Juan Bautista de Anza Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Enid Pearson-Arastradero Preserve trails are either crushed gravel or dirt, making them ideal for running. Most of the gravel trails are wide while most of the dirt trails are narrow (2-3 feet wide). It is important to be alert to your surroundings due to the trail being shared with horseback riders and mountain bikers. Hikers and runners are asked to yield to horses for everyone’s safety.

The Juan Bautista de Anza Trail departs from Arastradero Road and crosses over a bridge that spans the creek bed. The trail is a wide gravel path at this point and follows along the creek bed. At roughly .1 miles, the trail meets with the access trail that comes from the parking lot through Gate A. It continues to the left for roughly .3 miles until the trail climbs a switchback and intersects with the Meadowlark Trail. Wildflowers can be seen in the spring along the trail at this point. The trail continues for another .2 miles until it reaches the Arastradero Lake, which sits on the left hand side. There is a small trail that goes off to the left that circles part way around the lake. A little further along, the Arastradero Creek Trail goes off to the left.

The trail climbs up a hill before coming to the intersection with the Meadowlark Trail. You can return to your car if you go to the right or explore the preserve if you go to the left. The Juan Bautista de Anza Trail continues straight ahead as it passes the Bonus Hill Trail on the right and then passes the Ohlone Trail on the left. The trail passes Gate B before breaking off to the right and following the Arastradero Road as the trail descends to the junction with the Woodland Star Trail. The trail goes off to right as the trail becomes a narrow, dirt track and moves through the woods for roughly .25 mile until it reaches the edge of the preserve and a small parking lot. At this point, you can turn around and retrace your steps or take one of the many trails that intersect with the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail to explore more of the preserve.

Deer, coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes, turkeys, hawks, turkey vultures, and other varieties of birds can be seen in the area. Mountain lion sightings have been reported in the area, so keep an eye out.