Living in the Bay Area has its perks, and one of them is the abundant natural beauty that surrounds us. Whether you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life or simply want to connect with nature, there are plenty of fun outdoor activities to do in and around Mountain View, Foster City, and Los Gatos. From hiking and biking to kayaking and bird watching, we’ve got you covered. So grab your sunscreen, water bottle, and a sense of adventure, and let’s explore!
Hiking
These areas are all renowned for their hiking trails and offer stunning views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Peninsula. The Rancho San Antonio Preserve in Mountain View offers 24 miles of hiking trails that vary in difficulty. For something more challenging, try the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve in Los Altos Hills, with its steep inclines and rocky terrain. The Coyote Point Recreation Area in Foster City offers a leisurely stroll along the Bay shoreline with perfect views of the San Francisco International Airport.
Biking
If you prefer to get around on two wheels, you can rent a bike from numerous vendors in the area or bring your own. There are many dedicated bike paths that wind through the suburbs and along the Bay, such as the Bay Trail which extends from Menlo Park to Sunnyvale. For a more adventurous ride, check out the Stevens Canyon Trail in Cupertino or the Los Gatos Creek Trail which stretches from Lexington Reservoir in Los Gatos to San Jose.
Water activities
The Bay makes a beautiful backdrop for fun water sports activities. Foster City’s lagoon is a popular spot for swimming, boating, fishing, windsurfing, kayaking, and paddle boards. Shoreline Lake in Mountain View is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves the outdoors. You can rent paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes or take a stroll on the walking trail around the lake. Water activities are a fun way to experience nature from a different perspective. There’s a good chance you’ll spot wildlife during your adventure.
Bird watching
With an array of parks, mountains, and trails within the area, the Bay Area offers a diverse habitat for bird species. Shoreline Park in Mountain View, located on the shores of San Francisco Bay, offers an ideal vantage point to observe waterfowl, seagulls, and other birds. The Los Gatos Creek County Park, located in the middle of urban San Jose, is a surprising wildlife oasis and a great place for sighting egrets, hawks, and even the sharp-tailed sandpiper.
Outdoor movies
Who says outdoor activities have to be in the daylight? The city of Mountain View hosts a free Summer Outdoor Movie Night Series on Fridays from July through August. Spread out a blanket or sit in chairs under the stars and enjoy a movie. Don’t forget snacks and a warm blanket in case it gets chilly. You can head down to nearby Redwood City for Movies on the Square at Courthouse Square from June through August. San Jose hosts two summer movie series: the first is at Starlight Cinema in St. James Park from July to early August and the second is at Field Sports Park from late July through early September.
The Bay Area is full of different ways to get outside and explore some of the finest natural beauty California has to offer. The outdoor activities shared offer only a snapshot of what is available. All you need is a sense of adventure and an open mind to make discovering these outdoor activities possible.
New homes in the Bay Area
Several of our new home communities make a great home base to enjoy many of these activities. They also offer their own unique outdoor amenities
Verano: New townhomes in Mountain View
Verano, our new home community in Mountain View offers 115 spacious 3-story new townhomes. These townhomes range from approximately 1,471 to 1,991 sq. ft. of living space with 3 to 4 beds, 3-3.5 baths, and sought-after features like dens (per plan), private decks (per plan), and a central community park for gatherings and relaxation. This community is great for bikers, coming in with a 91-bike score.
Laguna Vista: Townhouses in Foster City
Laguna Vista in Foster City offers 70 attached homes with 1-4 bedrooms 1.5-3.5 bathrooms in 1,436-2,239 approx. sq. ft. This community has an outdoor community park, excellent schools, and is close to downtown San Mateo and the lagoon. Its convenient location provides a great commute close to Hwy 101 to near top employers like Visa, Gilead Sciences, Sony Playstation, Illumina, Fisher Investments, Guckenheimer Inc., and Rakuten.
Bellaterra at North40: New homes in Los Gatos
Bellaterra at North40 in Los Gatos is a community with 253 homes (currently 54% sold out) within three plan collections, ranging in size from 857 to 2,089 square feet of living space with 1 to 3 bedrooms and 1 to 3.5 bathrooms. Each home features open, bright floor plans with flex/den rooms that are ideal for a hybrid work-from-home/commute lifestyle, side-by-side or tandem garages, and outdoor living spaces with terraces, decks, or private yard space (per plan). There are also centralized community gardens with interwoven paseos throughout the neighborhoods, multiple gathering spaces surrounded by trees for residents to dine, unwind and unplug, fireplace parks, BBQ/dining areas, hammock zone, multiple parklets, bicycle paths, and more within steps of their homes.
New homes from SummerHill Homes
There’s nothing quite like living in the Bay Area. Are you looking for a new home in the Bay Area? SummerHill Homes builds new construction homes that distinctively stand apart from other homes. Learn more about our current communities throughout the Bay Area. Looking to move in soon? Browse our available home inventory. We look forward to welcoming you home.