Arastradero Figure-8
A 3.3 mile figure-8 loop through the rolling hills of Pearson-Arastradero Preserve. This run is great for a quick trail fix with easy access from highway 280, Stanford University, and nearby Peninsula towns. Keep an eye out for a delightful amount of wildlife and be sure to visit the nicest bathrooms you will ever find at a trailhead.
The Details
Location: Pearson-Arastradero Preserve
Trail Start/End: Main Entrance (1530 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304)
Distance: 3.3 mi
Ascent: 408 ft
Type: Figure-8 Loop
Parking: Lot
Fee: No (Free)
Water: Yes
Bathroom: Yes
The Flight Plan
0.0 - 0.14 mi
From the parking area, go towards the bathroom structure. The paved path will lead you to a short trail that will bring you to a crossing with Arastradero Road.
0.14 - 0.24 mi
Cross the road and go straight onto the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail for a short distance until you intersect with the Wild Rye Trail. Turn left onto the Wild Rye Trail.
0.24 - 0.6 mi
The Wild Rye Trail climbs through lush grassland to an intersection with the Paseo del Roble Trail. At the intersection, turn right onto the Paseo del Roble trail.
0.6 - 0.74 mi
After running along a brief ridgeline, you’ll encounter a trail intersection above the Arastradero Lake. It doesn’t matter which trail you take since they end up in the same area, but I prefer to stay left because it’s a more gradual single-track.
0.74 - 1.1 mi
After rounding one side of Arastradero Lake, you’ll again intersect with the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail. Turn left to continue further into the park until encountering the intersection with the Meadow Lark Trail. Turn right onto the Meadow Lark Trail.
1.1 - 1.5 mi
Follow the Meadow Lark Trail until it intersects with the Portola Pastures Trail. Turn left.
1.5 - 1.74 mi
The Portola Pastures Trail will bring you to a pedestrian crossing at Arastradero Road. Cross the road to start your loop in the other side of the park.
1.8 - 2.0 mi
After crossing Arastradero Road, stay right onto the Redtail Loop Trail so that you are running parallel to the road towards the parking lot where you started the run. Instead of going into the parking lot, stay on the trail that goes around it. Behind the bathroom facility, follow the Redtail Loop Trail left up a short, but steep climb.
1.8 - 2.0 mi
The Redtail Loop Trail will climb up to a lookout. Turn left. (You can turn right at the overlook to tack on a few extra tenths of a mile since it ends up in the same place.)
2.0 - 3.3 mi
Continue following the trail up and down a few rolling hills and alongside a horse pasture. Eventually, you will end up back where you crossed Arastradero Road. Turn left onto the portion of the Redtail Loop Trail that you already did and follow it back to the parking lot.
Path to the nicest trailhead bathroom
Wild Rye Trail intersects Paseo Del Roble Trail
View from overlook on Redtail Loop Trail
Tips
There are very few trail markers or signs in Arastradero. The park is pretty small, so you likely won’t get seriously lost, but I’m always surprised by how easily I get turned around. I’d recommend taking a picture of a trailmap at the start and keeping an eye on mileage to help navigate.
Arastradero is a popular park for mountain biking, so you may encounter speedy bikers on downhills.
Arastradero is surprisingly abundant in wildlife. I’ve seen kites, harriers, and plenty of wild turkeys during my jaunts.
