The best MTB trails in Ravenswood Open Space Preserve

Enid Pearson-Arastradero Preserve offers rolling grasslands mixed with oak and evergreen trees. The trail system starts on pavement and transitions to packed dirt and gravel—great for bikes with wider tires or a solid gravel setup. Keep an eye out for deer, coyotes, and even bobcats, and take a moment to pause at one of the benches or by Arastradero Lake to enjoy the open views.

The Stanford Dish Trail parking area off Alpine Road (near Piers Lane and just west of Junipero Serra Boulevard) serves as a quieter but still well-used western entrance to the Dish hiking area. This access point offers a small parking lot and connects directly to the Dish loop’s rolling, paved trails. From here, you’ll begin with a gentle incline through open hillsides, quickly gaining elevation and views of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It’s a scenic entry with fewer crowds than the main Stanford Avenue gate. Like the rest of the Dish area, it’s open only to walkers, runners, and hikers—no dogs, no bikes. Come prepared for sun exposure and some steep grades.

The stretch of Stanford Avenue from Bowdoin Avenue to El Camino Real is a flat, tree-lined corridor ideal for a relaxed jog or warm-up before hitting the hills. It runs along the southern edge of Stanford’s main campus, offering wide sidewalks, light traffic, and shade from mature trees—especially pleasant in the early morning or late afternoon. This segment is about half a mile long, making it perfect for intervals or as part of a larger loop. You’ll pass a mix of residential homes and quiet academic buildings, with clear views toward the Santa Cruz Mountains. At El Camino Real, cross safely to loop into the Stanford campus or head downtown for a longer urban run.

This mostly paved bike trail alongside Alpine Road is great for bike commuting — just don't run over any slower trail users! The trail runs all the way from Portola Valley to Stanford, offering some nice shade along the way. The brief moments of unpaved trail are near the Portola Valley end.

Borel Hill is my favorite place to watch spring flowers. The western slope near ancient oaks (5-10min west of Borel Hill) are covered with orange California Poppies and purple flowers starting in April. Borel Hill itself peaks around mid May and has a wide variety of flowers. The show lasts only a few weeks until end of May. The peak time and flower intensity varies from year to year, so come several times between April and May. There is small summit NW of Borel Hill and a narrow dirt trail leads you to a rock within 2 min. The rock is big enough for 2-3 to sit on. On a sunny day, the rock is nice warm even if the air is cold. Good views on the ocean and the Bay.

Arizona Garden is also known as the Cactus Garden. The garden features a variety of unique plants, including columnar, barrel, and monstrose cacti, as well as succulents like Aloes, Crassulas, and rosette-forming Agaves.

This winding side road is very lightly trafficked and carries you between Stanford and the Palo Alto hills with partial shade the entire way. On the east side of the road you will find Frenchman's Tower, and old brick landmark.

Stanford's historic cacti garden boasts a wondrous variety of succulents with well-maintained packed walking paths that guide you through its grounds. You'll have to dismount the bike but the cacti are well worth a stop!