Rancho San Antonio: Outdoor Adventures in San Francisco Bay Area

In the heart of the fast-paced Silicon Valley, Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve offers a refreshing escape from the daily grind. With its lush green meadows, scenic rolling hills, and dense wooded forests, Rancho San Antonio is perfect for anyone who enjoys just “getting away” now and then, without having to travel very far.

Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountain range, this park is a local favorite destination for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding. Rancho San Antonio is easily accessible from anywhere in the Bay Area, and is quite extensive. The 165-acre Park combined with the 3,988-acre Preserve, has plenty of hiking trails, ranging in lengths and difficulties.

Rancho San Antonio has some of the most gorgeous vistas of the Bay Area’s peninsula. Its pristine meadows, scattered with blooming poppies, and tree-shaded trails will make you forget you’re in the heart of Silicon Valley. It’s easy to fall in love with its calming charm!

In case the name doesn’t give it away, the California Golden Poppy is our State Flower. These wildflowers (also known as the Flame Flower and Copa de Oro (cup of gold)) grow abundantly throughout the park’s lower entrance areas, along with Blue-Eyed Grass, wild mustard, and several other varieties of wildflowers.

Rancho San Antonio is also a very popular spot for model airplane and drone enthusiasts, who have adopted the South Meadow area by the parking lots to practice flying their aircraft. If RC planes are of interest to you, this is a good place to watch the pros at work, or test your own skills!

Deer Hollow Farm

As you stroll along the Permanente Creek and through the meadow (about a mile in), you’ll start heading deeper into the woods and trail area. Here you will find a delightful little surprise called Deer Hollow Farm. This gem of Rancho San Antonio is enjoyed by children and adults alike. Deer Hollow is a historic 160-year-old working farm and educational center. This is a really fun place to see! Insightful information on the farm’s history, the people, and surrounding area, as well as preserved buildings, and early living quarters, gives you a wondrous glimpse into the past. Take a self-guided tour, or walk around freely to check out the garden and, of course, say hello to the animals!

The farm is home to all your barnyard pals like pigs, cows, goats, sheep, rabbits, ducks, geese and chickens!

During our visit a couple of weeks ago, the place was hopping with newborn lambs and goats, all playing and jumping around each other. It was very entertaining, and they loved showing off for their audience. Just remember, feeding or petting the animals isn’t allowed without staff supervision.

They were definitely the darlings of the visitors!

Deer Hollow Farm also offers plenty of picnic tables at the restored open-air hay barn, in case you’ve packed a lunch or want to take a little rest. Since this is a working farm, it provides fresh eggs and seasonal produce for sale when available. Deer Hollow also hosts educational programs for various youth groups, highlighting life at the farm, animal science and nature awareness.

Spring is the busiest time there, with newborn animals, planting and gardening. It is also the time for Spring Farm Tours. Other special seasonal events include Spooky Times at Deer Holloween, and Ohlone Day.

Every October 5th, Deer Hollow hosts Ohlone Day to promote the Ohlone Indians’ heritage who lived in the area for 3,000 years prior to the arrival of the Spanish. A large village named Partacsi was located in the area. During Ohlone Day, visitors get a chance to step back in time and learn about the daily lives of the villagers and participate in fun and educational activities. Check here for more information about the schedule.

If you decide to take the hike to Deer Hollow Farm, it’s just an easy mile walk from the main parking lot.

NOTES: Bring water and dress accordingly. There are restrooms and drinking fountains at the parking lots and at Deer Hollow, but it’s always best to take care of that ahead of time when possible. The park has several parking lots, but be advised, on a warm sunny day the lots fill up pretty quickly. Also, dogs (on leash and off) are NOT allowed at Rancho San Antonio ☹ but horses are. So if you have a horse, bring it! Finally, trash cans are only located at the parking lots, so please be respectful, and use them. Oh, and the park and Deer Hollow are admission free! 😊

How to Get to Rancho San Antonio

Traveling on Highway I-280, the “World’s Most Beautiful Freeway”, take the Foothill Boulevard exit near the city of Los Altos, continue south, and turn right onto Cristo Rey Drive. Proceed through a cute neighborhood for about a mile, veer right around the traffic circle and see the park entrance on your left.

So, when you are in the San Francisco Bay Area and would like to enjoy a nice day outdoors, Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve is right in our backyard. For more information about Rancho San Antonio please visit their website. And, to learn more about outdoor adventures in the San Francisco Bay Area, feel free to check our posts on Ulistac Natural Area in Santa Clara, California, San Jose Rose Garden, and Alum Rock Park to start with. What favorite outdoor places are in your backyard?

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