All Stories from Peninsula & South Bay

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  Purely Purisima

  Take a relaxing hike on the lower section of Purisiima Creek Trail in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.

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  Poplar Beach

  Take a stroll and catch the surf scene from the bluffs above popular beaches or get your feet in the sand (dogs welcome, too) at sublime spots like Poplar Beach in Half Moon Bay.

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  The Wind Beneath Your Feet

  The perfect way to wind down a day on the San Francisco Peninsula might just be a late afternoon or sunset-hour hike to one of the region’s premier vista points: Windy Hill.

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  Beers, Bites, and Buck’s

  Grab lunch and enjoy beer-garden bliss in the historic towns of Woodside and Portola Valley, just west of Silicon Valley.

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  Lively La Honda

  Spice up your hiking routine with three trails in La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. This 11-mile out-and-back includes 6 miles of relatively new paths.

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  Bike to Aardvark Beach

  Two wheels, a fresh sea breeze, birds, and a beach stop: now that's a California bike ride. Pack a beach blanket and set out on this 16-mile out-and-back pedal along the San Francisco Bay to Aardvark Beach.

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  Sponsored

  11 Wildflower Walks, One Bloom-Filled Guide

  Ready for a Flowerpalooza? POST’s complimentary 2026 Wildflower Walks guide makes it easy, with 11 floral-filled outings.

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  Baylands Bird & Art Loop

  Combine an outdoor art walk and wildlife sightings at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. This 5-mile loop through Byxbee Park and the Emily Renzel Wetlands features striking installations by artists Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer—where the landscape itself becomes part of the canvas.

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  Heintz on Time

  There’s a marvelous hiking and biking route linking three South Bay parks, all within the urban environs of Los Gatos. This 4-mile loop in Heintz Open Space glows green after the rains.

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  Sunnyvale and Salty

  For up-close bird watching, it’s hard to beat a walk along the San Francisco Bay. This 5-mile loop on the Sunnyvale coast is a favorite of local wildlife photographers.

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  Dragon Quest

  The newly reopened, 4-mile out-and-back hike at Dragon Mountain in Milpitas mixes the physical with the spiritual for a serene hiking experience.

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  A Hike to the Past

  This 5.2-mile redwoods hike through El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space combines a relaxing stroll with unique geologic formations and historical artifacts.

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  Sponsored

  Fall Coastal Hikes Guide

  Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) is ready to fill your fall with bluffside trails, tranquil beaches, whale watching, a haunted distillery, and seasonal sweet treats.

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  Good Trolls

  At the intersection of art, nature, and history is Filoli in Woodside. Walk the historic gardens and mansion area, enjoy a half-mile redwoods hike, and visit with the new trolls, as in the TROLLS: Save the Humans art exhibit.

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  Rio Del Mar-velous

  Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

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  Shore Thing

  A perfect day on the lake is right here in the South Bay! Paddle, pedal, or sail your way around beautiful Shoreline Lake or enjoy the nearby hiking trails and restaurants.

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  Berry Good Hike (or Bike)

  This 7-mile out-and-back through Sanborn County Park has big views of the South Bay and offers some reprieve from summer heat thanks to shaded sections among towering firs.

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  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).

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  Roaring Good Time

  There’s nothing quite like the majestic beauty of California’s redwood forests. Now, imagine experiencing those towering giants aboard a historic 19th-century steam train. Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton is home to some of the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines in America.

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  Hike the Rainbow

  Catch all the colors of a rainbow at Calero County Park on this 10-mile hike currently showcasing the season’s best blooms.

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