Arastradero Preserve
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
- Good for Kids: Yes
12 Reviews for Arastradero Preserve
DON'T LEAVE ANYTHING IN YOUR CAR!!!! Was out for a less-than-an-hour run and came back to BOTH of my windows bashed in and my wallet, phone, camera, even my running warm-ups stolen. Nothing was left "out," but didn't deter. $6000 later, my car is fixed and goods replaced. Beware and be safe!
A small human I know, just six years of age, said he wanted to go for a hike. He even knew about this place called Arastradero. I found this unusual, in a very good way. I decided that such requests should be rewarded. And so off we went.
When you park, there is a small visiting center. Even though there's not much, and the stuff is probably 20 years old, this was satisfying to little ones. They have buttons you can press to hear the song of a meadowlark or the cry of a hawk. They have plastic models of various types of animal poop that you can touch. Way cool. Especially the coyote's.
We did a short, easy 'hike' of about 45 minutes. It's perfect for kids this age. Too much older and it would probably be boring. Where we walked there was a small grade and no steep climbs, but it was long enough that he felt he'd accomplished something significant.
Just a few other people on the trail - a few walking, a few on mountain bikes and one galloping by on a horse. Way cool. except for the horse poop.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (5)
Cool (6)
A small place which ends up being on a major road biking route which takes folks from Page Mill to Alpine via Arastradero. A few summers ago I rode up to Skyline via Page Mill in 93 degree weather with just a small Camelback and one bottle. Of course I drank it all and I was super dehydrated. Imagine my joy when I got back down that there was a race in progress with a stop in the parking lot, whew!
There are two steep sections on the main loop, both are pretty short. If you're in any kind of shape at all you'll be multi-looping this place. There is pretty much no technical terrain although there is a short section of singletrack with a couple switchbacks. I've seen deer in that area before right on the trail, so watch it! There are also little families of bunnies that hop around near the bottom, don't smoosh em!
This is a good training spot if you either live in the area or want to learn to do switchbacks. Aside from that I can't really recommend it. Waterdog is riding distance from my house and has much more difficult terrain (stumps, switchbacks, 7' vertical drops, etc...)
Oh yeah, I think if you're a tree hugging hippy hiker there may be some nature or some crap here. I'll try not to crush it with my mountain bike.
I went there to bike this weekend and it was decently busy with lots of peds and other roadies and mt bikers. I went later in the afternoon and probably missed a large part of the crowd thankfully. With the little time I had I took a short loop on the Juan Bautista run and looped back on the meadowlark trail. Very easy riding with little to no elevation change. With more time I would definitely suggest venturing deeper into the park. Good for folks new to riding, not very technical and mostly easy climbs. Trail maps is available on the city of palo alto's website or by the parking lot in the structure next to the bathrooms.
I love taking my dog here for a hike and a (gulp!) swim. The preserve itself is dog friendly but you are supposed to keep them on leash at all times. I obey this until Spruce wants to jump in the water for a bit of swimming exercise. Usually he has the company of a few other dogs.
It is a good place to take a hike that is not too strenuous, but does have length and some hills. Be aware that there are plenty of mountain lions in the area; it really pays to stay alert here.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
When hiking here keep in mind that if the developers had their way in the 60s the entire area would be a mass of asphalt and suburban houses. Environmental activists and smart local residents stopped it, and activists from Acterra are still engaged in habitat restoration here.
From the parking lot, look across the street: that whole garden-like area you see is an island of nearly pure California native plant life, courtesy of Palo Alto and the Acterra stewardship project. Maybe you should volunteer with them? www.arastradero.org
This is one of the easiest-to-get-to, light hiking and biking areas on the Peninsula. After your exertions you can cruise over to the legendary Alpine Inn ("Zot's") on the corner of Arastradero and Alpine Rd., and partake of garden burgers and humble, well-deserved brews.
I hear you're pretty...but why can't I find you?! I Google Map you...even drove in circles for a bit trying to find you. Are you that elusive or am I just that "DER" when it comes to directions?! Are you the same place as listed below? I really want to climb your hills and frolick in your meadow...I want to bring the pug out and take a walk too. I'll find you one day, my pretty, I will. Supposedly, you're dog friendly...are you still? I looked at the City of Palo Alto web page and can't find that information. Hm...I'll find you one of these days. I want to give you a four b/c you're hiding and nicely tucked away, but since you are nature's beauty you'll get five.
Taken from on 11/13/2007: http://www.sfgate.com/...
"Peninsula
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve: Little Arastradero Lake is nestled in the Palo Alto foothills near Stanford. This is a pretty little pond, ringed by tules, where there are more ground squirrels and hawks than people. After parking, you cross Arastradero Road and hike 1 mile up a hill and then descend a short distance to the pond. A trail rings the lake and connects to other routes that extend to higher foothills. Note: When the trails dry out in early summer, weekend mountain bicyclists often speed downhill and act like hikers are the flags in a slalom course. Free. 2 miles round trip, easy. (650) 329-2423. www.city.palo-alto.ca.us, go to Featured Sites and select Open Space."
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
I went here for the first time about a week ago, during the weekday to avoid crowds. Being a complete mountain biking noobie, I did not research any of the trails here ahead of time. I was just excited to go! I parked the car, got the bike out and headed to the closest trail , which was the redtail loop - on this trail you are able to see the parking lot most of the time. this was a very short loop, but still nice views from the top nonetheless (check out the pics)
The few people that I ran into were nice...just watch out for the horse droppings and rattlesnakes on the trails. I plan to go back soon and ride some more.
FYI - be sure to bring enough water because the area is pretty exposed. you'll heat up pretty fast
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Nice park. Too short for a long hike or run. It is a nice add on for a longer run, but you cannot run more than than 3-5 miles on the trails. Personally there were too many people and the trails are VERY exposed. Bring lots of water and wear a hat. There are restrooms in the gravel parking lot. Be VERY careful when crossing Arastradero, it is hard for cars to see you and it is a very busy road.
1 star for a run
3 stars for a hike
4 stars for parking and restrooms
2 stars for trail quality - quite uneven and rocky, covered with horse manure
There are much better running trails - Windy Hill, Huddart, etc. that provide ample shade, good soft footing, restrooms, water stops and 8+ miles of trail.
Nice, open park with mellow trails. There's a really nice lake in here too. The mountain lion warning kind of freaked me out, but it adds a little mystique to the whole experience. Enjoys the pics!
Lots of trails and fun spots to ride. A little different from the run of the mill trails on skyline. There's a mini dirt jump park and 'the punch bowl', a great little crater-looking thing with short steep ledges. A great place for beginner/intermediates or training rides with multiple loops
Good park if you want a easy to moderate hike and don't mind lots of people. It can be very busy, particularly on weekends. The trick is to go as deep into the preserve as possible since most of the families with little kids never make it that far.
There is a good size parking lot, which still gets full. If it is packed, you can drive down about 1/2 mile towards Page Mill Rd. and park on the side of the road (though be aware of where the No Parking signs end)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Free Shiznit to Do.
For all you cheap bastards, you know who you are.…
Hot and New
- New Kapadokia
65 reviews
Redwood City, CA
- Froyo?
29 reviews
Cupertino, CA
- Yogurtland
104 reviews
Cupertino, CA
- Wakuriya
18 reviews
San Mateo, CA
- The Red Crane
119 reviews
Cupertino, CA
