Hidden Villa

Location

Hidden Villa is located at 26870 Moody Roas, in Los Altos Hills, West of Hwy 280. To get there, take the Moody Road Exit from Hwy 280, pass Foothill College and veer left to continue along Moody at the intersection with the Fire Station. Follow Moody Road until the sign for Hidden Villa farm and hostel, which clearly mark the entrance on the left, just beyond an agricultural field and produce stand. Follow the road in to the main parking lot, also clearly marked.

Attractions:

Gardens with organically grown produce (with some for sale after harvest).
Farm including chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, and cows.
Tours are available for large groups, and cater to young kids with a focus of preschool to 7 years old.
Individuals can walk right up to animal pens or in fields where chickens roam.
Colorful and interactive wall and fence displays are educational.
Trails meander through the hills and along the creek at the back of the property.
Shady groves of trees keep the area nice and cool.
This farm continues to house the oldest American Hostel.
Benches and picnic tables abound near the parking lot.
Water available for filling water bottles, near the parking lot.
Hidden Villa is a non-profit organization that employs volunteers and accepts donations to keep its educational program and farm running!
Hidden Villa provides online curriculum for teachers and parents wanting to further enrich the educational visit to the farm.

Limitations:

The hiking trails are not suitable for strollers - too many roots and holes in the trail.
Dogs are allowed in the far area, on leash. No dogs allowed in the wilderness area or on the hiking trails.
Beware of poison oak and ticks in this area.
No smoking.

Season:

The farm is closed to the public during the summer, when they offer youth camps. Otherwise, it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am until dusk.

Fees:

$5 suggested parking fee (annual passes are available).

Maps & More Information:

Maps are posted at the parking lot's sign next to the garden. There are maps available there, to take with you, as well.
Hidden Villa's Website: http://www.hiddenvilla.org/

Handicapped Access:

The trails around the farm are generally wide and flat, but range in surface from packed dirt to bark mulch and grass. The area where the chickens and pigs are, is gated, so an escort may be needed to open gates and ascend the small ridge into this area.

Recommended routes:

Creek Trail:
At our last visit, this trail was in need of repair, with a piece of plywood covering a washed out part of the trail, and several roots posing minor hazards. At other times, this is deemed suitable for strollers. The creekside trail was a packed dirt, relatively smooth, and very slightly graded trail alongside the creek, shaded almost entirely.

Just beyond the white barn and goats, the trail begins and follows Adobe Creek upstream (left). Continue on it as it crosses Toyon and Grapevine Trails. Turn back as it reaches Ewing Hill Trail. Total distance is about 2 miles.

Creek/Ewing/Black Mountain/Hostel Trail Loop:
For a longer trek with a carrier only, follow Creek Trail as described above, but take Ewing Hill Trail as Creek Trail ends, and follow it uphill until it reaches Mountain Trail. Turn left on Mountain Trail and follow this trail for about 1/4 mile until it intersects Hostel Trail. Turn left to take Hostel Trail back to the farm, passing Grapevine Trail about 1/4 mile down. Total distance is about 2.6 miles .

Creek/Toyon/Hostel Trail Loop:
Begin Creek Trail as described above, but turn left onto Toyon Trail about 0.1 mile after Creek Trail begins. Follow Toyon past the intersection with Pipeline Trail, until it reaches Hostel Trail, about 0.5 miles later. Turn left and follow Hostel Trail back to the farm. Total distance 1.5 miles.

Farm Visit:
This is certainly the most popular way to see this area - a quick stroll to all of the animal areas, with a stop at the organic garden. Begin at the garden, then walk down the path parallel to the road, turning right to visit the sheep and cows. Continue past this barn, then turn right when the road splits, and pass through the gate to the pigs and chickens (dogs not allowed in gated area). Turn left beyond the hen house to follow the path past the white house and towards the goats. Enjoy the different buildings and displays of old farm machinery along the way. Total distance is 3/4 to 1 mile.