Came here on a nice Saturday bike ride (January 2023). Didn't know what to expect after I read some…read morereviews on AllTrails so I decided to check it out myself. I believe they listed the ride as "easy" which honestly I would agree for the path I was on. There were some detours along the way because of some flooding from recent storms, so I had to go along the Monterey Highway going on way (gradual uphill, not too bad) and then on Malech Road coming back (let me tell you... that was a HILL and I think I was dying). FYI, if you're looking for a more casual ride, definitely go along Monterey Highway both ways as you'll avoid a big hill. Definitely will use this route as a challenge/climbing route especially with Malech Road. I'm sure I would've tackled the hill just fine if I had that at the beginning of my ride versus 13 miles in.

Beautiful views and great trials and wonderful running water with alot of greenery good parkingread more

Beautiful trails await! Shaded trails among redwoods absolutely breathtaking! A must do when in the…read morearea

This is a great stop along the way on Hecker Pass. I will…read moretell you if you take the trail to the left which is directly from the parking lot - it is a steady incline. I would not recommend bringing small children on this ridge trail - but there are others not as strenuous. Not intended for bikes or horses - but there are other trails here that accommodate both. There is also parking for horse trailers. This is a beautiful place - I am ready to go back and discover more along the trails!

There are two main trail paths starting from the parking lot:…read more The shorter trail loop (4.3m): Mayfair Ranch Trail (3.1m) loop to part of Longwall Canyon Trail (1.2m) The longer trail loop (9.5m): Mayfair Ranch Trail (3.1m) loop part of Longwall Canyon Trail (2 m), loop to Bald Peaks Trail (1m), loop to Catamount Trail (1.7m), back to the other part of Longwall Canyon Trail (0.7m) I was going to do the longer loop, but my feet was hurting really bad about 2.5 mils in, so I end out taking the shorter route back. The parking was empty when I arrived in the morning, but it was half full 2 hour later. There is a bathroom in the parking lot, no water on the trail. No dogs in the park. Very beautiful open space preserve, trails are well maintained and paved, views are wonderful.

Ranch Out Opened in…read more2004, this ±5.7k-acre Preserve sits in the oak-covered foothills nestled at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It's a short ±30-minute drive from Silicon Valley, but you'll feel like you're miles away from civilization, which is a really good thing these days. The Good: * Free to visit * Multiple parking lots with horse trailer parking available * Restroom in the main lot * Twelve miles of trails throughout the preserve (5.5 miles of which are designated as part of The Bay Area Ridge Trail) * If you're looking for a nice loop, there's a semi-moderate 4.5-mile loop available: Mayfair Ranch Trail to Longwall Canyon Trail to Baldy Ryan Creek Trail. * Horseback riding on certain trails (see map) * Biking allowed on certain trails (see map) The Meh: * No dogs allowed * Trails for the most part were in pretty decent shape, but there were a few areas where they need some TLC. The Ugly: * Much like the EBRPD, they use cows to try and control the non-native grasses, but there were no cows during our visit. :( Conclusion: Great place to escape from civilization and commune with Mother Earth.

So easy to get distracted these days by things that don't matter, or matter a lot but are then…read moretwisted by people that don't matter into tools for deception and sheep herding. Fall down this rabbit hole to your great detriment. For those that have fallen and are in the rabbit hole, fear not. The rabbit hole only feels durable. As a matter of fact, it isn't. It's paper. You can tear a hole in it and be free. El Toro Mountain will tear a hole in your rabbit hole wall. Wake up early because in afternoon summertime Morgan Hill has a temperature equivalent of a stage in the inferno below. But in the morning it's generally cool and still and there aren't a ton of humans out and you can get up and down this mountain in like an hour if you hustle and an hour of exertion in this space with the view at the top and birds and dust and voila, no more rabbit hole. On the way up the steep bit all you're thinking about is damn this is steep and not much else. At the top after good exertion you're rewarded by a view, maybe a fellow traveler, and the realization that this is what matters, not what they're trying to do to us. If I lived in The Hill I'd be up this mountain once a week come rain or come shine. In rain I bet it's a messy affair. There are two ways up. I've so far only sampled one. Go to the West Hills Church on DeWitt. You can park down DeWitt from the church or on Spring Avenue. Walk onto the property with the church on your left then up the paved driveway to the school. Keep the school on your left and head for the back of its parking lot and there you'll find the trailhead. Which is dirt road for access to a water tank and the powerlines and it's gated and ppl say you aren't supposed to be going up there but ppl do and you should too. Probably don't go on school days and don't park in the school lot even if the gate is open bc somebody could close it while you're escaping the rabbit hole and you'd come back and be locked in and that would be a drag. Be it El Toro or Diablo or Mt. Umunhum or whatever is closest to your backyard - sample it on a regular basis. Keep yourself sane. Keep your heart strong. Do it for you and the folks that love you. You'll be a whole lot more fun to be around.

We came here for a kid's birthday party, and this park is so nice!…read more It's very spacious, lots of free parking, and lots of features. There is an extensive playground with different types of swings, merry-go-round things, a large playhouse thing, and several slides on a little hill on the playground. In the area with the slides they have turf material and there is a recycling box with cardboard so that kids can use it and also sled down the hill. They have different types of courts like for basketball, pickleball, tennis, baseball. There is lots of space to walk on the gravel path, and there is sort of a pond area (which appears to be less maintained). There are many picnic areas that are shaded too. I really liked that the area the birthday party was located had a gate so that kids wouldn't run out and away. The playground also had a gate on it too, which is great for childrens' safety and parents' ease of minds! We noticed the bathrooms are somewhat high tech with lights to activate the automatic doors and lights to indicate that the bathroom is occupied. I didn't go in, so I can't comment on cleanliness/upkeep. Wish this kind of park was more common. I would highly recommend this park!

The fact alone that this park has bathrooms makes it awesome…read more I have been coming to this park my entire life. It has definitely gotten some upgrades. New magical bridge playground opens this weekend. It's not even open yet and it looks beautiful so far :) It has a dog park, a trail, a basketball court, a tennis court, and a baseball field. I almost forgot, the ducks! It has a lake with ducks! I like walking the trail because there are plenty of trees which creates shade, so it's not just sunny. The bathrooms are located in between the tennis courts and the baseball field. Also, parking is free! Anyone can come with children, strollers, solo individuals, people with dogs, anyone. Everyone is in their own world, living their life with nature.

A Ridge too Far…read more Máyyan 'Ooyákma ("Coyote Ridge" in the native Chochenyo language) is an 1,800-sq ft Open Space Preserve located in the South San José foothills adjacent to the scenic Hwy 101 freeway. Weekend reservations are required for weekend hikes in March - May (book through Eventbrite), and a Butterfly Pass is required to visit this park. The Good: * Free to visit * Private parking lot (no street parking) * Restroom (pit toilet) in parking lot * One of the few places in the Bay that you can (allegedly) see Tule Elk in their natural habitat, and it's the closest place to home for most of us South Bayers. We visited during a Tule Elk guided hike and didn't see bupkis. According to the guide, later in the day, closer to sunset (after 5 p.m.ish), is the best time of day, as that's when the herds start looking for food. * Access here used to be limited to guided hikes only, but now it's more freely accessible except for certain times of the year (see above). * Guided hikes are still available (see website). * Approx. five miles of trails which are in reasonable shape except for the Serpentine Spring Trail (see below). The Meh: * No running water in the restroom, only hand sanitizer. * Trails have no switchbacks on the uphill and downhill. Just straight up and down for 1,000' of elevation gain. The Ugly: * Absolutely zero shade on the entire property, so definitely avoid this place during hot days and in the summer in general. * Coming downhill on the Serpentine Spring Trail was an absolute nightmare; the entire trail is full of really loose pieces of shale that in and of themselves are no bueno, but combine that with a really steep downhill decline and you have a recipe for disaster. I highly, highly suggest if you're coming here to do the 5 miles of trails, go clockwise from the parking lot: Serpentine-to-Tule Elk-to-Butterfly Trail and then back to the parking lot. Conclusion: I rarely give parks a low rating, but honestly, this place was not our cup of tea. With the lack of shade and steep, dangerously slippery trails, I just don't foresee us ever coming back.

Second time at Coyote Ridge OSP Sat 3/28/21. For Covid19 they have self-guided hike, need to RSVP…read morefor your car pass. One pit toilet that was full already at 9am, why don't they bring 2-3 pit toilets because 1 isn't enough! We started on the Left-hand side which was bit steep but lots of poppies & goldfields on the purple line. Then did the blue line no flowers there, then down the green line, tidy tips, poppies. All 3 trails was only 5.8 miles. There is 1 more Fri-Sun hike scheduled if you want to check it out for Spring.

From tennis/pickle ball courts to playgrounds to lots of sidewalks and grass, Sunrise Park has a…read morelot to offer for everyone! I appreciate how walkable it is and how safe it feels. Also added bonus that people seem to clean up after their dogs, which isn't always the case at other parks. There are always families and people of all ages enjoying it. The parking is abundant so you never have to worry about looking. This park has something for everyone :) If they added more tennis courts, it would be a 5! They only have two, and they are often taken.

This is a great park for all ages. My two year enjoys going from the younger side to the older age…read moreside. If you go in the morning, the slides might be wet so bring a towel just in case. There's a basketball court and a tennis/pickle ball court too. There's picnic tables under an overhead for sitting or lunch.

You know your "grasping" for reviews when you start to review your local parks! ;) But, some "mom"…read moreout there, new to the area... might just appreciate this "Yelp" review :) Pro's: This park is well-maintained, and has playground equipment suitable for both younger and older children. Also, has swings for both older and younger children. And, has a concrete pathway around the park, that you could take an infant for a stroll on, while older children are playing. Con's: There are no restrooms, no basketball nets, only street parking (which isn't usually a problem to find a spot - althought I have only gone on weekdays so far). Have met a lot of friendly moms here :) Okay, now I realllllly need to have a "night out" without kids, so I can write some better reviews (on my mission toward Elite Status ;) p.s. don't refer to the map on the right of this screen. The park is on Diana Ave, turning East off of Butterfield Blvd. (on the West side of the 101)

Great park. Clean and shaded. Swings don't squeak and jungle gym equipment isn't sun burnt, covered…read morewith bird poop or spiderwebs. Baby swings side by side with regular swings- great for parents with babies and young kids to push side by side. Street parking only.