Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve

Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve covers more than 2,100 acres along Skyline Boulevard south of Page Mill Road, with ridge views, broad meadows, and two small bodies of water. Alpine Pond and Horseshoe Lake were built in the 1950s to supply ranching on land once owned by San Francisco mayor and California governor James "Sunny Jim" Rolph Jr.; later owners ran a thousand-head hog ranch and, under the Wasserman family, cattle, horses, and the Christmas tree farm that still operates in the preserve. Midpen bought the land in 1982.

It is one of Midpen's best preserves for families. The short loop around Alpine Pond is wheelchair and stroller accessible and invites peering into the water for pond life, and the David C. Daniels Nature Center overlooks the pond with displays for children and adults. The gentle Horseshoe Lake loop has paved sections, benches, and views, and both spots have picnic tables. Self-guided multimedia nature tours cover the pond and nearby trails. Hikers looking for more can climb the Bay Area Ridge Trail for views of the Lambert Creek watershed, Butano Ridge, and Portola State Park.

Dogs are not allowed; bikes and horses are allowed on designated trails. The main lot (about 100 spaces, with ample horse-trailer parking) is about a mile south of the Page Mill/Alpine Road intersection; for the nature center, park in the Russian Ridge lot and walk through the tunnel under Alpine Road.