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Pearson Arastradero Preserve
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
48 reviews for Pearson Arastradero Preserve
48 reviews in English
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Review from Lisa R.
San Luis Obispo, CA
2/21/2012
My husband and I - in an effort to burn some calories before enjoying more good food in the area - took a stroll around this preserve.
With a short amount of time and not being dressed for serious hiking, we took a short walk to the little pond.
If you love walking and mountain biking, this looks to be a great spot with lots of trails and variety in the terrain.
And nice toilets at the little nature center! -
Review from Bailey M.
2/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
Absolutely beautiful place for running, hiking, and biking. The natural scenery and wildlife will make your run delightful.
The place wasn't very crowded either, which was surprising considering it was a Sunday afternoon.
I can't wait to come back here. This is one of the nicest parks I've visited in NorCal. -
Review from Rachel L.
12/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love it! I've never been on a preserve before - so this review may be slightly un-trustworthy.... But according to my pups, this preserved deserved a 4 star rating. Here's why -
My dog LOVES balls. So when he discovered a white ball (read: fishing leftovers) floating in the waters by the island, he literally LEAPED in the air for the water. Needless to say, he's never learned how to swim so it was almost a disaster - if I didn't jerk the leash back in time. He was coughing and cacking b/c I pulled too hard (hence one star off for the near-death incident).... but recovered to frolic in the meadow and to chase the birds in 5 short minutes.
Then he went hunting for dead gophers on the ground.
Sigh.Listed in: Nico says!
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Review from Annie K.
Los Altos, CA
5/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Dog-friendly (unlike the dish!), very accessible. Many different trail options to take, can squeeze 4 solid miles out of this. I take my dog here at least once a week, it's really one of our favorites. The trails are not at all crowded, but watch out for the mountain bikers (they all have been very conscientious re pedestrians) and the horse poop. Beautiful views of the bay and the mountains. No ticks here yet, unlike many other local dog-friendly trails.
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Review from Patricia V.
Mountain View, CA
10/31/2011
* * * stars (BEWARE OF TICKS)
I stopped here yesterday to check out the location. I was thinking of possibly going hiking here in the near future but after my visit I've changed my mind. I prefer to hike in locations where there are tree lined trails, foliage and occasional spots to stop for rest in the shade.
Features:
Small/medium parking lot area (accommodates about 20 cars)
Informational board
Preserve maps
Restrooms
Open small hill grassy areas
Dusty trails
Mountain Biking
Hiking
Dogs on leash
TICKS!!! ---AH, NO THANKS, not for now....maybe layder, layder...but not rey now rey now... -
Review from Gina C.
3/7/2011 1 photo
Very short, pretty scenic trails.
Over the weekend I wanted to take my dog for a nice trail walk. I googled trails that were dog friendly and close by. I dragged the BF along to go on a trail walk with us. When we arrived the parking was limited and a lot of people were out and about either taking a walk or biking. There were horseback riders as well. Great views of the foothills.
Dog owners: Becareful if you bring your dogs. Once I got home I almost had a heart attack because I found a tick on my dog. I never knew what a tick looked like before this incident. I was lucky to find the tick before it bit my baby. -
Review from Michael S.
San Jose, CA
8/17/2011
This is a popular park next to 280 with easy trails. During the hours before and after work the parking spaces seem to fill up fast.
It's possible to hike the place in its entirety in three or four hours, so it is not very big compared to other Bay Area parks. There aren't many trees here - it is mostly hiking grassy hills that will be brown or green depending on the season. The views are okay, but given that it is next to 280 most of the surrounding hills have plenty of homes, so it's hard to forget that you're near civilization when visiting this park.
Some of the trails can be a little narrow relative to the amounts of people, bikes and horses trying to use the same space, so it pays to look out for other park users as you will probably have to get out of the way or avoid hitting someone at some point.
They also have an outdoor nature center just east of the parking lot that is worth checking out if you have kids or anyone else who would be interested in learning more about the park's plants and animals. -
Review from Samsudin K.
Santa Clara, CA
This review is on Mountain Biking only at Pearson Arastradero Preserve.
The trail is perfect for beginner with good mix of both fire road and single track. The uphill is not that steep but rather long. If you coming for first time, I suggest you take the map and remember the trail name so it easy for you to navigate the route. You cross the road to the trail starting grid and then continue 0.8 miles on fire road. I like to the clockwise ride from DeAnza Trail and then upwards to Meadowlark trails which is rather uphill single track.
Bear right to Acron trail which is downhill ride on a single track to Arastradero Creek Trail. The climb to Woodrat Trail is long but not steep. It is switch back uphill with good shade. This will bring you to Bowl Loop which is fast descent and then quick ascent to the Small Bowl. The small bowl is a fun place to test your skills on steep slope and also your guts.
Continue Bowl Loop Trail to the big bowl which I find very fun to ride down quick and them paddle you way up the slope without falling down. It was nerve wrecking the first time but I still need to do it without falling off at the top. The Woodland Star Trail will bring you back to the car park and it is nice downhill ride almost all the way.
I love the trail because it is near 280 highway and they have cleanest restroom ever. I only rode on weekdays morning so I am not sure about the crowd on weekends. I would rather bike at Saratoga Gap or elsewhere to avoid crowded trail. If you ride clockwise, it is around 5.1 miles loop and elevation of up 643 feet. Highly recommended for someone who just started mountain biking. The trail is well maintain and not technical at all. -
Review from lisa m.
Menlo Park, CA
6/14/2011
The reserve is beautiful and we had a great walk with our dogs but beware
the dogs had Ticks jump all over them which resulted in a flea and tick bath and a near miss with a baby rattle snake. It is nature but it was a 5 hour adventure to detick everyone which we did.
Think twice about taking your dogs on a nature hike.... -
Review from catherine b.
El Cerrito, CA
5/2/2008
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. -
Review from Kinjal S.
1/30/2011 2 photos
* A lot of different trails to choose from
* They are all quite scenic.
* Overlooking Stanford University and the foothills.
* Easy to access from the freeway.
* Good for kids, adults, families. There is a lake/creek nearby.
* It is not a shaded trail.
* Easy to moderate trails.
* Close to University Ave and California Ave/St which has good options for lunch and brunch after a fun hike/workout.
* Great way to begin the weekend -
Review from Miles C. H.
Redwood City, CA
1/2/2008
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? http://www.acterra.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. -
Review from Laura P.
Sunnyvale, CA
11/8/2009 2 photos
A nice place to go if you're looking to get away from the city.
- Nice views.
- People & animal friendly (dogs and horses).
- Good trails for mountain biking.
- Quiet, not too many other people around.
- Many miles of different trails you can take.
On the down side, you may find yourself walking down a trail, admiring nature and then all of a sudden you turn a corner and see a bunch of telephone poles next to some trees. Kinda ruins the moment. -
Review from Jen W.
Redwood City, CA
6/26/2007
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. -
Review from Jennifer H.
Burlingame, CA
8/12/2008
Awesome place. My honey got me a mountain bike for my bday, so I'm a newbie, but fearless. He's a more experienced rider and he still finds the downhills fun/fast. It's not super technical, so some parts are great for beginners.
Parking is ample. There are maps near the bathrooms (super clean). Many trails connect, so you can take a long ride or a short ride. First time, we took the trail on the side of the parking lot. Nice cardio uphill and two big hills down. Terrain isn't too bad.
Yesterday we took the other side and had some steep climbs with fire roads and singletrack. I was groaning in pain and was wondering when it would end. BUT the ride down was SOOOOOO worth it. Great down hill with some switchbacks (practicing my wide turns). Awesome change in terrain, from rocks, loose gravel, to fine dirt. I was locking my rear break and drifting like the Evos and STIs.
Not too shabby for a girl on her first bike :) -
Review from Ha V.
2/10/2010
I wanted to start working out again, and I thought the best way to do that would be to find something fun and refreshing. I've always admired (from afar) those who bike and run outdoors. They look so athletic-y, and I want to look like that, too!
We picked a trail and took off. We ended up walking more than running. Yes, it was because we are completely out of shape, but it was also because the entire trail was covered in poop. We identified it as dog and horse poop. Poop is gross; huge piles of horse poop are NASTY. On top of that, the trail was muddier and more uneven than most. It's a really unpleasant hiking site, IMO.
I think I'll try the Stanford Dish or Rancho San Antonio, instead. -
Review from Patrick H.
Santa Clara, CA
12/20/2009 3 photos
Here it is in December, with bright sunny skies and in the 60s - perfect biking weather (LOL @ those East Coasters w/ snow all around). This is a great park for mountain biking, with a mix of decent climbs (without being too steep) and some nice downhills. The secret spot here is a big bowl with a bunch of jumps. The jumps are big so just be sure you have some experience -- I haven't done many jumps and I totally bailed today!
Some other useful info:
-The jump park is not really marked, so look for the Bowl Loop on the map.
-If the parking lot is full, be careful where you park. There are some stretches on Arastradero Rd. that are labeled No Parking, and the would love to make some free income from you w/ a ticket.
-When the trails are damp, the horses leave imprints that make the trails like cobblestone -- not a big deal but be prepared for some teeth chattering bumpiness. -
Review from Dawn D.
9/23/2008
Wish I knew about this place earlier in the summer! I've only been coming here since mid-August and only for quick after work mountain bike rides. I'm trying to go after work as much as I can before it gets dark early - which is pretty soon. I don't think this will be a weekend ride for me, but I'd go on the weekends if I'm taking out beginners or to play around in the bowls.
A big Bonus to me is it has very clean bathrooms (Yay!!!) and a parking lot. I get off early and arrive around 5P so I haven't had any problems with parking yet *knocks on wood.* But I can see parking being an issue as I tend to stress out while waiting for my friends to arrive since it fills up quick.
So yeah, I think it's perfect place to bring beginners or a perfect trail to learn how to ride in clipless pedals on a mountain bike or just for that quick after work mountain bike fix. It's really nothing technical besides a few switchbacks and it's a pretty good mix of singletrack and fireroads. A few good climbs but nothing really bad.
Those small bowl and big bowls are pretty fun! Before I used to be so scared but now they are fun! :)
Less one star - lots of horsey poop so I hope you have a bike rack and not have to stick your bike in your trunk. Could be a little dry and dusty and sandy.Listed in: Places I Mountain Bike
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Review from Kristin G.
San Mateo, CA
10/19/2009 1 Check-in Here
I love this place. I've been her twice so far, once on a Sunday and once on a Monday, it wasn't crowded either day.
It's got beautiful rolling hills, a pond and a lot of space.
I did see a coyote that didn't look scared of my Great Dane. My friend chased off the coyote while I held the dogs.
It's tempting to let your dog off leash here, even though it's illegal because you feel so alone in nature but don't. I didn't see any horses, but I could tell that there were some there recently. Coyotes, I'm sure my dog would have run up and play bowed at the coyote - not good. Also, my Great Dane was good enough to point out a dead animal carcass by trying to pick it up. I think there are a lot of rabbits there as well. Along the golf course that it borders is barbed wire. Lots of reasons to obey the leash law. -
Review from Kara B.
East Bay, CA
11/24/2008
If you like are looking for a relaxing easy day walk this is your place. From the map the place looked bigger, but I was able to get from one end to the other it took about 40 minutes. You can of course branch off and do a 3 hour hike here easily, you just aren't going to get much of a cardio work out from it. I'm a person who likes my steep hills, and this place has none :( Not as pretty as other places I like to hike at in the south bay but I plan to come back in the Spring and see if there is an abundance in wildflowers, so that may change my mind :) Its a nice place to go on a stroll if you want to get some fresh air and escape the south bay traffic.
Reasons I'll come back to this place:
-Dog friendly (on leash only)
-Close to a freeway exit
-Good for trail running
-Bikes can go on single track trails
-In my experience it hasn't seem overly populated -
Review from Epi C.
San Jose, CA
5/4/2007 2 photos
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 -
Review from M G.
Los Altos, CA
9/1/2009
This place is very beautiful - a prime example of old California with golden grass (a lot of wild oats), a couple of varieties of oaks, seasonal creek, a small pond, and critters. A fair number of mountain bikers so for us solo walkers its important to stay to the middle-right of the trails.
Greeting fellow hikers is relaxed and common and its considered polite to say "Hello" or "Good afternoon" at Arastradero. This is unlike Rancho San Antonio county park, where politely ignoring other hikers is the common etiquette there.
Dog walkers have been polite and terrific handling their animals and so I've had absolutely no bad experiences . All pet owners have had their leashes on their animals except for one. No pet poop on the trails either, so many thanks to the owners for being courteous and thoughtful.
For those who are just walkers you may want to be aware of rattlers in the late afternoons (we recently, 2 weeks ago, had 2 on the trail) who are probably out to sun themselves. Rattlers can strike from any position so don't try to go Crocodile Hunter on them unless you know exactly what you're doing and the consequences.
The yelpers who noted "horse poop" are spot-on regarding this so if this offends you or you have allergies to this sort of thing, may want to do the mountain bike thing and pass it by quickly or check out Rancho San Antonio.
Other things: if you have kids or have allergies, may want to be on the alert for poison oak ("leaves of three, let it be") that copiously grows along side most of the trails. Right now, (early September) its leaves are beginning to turn a red-orange color, which is helpful in spotting it.
A great experience all around - lots of courteous hikers and bikers. -
Review from Adam D.
7/18/2010
This review is for mountain biking at Arastradero Preserve.
I like biking here because it's both suitable for beginners and for more technical riders. The core trail sections are pretty easy; there are some tricky climbs, but nothing that first time bikers can't make it up. The trail takes some fun dips and climbs out in open fields.
But the real reason I like Arastradero is the fun part on the back side of the park. There's a big "bowl" that's kind of fun (steep downhill, pedal like hell at the level part, and then you might make it up the other side!) and a small section with some steep drops around each other, making it a great place to learn how to get some air.
Arastradero is best done as an afternoon ride paired with Water Dog Lake in Belmont on the morning. -
Review from watani f.
San Jose, CA
1/24/2011
pearson arastradero preserve is a multi-use park with lots of intertwining trails. you can find hikers, mountain bikers (helmets required), equestrians and people with their dogs (must be on leashes). i came here yesterday with a large mountain biking group and we came across 2 equestrians on 2 beautiful horses - i sooo want a horse now.
lots of easy rolling hills here that are great for beginners of all mediums. great views can also be had here - on a clear day, you can see the entire bay area including downtown san francisco. most of this preserve grassy. there are a few areas that are lined with large trees for your cooler ascents/descents. so, make sure you have sun screen for those hot days.
there's a small parking lot that fills up quickly. there's additional parking available along arastradero towards page mill or even on page mill.
for mountain bikers who are beginners, this is a good place to start building on your endurance. more experience riders can put on a harder gear and get a great workout. as mentioned in other reviews, there are 2 bowls for us riders to play in - 1 large and 1 small.
have fun!Listed in: training days
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Review from hima s.
Denver, CO
10/20/2008
I finally went to Arastradero last month with my hiking group. It is super accessible from the freeway and has plenty of hiking/biking/running paths.
Our group usually follows a plan, but this time we opted to wander aimlessly. The map on the website is fantastic (not true of all local parks/preserves) so it would have been next to impossible to get lost.
Best of all, the preserve allows dogs! I didn't take mine on the last hike, but will definitely be returning soon with them.
A few notes:
1. Parking is TIGHT. I lucked out that someone was leaving just as I was arriving. When I left, two cars were waiting for my spot.
2. This preserve is popular for horses. So expect horse poop.
3. During the summer, this preserve will be HOT. Most of the trails are exposed so come prepared. -
Review from Louis G.
San Carlos, CA
1/20/2008
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. -
Review from Tim L.
San Francisco, CA
7/29/2011
Came out here for my first MTB ride in over 15 years. Fun trails and nice climbs. I granny geared most of it. The two bowls were fun and nerve racking but definitely coming back here again. The horse poop along the trails suck.
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Review from Superduperpooperscooper T.
CA
5/22/2008
You can bring your dogs here for hikes but there are mountain lion warnings posted, making me think my little dogs are walking dinners.
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. http://www.city.palo-a..., go to Featured Sites and select Open Space.Listed in: Sunshine Day!
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Review from Katharine A.
San Jose, CA
12/18/2007 2 Check-ins Here
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. -
Review from JAYSON C.
San Jose, CA
7/15/2008
This a great place for a mountain biker who is just beginning. There's 2 parking lots near the trails that fill up quickly - One right off of 280 freeway and the other on Arastradero Road.
Depending on what trail you take there are few short and steep climbs, but fairly manageable. Some fire road and singletrack. You can also try out the bowls in the back, which are fun to go down on and a little challenge to climb. You should definitely have a good amount of liquids to keep you hyrdrated. I have a 2 liter camelbak and I finished it before I biked down.
I've seen deer in that area, so watch it!
This is a good training spot if you either live in the area or want to learn to do switchbacks. This is not for a biker who is more experienced and looking for something more technical and challenging. -
Review from m. S.
San Mateo, CA
7/23/2011
This review is for running.
Like the reviews that mention that it's a perfect place for beginning mountain biking, the same is true for trail running. This is a great place to bring the cross country team for their initial season warm up runs--gentle hills and well marked trails.
I use it as a way to get into the Palo Alto Park so that I can do their longer 7 miler--combined you can get 12 miles out of it. Palo Alto's Foothill's Park has the remarkable distinction of having he least poison ivy of any place I've run. I've also used it when I run from the Dish, through the Castle run (Old Page Mill) and then through the preserve to get to Alpine Road and then back around to Stanford.
The trails here, for the most part, are very wide and so don't have the poison ivy. There have been some incidents with Coyotes not having a good time with dogs, so dog owners, watch out. -
Review from Michelle Z.
Palo Alto, CA
5/30/2010
One of my most favorite places on the Peninsula! So serene, quiet, and beautiful . . . all in my own backyard. I love that unlike most trails around here, leashed dogs are allowed. But be warned, there are a lot of ticks.
There's just the right amount of hills and shade, with gorgeous views of the bay to boot. I love that it's not overcrowded like the Dish, nor flat and boring like Sawyer Camp. It seems underutilized for how awesome it is. I recently went on a warm Sunday afternoon and only encountered a handful of people. (Not that I'm complaining . . . )
As mentioned in other reviews, horses use the trails. You may encounter horse poop . . . which is essentially a pile of grass, so who cares? -
Review from Lia G.
Menlo Park, CA
4/22/2011
Caution dog-owners! We took our short-haired mini labradoodle for a walk last weekend and our dog came home covered in no less than 20 ticks. We spent an hour scouring him from snout to tail. I guess it's not really the park's fault as it is a preserve, but I do not recommend this to anyone walking a dog.
Otherwise, for people I would give it 4 stars for location, easy parking, lovely views, and easy trails. -
Review from Elizabeth M.
Palo Alto, CA
3/7/2008
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!
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Review from Cheddar C.
San Jose, CA
2/5/2011
I used to walk Stanford Dish and I was very disappointed that I couldn't bring my new puppy with me until I found Arastradero Preserve today! Just as beautiful, I think even more so, less crowded, and dog friendly!
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Review from Brent C.
San Jose, CA
6/19/2009
This is a great place to hike, bike, ride your horse or whatever. I usually come here for an after work bike ride. The trail is fairly easy for frequent riders but can be a bit challenging for beginners. This is where I started my mountain biking career and I took many breaks when I started off. People here are friendly and polite.
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Review from Cynthia C.
Alameda, CA
9/8/2009
Way too open, w/repetitive relatively FLAT terrain, felt like I was in the desert, I won't be back for a hike or run. On the other hand, if I had a horse, I would take a gallop here.
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Review from Polly F.
Palo Alto, CA
9/25/2009
I come here to run because where I live is infuriatingly flat. Those of you lamenting the lack of steep hills here, clearly you've never been to Santa Clara :).
It may not be everyone's cup of tea but what I like about it you are mostly alone on most runs, unlike at Rancho San Antonio which is always milling with people. It's a convenient and lovely place to get away and be by yourself for a while.
Sometimes you also see deer, rabbits, bluebirds, rattlesnakes. Dunno bout you but I get excited at sights of such things. Maybe I should get out more.
About car burglary, ever since seeing the warnings posted I've made it a point to look out for "suspicious characters" when I'm in the lot. Once I saw a man sitting in a pickup, who didn't look like he worked there (no City of Palo Alto logos, no equipment in the truckbed) or that he was there for exercise (he was generously proportioned and had no bike like 98% of the cars in the lot did). It began to feel like he was waiting for me to leave (I was the only one in the lot at the time) so I just nonchalantly stretched and took in the view until he started his engine and left. I'd like to think I helped someone's car not get bust, and in any case I hope that other users of the park would do the same and just keep an eye out for each other.
Time of day might also matter. If you go in the early afternoon, plan on a short workout because the lot is relatively empty. Or go on the loop right next to the lot (1.5 mi) at certain points of which you can see the cars in the lot. Call me paranoid but at those points I usually look over for anyone trying to jimmy a car open or emptying out a trunk or whatever it is car burglars do. I have no plan as to what I'd do if one day I do witness such an occurence (the loop takes you up a hill high above the lot, too far to do anything). Maybe scream and wave my hands or something. -
Review from Mallory C.
Mountain View, CA
7/30/2008
I went there today for the first time. Once you get over the fact that your shoes are going to get FILTHY, you'll be fine. It took me about 10 minutes to get over it, but I'm just like that! I like clean shoes. We hiked for an hour and 45 minutes. That was a bit too much hiking for me, but since I was with one person that I knew and two other new people, I didn't want to be the whiner. I toughed it out and hiked my ass off. Sure, I had a little trouble breathing some of the time, but I was determined to not be a complainer! Boy are my legs sore now. I think I'll go take a few Advil and go to bed. I'll wash my shoes in the morning.
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Review from Omar V.
Redwood City, CA
8/10/2008
Great place, I have fond memories of catching a bunch of fish in the pond right off of the trail. My dog and I also startled a rattle snake here and it was not a good experience :) The pond area is a great place to sit and meditate under the tree.
