Jonesing For It

St. Josephs Open Space Preserve Los Gatos South Bay Hike

Tucked just shy of the South Bay’s urban domains, the 270-acre St. Joseph’s Hill Open Space Preserve in Los Gatos isn’t bashful about showcasing great scenery. Go on a 4-mile (round-trip) hike here and get gorgeous vistas of the Lexington Reservoir, the Santa Clara Valley, and the Sierra Azul mountain range. Follow the Jones Trail through Novitiate Park and continue uphill through oak trees and into the mountains, enjoying early spring greenery as you climb above Los Gatos. After about three quarters of a mile, you’ll turn uphill to get on the Novitiate Trail, which becomes increasingly exposed as you go above the treetops. Continue toward Hilltop Vista via the Range Trail and turn onto the Manzanita Trail. You’ll know you’ve crested the mountain when you get to a bench looking out to the Santa Clara Valley (north) and the Santa Cruz Mountains (south). The Manzanita Trail loops back to the Novitiate Trail, where your return trip overlooks Lexington Reservoir.

From CA-17 S, take the exit towards Los Gatos/Saratoga. Merge onto Saratoga Los Gatos Rd., then make a left onto University. Turn left again onto E. Main St., right onto College Ave., then right onto Jones Rd. Park at the end of Jones Rd. for trail entrance. Start the hike in Novitiate Park, which enters St. Joseph's Hill Preserve and the trails. Photo by dbaron.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View