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Sanborn County Park covers 3,453 acres of the Santa Cruz Mountains between the village of Saratoga and Skyline Boulevard. Santa Clara County Parks calls it a lushly wooded park of redwoods and tanbark oak. It offers hiking, hike-in camping, RV camping and picnicking year-round. More than 22 miles of trail climb from the creekside day use area toward the crest.
From Palo Alto it is farther than the Page Mill Road preserves, but it feels different: deeper shade, year-round creeks and a campground you can reach without a long backpack. It also sits at the southern end of one of the longest continuous stretches of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. This guide covers directions and fees, the trails, the campgrounds and the rules for dogs and bikes.
Getting there and parking
From Palo Alto, take Interstate 280 south to Highway 85 and continue toward Saratoga. From the village, the county's directions say to travel 2 miles west on Highway 9 to Sanborn Road, turn left and continue 1 mile to the park entrance. The address is 16055 Sanborn Road, Saratoga. The park office number is 408-867-9959. The county notes that Bohlman and McGill roads do not provide access to the park.
The county has adopted parking restrictions around the park's edges:
- Parking is restricted on Black Road to improve traffic flow.
- Parking is prohibited at the far south end of Sanborn Road, near the Lake Ranch Trail entrance, because the road narrows to a single lane.
Use the lots inside the park. There is no transit to the entrance.
Fees and hours
The county says the park is open year-round from 8 a.m. to sunset. The gate closes at sunset. Vehicle entry fees are collected all year. Fees also apply to RV camping, hike-in camping and group picnic areas. The county's fee schedule lists these amounts, all subject to change:
| Fee | Amount listed |
|---|---|
| Day-use vehicle entry | $6, in most county parks |
| Annual vehicle pass | $95; $48 for seniors 60 and older |
| Hike-in tent site (Sanborn only) | $18 per night, includes 2 vehicle entries, 6 people maximum |
| RV site | $44 per night, includes 2 vehicle entries, power and water |
The Sanborn page separately mentions $10 per camping vehicle with two vehicles per campsite, so confirm the vehicle charge when you book. Vehicles with a permanent disabled placard or plates pay no daily entry fee. Check the county's Sanborn page before you go.
Trails
The county counts more than 22 miles of trail but does not publish distances for most of them on its park page. Get a map at the entrance or download one first. The routes it highlights:
Nature trail
A one-mile nature trail loops through the day use area. It is the easy choice for families and a good way to see the redwoods without a climb.
Lake Ranch Trail
The county describes this as a shaded, easy hike between Lake Ranch and Black Road. It leads to a small reservoir in the park's southeastern corner. Remember the parking limits on Black Road and at the south end of Sanborn Road.
Up to Skyline and the Ridge Trail
Steeper trails climb from the day use area toward Skyline Boulevard. At the top, the Bay Area Ridge Trail runs north along the crest. Midpen says this segment runs 13 miles from Sanborn-Skyline County Park to the northern boundary of Russian Ridge Preserve, passing through Long Ridge and Skyline Ridge. It is one of the longest continuous Ridge Trail segments in the region.
Summit Rock
This outcrop at the upper edge of the park is a known climbing spot. The county has closed it during peregrine falcon nesting season in past years. Check the county's closures page before planning a visit in spring or summer.
Camping
Sanborn has two campgrounds. The county says there is no car camping.
- RV campground: open all year, with electric and water hookups and a dump station. The length limit is 30 feet. Sites hold up to 8 people.
- Hike-in tent campground: closed from the third Sunday in October until the third Friday in March. Tents are allowed only at hike-in sites, which hold up to 6 people.
Reservations are made online through the county's reservation system or by phone at 408-355-2201. The county's camp rules include quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., check-out at 1 p.m. and a stay limit of 14 days. Outside the Memorial Day to Labor Day period, the 14 days count within a 45-day window. Fires go only in designated rings or pits and are banned during Red Flag conditions.
If you would rather sleep indoors, our where to stay guide covers hotels back in Palo Alto.
Dogs, bikes and horses
- Dogs: the Sanborn page says dogs are allowed in designated areas and the campground. They must be leashed at all times, may not be left unattended or in a vehicle and must be confined at night. The county's general rule is a leash of 6 feet or less, with trail restrictions shown on each park map. Clean up after your dog.
- Bikes: allowed only in the RV and picnic sites. No riding in the hike-in campground or on trails. The county bans fully electric bicycles and scooters in its parks. For trail riding, try the Midpen preserves along Skyline; our biking guide has more.
- Horses: the Sanborn page does not list horse rules. Call the park office before you bring a trailer.
- Also prohibited: swimming in county lakes, streams and reservoirs. Drones need a permit.
Seasons and events
The hike-in campground is closed now, from the third Sunday in October until the third Friday in March. It reopens in spring 2027. The RV park stays open. Winter storms bring the creeks up and can leave trails muddy. Spring is green and cool under the trees. In summer the shade makes Sanborn more comfortable than open ridgetop hikes. Silicon Valley Shakespeare, an outdoor theater company, performs in the park during summer months. Fall brings dry conditions and fire weather, when wood and charcoal fires are banned.
The 40-acre lawn in the day use area has picnic tables available year-round. Three group areas can be reserved through 408-355-2201. Our picnic spots guide covers closer options.
Safety
- Fire: follow the Red Flag bans. Campfires only in designated rings.
- Wildlife: mountain lions, rattlesnakes and ticks occur in these mountains. Keep children close, stay on trails and check for ticks. If you meet a mountain lion, do not run. Stand tall, make noise and back away.
- Poison oak grows in the park. Learn to spot it in every season.
- Earthquake country: the San Andreas Fault runs through the park. The U.S. Geological Survey's field guide to the fault includes stops here.
- Emergencies: call 911. Do not count on a cell signal in the canyons.
History
The county does not give a detailed history on its Sanborn page. Wikipedia says the log house in the park was built in 1908 by Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge James R. Welch as a family summer retreat. It adds that the county assembled the park in the late 1970s during a period of large land purchases. The house later served as a hostel until 2010. For more redwood outings, see our redwood forests guide and our hiking guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fee at Sanborn County Park?
Yes. Santa Clara County collects vehicle entry fees at Sanborn all year. Its fee schedule lists a $6 day-use vehicle fee in most parks, $18 for a hike-in tent site at Sanborn and $44 for an RV site. Fees are subject to change, so confirm on the county parks site.
Are dogs allowed at Sanborn County Park?
Yes, with limits. The county's Sanborn page says dogs are allowed in designated areas and the campground on a leash at all times. They may not be left unattended or in a vehicle and must be confined at night. Check the park map for trails where dogs are restricted.
Can you mountain bike at Sanborn County Park?
No. The county says bicycles are allowed only in the RV and picnic sites. Riding is not permitted in the hike-in campground or on trails. The county also bans fully electric bicycles and scooters in its parks.
When is the Sanborn walk-in campground open?
The county says hike-in tent camping closes from the third Sunday in October until the third Friday in March, so it is closed now and reopens in spring 2027. The RV campground is open all year. Sites hold up to 6 people at the hike-in camp and 8 at RV sites.
Where should I not park near Sanborn County Park?
Santa Clara County has restricted parking on Black Road and prohibited parking at the far south end of Sanborn Road, near the Lake Ranch Trail entrance, where the road is a single lane. Use the park's lots and pay the entry fee instead.