Five favorite hikes.
Silicon Valley may be known for its tech companies and venture capital firms, but you know what they say about all work and no play. Luckily, when it’s time to unplug and unwind, plenty of outdoor activities await.
Tried and true
Driving along Interstate 280, between Alpine and Page Mill roads, you’ve probably noticed the large radio telescope on the east side of the freeway. (With a diameter of 150 feet, it’s hard to miss.) The
Stanford Dish, commonly referred to as just the Dish, dates to 1966 and is not only part of the university’s academic program but also the namesake of a hiking and jogging trail that’s popular among students and locals. The main loop is about 3½ miles. There are three entrances, but there’s no parking at the Gerona gate, and it can be a challenge at the other two, on Stanford Avenue and on Alpine Road. Taking the 1-mile trail from the latter entrance to the main loop will extend your trip. http://dish.stanford.edu.
Activities for all
Encompassing roughly 4,000 acres, Santa Clara County’s Rancho San Anto
nio has plenty to offer. Miles and miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails? Check. Just give the preserve’s map a review, and create your own loop, based on desired length and degree of difficulty. Beautiful scenery year-round? Got that. A working farm? Yep — Deer Hollow Farm. (Turkey and deer also populate the park.) Model-airplane flying? Head over to the designated flight area, near the Cristo Rey Drive entrance, to hang out with hobbyists of all ages and walks of life. www. openspace.org.
View from the top
In Portola Valley, the summit of Windy Hill offers views of the surrounding valley, coast and bay. Along the way, you’ll encounter woodlands, grassy ridges and seasonal creeks. From the Portola Road parking lot, it’s 7 to 10 miles to the top and back, depending on which trails you take (up Spring Ridge and down either Hamms Gulch or Razorback Ridge). However, starting on Skyline Boulevard and traversing Anniversary Trail cuts the trip to less than a mile. Hikers, bicyclists, equestrians and dogs are allowed, but there are restrictions on some trails. As its name implies, it can get breezy on the hilltop, so be sure to wear layers. www.openspace.org.
Hike and a tasting
Part of the network of mid-Peninsula open preserves, Picchetti Ranch dates back to the late 1800s, when the Picchetti family emigrated from Italy. The setting for the two trails, Bear Meadow and Zinfandel, includes hillside orchards and a small pond. It’s a great place for a picnic, and you might even be treated to a peacock sighting. There’s another bonus at this spot in the Cupertino foothills: a winery, one of the oldest in California. Picchetti Winery’s tasting room, which is in a historic brick building, is open daily. www.openspace.org, www.Picchetti.com.
Take a break or break a sweat
San Jose’s Alum Rock Park offers a delightful mix of pursuits, from the laid-back to the more strenuous. Beyond the hiking, biking, jogging and equestrian trails, there are horseshoe and sand volleyball courts if you feel the need to compete. For those wanting a relaxing outing, there are picnic areas, barbecue pits, bird-watching opportunities (not to mention other wildlife), and an abundance of natural beauty to enjoy. The park also has a children’s playground and hosts youth summer camps. And yes, there really is a rock here. Eagle Rock rewards those who make the effort to reach it — the distance varies by route — with great views of the park and Santa Clara Valley. www.sanjoseca.gov