I love this park. Especially in the spring time, when things are green and the wildlife is out and…read moreabout feasting on new growth. It is peaceful here and not a far drive from residential areas. A nice escape for a day or even an hour.

This is a great 2 mile loop walk. There is plenty of FREE parking…read more The trail has a tiny bit of incline for those walking with strollers or wheelchairs. The trail has minimal shade so make sure to wear a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. There are portable toilets. If you are a hiker, there are different trails to choose from. The popular one is the steep one that leads you to the top and has a beautiful view. The hike has no shade so definitely wear sunscreen and a hat. Dogs, horses, carriers, strollers, wheelchairs, bikes are all welcome. There's a sign at the entrance that lets you know what time they are closing.

I love Garland ranch. There are several different walking trails. They have a visitor center and…read morebathrooms. Make sure you have on good hiking shoes and bring sunblock and water on warm days. Bring your dog or come solo, the beauty of nature is always so peaceful here. Our kiddos definitely enjoyed getting out to enjoy the area, we will return!

Wonderful park to explore and hike if you are ever in the Carmel Valley area. Plenty of parking…read moreboth on the street as well as in a designated parking lot. Much of the area in the lower section is flat and easy to walk around, however, there are also some trails with steeper elevation climbs for those who want to get more of a scenic view of the area. Cool historic barn is easy to get to and on hotter days you will definitely want to take some water as some of the trails are exposed to the sun. There is a public bathroom area by the visitor center.

Have been doing this hike for YEARS! At least once a year and I have 3 young boys who love it as…read morewell. It gets a little intense but go at your own pace and all will be good. If you have asthma def bring your inhaler! Lol Also, came across a POISON OAK plant near the top/edge so BE CAREFUL!

I hiked Pincushion on New Year's Day. I start the hike at the Finegold recreation area, I recently…read morelearned this is the true trail head. It's about 3 miles round trip. It's not too hard, I would rate it moderate, but you should be in decent shape to attempt this hike. It is all uphill, it's moderate uphill. The last section right before you get to the peak is more of an intense uphill climb. The intense part doesn't last too long though. This hike offers beautiful views of the lake and Table mountains. Hiking the peak can be a bit tricky. Rocks are slippery, so wear good shoes with grip and ankle protection. This hike is unbearable in the summer, it's too hot. Winter months and early spring are my fave times to hike it. Parking is free if you park along the road. If you park in the parking lot day use area, I think it's $5. There is a public restroom, sometimes it's closed and a portopotty is available.

Tucked away in the Godlen Eagle gated community, Augustin Bernal Park is truly an eastbay hidden…read moregem. It's a 237 acre part on the east side of the Pleasanton Ridge. Its boundaries include the EBRPD Pleasanton Ridge regional park. It seems the park was gifted to the city around 1971 but its history (and name) date back to the Spanish settler who originally owned the land. This is one of the few shaded hikes I found in the east bay hills that offers really good views and some perfect hiking loops. There's also mountain bike trails with some being only for bikers and equestrian trails as well. The only issue that makes this a less-than-perfect park is the access. This year, they started requiring non-residents of Pleasanton to have a pass which is now on a fee basis; if you're a resdient of Pleasanton then it's no big deal to get in. I know there is a another access point via walking on Longview drive and that used to be no permit required but I have not tried it recently. Technically, one could also hike here from the Pleasanton Ridge regional park via the ridgeline trail too. At the time of this review, it seemed to be 10 dollars for a week pass via https://www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/your-community/parks-trails/ .

Chris was a great guide. He took us on an awesome run. 1000ft of climbing and a super fun downhill…read more Tons of fun.

Don't you hate when you ride a new trail system and it takes dozens of rides to figure out the best…read moresections. It always helps to have buddy that knows the trails...Darrin is, "that guy." He knows the trails, the conditions, he'll ride your speed, and match your skill level to the trails. He's not only a great rider, he also knows the biological and historical significance of each area. Darrin is a sharp dude that will offer you tips on what you're about to ride so you know what you're getting into. He does a great job setting expectations and will help you get the most of your time in the area. This business is only going to grow...I'm excited to see what else they'll do next.

Pedal Forward is absolutely legit. Great service, tons of inventory, super friendly to…read moreout-of-towners. What really sets them apart though is they actually give back - they're heavily involved with trail stewardship days and support the Yosemite South Gate Trail Cooperative with both time and money. If you're in town looking to ride, stop by. You won't regret it.

Jorge was extremely responsive, beyond flexible, and extremely pleasant to talk to. Took 4 of the…read morebikes in the back of a minivan (they fold up) to Yosemite and they performed very well, 4 1/2 hours of riding pretty much full electric and they delivered

Always loved hiking here and it hasn't lost its beauty. The only problem is you do share the trail…read morewith bike riders. Who sometimes do not announce a warning as they rush by. Overall a gorgeous trail. Large wide open trails and views of Salinas farmlands when you get to the top. Plenty of parking and few toilets in the parking lot. No parking pass needed. Keep valuables hidden. Get out and enjoy the sunshine!! SYOY!

I might be somewhat biased about this area, born at Fort Ord when it was still an active army base…read moreand lived around Monterey Bay all my life. It really is beautiful. All that keep the BLM lands clean and in usable conditions are not thanked enough...thanks again. Walking,hiking,trail running,mountain biking and horseback riding it can all be done here. Plenty of trails for all levels of fitness. Wide open fire roads to tight single track with well marked signage. Restrooms at the well maintained parking areas where you can pick up a trial map. Dogs are allowed and welcome. Last words...it's free!

I had a great time riding with Dave. I had been told by several people not to ride solo in Santa…read moreCruz, and they were all right. The trails around UCSC are a maze, but Dave knows them incredibly well and even had a hand in building them. It was more like riding with a buddy than a guide. I highly recommend that you book Dave if you want to have a great mtnb experience!

Dave is friendly, knowledgeable, flexible, and non-judgmental. Just an excellent experience all…read morearound. Highly recommend!

Great trail - leads to several other networks of trails through LG and SJ. We liked the horses and…read morethe deer and even a coyote! Beware of Ticks!!! Trail moderate in difficulty winds between houses and pastures. It's a nice mix of rural and suburban. Trail holds up well after a rain until the bridge...after that it was a bit messy with sticky mud that makes your shoes weigh 3 times as much as normal! But it was fine - it was a risk I take when I decide to take my dog out after three days of rain! Only drawback is that you really do have to take this trail back to Shannon/Hicks because if not you are stuck walking down Shannon Road which isn't all that safe really. My dog and I took a trail that lead to some others and it was all good except we were tired and I didn't want to walk back up large hill of the cul-du-sac to take this trail back...totally my bad. I underestimated the distance I'd have to walk down Shannon. Shannon has no shoulder on that stretch and is windy and I found myself having to cross back and forth on the road so that on-coming vehicles could see us before it was the last minute. But, like I said, that was my bad...nothing to do with the trail.

One of the hardest and rockiest trails in the area for mountain biking. Not too crowded. very…read moresteep hills, lots of loose gravels and narrow. After the a good 3 Miles of straight uphill climbs, you will be rewarded with beautiful views and a nice 2 miles down. Highly recommended for mountain bikers and hikers.

Great campground with the Big Sur river running right through it. Loved the quick hike up to the…read morewaterfall through the redwoods. Lots of great shady sites and some really nice sites right on the river. Showers were nice and reasonably priced. If you are feeling lazy and don't want to cook, you can check out the restaurant/ coffee shop, also a nice little gift shop. There is also a store at the back of the campground that has ice , snacks , firewood and a small laundry facility which was super convenient !! Great woodsy campground with great amenities!!

BEST SPOT TO SEE RED WOODS. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a sprawling, 1,000-acre sanctuary…read morecentered around the pristine Big Sur River. Often nicknamed "mini Yosemite," it trades direct beach access for dramatic inland scenery, boasting spectacular valleys, forested peaks, and dense groves of ancient coast redwoods. Ancient Redwood Groves: The park is famous for its majestic coast redwoods, with some trees measuring over 1,000 years old. Accessible walkways, like the Redwood Deck, allow visitors to stand among these towering giants. Diverse Hiking Trails: Trails cater to all skill levels, ranging from the flat and easy Nature Trail loop to the challenging, steep ascent up the Buzzards Roost Trail, which rewards hikers with panoramic views of the ocean and mountains. On-Site Lodging and Camping: Unlike many rugged coastal stops, this park features developed accommodations, including a large campground alongside the river and the historic Big Sur Lodge, which provides comfortable cabins and a restaurant. The redwoods you see growing in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (as well as nearby Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park are Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), the tallest living species of tree on Earth. The groves found throughout the park are particularly special because they mark the southernmost boundary of where the coast redwood species naturally thrives in significant numbers. Because they are located at the southern edge of their natural geographic range, the climate here is slightly drier and warmer than the dense, misty rainforests of Northern California. While they generally do not reach the record-shattering heights of their northern cousins in Humboldt or Redwood National Park, they are incredibly impressive, with many individual trees in the park towering well over 200 feet tall and thriving for upwards of 800 to 1,000 years. They rely heavily on the marine fog flowing through the Big Sur River gorge to stay hydrated during the dry summer months