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Rancho San Antonio Preserve is the site of many playdates, many sanity walks, loads of fun and countless toddler meltdowns. What a gem of a park, especially for families with young kids! For those with kids & strollers, taking the ~1 mile Permanente Creek Trail & Lower Meadow Trail to the Deer Hollow Farm is a favorite of many families. These nearly flat, stroller-friendly trails run at the base of the mountains and pass by tons of wildlife (turkey, deer, squirrels) while on the way to a phenomenal & FREE farm. You may get to see baby goats in the Spring or watch the cows being milked! Right past the farm is an open-air barn with picnic tables to each lunch and a stage for the kids to goof around on. At this point young kids are usually ready to turn back around, but if you have the energy, strollers can continue for a while past the farm on the Rogue Valley Trail.
Alert: The Deer Hollow Farm is closed on Mondays, and closes at 1pm on Wednesday. Check their website before you go.
Bathrooms
Yes. Nice bathrooms at the lower parking lot; Pit toilets just past the Deer Hollow Farm picnic tables.
Playground
Yes, in a way. The picnic tables and stage area at Deer Hollow farm are considered to be a playground by many children.
Kid transportation
Stroller (almost any stroller will do here), kids can walk, child carrier. Bikes are allowed up to the farm picnic area (but not past).
Suggested Route
Park anywhere at the main entrance off Cristo Rey Drive and head toward the lower parking lot with the bathrooms. Cross the bridge and go right onto Permanente Creek Trail → continue on Lower Meadow Trail all the way to Deer Hollow Farm. (~2 miles round trip)
Difficulty
Easy (to Deer Hollow Farm). More difficult if you venture off on a trail up the mountain.
Parking Situation
Abundant (several huge lots). Always crowded on the weekend, but this has never stopped me from getting a spot.
Entrance Fee
None.
Bonus
Wild animals (you will almost always see turkey, deer and squirrels), Deer Hollow Farm, a Picnic Area with a stage, a model airplane flying area at the upper parking lot.
Official Park Website
https://www.openspace.org/preserves/rancho-san-antonio Trail map: https://www.openspace.org/sites/default/files/map_RSA.pdf Deer Hollow Farm: http://deerhollowfarmfriends.org/
Date Updated
September 2018
