Silicon Valley Running Trails — McLellan Ranch Park, Cupertino

I’m running out daylight time during which I can hike in the evenings. McLellan Ranch is good in this case because the parking lot is not gated and locked at sundown and parts of the trail are lit. Also, even after dark, there are enough dog walkers and runners to not feel like that crazy person doing an evening hike in the dark.

This is more of a walk than a hike and is an easy excursion for families with small children. The paths are paved and there are plenty of picnic tables and seats along the way. There are also play parks and a community pool. From what I experienced, the majority of the main trail is wheelchair accessible.

Like most of the parks I’ve been to in Silicon Valley, this one is full of interesting birds, deer, and small rodents. The entrance to the walkways has a working farm and community garden; there’s even a small farming museum. Simply wandering through the community garden brings you close to goats and livestock (separated from the garden). I’m assuming there’s some sort of evening classes or camps for kids who want to learn more about farming. A line of little rubber boots adorned one wall in the horse paddocks and there were kids taking care of the goats.