hiking

Muir Woods family hike

 in Fitness  tagged family / hiking / lifestyle / outdoor fitness / outfits / staycation by

wearing: blue tee / backpack (old, also love this one) / black belt / jeans / nail polish / statement earrings / hiking boots (old, also love this pair) /

If you are local to the San Francisco Bay Area, there is a good chance you have visited Muir Woods at some point in your life. If not, what are you waiting for? People from around the world make it a point to visit Muir Woods when they travel to San Francisco, so definitely make sure it gets on your to do list!

Muir Woods is filled with old growth redwood trees, many of which have been around for hundreds and hundreds of years. There have also been historical events which occurred at Muir Woods such as when the UN met in San Francisco to get organized, they visited Muir Woods and even took a picture!

Since Muir Woods is such a popular destination, a reservation system has been put in place for visitors. I have to admit, I love the reservation system. I remember when you just showed up on a whim. The parking lot would be gridlock and there would be way too many people on the trails. With the reservation system, traffic is controlled, and the trails are not crowded. It really is better for the environment as well as the overall experience. Love it!

Speaking of the trails, there is a trail for every hiking level at Muir Woods. You can walk along the flat trail and learn about the history of the park, or you can wander onto one of the many trails which take your through the park. We found a trail which was moderately challenging and took two hours to complete.

You can learn more about Muir Woods and make reservations at GoMuirWoods.com. Be sure to print your tickets at home, there isn’t any cell service at Muir Woods.

I recommend getting an early morning reservation to beat the summer heat. This will clear up your afternoon so you can explore Marin County, or head back into the city to play tourist.

Enjoy your visit and also bring a water bottle, wear hiking boots, and watch for ticks.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

Parker Ranch Trail

 in Fitness  tagged hiking / lifestyle / outdoor fitness by

Parker Ranch Trail is an easy-to-access trail which is located on the border of Cupertino and Saratoga in the South Bay. It wraps trough a rural, hilly open space adjacent to a neighborhood. If you are looking for a challenging trail, you don’t have to drive on dirt roads to find, this is your trail!

I would place Parker Ranch Trail in the medium difficulty category as the trail can get steep fast. The steep portions of the trail don’t last a long time, so if you try to steer clear of steep trails, this one isn’t too bad.

Since Parker Ranch Trail is located in a neighborhood, there are several trailheads located in the neighborhood, but please, be respectful and don’t block driveways, park illegally, or park on a cul-de-sac. I recommend trying to park on Prospect Road since this is a main street. The main trailhead is located on Prospect Road and offers a flat start to the hike; which is always a good way to warm up your muscles.

Shortly after starting the hike, you will find yourself crossing the street and being met with a steep set of stairs. These take you up into the open space portion of the trail where you can hike up to spectacular views of the valley in a short period of time. Love!

The views after the staircase are worth every breathless moment as you will be able to see clear across the valley. As you continue on the trail after the staircase, stay to the left. The right will lead back to the neighborhood, but the left, will lead you through the open space and on a great workout!

Parker Ranch Trail is very popular, and parking can fill up quickly since there isn’t a dedicated parking lot. I recommend going before 9am and parking on Prospect Road. Again, please be respectful of the neighborhood if you find yourself parking on a side street.

The main trailhead is located on Prospect Road between Parker Ranch Road and Beauchamps Lane. Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

Sanborn Park hiking trails

 in Fitness  tagged fitness / hiking / lifestyle / outdoor fitness by
sanborn park hiking trails
sanborn park hiking trails
sanborn park hiking trails

Sanborn Park is a beautiful county park in Santa Clara County which offers hiking trails, camping, and more. It is easy to find right off highway 9 just a few minutes past downtown Saratoga, aka “The Village of Saratoga.”

We have been camping and hiking at Sanborn over the years, but I realized I never shared this beautiful park with you! Shame on me! If you are local to the San Francisco Bay Area, or traveling here and love a good hike, I highly recommend checking out Sanborn Park!

The park offers several hiking trails at varying abilities. It can get steep, so only bring small children if you know they can handle it. The parking lot fee is nominal, and there is also limited free parking along Sanborn Road which fills up before 9am. If you park in the lot, you can keep a cooler in the back of your car and enjoy a fun picnic in the picnic area after your hike. I feel like that is worth the small fee!

If a picnic isn’t your thing, you can drive a few minutes back into Saratoga and enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants in town.

The trails at Sanborn Park are quiet and peaceful. If you are looking for a hike which is filled with nature, but isn’t too far away from civilization, this is the perfect spot. You can get away from it all in just a few minutes. Love that!

You can learn more about Sanborn County Park online at their website.

Things you might need on your hike:

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

sanborn park hiking trails