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While the rain might have kept you inside in recent weeks, a break in the storms means you can now enjoy the fruits of the winter rainfall. The wet weather has helped green hillsides, sprout wildflowers and fill waterfalls, making for great outdoor excursions.
Venture out with caution: San Mateo County Parks advises against hiking on dirt trails saturated with water. The department also notes that paved trails with standing water can hide hazards like sinkholes. Be careful near large trees during high winds or after a storm, as they can fall over.
From Pacifica to the South Bay, here’s our guide to post-rain hot spots to soak in the early springtime sights and sounds.
San Mateo County
Bair Island, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Redwood City
Take a scenic leisurely stroll along the San Francisco Bay and catch the wildlife that comes out after wet weather at Bair Island in Redwood Shores.
Visitors have seen pelicans, American Wigeons, Canvasback ducks, yellow-rumped warblers, shorebirds and more at the salt marsh in recent weeks.
It’s 0.8 miles round trip to the closer observation platform, or 3.2 miles to the farther one.
Bair Island public parking, 654 Sea Anchor Drive, Redwood City. Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. openspacetrust.org/hike/bair-island.
Brooks Falls Trail, San Pedro Valley County Park, Pacifica
Rainfall helps feed the waterfall along a trail tucked behind the Linda Mar neighborhood in Pacifica. The Brooks Falls Trail is lined with eucalyptus trees, but the canopy transitions to ceanothus, manzanita, buckeye, sticky monkey flower and sagebrush during the hike.
The best view of the seasonal Brooks Falls is at the midway point of the 2.4-mile loop, but the waterfall is usually only visible after heavy rain, according to hikers. You’ll also catch picturesque ocean views.
600 Oddstad Blvd., Pacifica. Park opens at 8 a.m. friendsofsanpedrovalleypark.org/trails/brooks-creek-trail.
Harrington Creek Trail, La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, Woodside/Portola Valley
A new network of trails in La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve offers views of wildlife grazing in the “emerald green rolling hills” during the winter months.
The Harrington Creek Trail goes through mostly grassland habitat, but there are winter birds and a lovely stream to walk beside. There are also some early blooming flowers in this preserve, such as Western leatherwood and suncups, which may be visible following rain.
Access to the parking lot on Allen Road, located on the preserve’s northern side, is only granted to visitors who have acquired a free permit from the district. Permits should be requested at least 48 hours in advance, according to Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s website.
For those willing to face the 1,200 feet of elevation gain (or for those who haven’t secured a permit), the free Sears Ranch Road parking area on the southern side of the preserve has 23 spots.
900 Sears Ranch Road, La Honda. Open a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset. openspace.org/preserves/la-honda-creek.
Dennis Martin Creek, Thornewood Preserve, Woodside
With enough rain, Dennis Martin Creek, running down from Schilling Lake along the Bridle Trail, features small waterfalls and pools, some created from remnants of historic logging operations.
Take caution: Heavy rain can make a creek crossing required if you start the Bridle Trail from Old La Honda Road. To avoid this, plan to hike out and back starting from the more northern Thornewood parking area off La Honda Road (Highway 84).
707 La Honda Road, Woodside. Open a half-hour before sunset and a half-hour after sunset. openspace.org/preserves/thornewood.
Upper trails at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, Portola Valley
Some of the upper trails at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve in Portola Valley offer spectacular views akin to vistas from the “Sound of Music,” especially from the summit of the Anniversary Trail.
Roadside parking is available on Skyline Boulevard. Open a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset. More information on parking lots for the upper trails can be found at openspace.org/preserves/windy-hill.
Long Ridge Loop, Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, La Honda
Expect to see newts, ferns, banana slugs, fungi and more along the Long Ridge Loop in La Honda this winter.
Rain has also helped colorful wildflowers grow. Parkgoers have reported seeing the following in recent weeks: violets, winecup clarkias, checkerblooms and Western wild gingers. The middle section of the hike offers striking views overlooking the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Peters Creek Trailhead, Highway 35, La Honda. Open a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset. openspace.org/preserves/long-ridge.
Santa Clara County
Lagunita Lake, Stanford
On Stanford University’s campus, spot native species — Pacific treefrogs, California tiger salamanders, a few bullfrogs, waterfowl and more in seasonal wetlands.
Lagunita Lake, known as “Lake Lag” to Stanford students, itself used to be a popular rec spot, but it now serves as a viewing location for over 400 native wildlife species since the lake is no longer artificially filled. Lake Lag supports many of the species endemic to California’s vernal pools.
Stanford created the lake, just off Museum Way and east of Palm Drive, around 1870 to provide irrigation for Palo Alto Stock Farm. Heavy rains filled the lake in 2023 and again this winter, making it a temporary waterfront recreation spot. Beware of skunks and raccoons.
300 Lane L, Stanford. The nearest parking lot is located at the 450 Serra Parking Mall, 524 Lagunita Drive. Parking is hourly; free after 4 p.m. and on weekends. tinyurl.com/stanfordlakelag.
Castle Rock Falls, Castle Rock State Park, Saratoga
Stand on a wooden lookout platform at the top of the 75-foot waterfalls and catch spectacular views of the ancient redwood forest.
There are unmarked trails to the east of the falls that are often used by rock climbers who enjoy scaling the cliff next to the falls, according to Peninsula Open Space Trust.
The park is located on Highway 35, just 2.5 miles southeast of the junction with Highway 9. $10 parking fee. openspacetrust.org/hike/castle-rock.
Stevens Creek Reservoir, Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve, Cupertino
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is hosting a 4.5-mile hike entitled “Water Wonders” in early spring to explore the land around Stevens Creek Reservoir.
This moderately paced excursion includes moderate elevation change and traverses multiple habitats, providing the chance to observe how water availability impacts the flora, fauna and habitat.
March 8, 2-5:30 p.m., 13100 Montebello Road, Cupertino. openspace.org/events/guided-activities/water-wonders-8.
Stanford Dish seen from the Stanford Dish hiking trail on Feb. 26, 2026. Photo by Seeger Gray. 
A runner runs on the Stanford Dish hiking trail on Feb. 26, 2026. Photo by Seeger Gray. 
People walk near the Stanford Avenue entrance to the Stanford Dish hiking trail on Feb. 26, 2026. Photo by Seeger Gray.
Stanford Dish, Stanford
Usually yellow or brown during summer months, the Stanford Dish’s hills are green in the winter after it rains.
The 3.7-mile steep paved loop in the Stanford foothills is popular for running and jogging.
Parking can be difficult. Try parking on Stanford Avenue, Sand Hill Road or Coyote Hill Road. Be mindful of coyotes, as there have been recent sightings in the area.
2390 Stanford Ave., Stanford. Open 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in February, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in March. dish.stanford.edu.
Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, Los Gatos
Many of the new trails in Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve in Los Gatos are great for a post-rain hike. Expect to see newts, a wide variety of birds, thimbleberries, redwood sorrel and more.
19350 Bear Creek Road, Los Gatos. Open a half-hour before sunrise and a half-hour after sunset. openspace.org/preserves/bear-creek-redwoods.
Photo by Magali Gauthier.
Song Sparrow Spur Trail, Mountain View
Enjoy a hike, bike ride, photography session or just observe wildlife on the new 1.2-mile Song Sparrow Spur Trail north of Mountain View’s Shoreline Park. The restored wetlands area opened in February.
Park at 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View. Open sunrise to sunset. southbayrestoration.org/pond-complexes/alviso.
Waterfall Loop Trail, Uvas Canyon County Park, Morgan Hill
Up for an excursion just south of Silicon Valley? From the day use area at Uvas Canyon County Park, head to the Waterfall Loop Trail, the Contour Trail and then veer left on the Alec Canyon Trail to finish the loop. You’ll pass three falls along the way: Black Rock Falls, Basin Falls and Upper Falls.
For a shorter hike (and to still see all the waterfalls), stick to the Waterfall Loop Trail.
Advance reservations and $6 day-use vehicle passes are required seven days a week. Call Santa Clara County Parks at 408-355-2201 to make a reservation or book online at gooutsideandplay.org.
8515 Croy Road, Morgan Hill. Open 8 a.m. to sunset. openspacetrust.org/hike/uvas-canyon-waterfall-loop.
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