In brief:
3.85 mile loop at a grassland and oak preserve.

Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 3.85 mile loop hike is easy, with about 585 feet in elevation change. The elevation at the trailhead is around 300 feet. The preserve's highest point is about 700 feet. Most trails climb on a gradual grade.

Exposure:
A few pockets of shade, otherwise completely exposed.

Trail traffic:
Moderate.

Trail surfaces:
Dirt trails and fire roads.

Hiking time:
1 1/2 hours.

Season:
Nice any time; lovely in spring.

Getting there:

From Interstate 280 in Santa Clara County, exit Page Mill Road and drive west about 0.3 mile. Turn right onto Arastradero Road, continue about 0.5 mile, and turn right into the parking lot.

Street address (for in-transit navigation):
1530 Arastradero Road Palo Alto, CA 94304

GPS Coordinates* for Trailhead:
Latitude 37°23'13.74"N
Longitude 122°10'28.19"W
(* based on Google Earth data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)

Gas, food, and lodging:
Gas, restaurants, and stores a few miles northwest on Alpine Road. No camping.

Trailhead details:
Dirt parking which fills quickly on weekends. No entrance or parking fees. Toilets, pay phone, and drinking water near the trail entrance. Maps available at the information signboard. Although there is designated handicapped parking, and a wheelchair-accessible portable toilet, this preserve is not wheelchair accessible. There is no direct public transportation to the preserve, but you can walk into the preserve from the Sam Trans stop: visit 511.org for details.

Rules:
The preserve is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Dogs are permitted, but must be leashed. Most trails are open to cyclists, equestrians, and hikers. A few trails are open to hikers and equestrians only.

The Official Story:
City of Palo Alto's Arastradero page

Map Choices:

• Map from City of Palo Alto (download the pdf)


Arastradero in a nutshell -- a printable, text-only guide to the featured hike.




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