Tarantulas at Twilight

Hike or Bike at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve in the South Bay

10.30.2024
Woman sitting on a bench overlooking scenery at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve

Embrace the best of the season with big sunset views, up-close tarantula sightings, and a 5-mile (round-trip) hike in Sierra Vista Open Space. Amorous male tarantulas can be spotted here September through November as they search for females, and Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve is one of their favorite haunts.

Man hiking a trail at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve

From the main parking lot, head south on the Kestrel Trail, then turn right on the Sierra Vista Trail. This rocky path winds through the golden hills and gifts hikers with stunning views of the surrounding Diablo Range.

At the intersection with the Boccardo Loop Trail, turn right. The trail descends toward Silicon Valley, with fantastic vistas of the whole South Bay. On sunset hikes, this section of trail is especially beautiful as the city lights begin to sparkle.

At the next intersection, turn left to begin climbing the steep switchbacks back up the hill. Keep a sharp lookout for desert tarantulas wandering the trails.

At the top of the hill, turn left onto the short spur trail that leads to the lookout point. This is a popular sunset-watching spot, and hikers have a front row seat to a gorgeous palette splashed across the sky and reflected in the San Francisco Bay below.

As the sun dips below the horizon, head back down the spur trail, then retrace the route along the Sierra Vista Trail to the parking lot.

Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve is located on Sierra Road in San Jose. Map. No dogs.

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

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Napa Valley Paddle kayaker and paddle boarder on the Napa Valley river

    Napa's Wild Side

    It’s wine country’s Amazon. The gentle Napa River is an ecological—and recreational—delight. And Napa Valley Paddle sets you up for maximum enjoyment of this experience.

    View

  2. Been There, Dome That

    Surrounded by granite domes, craggy peaks, and miles of hiking trails, the High Sierra landscape of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park is famous for good reason. For a truly grand view, take a short hike to bold—and bald (except for snow at times)—Lembert Dome.

    View

  3. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

    View
  4. Hike Mount Tamalpais into Muir Woods

    Muir Woods Through the Backdoor

    A backdoor entrance into Muir Woods? Hike a tranquil trail that starts in Mount Tamalpais State Park and quietly leads into Muir Woods, letting you avoid the busyness of the main parking area.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Inn-spiration Point!

    For more than a century, people have been hiking or mountain biking to West Point Inn for good reason. Perched at 1,785 feet on the southern slope of Mount Tamalpais, the historic inn has sweeping views from the Marin Headlands to the San Francisco skyline.

    View

  2. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View
  4. Hike to the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout in the Lakes Basin

    Lookout for This View!

    Sierra Buttes Lookout, at a lofty 8,591 feet, is a memory maker for its pucker-worthy stairway to the tower’s balcony. It's a 5-mile (round-trip) hike to reach it. And the reward? Epic!

    View