We always wanted to go for a hike in the Pescadero area, mainly because the kids love anything that ends in beach time. We packed up lunch, and headed out to the Wilbur's watch trail in Pescadero. This is a perfect hike with kids - Its 2 miles long, one-mile out-and-back trail, with a gorgeous look out point at the end of the 1 mile trail.

The kids even brought their little yellow scooter along on the trail - its not the most ideal condition to ride a scooter, but it was doable, and they really manage to ride it all the way. The hike is a gradual incline, and in no time we felt like we reached the lookout point. From every step along the way you see the beautiful ocean views, and that's one thing I will never get tired of.

The Wilbur's Watch hike is a great trail to see wildflowers in the spring months, specially California Poppies. This hike has several switch backs, and we mainly saw grasslands and shrubs in January. I made a mental note to go back in Springtime.

Hike: Wilbur's Watch Trail

Distance: 2 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Best Season: Spring is the best time to see the wildflowers

We ended the hike with lunch at the nearby Bean Hollow State beach, and kids still ended up in the cold Pacific waters on the beach :)

The Foothills Open Space reserve is an interesting place - for years and years, this was a private park available only to the residents of Palo Alto. However, on December 17, 2020, the park was finally to open to all non-residents and with no entrance or parking fee for the time being.

We left early to drive up to the Foothills park, and experienced one of the most beautiful foggy morning in the hills. The park was particularly crowded because it was finally opened to all public. There are many many hikes in this 1400 acre preserve, and we parked at the Vista Hills, and took the Chamise Trail down to the Boronda Lake.

Its a short 0.7 mile down from the Vista Hill to the lake, and there is a short walk to the Monkey Island. The kids loved playing up and down the historical bridge and we can't wait to explore more of this park.

The Zinfandel trail starts at the historic Pichetti Winery which was build in 1890's. Amongst the many trails in this region, Zinfandel trail is a easy 2.7 mile trail that goes all the way to the Steven Creek Reservoir.

This hike was more like a walk along the hills and it reaches a point from where you can see the entire Reservoir - with the kids we weren't able to make it to this point, but I would like to believe we were almost there. The views along the hike were beautiful, and totally worth even one mile on this hike. There is also a seasonal pond - called the Pichetti Lake which we passed by on our left, but was completely dried up. The best time to see this water body would be after Spring, where ducks and geeses can be seen swimming in this area.

Distance - 2.1 mile

Difficulty - Easy/Moderate

Best Season - Spring and early summer

Pogonip park is accessible by several walk-in entrances through nearby neighbourhoods in the area. There is no specific park entrance, which makes this hike such a adorable little surprise. The trail starts with a walk through grasslands with views of the mountain and all the way to Santa Cruz ocean. The trail quickly transitions into a shady area through evergreen forest and redwood groves.

The area has a rich history as it was inhabited by the Oholne tribes before the establishment of the Santa Cruz Missions. Some of the remains can still be observed in the area like the ancient circular temple. This was such a fun area for the kids, they spent quite some time exploring the unique placement of the rocks.

We ended the hike with lunch under the redwood trees and by a trickling creek. The walk back took hardly any effort. This place is also popular for banana slugs, rabbits, woodpeckers and numerous other birds. This made a fun scavenger hunt game for the kids along the hike.

Here is the link to the trail map!

Distance: 3 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Directions: Several residential entrances, we used the entrance to the South of the UCSC. At the entrance to UCSC, turn right on High Street. Turn left on Spring Street and follow it to the end.

Ano Neuvo is the home to one of the largest elephant seal community in the world, mainly due to the unique conditions of the beach water that brings lots of marine life to the area. January and February are probably the best months to see seals at Ano Neuvo.

With the current COVID situation the seal watching trail was closed for vistors, except for guided walks - make reservations here! - however Ano Neuvo did not disappoint. The trail to the overlook was 1 mile and we walked back the same route. The park is off Route 1- California Highway, and the views all along are breath taking!

Kids enjoyed watching Pelicans along the way and found some mushrooms growing. It was a hot day so glad this was pretty much a flat, easy trail, but no shade!

Distance - 1 mile to the Overlook from the parking

Difficulty - Easy

Best time to visit - Late January/ Feb/ March

Happy Exploring!

Adobe Creek Trail is a flat, easy, stroller friendly walk in the heart of the Bay Area. All along the trail you have a clear view of the mountains that makes the Silcom Valley. Adobe creek is adjacent to the popular Shoreline Lake. If you want to beat the crowds at Shoreline, but still get a similar view, this is a great one!

Baylands marsh is a nesting ground for all kinds of birds, and ducks. The kids enjoyed watching the pelicans, Canada geese, and various species of ducks that can be seen in Mayfield Slough. That's when we heard the statement from the kids that there seemed to be "Gallons and Gallons of Birds". The are many different routes you could take on this trail, but the entire loop is 5.2 miles.

Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

Other Resources;

https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/6118

The Los Tranchos Open preserve is at the intersection of the Page Mill Road and Skyline Blvd. The hike starts at the top of the hill, and descends down through the forest into a creek. The trail quickly transitions from open space to a dense woods.

We went to the trail right after the rains, looking for a waterfall hike.. and instead we found a trickle of a waterfall. Along the way we saw lots of different species of wild mushrooms, fern and dried leaves that surrounded the floor of the trail.

Level of Difficulty - Easy/Intermediate

Distance - 1.6 miles

The most fun part of this hike is trying to cross the Pescadero Creek. Pescadero Creek is one of the largest creeks in the area, specially after the rains. When we started the hike, we had no idea we had to cross this creek, and once we got there, it took a lot of conditioning of the mind - that we will be getting our feet and socks soaking wet for the rest of the trail.

The trail is 2.3 miles long, and loops to the Iverson trail which ends at the park headquarters. The park is surrounded with towering redwood trees and makes a perfect hike for a hot summer day. Due to COVID restrictions the last 0.3 miles to the waterfall is closed, but the kids were more than satisfied with the hike by just getting to play in the water by the creek. The creek also makes for a good lunch spot.

Along the trail there were several redwood groves, and goosepens caused by damage, decay and forest fire, and some were large enough for the kids to go through and pretend play.

Distance - 2.5 miles

Difficulty - Moderate

Fun with friends along.

Rancho San Antonio is a beautiful park for all age groups. Here you will find advanced hikers on the PG&E / Black mountain trails, medium difficulty hikes - like the Rhus Ridge/Wildcat Loop Trail, and the easy ones that can be done with kids - even stroller friendly walks up to the Deer Hollow Farm.

The kids generally have a great time since you can almost always spot a couple of deers, wild turkeys and if you are lucky coyotes in the park. The deer hollow farm is run by the City of Mountain view. Be sure to get an update on that site before making a trip. Sometimes they also have fresh eggs to sell at the farm.

Since the past couple of months, the kids have found a secret hide out spot here by the willow tree, and there is bee hive which has been marked with information about bees and bee colonies. After making all these stops along the way, we finally make it to the deer hollow farm about 45 mins from the parking lot (this would be a lot faster without kids). But a lot less fun!

This was a perfect cloudy spring day hike around the Steven's creek reservoir. The hike was flat dirt road, 2.5 mile round trip, from the parking lot till the end of the trail around the reservoir and back.

Kids loved watching the spring flowers in their glory around the lake, and we talked about dams and reservoirs and how they support the water needs. Steven's creek is a popular trail amongst locals since it is so assessible. Mountain bicycling is one of the more popular recreational activities at Stevens Creek Park.

We managed to get this picture of all 4 of us! Its a winner!

This is technically not a hike, because we biked, but we will consider this okay?

Let me start this blog by saying here is where the bike road ends! It was absolutely gorgeous :)

We biked from the Sausilito City along the East Road, all the way to the Children's discovery museum and ended right under the golden gate bridge. This was just a treat to the eyes all along!

Sailboats sailing under the golden gate bridge, sun shining through and through, and the crisp wind blowing though your hair! We saw birds, and california popies all along!

Try to spot the two lil bikers :)

Have you ever been to Tuscany and wanted to find those rolling hills here in Bay Area? This is your moment! These pictures are not doing justice to beautiful Arastedero preserve! You have to hike those trails and find out!

The Pearson-Arastradero preserve has over 10 miles of hiking trails, and you can find a trail for all skill levels. A kid-friend hike is through the Arasterdero Creek trail, and back from the Rye-Loop trail. This is approximately 3 mile loop, with gorgeous views of the hikes and the trails all along. You are sure to encounter a horse or two, as there is a full-service horse barn at the gateway house.

Be sure to be careful of rattlesnakes here. They are a native. They seldom harm people.

One of the most popular walks in the entire Peninsula - This place is also know as "The Dish", named after the large old radiotelescope used for research in the Stanford foothills and visible from throughout the area.

Rain or shine, you'll find several locals and Stanford students walking or jogging the trail.

The hike is mainly a paved trail that offers spectacular views of the Peninsula, the campus and the nearby silicon valley. On a clear day visitors can see San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and the East Bay. The main loop trail is 3.5 miles and takes about an hour and fifteen minutes to walk.

Parking is generally a pain at the main entrance. We prefer to start the trail at the alphine gate - The Alpine gate is near Interstate 280 on Alpine Rd. at Piers Lane. The trail from the Alpine gate intersects with the main loop trail near the big dish and adds about a mile and a half to the full loop.

Distance - 3 miles

Difficulty - Moderate

Pet and stroller friendly