All Stories from Peninsula & South Bay

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  A Hike to the Past

  This 5.2-mile redwoods hike through El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space combines a relaxing stroll with unique geologic formations and historical artifacts.

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  Sponsored

  Fall Coastal Hikes Guide

  Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) is ready to fill your fall with bluffside trails, tranquil beaches, whale watching, a haunted distillery, and seasonal sweet treats.

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  Good Trolls

  At the intersection of art, nature, and history is Filoli in Woodside. Walk the historic gardens and mansion area, enjoy a half-mile redwoods hike, and visit with the new trolls, as in the TROLLS: Save the Humans art exhibit.

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  Rio Del Mar-velous

  Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

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  Shore Thing

  A perfect day on the lake is right here in the South Bay! Paddle, pedal, or sail your way around beautiful Shoreline Lake or enjoy the nearby hiking trails and restaurants.

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  Berry Good Hike (or Bike)

  This 7-mile out-and-back through Sanborn County Park has big views of the South Bay and offers some reprieve from summer heat thanks to shaded sections among towering firs.

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  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).

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  Roaring Good Time

  There’s nothing quite like the majestic beauty of California’s redwood forests. Now, imagine experiencing those towering giants aboard a historic 19th-century steam train. Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton is home to some of the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines in America.

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  Hike the Rainbow

  Catch all the colors of a rainbow at Calero County Park on this 10-mile hike currently showcasing the season’s best blooms.

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  Sponsored

  2025 POST Wildflower Walks

  Get flower empowered! POST’s complimentary 2025 Wildflower Walks guide blooms with the best places to see a variety of florals across the Peninsula and South Bay this spring.

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  All right, Almaden!

  Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

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  Up and Umunhum

  Early risers can experience one of the Bay Area’s best morning glory hikes on this 7.4-mile out-and-back up beautiful Mount Umunhum. In early spring if you arrive at the parking area right before sunrise, you’ll get a beautiful eastern view of the sun coming up between Bald Mountain and the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. On days when fog settles into the valley, the colorful view is nothing short of magical.

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  This Coyote

  Combine a workout with rewarding vistas by hiking or biking Coyote Peak in San Jose’s Santa Teresa County Park. The 4.1-mile loop up Coyote Peak is spring green with rewarding vistas of both the Diablo Range and the Santa Cruz Mountains.

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  Wheels Down Calero

  New to mountain biking and searching for beginner-friendly trails? Head to Calero County Park! This 9.5-mile loop is a gentle, scenic ride through rolling hills.

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  Sponsored

  The 2025 Hiking Calendar Is Here!

  Ready to make hiking part of your New Year’s wellness plan? Get the all-new 2025 Hiking Calendar courtesy of Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST).

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  New Trails at Bear Creek

  Looking for new trails? Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve has added 170 acres of forest, grassland, and historical sites. Hike this 3.5-mile loop through the new addition.

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  From Beach to Summit

  No need to decide between a beach and a mountaintop—this hike includes both! Explore the stunning coastal scenery on this 6-mile out-and-back up Montara Mountain and into Rancho Corral de Tierra.

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  Tarantulas at Twilight

  Embrace the best of the season with big sunset views, up-close tarantula sightings, and a 5-mile (round-trip) hike in Sierra Vista Open Space.

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  Nighty Light

  Just 25 miles south of San Francisco on California’s rough-and-tumble coast lies a centuries-old beacon that’s still lighting the way for voyaging ships. Point Montara Fog Signal and Light Station—operating since 1875—has become the distinguished (and well-preserved!) elder statesman of the seaside.

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  Historic Ruins and Summer Wildflowers

  A well-rounded summer hike defines this 4-mile loop in San Jose's Alum Rock park is packed with great views, historical ruins, and a close-up look at our native plants and animals.

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