Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

I parked free on Skyline road (right where Apple maps should direct you from the Unilocal address) next to a pretty good view.
However, my thirst for better rode me up a strenuous but short mile hike upwards to Borel Hill. About a 10 – 20 minute way, and I’ve seen children do it.
The view is amazing. The most eastward is Nasa. Northeast you can see Stanford and Palo Alto. North you can see bay bridge! If its not too foggy. West = Pacific Ocean and Santa Cruz and northwest is the sun. You’re also above the clouds at that point, hence skyline, 2600 feet.
There are more trails!

Gentle hills, views of the ocean, through fields of wavy grass and wild flowers and oak groves… what a place to relax.
I went here for a 6 mile hike… but I think it’s run-​able. May come back here for some train running.

Spectacular views!!! A bit on the windy side but the temperature today was perfect. The hike was fairly easy but the scenery of lush green hills, magnificent oak trees and poppies were breathtaking.

11 months out of the year, Russian Ridge OSP is a pretty great place for hikes and trail rides. But in April, especially after a wet winter, Russian Ridge explodes with wildflower power of epic intensity.
Poppies unfurl their petals in late morning sun; lupines leisurely sway in the breeze of a lifting fog. Mule’s ears look all bright and sunny anytime of the day; and all the rest of the yellow, red, violet, white, pink, and orange blossoms are framed by vast fields of swaying meadow grasses and new foliage on the countless oaks and manzanitas and chestnut trees that dot the western-​facing hillsides.
And, if all this springtime verdure were not enough, the folks at POST (Peninsula Open Space Trust) have recently opened up a hiking trail to the summit of majestic Mindego Hill, a picture-​perfect spot for Pacific Ocean viewing that also protects a rare habitat for the San Francisco garter snake (yes, this is a real thing), while also allowing a local rancher to graze in the area as part of a unique shared space agreement that allows for mixed use. While anyone who hikes regularly on BLM or National Forest lands knows all about such «land of many uses» policies, this human/​grass-​fed cattle cooperation deal is new to the Open Space landscape of the Peninsula, and it now makes it possible to visit the summit of Mindego without breaking any laws to do so (not that I would know anything about that …)
Even if you don’t fancy a trek to the top, you should check out the gorgeous new Alpine Road trailhead and commemorative site dedicated to Audrey Rust, a former president of POST who helped raise the funds to acquire the many incredible sites in the Santa Cruz Mountains and vicinity that protect so much of the ecologically sensitive watersheds, ancient oak groves, old growth redwood canyons, unique rock formations, chaparral-​covered hillsides, and sweeping grass-​carpeted ridgelines from future development. Even if you are only roadtripping down Alpine Road for tacos or artichoke soup in Pescadero, or perhaps visiting Thomas Fogarty for some springtime wine tasting, it is worth a detour to park at the trailhead and stroll down the paved «Audrey’s Way» path to the vista point, where benches and signs with geologic and historical details await, in addition to great views of Mindego Hill, the Pescadero Creek watershed, Butano Ridge, and the Pacific.
If you arrive early in the morning (before 8 am), you can start from the Skyline Blvd trailhead and design a loop hike that ascends Borel Hill then wraps around the contoured, Pacific-​facing slopes to the Alpine Road trailhead (perhaps spotting some rough-​skinned newts in the shadier, wetter sections along the way), then return to your vehicle on the splendid Ancient Oaks trail — with an optional trek to Mindego Hill thrown in for good measure. Or you can plan that for another trip.
Any way you slice and dice it, though, April wildflowers and green grasses on Russian Ridge are among the very best scenic wonders on the Peninsula, and worth every bit of energy needed to get there to see them up close and personal. Having a great new vista point, commemorative site, and trail extension simply makes a visit even more stimulating than before, whether you be a ridge-​running veteran or a relatively new admirer of all that the Santa Cruz Mountains have to offer!

Nice easy stroll across very open field. I saw a hawk. Alot of horse tracks, and poop. I didn’t find dog poop, probably wild animals. I can see folks annoyed with the bikers but none of the ones I saw were obnoxious.

As a global hiker, here is the breakdown of the 3-​stars.
First star is coming from the vicinity of the location to the nearby cities such as Palo Alto.
Second star is just for being a park, nothing more.
Third star is for not being crowded, you barely see anyone (as of a Sunday after noon in late October).
Don’t expect any spectacular views or magnificent plants or animals. It’s just a trail on a little hill and occasionally trees. You often come across with bicyclers who seem to think that they have the right-​of-​the way. I can not recommend this place, just keep it as a back up if you want to avoid traffic to other parts of the peninsula. Sorry.
P. S. We often came across with dog poops. Aren’t the owners supposed to collect them?

We parked in Skyline Blvd Vista Parking Lot (a bit North of Skyline and Alpine) and hiked on the Ridge Trail SW. It was super hot (around 10:00am), yet beautiful while we could see 180 panoramic views and after that kinda boring and the trail ended into Langley Hill Rd (or Fire Ln).
I would recommend going the other direction — NE if this is your starting point (Skyline Blvd Vista Parking Lot). It’s greener and more shaded (during summer months).

This is a great preserve in the middle of the peninsula. There is a multitude of areas to hike including open brush areas, between ancient oaks, and on the side of decent sized hills giving you great views toward Silicon Valley or the coast. Most of the trails are fairly wide and have gentle slopes. But the best part was that there were only a few people at the park so you basically have the place to yourself.

Wonderful respite. Barely anyone here. Great place to see some amazing views.
Don’t come here you didn’t hear about it from me.

This place is magical. I went on a weekday and only one other car was in the parking lot. I wandered miles of beautiful land with only blue jays and lizards for company. It was so therapeutic. I loved Ancient Oaks a Trail. I went south, deep into the forest. Then when it ended I turned around and hiked through the western portion of the trail. There were breathtaking vista points and leaf-​covered oak trees. Highly recommend this glorious place!

Came in spring for the wildflowers and stayed for the fresh air and stunning views. Russian Ridge is on the ocean side of the mountains but offered views of Silicon Valley in places and a fog covered ocean in others. It has grassy prairies, woods of ancient gnarled oak and enough landscape changes that you won’t be bored.
There are hills but they are very mild compared to others in the open preserve parks. I found it to be quite easy. Did a five mile loop in about two hours with plenty of stops for photos, to watch quail or lizards or listen to the cicadas clicking in the trees. You get away from the road quite quickly and some places are absolutely quiet and peaceful.
I saw quite a bit of large carnivorous mammal scat on the trail, could be mountain lions, so I would make sure I’m off the trail by dusk or with a small group. Most of the trail is in wide open space but there are some shrubby areas. I imagine it could be quite hot here during the summer, with little shade, but it was a perfect spring day hike. Lush and green with plenty of wildflowers.

Um this place was sorta anti-​climatic. From North San Jose, it was about a 45 minute drive through Los Altos and up and around this winding road. If you get easily car sick then be careful. There is a small parking lot at the entrance but since not many people go here, then it is all good. I dont know which trail I took but pretty much this place is flat with little to no incline. You will get the same view of the same mountainside no matter where you hike so that was sorta not exciting. The other side toward the parking lot you will be able to see Palo Alto and that Stanfurd campus and campanile. Meh. Maybe this place is a lot prettier in the spring when flowers are blooming. I think I stayed there for no more than an hour and that was enough.

Russian Ridge is a pretty area to hike and see views. Parking is free at the lot. Nice place.

A friend and I took a 2 hour hike here, which ended up to be quite marvelous. There was not much to look the first 45 minutes (everything was dry and dead), but we eventually came across Bo Gimbal Trail… hope I didn’t butcher the name. The name sure reminded us of something from Lord of the Rings, and so did the trail! Nothing but tall trees, leafy plants and a shady walkway that kept us hidden from the blazing sun. We were also glad to have found a woodsy and shady place to take pics of our hike.
At first, we both thought that our hike would be nothing but dirt and dust… Something comparable to Mission Peak. With a bit of luck, we found a wonderful spot to take in and appreciate the great outdoors. There was so much more to see, but our grumbling stomachs told us it was time for lunch. Til next time!

The trails here to the ascend slowly, so you can enjoy the view as you go up instead of huffing and puffing and wishing you could magically transport yourself to the top. This place is gorgeous, and there is breathtaking scenery to enjoy at any point on the trail… just look around as you walk and take it all in. but don’t trip on the rocks!
The fields of wildflowers are blooming now and watching the wind blow on the grass is so relaxing!
There is free parking and a portable bathroom. The only bad thing was I saw a bunch of horse poo strewn everywhere at one point on the trail, otherwise it was a great hike and very clean. no trash or dog poo anywhere!

We hiked at Russian Ridge OSP on Sat 4÷19÷14. Got up early, drive over the San Mateo Bridge, to Skyline Blvd Hwy 35. Took Skyline and made a Right at Alpine Rd. There was a bathroom vault toilet in the parking lot. FREE parking.
Not sure all the route but we did the Ridge Trail, Charquin Trail, went to Borel Hill lookout after lunch and back on the Ridge Trail. Think we did about 7.5 miles. We saw lots of wildflowers: poppies, lupines, tidy-​tips, checkerbloom, johnny jump-​ups, etc.
Afterwards we walked across the street and did Skyline Ridge OSP to Alpine Pond where at the visitor center some volunteers gave us FREE t-​shirts for Earth Day. Nice.

Amazing views! The hike isn’t very strenuous, from the parking lot on skyline you can walk about a mile to get to one of the best lookout points. You get to feel like you are above the clouds! One of the best hikes in the peninsula!

We did the following loop:
Bay Area Ridge Trail
Hawk Trail
Alder Spring Trail
Ancient Oaks Trail
This was a nice loop that came out to about 5 miles and 900 feet in elevation change — moderately easy, took about 4 hours with a large staggered group and a break for lunch.
This hike has really good views of the valley and the ocean. We were lucky to come on an overcast day though (mid-​January), because these trails are mostly in the open grass and on a hot sunny day I’m sure we would’ve been dying under the sun!

A great stop point while cruising Skyline Blvd in the Bay Area or hiking/​biking destination. Being high up along the peninsula, there are awesome views of the entire South Bay to one side, and majestic views of Pacific Coast Mountains and ocean to the other. I took some aerial video of the area with my GoPro mounted on my rc helicopter:

Spring is the ideal time to hike at Russian Ridge. The full chill of winter has finally subsided, and the wildflowers peek out all over the hillsides. (
) It’s for these reasons we come here every May.
This year, we missed our usual time — near May Day; So we opted for Mother’s day instead. Mom (aka my wife) didn’t mind a bit. (She rode her bike up and met us there). And to motivate the kids we brought some friends along, as well as a picnic lunch. We even lent the kids our cameras, telling them we’d pay one cent per wildflower photo. They went for this in a BIG way — talk about a cheap way to keep them busy and interested!
In general Russian Ridge hiking is wide-​open vistas and rolling hills covered in grassland (
). Views of the valley below can be spectacular on clearer days (
). You can even see distant slices of the ocean to the West, if the fog isn’t too thick there.
I’m typically more of a forest lover, but every Spring I’m always happy to head to the open, grassy tops of the Santa Cruz mountains and welcome in the warmer weather.
Hiking Spot Checklist:
– Parking: Dirt lot at main Skyline entrance
– Bathrooms: Single pit toilet at main entrance
– Potable water: No
– Maps provided: Yes
– Highlights: Wide-​open vistas; wildflowers