Overview
Rancho San Antonio is 4,000 acres of open space on the Peninsula with over 25 miles of trail, but for families with young kids the destination is Deer Hollow Farm — a free, working 10-acre farm tucked one mile into the preserve with sheep, goats, cows, chickens, and rabbits. The flat, paved trail to the farm is stroller-accessible and passes through a meadow where deer are reliably visible, often within 30 feet of the path. No admission, no reservation, no commercial noise — just a well-maintained trail and a farm staffed by volunteers who engage genuinely with kids. This is the Peninsula's best-value family outing.
How to Do It
The main entrance is at 22500 Cristo Rey Dr, Cupertino (not Los Altos Hills, despite the preserve's billing). From Highway 85, take the Foothill Boulevard exit and go south about 0.2 miles to Cristo Rey Drive. Turn right and continue about a mile, veer right at the traffic circle, and turn left into the County Park entrance. There's a real-time parking availability sign at the entrance gate — if it shows full, the overflow area sometimes opens on busy days, but you're better off arriving early.
The parking lot is free. From the main lot, the paved path to Deer Hollow Farm runs just under a mile each way — flat, wide, and easily handled with a jogging stroller. The route passes open meadow on both sides, which is where you'll most often spot deer. Allow 45 minutes each way if you're walking with a toddler who wants to stop. Deer Hollow Farm sits at the far end near the creek; the farm buildings and animal pens are clearly marked. The farm is open Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday from 8am to 4pm, and Wednesday from 8am to 1pm — it's closed Monday. Confirm hours before you go, as they shift with the seasons and staffing.
Tips & Tricks
Parking is the single biggest variable at Rancho San Antonio. On weekends from March through October, the main lot fills by 9am and cars are turned away. The best options: arrive before 8:30am, ride in via the Silicon Valley Hopper (an on-demand shared ride service connecting from Cupertino, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, and nearby Caltrain stations), or bike in from Los Altos neighborhoods via Cristo Rey Drive. The board voted against a dedicated shuttle in 2024, so the Hopper is the transit solution for now.
Dogs are not permitted anywhere in the Open Space Preserve — this is a firm rule, not a suggestion. The County Park section (the immediate parking area and some picnic spots near the entrance) allows leashed dogs, but the moment you step onto the preserve trails toward the farm, dogs must stay behind. Plan accordingly if the dog is coming.
Rattlesnakes are active on warm days, particularly in spring and fall. Keep kids on the paved path and out of the brush. Ticks are present year-round; do a check after any time off the main trail.
Visitors cannot feed the animals at Deer Hollow Farm, and access to the pens is restricted to viewing from the fence. This is the right expectation to set before you arrive — kids who are primed to look and ask questions have a better time than those expecting a petting zoo. The farm volunteers are good at engaging kids at the fence line.
The meadow section of the path has no shade. On summer days above 80°F, the out-and-back can get hot. Start early, bring more water than you think you need, and consider a morning start that gets you to the farm by 9am and back to the car before the heat peaks.
Planning
Parking is free. Deer Hollow Farm is free to enter; donations accepted. The preserve itself is always free and open sunrise to sunset. Deer Hollow Farm hours: Tuesday, Thursday–Sunday 8am–4pm; Wednesday 8am–1pm; closed Monday. No reservation required for a casual visit. Bring water (the trail has no water sources), sunscreen, and snacks for the return trip. A hiking carrier or jogging stroller works better than a standard stroller on windy days when the path can be exposed. Best months are October through April when the hills are green and the heat is not a factor; summer works fine with an early start. The farm's 75–100 animals and shaded creek area make it a natural stopping point — most families spend 20–30 minutes at the farm itself.
