Cañada Collage

Wildflower and Wildlife Hike at Cañada Del Oro Open Space Preserve

This 4.3-mile loop through Cañada Del Oro Open Space Preserve showcases all the highlights of the season. From the main parking lot, head north on Mayfair Ranch Trail. This stretch thrums with wildlife as butterflies and bees flit between the bright purple vetch flowers, and western fence lizards and blue-tailed skinks scurry across the path.

As the trail climbs into the hills, every color of the rainbow is on display: golden buttercups, scarlet pimpernels, baby blue eyes, and fuchsia mallow flowers. As the forest gives way to grassland, Mount Umunhum and Loma Prieta are visible on the western horizon. Just after the route begins to curve toward the north, a small picnic area gives hikers a chance to rest and soak up the scenery.

Ascend the switchbacks and turn right onto Longwall Canyon Trail. This path follows Baldy Ryan Canyon Creek, a picturesque brook that’s perfect for cooling your toes on a warm day. California poppies, purple owl’s clover, and globe lilies add a pop of color to the rocky pathway.

Follow Longwell Canyon Trail until it descends back to the parking lot.

A great way to finish the hike is to check out the nearby Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail. There are over 30 wineries on the route, specializing in all the varietals that make the Bay Area’s wine so special: oaky chardonnays, complex cabernets, and fruit-forward pinots. (Or if you’re feeling inspired by all the blossoms, perhaps a floral Riesling.)

Rancho Cañada Del Oro Open Space Preserve is located at 4289 Casa Loma Rd. in Morgan Hill. Trails are open to cyclists and equestrians. Map. No dogs.

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

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Hiker in the forest at Mount Sutro in San Francisco

    San Francisco's Middle Earth

    No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.

    View
  2. 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
  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. Hike top Angel Island Mount Livermore San Francisco Bay

    Good Heavens

    The 4-mile hike to the top of Angel Island offers Bay-mazing scenery. Some people claim you get a five-bridge view: Richmond-San Rafael, Bay, Golden Gate, San Mateo-Hayward, and Dumbarton bridges.

    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. Woman hiking down the stairs to Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

    Secluded Royale

    Panoramic coastal views and a killer leg workout combine on this 2.7-mile (round-trip) out-and-back hike to secluded Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

    View