Overview
Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve sits in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains along the border of Los Altos Hills and Cupertino in Santa Clara County. Managed jointly by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (the preserve portion) and the Santa Clara County Parks system (the county park), the combined area covers roughly 4,000 acres of oak woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral.
The site is one of the most visited open spaces in the San Francisco Bay Area, drawing hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers (on designated trails), and families with children. Despite being embedded in one of the most urbanized regions in the United States, the preserve feels genuinely wild once you move away from the main trailhead area.
Deer Hollow Farm, a working farm operated by the City of Mountain View, lies within the county park and serves as an educational site focused on 19th-century ranch life and native California ecology. It is a notable attraction for families visiting with young children.
The landscape ranges from flat, easy paths near the parking area to steep ridge climbs with panoramic views over Silicon Valley and, on clear days, to Mount Hamilton and San Francisco Bay. Elevation gain on some loops can exceed 1,500 feet, giving the preserve appeal across a broad range of fitness levels.
Before You Go
No permits are required for day hiking. The preserve is free to access on foot or by bicycle; parking fees apply and are collected at the main parking lot off Cristo Rey Drive in Cupertino. Verify current parking fees and hours directly on the Santa Clara County Parks website or the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) site before visiting, as these are subject to change.
The parking lot fills extremely early on weekend mornings — often before 8 a.m. — particularly from spring through early summer. Arriving before sunrise on weekends is strongly advised, or consider accessing the preserve via the PG&E Trail connection from Foothill College, which provides an alternative entry point and reduces parking pressure.
- Dogs are not permitted on Midpen preserve trails at Rancho San Antonio; they are allowed in the county park on leash. Verify the exact boundary on the official trail map.
- Bicycles are restricted to designated trails; check Midpen's current trail map for permitted routes.
- Fire and smoking are prohibited throughout the preserve.
- Cell reception is limited once you move into the upper preserve; download offline maps (such as CalTopo or the Midpen trail PDF) before arrival.
Getting There
The main trailhead is located at the end of Cristo Rey Drive in Cupertino, California. From US Highway 280, take the Foothill Expressway/Grant Road exit and head west toward the foothills, then follow local signage to Cristo Rey Drive.
By Public Transit
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus routes serve the general Cupertino and Los Altos area. The preserve is not directly on a transit line, so the final portion of the journey typically requires a bicycle or ride-hailing service from the nearest bus stop. Verify current VTA routes and stop locations at the VTA website before your visit, as service patterns change.
By Bicycle
A paved multi-use path connects the preserve entrance to Foothill College and the surrounding residential areas, making cycling a practical and popular access option for those coming from Mountain View, Los Altos, and Palo Alto. Bicycle parking is available at the trailhead.
Parking
The main parking lot fills quickly on weekends and holidays. An overflow arrangement and shuttle system has operated seasonally in the past; check the Santa Clara County Parks website to confirm whether a shuttle is currently running.
Getting Around
The preserve is navigated entirely on foot or bicycle (on permitted trails). There is no internal vehicle access beyond the parking and staging area. The trail network is well-signed at most major junctions, and a free trail map is typically available at the trailhead kiosk or for download from the Midpen website.
Trails range from a flat, paved path suitable for strollers and wheelchairs near Deer Hollow Farm to steep, unpaved fire roads and single-track in the upper preserve. Most visitors use the PG&E Trail, Rogue Valley Trail, or Wildcat Loop as navigational anchors when building a route.
A printed or downloaded map is recommended. GPS signal is generally adequate in open areas but can be inconsistent in dense oak canopy. Trail junctions are marked with numbered posts on the official Midpen map, which aids navigation.
Things to See & Do
Hiking
The preserve offers more than 24 miles of trails across varied terrain. Popular routes include the Wildcat Loop (a moderate multi-mile circuit through oak woodland and grassland), the climb to High Meadow and beyond to the ridge for valley views, and the relatively flat walk to Deer Hollow Farm. Longer routes can connect into the adjacent Monte Bello Open Space Preserve for a full-day backcountry experience.
Deer Hollow Farm
Operated by the City of Mountain View, Deer Hollow Farm is a living history and environmental education site featuring farm animals, historic structures, and native plant gardens. It is open to the public on a limited schedule — verify current days and hours directly with the City of Mountain View Parks and Community Services Department, as hours are restricted and the site is closed on certain days.
Wildlife Observation
The preserve supports a notable population of black-tailed deer, red-tailed hawks, wild turkeys, and occasional bobcat and coyote sightings. Birders will find the oak woodlands productive, particularly in spring. Early morning and late afternoon visits maximize wildlife activity.
Trail Running and Mountain Biking
Rancho San Antonio is a well-known venue for trail runners given its proximity to the Bay Area's population centers and varied elevation profiles. Mountain bikers have access to designated fire roads; verify permitted routes on the current Midpen trail map before bringing a bike.
Photography
Ridge viewpoints offer compelling compositions of the Santa Clara Valley against the backdrop of Silicon Valley development — a landscape that blends suburban sprawl, agricultural remnants, and open sky in a way that is visually distinctive of this region.
Practical Information
Facilities
Restrooms are available at the main staging area and near Deer Hollow Farm. Drinking water is available at the staging area; carry sufficient water for any trail beyond the immediate vicinity of the facilities, as no water sources exist on upper trails.
Emergency Contact
In the event of a medical emergency on the trails, call 911. Cell reception is limited in the upper preserve; inform someone of your plans and expected return time before heading into remote sections.
Regulations Summary
- Stay on designated trails to protect sensitive habitat.
- Pack out all trash; no waste receptacles exist on the trail system beyond the staging area.
- Horses are permitted on most unpaved trails; yield appropriately.
- Camping is not permitted.
- Collecting plants, animals, or geological materials is prohibited.
Weather Awareness
Summer temperatures in the upper preserve can exceed 90°F (32°C). The coastal fog that moderates Bay Area temperatures does not always penetrate this far inland. Carry more water than you expect to need and wear sun protection. Winter rains can make unpaved trails slippery and eroded; some trail sections may be temporarily closed after significant rain events — check Midpen's trail conditions page before visiting.
Safety
Rancho San Antonio is a very safe destination with no significant security concerns. The primary hazards are environmental and trail-related.
- Heat and dehydration are the most common causes of visitor distress, especially in summer. Carry at least 2 liters of water per person for any hike beyond 2 hours.
- Poison oak is widespread throughout the preserve, particularly along shaded trail edges. Learn to identify the three-leaflet pattern and cover exposed skin on brushy trails.
- Mountain lions are present in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Follow California Department of Fish and Wildlife guidelines: do not run from a mountain lion, make yourself appear large, and report sightings to Midpen rangers.
- Rattlesnakes (primarily Pacific rattlesnake) are present in warm months. Stay on trail, watch where you step and place hands, and give snakes space.
- Fire danger is elevated in late summer and fall. Pay attention to any fire restrictions posted at the trailhead or announced by Santa Clara County.
The preserve has ranger patrols, and emergency call boxes are located in the staging area. For trail emergencies beyond cell range, self-rescue preparedness — first aid knowledge, a whistle, and informing someone of your itinerary — is the most reliable safety measure.
