Two hikers walk towards the camera on a dirt trail through a yellow grass field with oak trees and hills covered in trees in the background. The hiker on the left carries hiking poles and wears teal leggings, a pink fanny-pack, and a white jacket. The hiker on the right wears black shorts and a red jacket. They are looking at each other and smiling.

Visit

The best way to discover your open spaces is to visit them!

Open Space Authority preserves are open year-round, free to visit and offer opportunities for people of all backgrounds and interests to connect with nature. Come hike or walk, bike, horseback ride, learn or simply relax in a beautiful landscape.

If you’re new to enjoying open space, check out our New Visitors page to prepare for your next visit!

Your Open Space Preserves

A dirt trail winds through lush green hills dotted with dark green oak trees, in the distance a rainbow arcs over farmland below

Coyote Valley

Located in the rural greenbelt between San José and Morgan Hill, Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve offers breathtaking nature experiences for all. Visit Coyote Valley.

A green grassy hillside with small orange wildflowers, a hiker walks away from the camera on a dirt trail on the right side of the image. Green, scrub-covered hillsides in the background under a blue sky filled with white fluffy clouds.

Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge

Comprised of rare serpentine grasslands, this unique preserve is a biodiversity hotspot for sensitive endangered plants and animals and a can't-miss destination for wildflower season. Visit Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge.

Two hikers walk towards the camera on a dirt trail across a green grassy hill covered in trees, with a view behind them of more hills and a blue sky

Rancho Cañada del Oro

Featuring mixed woodlands, grasslands and glistening creeks, this preserve nestled in the southern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains is a hidden gem. Visit Rancho Cañada del Oro.

An aerial view of Sierra Vista's rolling gold hillsides with trails winding across them. Beyond the hills is an expansive view of Santa Clara Valley below, under a clear blue sky.

Sierra Vista

Located in the Eastern foothills of Santa Clara County, Sierra Vista boasts some of the best views in the region, amidst oak woodlands, rolling grasslands and chaparral habitats. Visit Sierra Vista.

Recreational Activities

A family with two adults and 3 children walks towards the camera on a dirt trail surrounded by green grass with mountains in the background, under a blue sky. The adult in the front is carrying one of the children on her shoulders.

Hiking & walking

All trails at Open Space Authority preserves are available for walking, hiking and running. From short, accessible loops to longer and more challenging trails, your preserves offer experiences for people of all fitness levels and abilities to enjoy nature. Please remember that hikers and walkers must yield to horses on the trails. For more information about hiking tips and guidelines, visit our New Visitors page.

New Visitors
mountain biker in fluorescent green shirt on dirt trail

Mountain biking

All open space preserves have bike-friendly trails for all skill levels and abilities, including level, paved paths and rugged single-track trails. For safety, bicyclists should use bike bells and only ride as fast as they can brake around sharp turns. Please remember that bikes must always yield to horses and hikers on the trails.

New visitors
Three horseback riders on a dirt trail through brown hills: one adult in front with two children behind. They are riding towards the camera and smiling, all are on brown horses and wearing helmets.

Horseback riding

Riding on the trail can be a joyful and freeing experience, and all open space preserves have trails for equestrian use. Whether you are riding to a nearby trail, or trailering your horse to a new location, prepare to make it a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience for all. Free horse trailer parking is available at all preserves. Please make a reservation for Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge and Sierra Vista Open Space Preserves or for group rides at all preserves.

Reservations & Permits
A person wearing a blue face mask in a motorized wheelchair is followed by a person also wearing a blue face mask walking on a paved nature trail.

Accessible trails

Everyone deserves access to nature, regardless of physical ability or mobility. You can find several accessible and/or paved trails at your open space preserves, along with accessible bathrooms and parking. Visit our Accessibility page for more information.

Accessibility
A person wearing a navy blue shirt reaches out to touch a plant on the side of the trail, behind them is an OSA volunteer docent wearing a light blue shirt and tan hat.

Environmental Education

Whether you’re joining a docent-led hike or leading a school group on a field trip, your open space preserves offer fantastic ways to discover, study and appreciate the natural world.

Events
A child with binoculars looks to the left, behind him a group of adult birdwatchers are looking up and in the same direction. One person is pointing and smiling, another person is looking up with binoculars.

Connecting to Nature

There are countless ways to enjoy open space and the natural world! Your open space preserves offer opportunities for picnicking, birdwatching, nature photography, painting, reading, meditation and more. No matter how you choose to connect with nature, please remember to respect the land, the wildlife and other visitors. New to nature? Check out our New Visitors page!

New visitors
A medium-sized tan and white dog with a big smile and tongue hanging out stands on a dirt trail facing the camera, in front of a view of green hillsides and blue mountains in the far distance.

Dogs

With the primary goal of protecting habitat for wildlife, the open space preserves managed by the Open Space Authority have a no-dog/pet policy, except for service animals. For your pets’ health and safety, please leave them at home and never leave them in the car while you hike, regardless of weather conditions. There are many amazing urban and regional parks and trails where dogs are allowed, a number of them created with grants from the Open Space Authority. Check out our guide to dog-friendly hikes in the Santa Clara Valley.

Dog-friendly Trails

Upcoming Events

Visit open space through a guided activity or program!

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