Menlo Park offers access to some of the most consistent and well-maintained hiking trails on the San Francisco Peninsula. Its location near the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains puts residents within reach of diverse landscapes including redwood groves, coastal ridges, and oak woodlands. The best hikes near Menlo Park provide year-round options for getting outdoors, whether you prefer shaded canyons, high ridgelines, or open meadows.
If you’re looking for the best hikes near Menlo Park, these local trails offer a solid range of distances, elevations, and scenery that withstand regular use.
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
Windy Hill in Portola Valley offers a scenic mix of open ridgelines and wooded trails, making it one of the best places to hike in the Peninsula foothills. Just 15–20 minutes from Menlo Park, the preserve includes more than 1,300 acres and several interconnected trails. The most commonly used route is the Spring Ridge Trail to Windy Hill summit, a moderately challenging loop of around 7.5 miles with consistent elevation gain and long views toward the Pacific Ocean and across the Bay.
Shady sections through oak and redwood groves alternate with broad open ridges. The preserve lives up to its name, with the summit often experiencing cool breezes, even in warmer months. Picnic tables and benches along the way offer spots to pause and take in the views. Parking is available off Skyline Boulevard and at lower trailheads on Portola Road, depending on the trail you choose.
Shady sections through oak and redwood groves alternate with broad open ridges. The preserve lives up to its name, with the summit often experiencing cool breezes, even in warmer months. Picnic tables and benches along the way offer spots to pause and take in the views. Parking is available off Skyline Boulevard and at lower trailheads on Portola Road, depending on the trail you choose.
Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve
Edgewood Park sits just off I-280 and features trails through grasslands, oak woodlands, and serpentine soil habitats supporting unique spring wildflowers. The preserve is known for its botanical diversity, but it also provides good elevation change for hikers looking to get in a workout without spending an entire day on the trail.
The Edgewood Trail and Ridgeview Loop offer expansive views of the surrounding hills and Peninsula towns. Trail intersections are well-marked, and the loops can be adjusted depending on your time and energy. Parking is usually available in the main lot off Edgewood Road, and the preserve stays accessible throughout most of the year.
The Edgewood Trail and Ridgeview Loop offer expansive views of the surrounding hills and Peninsula towns. Trail intersections are well-marked, and the loops can be adjusted depending on your time and energy. Parking is usually available in the main lot off Edgewood Road, and the preserve stays accessible throughout most of the year.
Arastradero Preserve
The Arastradero Preserve in Palo Alto includes a network of trails suitable for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Trails weave through rolling hills, open meadows, and small creeks. This is one of the easier trail systems near Menlo Park, making it a regular destination for early morning walks or after-work outings.
The Juan Bautista de Anza Trail is a common route, connecting to smaller loops that can be added for more time on foot. Elevation gain is modest, and the terrain is manageable in most seasons. This area is suitable for spotting local birds and wildlife. The preserve has multiple entry points with available parking on Arastradero Road.
The Juan Bautista de Anza Trail is a common route, connecting to smaller loops that can be added for more time on foot. Elevation gain is modest, and the terrain is manageable in most seasons. This area is suitable for spotting local birds and wildlife. The preserve has multiple entry points with available parking on Arastradero Road.
Stanford Dish Trail
The Stanford Dish trail is one of the most accessible and well-used hiking routes near Menlo Park. Located just a short drive from downtown, this paved loop circles the Stanford foothills and offers open views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Stanford University, and the South Bay. The route is approximately 3.5 miles round trip. It is known for its consistent elevation changes, making it a good option for walkers looking to include some incline without heading into more rugged terrain.
The trail is named after the large radio telescope — or "dish" — that sits at its highest point. While the telescope isn’t open to the public, the surrounding area is managed for educational and research purposes. The trail is entirely exposed with little shade, so early morning or late afternoon visits are recommended, especially during warmer months.
The trail is named after the large radio telescope — or "dish" — that sits at its highest point. While the telescope isn’t open to the public, the surrounding area is managed for educational and research purposes. The trail is entirely exposed with little shade, so early morning or late afternoon visits are recommended, especially during warmer months.
Coal Creek Open Space Preserve
Coal Creek is less well-known than other preserves nearby but offers secluded hiking with great views. This trail system is off Skyline Boulevard and includes fire roads and single-track paths through forested canyons. The Meadow Trail and Crazy Pete’s Road make a reliable loop with a few sharp turns and some uneven ground.
The trails here stay shaded longer than in other locations, making it a comfortable option during warmer months. Coal Creek tends to be quieter than Windy Hill or Edgewood, so it’s useful for those seeking less-trafficked routes. It’s a solid pick for those exploring the best hikes near Menlo Park without looking for a major climb.
The trails here stay shaded longer than in other locations, making it a comfortable option during warmer months. Coal Creek tends to be quieter than Windy Hill or Edgewood, so it’s useful for those seeking less-trafficked routes. It’s a solid pick for those exploring the best hikes near Menlo Park without looking for a major climb.
Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve
Rancho San Antonio is one of the most expansive open space preserves in the region, located about 20 minutes south of Menlo Park. This park offers more than 25 miles of interconnected trails that range from flat and easy to steep and demanding. One of the most popular hikes is the Wildcat Loop, which combines moderate elevation gain with shaded forested areas and panoramic views of the South Bay.
Another highlight is the Deer Hollow Farm, an educational site nestled within the preserve that showcases working farm animals and community gardens. It’s accessible via a short walk from the main parking area and offers a relaxing stop along any hike. Trails like PG&E Road and High Meadow are steeper and appeal to more experienced hikers looking for a challenge.
Another highlight is the Deer Hollow Farm, an educational site nestled within the preserve that showcases working farm animals and community gardens. It’s accessible via a short walk from the main parking area and offers a relaxing stop along any hike. Trails like PG&E Road and High Meadow are steeper and appeal to more experienced hikers looking for a challenge.
Wunderlich County Park
Wunderlich County Park is in Woodside and features trails through redwood groves and fir-covered ridges. The main parking lot is off Woodside Road, and most routes begin on the Alambique Trail, which climbs steadily to the park's upper reaches. Trails are well-shaded and wide enough to accommodate steady traffic.
The Bear Gulch and Meadow Trails offer more gradual climbs and connections to panoramic spots. This park is well-maintained by San Mateo County and includes historic structures and horse stables near the base. Elevation changes are moderate, and the setting gives hikers a distinctly wooded feel just 20 minutes from downtown Menlo Park.
The Bear Gulch and Meadow Trails offer more gradual climbs and connections to panoramic spots. This park is well-maintained by San Mateo County and includes historic structures and horse stables near the base. Elevation changes are moderate, and the setting gives hikers a distinctly wooded feel just 20 minutes from downtown Menlo Park.
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
Russian Ridge is located along Skyline Boulevard and includes open ridgelines, clear views west to the Pacific, and trail connections to other Midpeninsula preserves. The Ridge Trail and Ancient Oaks Trail make a popular loop with steady climbs and open sun exposure. The trails are well-signed and vary between fire road and single-track sections.
The preserve is best accessed early in the day, especially during warmer months when tree cover is limited. On clear days, you can see far across the Peninsula and down the coast. Russian Ridge is one of the more open and expansive destinations near Menlo Park and is worth the short drive for those seeking high-elevation views.
The preserve is best accessed early in the day, especially during warmer months when tree cover is limited. On clear days, you can see far across the Peninsula and down the coast. Russian Ridge is one of the more open and expansive destinations near Menlo Park and is worth the short drive for those seeking high-elevation views.
Huddart Park
Huddart Park is a county-maintained space with shaded trails, redwood groves, and picnic areas. Located off Kings Mountain Road, the park serves both hikers and equestrians. Trails like the Crystal Springs Trail and Dean Trail offer reasonable distance and elevation gain for those looking for longer hikes under consistent tree cover.
Loop options range from two to six miles and are easy to customize. Because the park is fee-based, it’s often less crowded than free open space areas nearby. If you plan a more extended hike, Huddart also connects to longer ridge trails. The mix of ferns, coastal trees, and steady climbing gives this location an immersive trail experience.
Loop options range from two to six miles and are easy to customize. Because the park is fee-based, it’s often less crowded than free open space areas nearby. If you plan a more extended hike, Huddart also connects to longer ridge trails. The mix of ferns, coastal trees, and steady climbing gives this location an immersive trail experience.
Foothills Nature Preserve
Formerly restricted to Palo Alto residents, Foothills Nature Preserve is now open to the public and offers another reliable hiking area near Menlo Park. The park includes paved roads, dirt trails, and scenic overlooks. The Los Trancos Trail and Wildhorse Valley Trail loop through wooded hillsides with views of nearby reservoirs and open ridgelines.
Trail maps are posted near entrances, and many routes allow for connection to more difficult terrain. The preserve also supports varied ecosystems, with access to chaparral, grasslands, and forest sections in one visit. It is one of the best hikes near Menlo Park for combining moderate elevation with trail variety in a single preserve.
Trail maps are posted near entrances, and many routes allow for connection to more difficult terrain. The preserve also supports varied ecosystems, with access to chaparral, grasslands, and forest sections in one visit. It is one of the best hikes near Menlo Park for combining moderate elevation with trail variety in a single preserve.
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