Saratoga Small Wonder

Hike at Saratoga Quarry Park

10.11.2023

Saratoga Quarry Park features beautiful views, ample picnic space, a labyrinth, and plenty of kid-friendly activities, all within a 2-mile loop.


From the parking lot, keep left to ascend into the park. Signs for the pond will lead hikers to an exercise station where they can practice dips and pull-ups, or get a good stretch for the hike ahead. A seasonal pond is located just beyond the exercise station, where sharp-eyed visitors can spot lizards and frogs hidden among the cattails.

Continue uphill to the picnic tables nestled among the fragrant eucalyptus trees. This is a perfect spot for a snack break overlooking the nearby vineyards. Enjoy the deep red-violet of the Bay Area’s prettiest fall foliage: poison oak. (Look, but of course don’t touch!) Just beyond the picnic tables is a stone maze for children.


Hikers continuing up the trail will pass by the Saratoga To The Skyline Trail. This new trail extension connects to Skyline To The Sea to create a whopping 40-mile trail to the ocean. Continue past this turnoff for another 0.3 mile. This is the steepest section of the hike, but explorers are rewarded with gorgeous views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Santa Clara Valley.



At the dead end, retrace your steps to the stone maze, then keep left to descend the wooden steps. The large picnic area contains historical artifacts from the park’s early days as well as barbecue pits, picnic platforms, and the giant vine-covered water bucket. Descending to the parking lot you can walk through the old loading tunnel, where freight was once moved out of the quarry. A photo exhibit inside the tunnel details the park’s history.


COFFEE SHOP BONUS: Need a pick-me-up after a day on the trails? Head northeast on Big Basin Way toward downtown Saratoga to visit Big Basin Cafe. This buzzing coffeeshop is a locals' favorite, and the perfect spot for a sweet treat (Heather recommends the chocolate eclairs) and a hot cup of joe.

Saratoga Quarry Park is located at 22000 Congress Springs Rd. in Saratoga. From CA-85, exit onto Saratoga Ave. south. Continue onto Big Basin Way. After passing Hakone Gardens, turn left into the parking lot. Quarry Park is open from dawn until dusk. Leashed dogs are permitted on trails. Big Basin Cafe is located at 14471 Big Basin Way in Saratoga.

Story and photos by Heather Werner, @heath.er.wer.ner

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories

  1. The Beauty of Bainbridge Island

    You know a place is special when locals head to it for their in-state vacations. Follow the lead of Seattleites and venture to beautiful Bainbridge Island in the heart of Puget Sound on the Kitsap Peninsula. Hike the Grand Forest here, meet Pia the Peacekeeper, and enjoy tasty food and drinks.

    View
  2. Woman on a bicycle passing a park lake with a fountain spraying water

    East Bay Bike With Blossoms

    Spring wildflowers are in full bloom on this 15.5-mile bicycle loop through the East Bay that begins at charming Heather Farm Park and features plenty of scenic highlights.

    View
  3. Hiker overlooking Bear Gulch Reservoir at Pinnacles National Park near Monterey

    Pinnacles of Spring

    Why hike at Pinnacles National Park? Spring's a beautiful time of year here. And you might spy the magnificent California condor soaring while you gain soaring views from the High Peaks Trail.

    View
  4. old church on Monterey Path of History

    Path of History Walk (+ Food Bonuses)

    Monterey’s 2-mile yellow tiled, multilingual Path of History is a do-it-yourself stroll among some of the area’s most interesting, beautiful, and culturally significant sites, including through the Old Town, past Mexican-era adobes, and to the beautiful Royal Presidio Chapel.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Be Dune-spired!

    There’s only one urban park on the planet that helped inspire a major theme in Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi book, Dune. Herbert was born and raised in Tacoma, and Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park is named in honor of his famous novel—a tribute to one of the book’s main ideas ...

    View

  2. Little Norway

    There aren’t many small towns in America that look and feel like Europe, but Washington State sure seems to have a few! Lesser known among them is Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula. Dubbed “Little Norway,” this hamlet on the waterfront of Liberty Bay is charmed with Scandinavian influence.  

    View

  3. Caves in Mojave

    No one expects to see caves when they visit the desert, and that’s part of what makes Mitchell Caverns in the Mojave Desert such an interesting place. Go on a two-hour guided adventure tour through Mitchell Caverns in Providence Mountains State Recreation Area.

    View

  4. Dume in Bloom

    During wildflower season, nature puts on a spectacular show, and one the best places to see it is at Point Dume Natural Preserve in Malibu. 

    View