Los Trancos Open Space Preserve

Los Trancos Open Space Preserve is a protected area in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties featuring rolling grasslands, oak woodlands, and evergreen forests at varying elevations. The landscape combines different habitats that create distinct environments for visitors to explore.

The land was once part of a large ranch before state senator Louis Oneal acquired it in the early 1900s for raising horses. It later became a protected space open to the public.

Guided walks led by naturalists help visitors understand the geological formations and how earthquakes have shaped the landscape. These outings reveal the significance of the land's structure to those who explore it.

Several hiking trails of varying difficulty run through the preserve and suit different fitness levels. Note that bicycles are not permitted on the paths, though some routes accommodate horses.

A section of the San Andreas Fault runs directly through the preserve, one of the most active fault lines in the region. Ground displacement markers along the fault help visitors see the effects of past earthquakes firsthand.

Location: California

GPS coordinates: 37.32640,-122.17900

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:23