Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve

Beautifully located in the mountains bordering Los Gatos, California sits Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, an 18,000 plus acre park for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The “blue range” as it’s translated, features a variety of terrain including serpentine grassland, dense stands of bay trees, rocky, steep, chaparral, shaded oak woodland forests. and deep ravines and riparian corridors. Sierra Azul has the unspoiled beauty and invigorating ruggedness of a true wilderness area and as such, it attracts visitors seeking a more vigorous outdoor experience.

The park also encompasses Mount Umunhum, one of the highest peaks in the Santa Cruz Mountains at 3,486 foot, and site of the former Almaden Air Force Base. Because of its size, the park is split into four distinct areas with access and activities not available in each area. Dogs are allowed on leash on all trails within the Kennedy-Limekiln Area of the park, but are not allowed anywhere (even left in the car) within the Mount Umunhum Area.