Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is a

open space preserve An open space reserve (also called open space preserve, open space reservation, and green space) is an area of protected or conservation ethics, conserved land or water on which Real estate development, development is indefinitely set aside. The ...

along Long Ridge in the

Santa Cruz Mountains The Santa Cruz Mountains ( Mutsun Ohlone: Mak-sah-re-jah, "Sharp Ridged Mountain of the Eagle" or "People of the Eagle Mountain") are a mountain range in central and Northern California, United States, constituting a part of the Pacific Coast R ...

Recreation

Long Ridge has of trails for

hiking A hike is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century. Long hikes as part of a religious pilgrimage have existed for a much longer time. "Hi ...

mountain biking Mountain biking (MTB) is a sport of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, usually using specially designed mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes but incorporate features designed to enhance durability ...

, and

horseback riding Equestrianism (from Latin , , , 'horseman', 'horse'), commonly known as horse riding (Commonwealth English) or horseback riding (American English), includes the disciplines of riding, driving, and vaulting. This broad description includes the u ...

, including the

Bay Area Ridge Trail The Bay Area Ridge Trail (shortened as Ridge Trail) is a multi-use trail along the hill and mountain ridgelines surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area, in Northern California. It is planned to extend ; , have been established. When complete, ...

which runs through the preserve. Trails connect the preserve with other nearby open space, including Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve, Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, and Upper Stevens Canyon County Park.

Habitat and Wildlife

Much of Long Ridge is

grassland A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominance (ecology), dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes such as clover, and other Herbaceo ...

, with wildflowers in the spring. The preserve has turkeys, feral pigs, and coyotes.

References

{{coord, 37.2736, -122.1526, type:landmark_region:US-CA_dim:5km, display=title Bay Area Ridge Trail Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Nature reserves in California Protected areas of San Mateo County, California Santa Cruz Mountains