SUNDAY DRIVE

What you see: At Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, you can drive to the Skyline trailhead for a good view, then take a short walk for the eyepopping lookout. In March and April, afternoon winds out of the northwest often mean crystal views across the South Bay and beyond to Mount Diablo. Another trailhead is available out of Portola Valley, which provides a loop route that rises up to Skyline.

Location/landscape:

The preserve spans 1,335 acres from Skyline Ridge (1,800 feet elevation) to Portola Valley (600 feet). Ridge-top grasslands transition down slope into gulches with conifers, and eventually to the oak woodlands of Portola Valley.

Access: Parking, trailheads are available at two access points: at the preserve’s upper end on Skyline/Highway 35 (south of Sky Londa) and its lower end near Portola Valley.

Skyline trailhead: You get an easy walk that leads to a spectacular view across the South Bay and a great spot for a trail picnic. Take the Anniversary Trail. It’s a 0.7-mile walk past the Windy Hill summit (1,905 feet) and to the Herb Grench Overlook. Benches are available at each.

Portola Valley trailhead:

At the foot of the preserve near Portola Valley, you can create a 7.5-mile loop that rises up to Skyline and back. Make sure you have a trail map. After parking, take the Spring Ridge Trail to your left (it passes a little pond) and continue to the junction with the Hamms Gulch Trail. Turn right. That’s the route up to Skyline, 3 miles, with two steep spots with switchbacks. Near the ridge, turn right on the Lost Trail (it passes the designated lookout benches) and then connect with the Spring Ridge Trail. To complete the loop, turn right and cruise back down to Portola Valley.

Bring your camera: Several of the award-winning photos in contests sponsored by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District came from this preserve.

Cost: Parking, access free.

Map/brochure: Map/ brochure at trailheads; PDF at www.openspace. org.

Dogs, horses, bikes: Most trails are historic ranch roads open to most users. Leashed dogs are permitted on all trails except Lost Trail and Razorback Trail. Hikers and mountain bikers must yield to horseback riders, mountain bikers must yield to hikers and pass at 5 mph or slower. No motorized bikes.

Contacts: Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, 650691-1200, www.open space.org.