Ridge Trail

The Ridge Trail in Santa Rosa Open Space Preserve is a half mile trail that runs from the parking lot in Belgatos Park to the Fire Road. The trail can be combined with the Fire Road, Madera Court, Santa Rosa Drive, and Santa Rosa Trail to create a nice loop hike. The trail departs the parking lot via one of two trails. If you pass the playground, the trail works a little more gently up to a connector that will climb the hill at a little more gradual pace. The other option is at the end of the parking lot, there is a trail that goes straight up the hill. The trail here is a wide dirt trail that is shaded by oak trees on either side of the trail. The trail levels off after climbing a little more of a tenth of a mile. On the left side of the trail, there are views of the South Bay that spread out below you. On the right side of the trail, you can look up into the hills above you and a city water storage facility below you. The trail runs along the ridge top here and approaches private property on the left hand side of the trail. As it runs along the property, the trail narrows a little bit before ending at the Fire Road. From here, you can retrace your steps back to the parking lot or continue to explore the preserve by taking the Fire Road to the right, dropping down the hill. Whether you combine this with other trails in the area, or just have time to hike the mile round trip, this offers some nice views in a relatively short distance.