Weekend Sherpa

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03.4.10

Animal House

With longer days and hints of spring it's time to hit the farm. But we're not talking about any old farm—we've rounded up three that have miles of hiking trails leading right from the barn door. Giddy up!

Hidden Villa

Trail Mix

Commitment to sustainable farming, a friendly and knowledgeable staff, and an impressive amount of open space make Hidden Villa a star of the South Bay. Saved from development by the Duveneck family in 1924, this vast preserve is located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains in Los Altos Hills. The best way to experience Hidden Villa is on a guided tour. Sidle up to sheep and lambs (March and April are prime months for newborns), check out the chickens, pet a pig, and taste fresh edibles. The organic garden is a highlight: broccoli flowers, oregano, and persimmons make delicious snacks. After the tour, grab a map from the kiosk and hit any of the 8 miles of trails starting right from the farm. The Elephant Mountain Loop (2.3 miles round-trip) climbs to the top of the mountain and has views all the way to Mount Tam and across the Santa Clara Valley. Yee haw!

Hidden Villa is open from 9 a.m. to dusk, Tuesday through Sunday. Starting in mid-June it will close for summer camp. Farm tours are held in the morning and afternoon on most Saturdays and Sundays. Check the Web site for upcoming tours, events, and directions. No dogs.

Activity
Hike, Relax
Region
Peninsula & South Bay
slide ranch marin

Slide Show

Most people drive right on by one of coastal Marin's most beautiful pieces of real estate without realizing it's open to the public. Slide Ranch is lesser known but just as impressive as its popular neighbor, the Muir Beach overlook. As a nonprofit organization that teaches people about food, health, and the environment, the outdoor programs here provide hands-on workshops and events in a breathtaking bluffside setting. Prefer to explore on your own? The 134-acre coastal farm is nearly vacant when no events are taking place. Stroll by sheep and goats munching on the Irish green grass, pay a visit to the chickens and brightly colored roosters, and walk through the organic garden. Or just relax at the fire pit and watch the rollicking Pacific. Then take a five-minute walk down to the boulder-strewn black-sand beach and explore the tide pools. Slide on over.

TIP: Upcoming events include the Sheep to Shawl Family Farm Day on March 13 (pre-registration required), and Spring Fling on April 24 featuring live music, organic cuisine, and farm and craft activities.

Activity
Hike, Relax
Region
North Bay
Little Farm Tilden Park

Social Studies

How to win friends and influence animals? Use the green stuff. No, not money. Bring celery and lettuce to Tilden Regional Park's Little Farm in the Berkeley Hills and find yourself friended by plenty of four-legged networking veterans like sheep, cows, goats, rabbits, and pigs. Be sure to ration the treats so you have enough to share with everyone! After your animal mix-and-mingle explore the miles of trails beyond the farm. Take a 20-minute walk to Jewel Lake, which currently looks like chocolate milk from all the rain and sediment. Feeling ambitious? Hike all the way up to Wildcat Peak (a little over 1.5 miles one-way) for the best views in the park. Head back the way you came, passing your newfound fans along the way.

Little Farm is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For upcoming events and directions visit the Web site. No dogs.

Activity
Hike, Relax
Region
East Bay
Pescadero marsh

Maybe You've Been Wondering...

By now you know that Weekend Sherpa gives you ideas and recommendations for how to enjoy your Northern California weekends in the outdoors. But did you know that we actually go and check out everything before we tell you about it? Yep, we rack up many miles to make sure we're pointing you in the right direction. There's all kinds of information out there on the Web and we want you to know you're getting quality first-hand stuff. So if you're a fan of the Sherpa, tell a friend, forward an e-mail, or share our stories on Facebook or Twitter. All the tools are at the top and bottom of each issue. Thanks for reading!

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