Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

It usually is quite popular on weekends, especially during peak hiking season. The parking lot fill up quickly, so it's best to arrive early or consider visiting during the week if possible.
Black Mountain Trail is a challenging but rewarding hike that offers some of the best views in the area. The trail is well-maintained but can be rocky and steep in places, so it's important to wear appropriate footwear and bring plenty of water.

Beautiful and challenging but not too steep (not the routes we took, at least). We saw some mule deer (I think), scrub jays, and woodpeckers. I love the mix of pine, California buckeye, and oaks (among many other trees I don’t know). The Indian paintbrush, buckbrush, California poppies, and bluedicks were blooming. Worth the windy trip up to the parking lot! Though you might bring motion sickness pills or ginger if you’re coming from the north/northeast and get carsick at all easily.

Oak woodlands make for beautiful views. You're going a mile downhill to go a mile uphill. So be prepared for the intervals. Great for biking, hiking and horse back riding. No dogs because of the coyotes like you see in the photo. #HappyHiking

Lovely nature preserve with good view of the night sky, and beautiful hikes during the day, complete with view of nature and the bay. Has a parking lot and a restroom! The parking lot and park are closed at night unfortunately.

Monte Bello Preserve is a great place for a day hike. I visited here in March/7/2021.
No entrance fee,the parking lot has good size but can fill up quickly, They also have a bathroom at the trailhead.
My hike was a 6 miles loop and 1,000 ft of elevation gain.
The trails are well maintained, it’s easy to follow.
This loop starts at the Monte Bello Open Space parking lot, hiking up to Black Mountain and back.
On my way up, I got beautiful rolling mountain hills, grasslands.
A lot of lovely views at Black Mountain, the landscape is very beautiful.
As I went down, I got into the forest. There were many trees covered with lots of moss on their stems, which makes it very peaceful.
This loop is good for 3 seasons per year,
not summertime.
I will be coming back.