El Sereno Open Space Preserve is named for Mount El Sereno, a peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains south of Saratoga and west of Los Gatos. Midpen gives the peak's height as 2,500 feet; Wikipedia lists 2,580 feet. The nearby city of Monte Sereno takes its name from the same mountain.
The preserve
The 1,614-acre preserve climbs steep slopes from the foothills to the ridgeline. Midpen describes it as mostly exposed chaparral, with meadows higher up and a few shady spots near creeks. Expect the scent of California bay laurel, chamise, coyote bush and yerba santa. Mule deer, coyotes, gopher snakes and brush rabbits live here, and Wikipedia notes that signs at the entrance warn that it is mountain lion habitat.
Trails
El Sereno has seven miles of wide, gradual trails open to hiking, biking and dog walking, plus horseback riding on designated trails.
- Montevina Ridge and Aquinas trails: about an 8-mile out-and-back along the ridge, with views of Sierra Azul and St. Joseph's Hill preserves, Lexington Reservoir and Silicon Valley
- Aquinas Trail: a 3-mile stretch along the ridge
- Overlook Trail: 1.2 miles through grassland into light forest. A six-car lot near the trailhead requires a free permit.
Wikipedia says limited parking is at the end of Montevina Road.
A growing preserve
In 2020 and 2021, Midpen and the Peninsula Open Space Trust bought 182 acres from the San Jose Water Company with a state Wildlife Conservation Board grant. The purchase connected the 3.7-mile Aquinas Trail across the preserve and advanced a regional trail project under the voter-approved Measure AA bond.
On clear days, Wikipedia says, you can see as far as the Monterey Peninsula.