County parks offer boating, hiking, biking and more. In the
first of a four-part series, we give you a breakdown of Santa Clara
County parks from A to Z
Marking half a century on Sept. 4, the county park system is still going strong – and expanding its recreational opportunities for lovers of the great outdoors. And with gasoline prices making many people think twice about long road trips, the county parks provide a cost-effective way for families to get in a little local vacation time before the summer ends.
“A lot of people go away for their camping experience, but we have five campground parks which are easily within an hour or less from where most people live in Santa Clara County,” said Lisa Killough, director of Santa Clara County Parks. “We’re also the only park system in the Bay Area that allows power-boating on reservoirs. We also have one of the only motorcycle parks in the Bay Area.”
The park system was formed on Sept. 4, 1956 – and it has a South Valley origin. One impetus for establishing the system was local rancher Sada Coe’s donation to the county in the 1950s of about 10,000 acres of foothill land east of Morgan Hill (the land later came under the state of California’s jurisdiction as Henry Coe State Park). “At that time, there was no parks department, so it really brought into focus the need for getting the parks system established,” Killough said.
Also, in the decade following World War II, many people moved into the Santa Clara Valley, turning the farm valley into an urban area. So local leaders decided to start the park system to help protect wildlife from the encroaching development, she said.
“When the park system was first set up, it anticipated the idea of creating this necklace of parks that connected up the stream sites and the beautiful natural waterways of the urban areas to the foothills ringing the urban areas and the baylands,” Killough said. “The country tries to purchase land that have recreational value but also protect the county’s finest resources. A part of the legacy is to protect the cultural and historical resources, too.”
The 28 parks in the county system offer a whole gamut of recreational activities. Here in the South Valley, county parks provide a place for the enjoyment of hikes through the redwood trees, horseback rides along chaparral foothills, and boating and fishing at local reservoirs. Parking fees range from free to about $5, a steal of a deal for families on a budget. Parks usually open at 8am and close around sunset.
To mark the system’s 50 years, for the next three weeks, the Lifestyle section of this newspaper will provide an alphabetical listing detailing all of Santa Clara County’s parks.
week one: ALMADEN
QUICKSILVER to CHITACTAC ADAMS
ALMADEN QUICKSILVER
New Almaden’s quicksilver (also called mercury) mines have been long closed, but this 4,147-acre park is a naturalist’s paradise with activities including hiking on 34 miles of trail, horseback riding on 23 miles of equestrian trails and biking on about 10 miles of trails. Pet owners can walk their dogs on a leash on all the park’s trails. Picnic tables are scattered along some of the trails – but be warned there is no potable water, so make sure you bring a supply on treks through the park.
Catch-and-release fishing can be enjoyed in the park’s Guadalupe and Almaden reservoirs (be aware that mercury is in the fish stocked here). If you’re a local history buff, make sure you visit the Quicksilver Mining Museum located in the Casa Grande in the village of New Almaden in the canyon along the park’s southern boundary.
Directions: The park has three access points. The Mockingbird Hill entrance is just off Mockingbird Hill Lane. From Highway 85, take the Almaden Expressway exit south and drive 4.5 miles to Almaden Road. Drive half a mile on Almaden Road to Mockingbird Hill Lane, then turn right continue almost another half mile to the parking area.
To get to the Wood Road entrance from Highway 85, take the Camden Avenue exit and drive south. Turn right on Hicks Road and drive for almost six miles along a winding road. At the intersection of Woods Road, turn left into the parking lot.
The Hacienda entrance is located at the southern end of the village of New Almaden. To get there, take Almaden Expressway south from Highway 85. Turn right on Almaden Road and drive three miles to New Almaden. Pull into the parking lot on the right side of the road.
ALVISO MARINA
This 17-acre park along the southern tip of San Francisco Bay is perfect for picnicking, hiking, mountain biking and birdwatching. Alviso was an important port community during the Gold Rush era of California, but now it’s a sleepy village that’s part of San Jose.
Directions: To get there from Highway 101, take the Highway 237 exit (Mountain View-Alviso Road) heading east. Turn left on Gold Street, left on Elizabeth Street, right on Hope Street and left on Mill Street. The park’s parking lot is located along Mill Street.
ANDERSON LAKE
Here in the South Valley, Morgan Hill is blessed with Santa Clara County’s largest reservoir – the seven-mile long Anderson Lake. The 3,109-acre park surrounding it offers opportunities for boating and fishing fun, as well as sites for biking, picnicking, and horse-back riding. A one-mile long nature trail along the Coyote Creek will broaden your knowledge on the riparian habitat where wildlife thrives.
Directions: From Highway 101, take the Cochrane Road exit and drive east to the Anderson Lake entrance and picnic area. To get to the Woodchopper’s picnic area on the eastern side of Anderson Lake, take the East Dunne Avenue exit from Highway 101 and drive east about three miles.
CALERO
Just northwest of the South Valley, Calero is a 3,476-acre park nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountain foothills. A large reservoir is a main draw for recreational boaters and other water-related recreation. But the park also has a “back country” region where hikers and horseback riders can enjoy oak woodlands and chaparral along a 18.6-mile trail system. Springtime provides a stunning display of flowers. Horses can be rented at the Calero Ranch Stables. Call (408) 268-2567.
Directions: On Highway 101, take the Cochrane Road exit in Morgan Hill and head west. Turn right onto Monterey Highway, then left onto Bailey Road and right on McKean Road. The boat launch ramp will be on your left. For the park entrance and trail head, drive south on McKean Road about 1.5 miles past the reservoir.
CHESBRO RESERVOIR
This popular water recreation area just west of Morgan Hill offers non-power boating as well as plenty of trout, bass, catfish and crappie for anglers. The reservoir was created from the damming of Llagas Creek by the Chesbro Dam in 1955. It was named after Elmer J. Chesbro, a doctor who served as president of the South Santa Clara Valley Water Conservation District.
Directions: In Morgan Hill, take the Tennant Avenue exit off Highway 101 and head west one mile to Monterey Road. At Monterey Road, Tennant becomes Edmundson Avenue. Drive 1.8 miles west on Edmundson and turn right on to Oak Glen Avenue. Travel 1.6 miles on Oak Glen Avenue to Llagas Avenue and turn left, continuing on Oak Glen Avenue for another half mile to the parking lot and boat launch.
CHITACTAC ADAMS
Families interested in the history of the local Native Americans in the South Valley region will enjoy this small park just west of Gilroy along Watsonville Road. An interpretative shelter describes what life was like for the Ohlone Indian tribe who once made their village home here. A self-guided walk along the creek provides artifact highlights such as the Ohlone food processing holes and petroglyph rock art. Picnic tables are available for enjoying the tranquil ambiance.
Directions: In Morgan Hill, take the Tennant Avenue exit off Highway 101 and head west toward Monterey Road. Turn left (heading south) on Monterey Road and travel about half a mile south to Watsonville Road. Drive down Watsonville Road west about 5.5 miles to the park located on the west side of the road across from the intersection of Burchell Road.
