Beginning Birding at Rancho San Antonio

Please limit your sign-ups to 2 WEEKEND trips per month.

Before signing up for this trip, please take a moment to read our trip policies and view our liability waiver.

Beginning Birding at Rancho San Antonio

Join us for an easy, beginner-friendly walk through lower trails of Rancho San Antonio in Cupertino. We will look and listen for year-round resident birds including Acorn Woodpeckers, Western Bluebirds, and Spotted Towhees, as well as winter residents such as White- and Golden-crowned Sparrows. We'll also keep our eyes open for raptors like Red-shouldered Hawks and White-tailed Kites. This trip is geared towards beginning birders, but everyone is welcome!

Trip Difficulty: approximately 1.5 miles, paved, dirt, some shade. Our birding route has minimal elevation gain, but you may need to park in one of the upper lots, which is a short but moderately inclined walk to/from our meeting place.

Other Trip Notes: Please bring binoculars

Leaders: Susan Tenney (408) 802-6184 and Diane McCoy (650) 714-3769

Beginner Friendly, Family Friendly Ages 10 and up, Stroller Friendly, Wheelchair Accessible

Meet: Parking Lot 6, by the rest rooms

Directions: From Foothill Expressway in Cupertino, turn onto Cristo Rey Drive; continue 0.8 miles to the roundabout; take the second exit to stay on Cristo Rey Drive; continue 0.2 miles. Turn left into Rancho San Antonio and at the intersection, turn right and follow the road all the way down to Parking Lot 6. (Latitude/Longitude: 37.332787, -122.087385) Note: In case Lot 6 is full, park in one of the upper lots (2, 3, or 4) that you will have passed on your way in, and walk down the paved path leading from Lot 4 down to Lot 6 (about a 3-minute walk).

Facilities: ADA accessible bathroom, cell phone service

Parking Type and Fees: free paved parking lot, ADA compliant spots

Banner Photo: Golden-crowned Sparrow by Zihan Wei

Questions? Email general questions to fieldtrips@scvas.org or contact the trip leader for questions regarding the event.