Live Oak Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

On the Serpentine Trail side, there are several areas of the trail with rocks that make running difficult. Once the trail passes the Ridgeview Trail intersection, the trail is smooth and easy for running. The trail is 4-5 feet wide in most places, making passing easy.

The Live Oak Trail can be accessed by running up the Sylvan Trail and following the Serpentine Trail until the Live Oak Trail cuts back to the right. It can also be accessed by parking at the Sunset Trailhead and running down to the Live Oak Trail.

At the beginning of the trail, there are great views of the San Francisco Bay area that spread out before you on the left hand side of the trail. As the dirt trail climbs away from the Serpentine Trail, it enters the woods before intersecting with the Ridgeview Trail at roughly a tenth of a mile. The Live Oak Trail goes off to the right and starts to climb the hill. The woods block most of the views, although there is a small, unmaintained trail that goes off to the left where views of the Santa Cruz Mountains on the I-280 side of the preserve can be enjoyed. Birds can be seen in the trees and rabbits can be seen on the trail in the evening as they come out to feed. Noise from the interstate can be heard as the trail skirts the top of the hillside.

Between .4 and .5 miles, there is a bench that provides a resting spot for those who need it. Behind the bench, views of the mountains and the interstate can be seen though an opening in the shrubs. The trail cuts off to the right and begins its descent through the woods. After dropping through two switchbacks, the trail finally meets up with the Franciscan Trail, which marks the end of the Live Oak Trail.

More information about the trail can be found here.

The trail spends most of its time in the woods, but there are fields at the beginning that are full of wildflowers.

Rabbits, coyotes, deer, turkeys, and numerous varieties of birds can be seen along the trail and in the woods. The animals can be seen in the morning and in the evening when they come out to feed.