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  • Santa Clara County, California

    The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Santa Clara County, California, offer top-notch outdoor adventures. A must-visit is the Almaden Quicksilver County Park. It boasts over 37 miles of hiking trails, with scenic views of the Santa Clara Valley and the Sierra Azul mountain range. The park is also home to historic mining sites and the beautiful Guadalupe Reservoir. For a more challenging hike, try the 8-mile round trip to the top of Mission Peak. It offers panoramic views of the Bay Area and unique rock formations. Don't miss the Stevens Creek Trail, a multi-use trail that follows the Stevens Creek and offers birdwatching, biking, and jogging opportunities. For a relaxing day, head to the Uvas Reservoir County Park for fishing, boating, and picnicking. These outdoor activities make Santa Clara County a must-visit for outdoor adventures.

    Top Spots in and near Santa Clara County

    • Stanford, California

      Stanford Dish Loop

      4.4
      3.67 mi / 472 ft gain
      If you live in the Palo Alto area and are looking for a place to hike or run, The Dish is a close, and great way to get that exercise. Located right on the corner of Stanford Ave and Junipero Serra, you'll see that small gated entrance right when you drive on by. As far as parking goes, you're le...
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    • Stanford, California

      Sunset Picnic at Kite Hill

      4.0
      Kite Hill is nothing more than what the name describes. A simple ascent less than 100 feet in elevation. But that 100 feet is all you need to feel like you discovered a little escape from the buzz below.To get there, you can park directly at the base of Kite Hill along Peter Coutts Rd and simply ...
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    • Palo Alto, California

      Hike the Arastradero Preserve Loop

      3.0
      4.5 mi / 600 ft gain
      Getting There: From Hwy 280, take the Page Mill Road exit and head West on Page Mill Road, away from Downtown Palo Alto (if you're taking 101, exit on Oregon Expressway). Then turn right on Arastradero Road. There will be a small sign indicating the dirt parking lot on the eastern side of the str...
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    • Portola Valley, California

      Hike the Windy Hill Loop

      4.3
      7.2 mi / 1400 ft gain
      This 7.2-mile loop starts by heading out of the parking lot and onto the Spring Ridge Trail. Head Southeast On Spring Ridge Trail until you connect with Hamms Gulch Trail. When you jump on Hamms Gulch, head southwest for ~3.4 miles as you circle the far end of the OSP. At this point, you will con...
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    • Woodside, California

      Hike through Wunderlich County Park

      5.0
      4.5 mi / 1400 ft gain
      Located in the iconic Silicon Valley town of Woodside, Wunderlich County Park offers a number of hiking trails as well as some horseback riding trails through the wilderness.  Once in the parking lot, you will see a number of stables, riding ring, as well as a beautiful historic stable that was o...
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    • Los Altos, California

      Park Day at Foothills Park

      1.7
      Disclaimer: Foothills Park requires proof of residence in Palo Alto or being accompanied by a resident of the city. Learn more here.Foothills Park is 2.7 miles west of 280 after exiting Page Mill. After exiting you take a short scenic drive up the hill and come to the park entrance on your right...
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    • Portola Valley, California

      Sunrise Hike at Windy Hill

      5.0
      There are a few options to this hike. Usually I would recommend parking in the lot on Portola Road, but because the preserve doesn't open until 30 minutes before sunrise, it's best to park up on Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35). There are two places to park up on Skyline, but the main parking lot i...
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    • 3160 North Shoreline Boulevard, California

      SUP Shoreline Lake

      3.0
      Shoreline Lake features a big lake, many hiking and biking trails, and lot of picnic areas in Mountain View, CA. Kayaks, SUP, and various boats can be rented from the boat house. This is a great place to enjoy the water no matter what season it is. There are large grassy areas for kids to run and...
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    • Santa Clara County, California

      Black Mountain via Rhus Ridge Trail

      9.75 mi / 2992 ft gain
      Just outside of Los Altos is a very long ridge of mountains, one of which is Black Mountain.  This is a very dry hike, with no tree canopy, so it can get very hot! Be aware that this can make the hike feel a lot more difficult with the sun beating down on you. Follow Rhus Ridge Trail to Black Mo...
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    • Redwood City, California

      Hike the Crystal Springs Trail Loop

      5.6 mi / 1300 ft gain
      This is a great hike for any season of the year, with rushing streams during the winter, wildflowers in the spring, and cool, shaded canyons during the summer. Starting from near the Zwierlein Picnic area, take the Crystal Springs to the left into the redwood forest. Stay straight at the next tra...
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    • Redwood City, California

      Hike the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Loop

      3.7
      5.5 mi / 1000 ft gain
      Getting there: exit Highway 280 at Edgewood Road, travel .75 miles east, turn left on Crestview Drive, then immediately left again on Edmonds Road.Once parked, there are several different path options through the park. All of them connect in a large loop, and return to the parking lot. The Cordil...
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    • Redwood City, California

      Hike or Bike the Old Growth Redwood Loop at El Corte de Madera

      4.4
      8.8 mi / 1900 ft gain
      This hike starts at the middle parking lot of the El Corte de Madera Open Space Preserve. The middle lot is located roughly a mile south on Skyline Boulevard from the Skeggs Point Vista. From the parking lot, take the Methuselah Trail for 0.3 miles until you reach the Timberview Trail. Take this ...
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    • Los Altos, California

      Hike the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve Loop

      4.5
      2.9 mi / 600 ft gain
      This hike is best done in the late fall, winter, and spring so that the creek is running and the hills are green. Starting at the preserve parking lot, the first half of the hike is predominantly downhill. At the main trailhead, start in the direction of the Stevens Creek Nature Trail, as told by...
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    • Los Altos, California

      Hike to Black Mountain and Stevens Creek Canyon

      4.0
      6 mi / 950 ft gain
      This hike can be done during any season, but for the creek to be running and for more comfortable temperatures, it is best to go on a cool winter or spring day. Starting at the preserve parking lot, take the Stevens Creek nature trail, allowing you to witness spectacular views of a large, foreste...
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    • Redwood City, California

      Hike Russian Ridge

      4.5
      4 mi
      Russian Ridge offers a great place to jump on the trail and in the right season, see some of the best wildflowers blooming. On top of that, you get access to amazing views from the ridge. Once you hit your parking space, add a little extra warm up before jumping on the trail to make this 3.7-mil...
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    • La Honda, California

      Mountain Bike Skyline Ridge Preserve

      4.0
      3.5 mi / 313 ft gain
      There are a bunch of beginner to intermediate mountain biking trails at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve (click here for a trail map).  There are some beginner mountain biking classes that come here to learn. You can find specific trails that match your ability at MTB Project.   There is a Chris...
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    Camping and Lodging in Santa Clara County

    Santa Cruz North / Costanoa KOA
    Pescadero, California

    Santa Cruz North / Costanoa KOA

    Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
    La Selva Beach, California

    Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday

    Moss Landing KOA Express
    Moss Landing, California

    Moss Landing KOA Express

    Guides, Insights and Stories from Santa Clara County

    The Perfect Weekend Adventure at Big Basin State Park

    The Perfect Weekend Adventure at Big Basin State Park

    Benjamin Canevari

    How to Eat Healthy on the Road

    How to Eat Healthy on the Road

    Noël Russell

    Weekend Excursion: 72 Hours in San Francisco

    Weekend Excursion: 72 Hours in San Francisco

    Josiah Roe

    5 Calf-Crushing Trail Runs in the San Francisco Bay Area

    5 Calf-Crushing Trail Runs in the San Francisco Bay Area

    The Outbound Collective

    The 10 Best Campsites near San Francisco

    The 10 Best Campsites near San Francisco

    The Outbound Collective