SUNDAY DRIVE

What you’ll see: Take your pick — some people love intimate spots along a pretty creek, others big-time views. Some look for a hike to a mountaintop or a mountain-bike ride down a canyon with a network of other connections. You can get any of these at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, plus you can explore to find a picnic site with crags that look like a movie set for a science fiction film. The park spans 3,436 acres and connects to four other preserves (which, in turn, are linked to more parks and preserves).

Location: High on the eastfacing slopes of the Peninsula foothills above Palo Alto.

Stevens Creek Nature Trail: A 450-foot descent is routed to the pretty headwaters of Stevens Creek. A bench with a lookout provides a great view south to Mount Umunhum. This is an easy 3-mile loop, with the first section accessible (except in wet weather) to wheelchair hikers.

Black Mountain: A 1.5-mile hike with a 500-foot climb leads to 2,800-foot Black Mountain. You pass Stevens Creek watershed and then climb up a service road to a pretty, high meadow with a backpack-style trail camp. An additional two-tenths of a mile take you to the summit (though transmitters detract from the moment) for eye-popping views of the South Bay.

Another planet: From the summit, continue on Monte Bello Road for a short distance to the picnic site on the right. The crags here look like a movie set that simulates another planet.

Mountain bike: Canyon Trail descends 400 feet in 3 miles along Stevens Creek to Upper Stevens Creek County Park. A network of other roads is available.

Camp: Trail sites are available at Black Mountain. Nonpotable water (bring a water purifier or your own water for drinking), chemical toilets are available; no fires, cook stove required; pack out all trash; $2 per person per night; camping permit required, reserve at www.openspace.org — click on “Visit a preserve” and then “Permits.” Cost: Parking, entrance are free.

Map/brochure: In box at trailhead, PDF at website.

How to get there: Take Interstate 280 to the foothills of Redwood City and the exit for Highway 84. Take that exit to Highway 84, turn west and drive about 7 miles (through Woodside, becomes curvy) to Sky londa and Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard). Turn left on Skyline