1.0 hr
Overview
The Meadowlark Trail breaks off from the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail roughly .5 mile from the parking lot on Arastradero Road. The gravel trail breaks off to the right and climbs up the hill until it hooks to the left as the Portola Pastures Trail continues straight ahead. Following the top of the hills, the trail makes its way through the preserve for roughly .4 miles until it crosses the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail. Just before the intersection, there is a small, dirt track that leads up a hill, Bonus Hill Trail. After crossing the intersection, the trail transforms into a dirt track as it winds its way uphill to the Acorn Trail intersection. At this point, the Meadowlark Trail becomes a seasonal trail that may be closed if there has been a lot of rain.<br><br>Continuing for another half mile, the trail hugs the contour of the surrounding hills as it makes its way toward the Woodrat Trail. If you take a moment and look behind you, views of the South Bay and the preserve stretch out before you. Wildflowers are seen on both sides of the trail through this area. Shortly after passing the Woodrat Trail junction, which goes off to the left, a small dirt track leads out to Vista Point where a giant shade tree offers a place to rest and enjoy the best views in the preserve. Meadowlark Trail continues straight and passes the Bowl Loop trails that go off to the left and provide great trails for mountain bikers. At this point, the Meadowlark Trail begins to drop back down as it moves to the right. As it gently descends to 2.0 miles, the trail intersects with the Woodland Star Trail that comes in from the right. There is a large shade tree and a bench here for you to take a rest and enjoy a snack.<br><br>From this point, the trail continues for another .1 of a mile where it ends at Gate C. You can turn around and enjoy any of the trails that you have passed up to this point. The Woodland Star Trail and the Bay Laurel Trail can be used as a shortcut to get back to the Meadowlark Trail close to the Acorn Trail.
Trail Stats
3.4 km
111 m
220 m
109 m
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Photos
Wildflowers along the trail.
Wildflowers along the trail.
Two visitors take a break in the shade of the tree as they enjoy the view.
Two visitors take a break in the shade of the tree as they enjoy the view.
Some areas of the trail are shaded. You can see where mountain bikers and horses have turned up a damp part of the trail. It's easy to get around, but serves as a reminder that this is a shared use trail.
Some areas of the trail are shaded. You can see where mountain bikers and horses have turned up a damp part of the trail. It's easy to get around, but serves as a reminder that this is a shared use trail.
The trail hugs the hills and wildflowers bloom on the side of the trail in the spring.
The trail hugs the hills and wildflowers bloom on the side of the trail in the spring.
Looking through the trees, you can see the hills and mountains off in the distance.
Looking through the trees, you can see the hills and mountains off in the distance.
Beautiful views stretch out before you.
Beautiful views stretch out before you.
The trail is a singletrack gravel path that leads out to Vista Point. There is a picnic table just off the trail for people wanting to grab a bite to eat.
The trail is a singletrack gravel path that leads out to Vista Point. There is a picnic table just off the trail for people wanting to grab a bite to eat.
The Meadowlark Trail alternates between dirt and gravel as it works its way through the preserve.
The Meadowlark Trail alternates between dirt and gravel as it works its way through the preserve.
A look back down the hill that you just climbed. The trail is a mix of dirt and gravel at this point.
A look back down the hill that you just climbed. The trail is a mix of dirt and gravel at this point.
Winter rains make the grass green in the winter and spring, bringing new life to the area.
Winter rains make the grass green in the winter and spring, bringing new life to the area.
Great views from the trail.
Great views from the trail.
A view of the intersection of the Meadowlark and Juan Bautista de Anza trails.
A view of the intersection of the Meadowlark and Juan Bautista de Anza trails.
The Arastradero Lake at the bottom of the hill.
The Arastradero Lake at the bottom of the hill.
Views of the homes that sit right outside the preserve.
Views of the homes that sit right outside the preserve.
The Arastradero Preserve Hills.
The Arastradero Preserve Hills.
The trail drops through a shaded area thanks to the creek bed that runs on the right hand side of the trail.
The trail drops through a shaded area thanks to the creek bed that runs on the right hand side of the trail.
A side trail leads up to the Bowl Loop Trails that run along the hilltop.
A side trail leads up to the Bowl Loop Trails that run along the hilltop.
The Stanford Dish can be seen in the distance as wildflowers bloom in the fields.
The Stanford Dish can be seen in the distance as wildflowers bloom in the fields.
The Woodrat Trail narrows and becomes dirt as it descends from the Meadowlark Trail.
The Woodrat Trail narrows and becomes dirt as it descends from the Meadowlark Trail.
The Stanford Dish, Dumbarton Bridge, and San Mateo can be seen in the distance (as well as Felt Lake).
The Stanford Dish, Dumbarton Bridge, and San Mateo can be seen in the distance (as well as Felt Lake).
The trail climbs from the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail toward the Portola Pastures Trail.
The trail climbs from the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail toward the Portola Pastures Trail.
The trail climbs the hill in the distance. You can see how use by horses and mountain bikers in the spring can tear up the trail, so make sure you watch where you are going.
The trail climbs the hill in the distance. You can see how use by horses and mountain bikers in the spring can tear up the trail, so make sure you watch where you are going.
The trail narrows and climbs from the Meadowlark Trail.
The trail narrows and climbs from the Meadowlark Trail.
A view coming up from Gate C at the edge of the preserve.
A view coming up from Gate C at the edge of the preserve.
Water runs down the middle of the trail as it approaches the Laurel Bay Trail.
Water runs down the middle of the trail as it approaches the Laurel Bay Trail.
The trail as it moves along the back of the preserve.
The trail as it moves along the back of the preserve.
From the hills on this side of the preserve, you can see the trails as they criss cross the preserve.
From the hills on this side of the preserve, you can see the trails as they criss cross the preserve.
The Meadowlark Trail runs off into the distance.
The Meadowlark Trail runs off into the distance.
Two mountain bike riders take a break in the shade of the tree as they enjoy the view.
Two mountain bike riders take a break in the shade of the tree as they enjoy the view.
Bowl Loop hugs the hill on the far side of the ravine. Two mountain bikers can be seen enjoying the rolling nature of the trail.
Bowl Loop hugs the hill on the far side of the ravine. Two mountain bikers can be seen enjoying the rolling nature of the trail.
A mountain biker drops from the hill. You can see part of a Bowl Loop Trail that runs along the top of the hill.
A mountain biker drops from the hill. You can see part of a Bowl Loop Trail that runs along the top of the hill.
The Meadowlark Trail as it departs from the trail. It's a dirt track that is popular with mountain bikers.
The Meadowlark Trail as it departs from the trail. It's a dirt track that is popular with mountain bikers.
The small gravel trail leads to a wonderful shade tree where sweeping views of the surrounding hills and area await.
The small gravel trail leads to a wonderful shade tree where sweeping views of the surrounding hills and area await.
The trail descends through this part of the preserve as the Bonus Hill Trail, the small dirt track, breaks off to the right.
The trail descends through this part of the preserve as the Bonus Hill Trail, the small dirt track, breaks off to the right.
As the trail departs the Meadowlark Trail, it transforms from a gravel path to a narrower dirt path.
As the trail departs the Meadowlark Trail, it transforms from a gravel path to a narrower dirt path.
The Meadowlark Trail as it snakes its way through the preserve and the views South Bay. The dirt trail on the left is the Bonus Hill Trail.
The Meadowlark Trail as it snakes its way through the preserve and the views South Bay. The dirt trail on the left is the Bonus Hill Trail.
A bench rests under a shade tree as the trail can be seen in the background. This is a good place to rest before continuing on your way.
A bench rests under a shade tree as the trail can be seen in the background. This is a good place to rest before continuing on your way.
Views of the South and East Bay from Vista Point.
Views of the South and East Bay from Vista Point.
Felt Lake, Stanford Dish, and the East Bay stretch out before you from the trail.
Felt Lake, Stanford Dish, and the East Bay stretch out before you from the trail.