Escape the holiday crowds! There’s a wide variety of plant communities in the Bay Area and many are found in this preserve. Join Docent Naturalists Martin Manley and Linda Smith for a moderately-paced hike on the Orchard Loop and Zinfandel trails to discuss how plant communities adapt to their unique environments. Bring lunch or a snack. At the end of the trip, you’ll have the option for wine tasting on your own at the Picchetti Winery. (Note: A shortened version of this hike will go ahead in light or moderate rain—it can be a wonderful time to see this preserve if you have good raingear.)
Meet at the preserve parking lot on Montebello Road. From the intersection of I-280 and Foothill Expressway, go 3.5 miles southwest (toward the mountains) on Foothill Boulevard/Stevens Canyon Road. Turn right on Montebello Rd. The preserve is 0.5 miles up Montebello Rd. on the left.