Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

"Hiked this area for the first time. We did not have any idea what to expect. We were not disappointed! We hiked up to the vista and it was spectacular. About 1.45 hour hike (plus picture taking) Plenty of free parking."

"Nice trails with plenty of sunshine and also a lot of wooded areas. I loved the moss covered trees. Free to visit, bathroom at the parking lot, no running water, but hand sanitizer is available."

"It usually is quite popular on weekends, especially during peak hiking season. The parking lot fill up quickly, so it's best to arrive early or consider visiting during the week if possible. Black Mountain Trail is a challenging but rewarding hike that offers some of the best views in the area. The trail is well-maintained but can be rocky and steep in places, so it's important to wear appropriate footwear and bring plenty of water."

"Beautiful and challenging but not too steep (not the routes we took, at least). We saw some mule deer (I think), scrub jays, and woodpeckers. I love the mix of pine, California buckeye, and oaks (among many other trees I don’t know). The Indian paintbrush, buckbrush, California poppies, and bluedicks were blooming. Worth the windy trip up to the parking lot! Though you might bring motion sickness pills or ginger if you’re coming from the north/northeast and get carsick at all easily."

"Monte Bello Preserve is a great place for a day hike. I visited here in March/7/2021. No entrance fee,the parking lot has good size but can fill up quickly, They also have a bathroom at the trailhead. My hike was a 6 miles loop and 1,000 ft of elevation gain. The trails are well maintained, it’s easy to follow. This loop starts at the Monte Bello Open Space parking lot, hiking up to Black Mountain and back. On my way up, I got beautiful rolling mountain hills, grasslands. A lot of lovely views at Black Mountain, the landscape is very beautiful. As I went down, I got into the forest. There were many trees covered with lots of moss on their stems, which makes it very peaceful. This loop is good for 3 seasons per year, not summertime. I will be coming back."