outdoor fitness


Parker Ranch Trail

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


Fall fitness routine 2023

fall fitness routine 2023 fall fitness gear recommendations

Fall fitness gear from top left: water bottle / Hoka sneakers / cycle shoes / yoga mat / yoga socks / weight set /

Happy fall! As the weather cools down, and sweet pumpkin spice treats make their way into our cupboards, it is important to continue a fitness routine to stay healthy!

Now that the weather is cooler, my fitness routine is mainly indoors with the exception of a weekend hike. I like to do something different every day in order to ensure I am getting my cardio, interval training, and strength training in every week. When you mix things up, you reach different muscle groups and you don’t get bored! Love that!

The majority of my workouts take place at the gym, but I do keep yoga and weights at home so I can get a quick workout in if I can’t make it to the gym. Yoga equipment is nice to have home when you want to stretch on your off day, especially if you are sore!

Since it is a new season, it is time to think about your footwear. If you use your athletic shoes regularly, they should be replaced every six months in order to ensure they are properly supporting your feet. Oftentimes we don’t think our sneakers need replacing because they are worn indoors at the gym, and they look clean. They can wear out in the soles, and you might not see that the shoe isn’t supporting your foot the way it should. This is why it is a good idea to replace them every six months regardless of what they look like in order to keep yourself injury-free.

So, without further ado, here is my fall fitness routine.

  • Monday: BodyCombat (cardio kickboxing)
  • Tuesday: Mat Sculpt (strength training class)
  • Wednesday: Cycle Class (cardio/interval)
  • Thursday: rest day
  • Friday: Cardio and weights.
  • Saturday: Hiking outdoors
  • Sunday: rest day

If you haven’t put your fall fitness routine together yet, you can use this example to model your routine. It mixes cardio, interval and strength training with a bit of fresh air on Saturday mornings.

Have a fabulous fall season and don’t forget to get your workouts in!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy


Sanborn Park hiking trails

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