St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve

For a quick escape from urban life in the Bay Area, there's no better place than the St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve! Sandwiched between the town of Los Gatos to the north and the Lexington Reservoir to the south, this 270-acre site features a number of trails that will set any athletic pup's tail a-wagging!

Your pooch will be pleased to know that they're allowed on all trails at the preserve as long as they stay on a 6-foot leash. With over 4 miles of trails and different loop options, lots of fun hiking opportunities await you and your canine buddy at St. Joseph's Hill. If you're coming from downtown Los Gatos, you and Fido can take the Los Gatos Creek Trail from East Main Street and stroll through Novitiate Park via the pawpular Jones Trail to get to the preserve. Once you're there, you'll find several steep trails that meander through grassland, oak woodland, and chaparral.

If you and Fido climb to the top of St. Joseph's Hill in the eastern portion of the preserve, you'll be treated to pawsome views of the Lexington Reservoir, the Santa Clara Valley, El Sereno, and the Sierra Azul mountain range. Don't forget to bring a camera so you can take photos of your pooch basking in the puptastic scenery! Water and mutt mitts are a must as well. There are no trash receptacles in the area, so dog parents are expected to pack out all pet waste.

Note that the preserve is almost completely exposed, so be sure to have a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water with you. During the summer months, it's best to go for a hike early in the morning or late in the afternoon so Fido's paws don't get too hot. No matter what time of the year it is, the St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve is a furrific spot to visit with your four-legged pal!