Serenity at Sunrise

Sunrise Hike in the South Bay at El Sereno Preserve

Man hiking the Aquinas Trail near sunrise in the South Bay at El Sereno Preserve

Mount El Sereno, “the serene one” in El Sereno Preserve, rises high above the Lexington Reservoir and Santa Clara Valley, with majestic views spanning the Diablo Range, Santa Cruz Mountains, and Santa Lucia Mountains. Soak it all in with a sunrise hike to the brand-new California State Senator Jim Beall (pronounced “Bell”) bench on the Aquinas Trail.

Start at the entrance gate on the Montevina Ridge Trail and then turn right onto the Aquinas Trail. The wide and sunny fire road climbs gently, then descends northeast. It’s surprisingly green with tall thickets of chamise and manzanita. Peaks in Sierra Azul Preserve and the Diablo Range peek over the chaparral. 

Man hiking the Aquinas Trail at sunrise in the South Bay at El Sereno Preserve

At three-quarters of a mile, reach the Senator Beall commemorative bench, facing a 180-degree panorama of Mount Hamilton, the Santa Clara Valley, Mount Umunhum, Lexington Reservoir, and the Santa Lucia Mountains. After the bench, the Aquinas Trail descends just over 3 miles (one-way), losing 1,400 feet elevation to Sheldon Road. Continue as little or as long as you like before turning around and returning to the trailhead.

Senator Beall served in the California State Senate from 2012 to 2020, and prior to that held positions in the California State Assembly, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, and San Jose City Council. His grandparents lived on Montevina Road, and he grew up in San Jose, hiking the Santa Cruz Mountains. He is a champion for land preservation, wildlife protection, and outdoor recreation and has secured millions in funding towards those endeavors throughout his career. Bravo, Senator Beall, and thank you.

Take the Bear Creek Rd. exit off Hwy. 17. At the end of the exit ramp, follow signs onto Montevina Rd. and drive 4.0 miles to a dirt parking area on your right, 200 feet before the entrance gate. The parking area is a dirt shoulder big enough for 4 or 5 cars. The Preserve is open a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Leashed dogs allowed. Biking and equestrian use allowed.

{Covid-19 Update, January 2021}: Please download a map on the park’s webpage before you go; paper maps are not available. Please practice social distancing and wear a face covering when you’re not able to maintain 6 feet of distance.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

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. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View
  3. A Rose in the Pines

    A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis

    View
  4. Alex Villicana, Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

    Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana

    Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations...

    View