Not only is there something for everyone at Rancho San Antonio, but it's also very close to South…read moreBay cities, making it perhaps the most popular preserve in South Bay. Good luck trying to park here on weekends. Fortunately, there are a few side entrances that are far less crowded. One of these is the trailhead at the end of Mora Drive. Parking is unavailable here, but there are pockets of street parking half a mile down the road. The trailhead puts you onto the Mora Trail, a 0.9-mile trail connecting to the rest of the preserve. To the southeast, the paved section of the trail runs downhill and connects with the Lower Meadow Trail close to the Deer Hollow Farm, a popular spot for families. Going back uphill on this section of the Mora Trail makes for a short but decent calf workout! Plus, along this section is a lookout point with a sweeping view of South Bay. And to the west of the trailhead, the unpaved section of the Mora Trail terminates at the Ravensbury Trail. From here you can get on either the Chamise Trail or the Rogue Valley Trail - both great hiking options. Personally, I've never started my runs at the Mora Trail due to the lack of nearby parking. But we'll see what happens if Rancho gets even more crowded than it already is!

Big smiles, everybody --Jonathan Mora (Earth-31916)…read more Jim Mora's playoff rant did not seem appropriate here as the lead quote. But as the days shorten, when you get a chance to hit a mid week trail head you take it! DEfinite big smiles! After Glenn G's Bohemian Rhapsody of a review, when we got together for some more Bro time, this was an easy trail to hit. Like Glenn wrote, parking is difficult to find thanks to street signs prohibiting daytime parking but there are a few good spots. This is the back ways trail into the Rancho San Antonio Open Preserve and County Park but I'd like to clear up some confusion you see on the web. A lot of people list the the Open Preserve, including my very intelligent friend, as 165 acres. When I read that number it just seemed instinctively wrong. It seems the Preserve is 3,988-acres but it is the adjoining County Park that is 165 acres. However a lot of people on the Web list the whole Preserve at 165 acres. So correct those links people so that Yelpers can provide the correct info!!! ;) The trails here are quite lovely and except on the return loop we were thankfully devoid of seeing too many humans. Except one douchebag with a pony tail who ran up behind Glenn and I, went fast in the middle between us and then yelled back as the entitled hipster he lives his life as with a :"Hey, the trails are for sharing!". I think I yelled something back like: "Yeah, I'll remember that the next time I grow eyes in the back of my f#^%&ing head you pony haired moron!" I so wanted to run that guy down and headbutt him a few times to show him how I share a trail but Glenn being the cool mediator counseled it wasn't worth it and to let it go. Other than that few minutes of ridiculousness, it was a lovely hike with beautiful views and the requisite deer and wild turkeys. When in the area, I would definitely seek this out as it is far less crowded than the main Rancho San Antonio entrances. Just watch out for the entitled pony haired freaks who think the people ahead of them read minds or have multiple eye sockets. Highly recommended (except for pony haired douches. You types stay away).

This is not a park with a playground. More like a relax park and good for walks…read more Some times my wife and I would walk out here and chill. The one thing I don't like is there's trash and graffiti everywhere. Cons: Graffiti everywhere

This is a very nice walking park. It has a couple benches and a few tables throughout the path. The…read moretrees provide nice shade, and due to the tanbark there are very few weeds in the path. It's a nice place to go for a jog or walk with the family. There has been some graffiti in the area, but for the most part the park is reasonably clean. Pet owners usually take care of their pets needs if you know what I mean. Although the city should provide more trash cans and doggie bags. Just be careful crossing the road. Some people do speed near there, and it can be kinda scary at night walking through here.

The train runs alongside the Stevens Creek Trail and on the opposite of Stevens Creek…read more It takes you from the giant National Aerodynamic Complex at NASA Ames all the way out to the Bay. However, Google is building another huge building adjacent tot he train and soon it will no doubt be littered with Abandoned Google Bikes Most of the year its strictly hikers and bikesm but It also is used seasonally by duck hunters. There are no services but lots of birds and other fauna. The Bay views at the end are spectacular and you truly feel like you are sitting on the dock fo the bay Trail: Dirt and packed gravel Miles 2.3 Suitable For: Hiking, Mountain Bikes, and maybe Road Bikes Services: None

I usually go for runs at Hidden Lake Park which is attached to the Berryessa Creek Trail, but I…read moredecided to change it up this past weekend. There's nothing really special about this trail, but it was in good enough condition this past Saturday, so no complaints about the cleanliness or terrain. The paved pathway stretches from North Hillview Drive at Milpitas Town Center, past Hidden Lake Park, to N. Abel Street... a little over a mile one way, with no noticeable inclines, so definitely easy for biking or taking a stroll. And I've never seen it get crowded here. One negative is that it is disconnected at N. Milpitas Blvd with no crosswalk for pedestrians, which can cause an inconvenience if you're not willing to jaywalk and make your way through the center divide. Otherwise, it's a simple trail surrounded by neighborhood homes and the creek, of course, as well as the aforementioned Hidden Lake Park providing lovely views from above. And parking is free and easy, either directly on N. Milpitas Blvd or in the small parking lot for Hidden Lake Park.

3.99 walk/run trail. I participated in a 5K/10K fun run that took use partly along the Berryessa…read moreCreek Trail. Obviously the trail runs along a former creek bed. It was nice to discover this part of the Bay Area for exercise.

Went jogging along the Guadalupe River Trail that runs parallel to the lake, against the backyards…read moreof neighborhood homes, with easy access and street parking on a dead end (Chynoweth Ave). It isn't really a park-like setting, which is probably why I didn't see any visitors in the area, nor litter. Besides the sounds of traffic on highway 85 bridging over the lake, it's a peaceful place to enjoy the views and surrounding nature. I spotted some ducks and geese swimming around, and simply adored the teal waters glistening in the sunlight on this lovely Saturday afternoon in July.

Why is this a lesser known hiking trail in the Bay Area? There is nothing wrong with it. I came…read morehere once with a group of friends and we all got a great workout. There were no other cars in the lot. No other humans on the trail. Saw lots of cows. The trail takes you up hill almost immediately and you get nice views after just a few minutes. There are restrooms. The parking lot gates close at 7 on the dot. It's no different than any other more populated area beside the fact perhaps not many people are aware that it exists. We enjoyed the hike but if you are out of shape then it might be difficult.

A friend told me about some new trails that opened recently in Sunol, so I had to check it out. The…read moretrail starting at Tyler Ranch will give you a work out. It's uphill for about 2 miles, but part of the trail is paved and the rest is in great shape (obviously, since it's new). The paths are wide and not rocky, and the view is quite nice as to climb higher and higher. We saw quite a few cows and quite a few cow pies, so be careful where you walk. Overall a nice hike that will get your heart rate up. However, there aren't many trees so this would be pretty brutal in the summer. Since it's new, there aren't too many people yet. We saw about 5-6 groups during our hike on a Saturday morning. Surprisingly, I didn't see any bikers, which is fine with me.

Lots of parking on the street in the neighborhood. Small turf grass area with a playground. The…read moreplayground is more suitable for bigger kids age 5 and up. Other than the large slide smaller kids can't use much of it.

OVERALL I have to say Belmont is quite nice with affluent houses on hills, small town feel stores,…read moreand friendly people. I parked in a residential street and a guy watering his front yard pointed out that I had left my lights on. A complete stranger yet looking out for a fellow person. Located next to San Carlos and very near Redwood Shores. DRIVING Be sure to turn your wheels appropriately depending which way you're parked on the hill. Watch out for deer crossing. If you're lucky which I have been lately you will see a whole family of deer crossing the street or grazing alongside the road. 101 and 280 can be used to get to Belmont. WEATHER not as hot as South Bay but definitely not as cold as San Francisco.

Belmont is a beautiful little city tucked away beside San Mateo. I lived here with my grandparents…read morewhile attending community college before transferring to Cal. My favorite thing about Belmont is it's trail system. Throughout Belmont Heights and the surrounding neighborhoods is a sprawling trail system that goes around water dog lake and beyond. it's always a lovely place to hike/stroll or bring friends. Another good hike in Belmont is the watershed. The San Francisco Watershed provides beautiful hikes with views of crystal springs reservoir all on an internationally known cross country course. It's truly magical to go for runs or hikes here, especially in the crisp belmont mornings! Belmont is a fairly affluent city that is mostly quiet and very safe. It has close-knit neighbors and organizations and good eats! I love exploring new little places in the surrounding area. I hope i can afford to live in Belmont myself some day. It really is that great!