PARK TOURS

Explore Santa Clara County's open spaces and enjoy lakes, mineral springs, migrating birds, wildflowers and more while learning about Silicon Valley's rich culture, history and wildlife.

If you missed any of BAO's virtual park tours, you can watch them by clicking this link BAO Videos

BAO members receive a discount on the events. BAO Premium Members receive up to 50% discount and Basic Members (free) receive up to a 25% discount on BAO events. If you are not already a BAO member, and want to join to receive discounts, please Click Here before registering for the events.

**REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED** and space is limited, so please sign up as soon as possible using the registration button below. Detailed information, such as directions, will be sent one week and one day before the event date.

WAITLIST ONLY Hike 1 Walk, Talk and Touchy Feely

Wednesday February 11, 2026 from 09:30 AM to 02:15 PM

Join us for a gentle journey along the Stevens Creek nature trail led by a local wildlife expert. After a picnic lunch, we will learn more with a one-hour hands-on experience with the turtles, snakes, antlers and Madagascar hissing cockroaches as well as other sensory stations at the Environmental Education Center. This event is hosted in partnership with Valley Water. Image by Anne Ferguson.

Level of Difficulty: : Easy
Number of Miles: : 2.0
Location: Meeting location is San Jose CA 95120 or Cupertino CA 95104
Additional Benefits: Transportation and picnic lunch are included

WAITLIST ONLY Hike 2 Guadalupe River Wildlife Jaunt

Wednesday February 25, 2026 from 09:00 AM to 01:30 PM

This leisurely, one-way walk along Guadalupe River is led by an experienced naturalist who will teach us about the birds, plants and other wildlife through stories. After we stroll along the river, we will explore the garden at Ulistac Nature Area. We will conclude the day with a social picnic lunch. This special program is hosted in partnership with Valley Water. Image by Anne Ferguson

Level of Difficulty: : Easy
Number of Miles: : 2.5
Location: Meeting location is Saratoga, CA 95070 or Santa Clara CA 95054
Additional Benefits: Transportation and picnic lunch are included

WAITLIST ONLY Hike 3 Pulgas Ridge Wildflowers

Wednesday March 18, 2026 from 09:00 AM to 03:00 PM

Along this loop hike led by a wildflower expert, we will see the spectacular wildflowers at this preserve such as chocolate lily, shooting stars, fetid adders tongue and trillium. Learn about how some of these flowers attract their pollinators and related evolutionary adaptations such as odors. We stop for a social picnic lunch before heading home. This special program is hosted in partnership with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Image by Anne Ferguson.

Level of Difficulty: : Moderate
Number of Miles: : 3.0
Location: Meeting location is Cupertino CA 95014
Additional Benefits: Transportation and picnic lunch are included

WAITLIST ONLY Hike 4 Wildflowers and History of Coyote Valley

Wednesday March 25, 2026 from 09:00 AM to 02:30 PM

Join us for a wildflower and history hike at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve! As we trek up a gradual two-mile hill and then walk along a ridge, we will have views of the orchards and farmlands of Silicon Valley, once famously known as the Valley of the Heart's Delight. Our hilltop picnic destination has stunning views of Mount Hamilton, Mount Umunhum and the entire Coyote Valley. Along the way, we will see and learn about serpentine wildflowers and the agricultural history of our valley. This special program is hosted in partnership with Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. Image from POST.

Level of Difficulty: : Moderate
Number of Miles: : 4.0
Location: Meeting location is Saratoga CA 95070 or Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Additional Benefits: Transportation and picnic lunch are included

Hike 5 Birding at Lake Cunningham

Wednesday April 8, 2026 from 10:30 AM to 01:30 PM

Today we head to Lake Cunningham Regional Park for a leisurely walk around the lake in search of birds. Our expert guide is a city of San Jose Park Ranger. Afterwards, we enjoy a social picnic lunch. This special program is hosted in partnership with Valley Water. Image by JaGa CC BY-SA 4.0.

Level of Difficulty: : Easy
Number of Miles: : 2.0
Location: Meeting location San Jose CA 95148
Additional Benefits: Parking fee and picnic lunch are included

Hike 6 Russian Ridge Wildflower Trek

Wednesday April 22, 2026 from 09:00 AM to 03:00 PM

This spring walk will be led by a wildflower expert and takes us on a journey on the best trails to find as many wildflowers as we can! Russian Ridge is known for its spectacular display of colors. We end the day with a social picnic lunch with a view. This special program is hosted in partnership with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Images by Anne Ferguson.

Level of Difficulty: : Moderate with two 350 foot hills
Number of Miles: : 4.0
Location: Meeting location is Saratoga CA 95070
Additional Benefits: Transportation and picnic lunch are included

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