Arastradero Is an A+

Fall Hike Pearson Arastradero South Bay

Pearson Arastradero South Bay hike

Pearson-Arastradero Preserve just might be the perfect place for feeling swept away while not being far away at all. Easily accessed off busy Highway 280, the 622-acre space has over 10 miles of trails, including a 4.2-mile loop through wide-open grasslands, up to views and along the shores of its namesake lake.

Take the Juan Bautista De Anza Trail, following it through the open grasslands and into an oak- and shrub-lined pathway leading to the shores of Arastradero Lake. The small lake, surrounded by a mix of trees and cattails, is a bird watchers’ delight.

After getting your fill of the lake, keep right on the Juan Bautista De Anza Trail, where you’ll begin your climb to nearly the highest point in the park. As you ascend among the grass savannah, look for deer, bobcats, coyotes, even a pair of bald eagles that have been reported in the area.

After just over a mile, take the dirt Meadowlark Trail on the left, marked by a gate, and continue around a few bends to views of San Francisco Bay and Palo Alto. This is the pinnacle! Descend through a mix of oaks that give way to grassland sections, allowing for fantastic views of the park and the southern end of San Francisco Bay.

Take a right on the Woodland Star Trail, marked by two large oak trees and a bench, and continue to descend into the oak forest. Next take Bay Laurel Trail, climbing out of the oaks and connecting with the Ohlone Trail, which continues your descent. Hop on the Bonus Hill Trail before connecting with the Meadowlark Trail to grab a final look at the beautiful countryside around you. Finally, hit the Portola Pastures Trail to bring you home.

{COVID-19 UPDATE September 2020: Some amenities may be closed and trails made one-way only; get updated information.} The hike begins from Pearson-Arastradero Preserve parking lot located on Arastradero Rd. Water and bathrooms are available next to the information building. Be aware that the trails are multi-use, with bikes and horses. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  2. Hike the Oursan Trail alongside Briones Reservoir in the East Bay

    Opt for Oursan

    Hike the trail less traveled in the East Bay's Briones Regional Park. The Oursan Trail is pure serenity on a wide hiking path skirting the northern shores of Briones Reservoir.

    View
  3. Most Peaceful Hike of All

    Is this the most peaceful one-hour hike in the Bay Area? It's got our vote! Lake Lagunitas is the smallest lake in a series of five found on the north side of Mount Tam, so it’s got that tiny but mighty charm. Do a 1.5-mile loop around the lake's shore-hugging trail.

    View
  4. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  2. Lace Up for Lacy

    Lacy Park in San Marino is a hidden gem that may very well be the most pristine green space in greater Los Angeles, and a concealed pair of nearby stairways makes it all the more appealing.

    View
  3. Hiker amid trees at Oak Glen Preserve in Yucaipa Southern California

    Apple of Your Eye

    That fall feeling is definitely in the air and on display at the Oak Glen Preserve. Apple orchards and colorful leaves are a bonus, as are the apple cider donuts and slushies you can enjoy post-hike.

    View
  4. Hike San Diego Volcan Mountain Wilderness

    Planet of the Oaks

    Let us count the number of oak tree species in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian: coast, scrub, canyon, black, and Engelmann. Five! The preserve’s Five Oaks Trail is a 3.2-mile hike that boasts all five.

    View