Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

This location was surprisingly remote, given its proximity to Palo Alto. It's just 7 miles east of Hwy 280 on Page Mill Road.  But the majority of those miles are narrow and windy.  Our hike was advertised as 6 miles and logged as about 7, with 1300 feet of elevation change.  The climbs were long and gentle, to Black Mountain (for a nice lunch stop) from the parking area and then along Stevens Creek to return to the car.  The descent after lunch was steep.  Views were great and the variety between open grasslands and shaded riparian habitat was very nice.