The 165-acre County Park, combined with the adjoining 3,800-acre Open Space Preserve, offers visitors a unique experience with a sampling of diverse environments and a variety of activities.
Located in the foothills below Skyline Ridge in close proximity to Interstate 280 and the cities of Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, and Cupertino.
A number of plant communities and wildlife habitats exist in the park and open space preserve. Environments range from mixed riparian and coast live oak woodlands to central coast scrub to grassy meadows. These habitats support valuable plant species, including willow, elderberry, alder, dogwood, blue and valley oaks, California bay, buckeye, poison oak, sage, toyon and coyote brush. Wildflowers, such as sticky monkey flower, wild rose, lupine, and blue-eyed grass, also bloom here in spring.
The preserve is also home to many wildlife species. Amphibians likely to occupy the riparian habitat include western toad, pacific treefrog, and California newt. Reptiles include the alligator lizard, gopher snake, and western rattlesnake. The bird population varies with the season, but includes woodpeckers, western bluebird, scrub jay, California quail, western tanager, robin, thrushes, red-tailed hawk, and great-horned owl. Raccoon, black-tailed deer, rabbit, fox, opossum, bobcat, coyote, and mountain lion also make their homes here.
Like many visitors, it is likely one will spot some wildlife during a visit to Rancho San Antonio. Please remember that this is their home, and they must be respected. While some animals may seem tame and used to people, these animals are wild and may become aggressive if they feel threatened. The best way to enjoy the wild animals at Rancho San Antonio is to observe them from a distance.
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Copyright © 2004 Karla V Gonzalez-Blattner
Last Update: Monday, June 14, 2004
11:00 AM