San Antonio as their default trailhead, thanks to its big parking lots and well-marked network of routes. You can keep it mellow on flatter paths to Deer Hollow Farm or push harder on longer loops up to the PG&E Trail ridge for big valley views. Go early on weekends, as parking fills fast and the main paths can get crowded.
02
Best in-town option
Stevens Creek Trail
Through Central Mountain View To The Bay • Paved Urban-To-Bay Greenway For Walkers, Runners, And Cyclists • Best Car-Free Escape From Downtown
An easy, mostly flat trail that threads through Mountain View neighborhoods and parks before spilling out toward the Bay.
If you want a quick dose of nature without driving to the hills, Stevens Creek Trail is the simplest choice. Start near downtown or one of the neighborhood access points and follow the creek corridor north, where traffic noise drops and you get more trees, birds, and open space. It’s ideal for after-work walks, stroller-friendly outings, or mixing running and biking with a bit of wildlife watching.
03
Best bayfront stroll
Shoreline at Mountain View & Bay Trail
North Bayshore Waterfront • Waterside Levee Paths Around Restored Wetlands And Shoreline Park • Relaxed Sunset And Birdwatching Stroll
Gentle levee trails with wide-open Bay views, breezes, and plenty of shorebirds for company.
From the Shoreline parking areas, you can pick up the Bay Trail and wander along the levees that frame the water and salt ponds. The terrain is flat but the sense of space is huge, with views across the Bay and frequent pelican, egret, and kite sightings. It’s more of a scenic walk than a rugged hike, perfect for golden-hour photos or stretching your legs on a windy afternoon.
04
Best for classic ridge hiking
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
Skyline Ridge Along Highway 35 • Ridge-Top Preserve With Rolling Singletrack And Open Grasslands • Best For Big Views And Breezy Ridges
A cooler, higher-elevation escape where loops link grassy ridges, oak woodland, and views deep into the South Bay.
Monte Bello feels worlds away from town, but it’s a straightforward drive up Skyline for Mountain View locals. The popular Canyon and Bella Vista loops combine airy ridge walking with dips into shaded valleys, giving you a satisfying mix of terrain in a few hours. On clear days you can see across Silicon Valley toward the Diablo Range, and in spring the hillsides pick up a nice layer of wildflowers.
05
Best summit-style climb
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
Eastern Edge Of Portola Valley • Steep Open-Space Preserve With Open Slopes And Wooded Switchbacks • Leg-Burning Climb With Rewarding Vistas
A stout ascent from oak-lined lower trails to an exposed summit ridge with sweeping views over the Peninsula.
Windy Hill is a favorite for hikers who like a clear goal: topping out on the high, grassy ridge. From the Portola Valley side, trails quickly tilt uphill, alternating shaded sections with open, view-filled stretches that make the effort feel worthwhile. Pack a wind layer—the name is accurate—and plan a slow descent to enjoy the panoramas back toward Mountain View and the Bay.