Peninsula Tales & Trails: Commemorating the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is a comprehensive guide to the magnificent, unspoiled public open spaces in the midpeninsula area.

This is the first trail guide book produced by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. This guide, created in celebration of the Open Space District’s 30 years of preservation, restoration, and enjoyment for all, contains information about the District’s 25 open space preserves, encompassing nearly 50,000 acres in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties. It also describes the District’s preserves and trails, their natural and cultural resources and history, as well as the District’s programs, recreational opportunities, and institutional history.

Peninsula Tales & Trails features 38 selected routes in 22 open space preserves, highlighting many special features of the beautiful mountains, foothills, and shoreline of the midpeninsula. This trail guide book is designed for all users — hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, visitors with dogs, and families.

Each preserve chapter includes:

• a trail route map;


• a table specifying permitted trail uses for a particular preserve;


• route descriptions and highlights;


• trail route difficulty ratings;


• facilities available;


• directions.
  

The guide book also offers fascinating facts about:

• trail building;


• mountain lions;


• coast redwoods;


• behind-the-scenes open space preservation and management.
  

Stunning images, including some color photographs and historic photographs, richly illustrate the open space lands described in this trail guide book.

Peninsula Tales & Trails makes a great gift for yourself and for fellow outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The price for Peninsula Tales & Trails is $19.95 per book (not including tax). The trail guide book is available for sale at the District office, through selected local book stores, and via traditional Internet retail sites. The District also has a limited inventory of slightly damaged books (with lightly scratched or creased book covers) that are available for sale at 1/2-price ($9.98 per book, not including tax).

QUOTES:

“The District today owns about 50,000 acres of land that cost roughly $200 million to purchase, for an average of $4,000 per acre. I think we [the District] made some excellent decisions. It’s an incredible asset to the people of the Midpeninsula. I think it improves our quality of life.”–Craig Britton, General Manager

“I came across a mountain lion during my morning run at Rancho. I was just down from the knoll and it came out onto the trail and luckily turned away from me and the direction I was running. It was approximately twenty-five yards away. I kept my distance and it turned off the trail.”–Paul McKowan, Volunteer Programs Coordinator

“One of the things I like is to connect with the public—that’s why I got this job. I really like to help the public enjoy the preserves, and I love to hear the stories they have to tell.”–David Sanguinetti, Skyline Area Superintendent

“If I want to hang out in Rancho San Antonio because I know it’s busy and I feel like today would be a great day to go on bike patrol and be accessible, then I can do that. And if I feel I need to go hike a drainage in Sierra Azul, which is pretty remote, I can absolutely do that too. Everything’s encouraged.”–Carrie Sparks-Hart, Foothills Area Ranger

About the Author

David Weintraub is a professional photographer, writer, and editor based in Aiken, SC and Cape Cod, MA. He has published four books, including East Bay Trails, North Bay Trails, Monterey Bay Trails, and Adventure Kayaking: Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District staff, Board members, and (veteran) Palo Alto Weekly Editor Jay Thorwaldson have also contributed to the book.

Photographs by David Weintraub.