County parks offer boating, hiking, biking and more. In the last
of a four-part series, we give you a breakdown of Santa Clara
County parks from A to Z
n by martin cheek
special to south valley newspapers
Week FOUR: STEVENS CREEKÂ to VILLA
MONTALVO
STEVENS CREEK and UPPER STEVENS CREEK
Two county parks combine in the Cupertino region to provide recreation along the tranquil Stevens Creek. The 1,077-acre Stevens Creek Park and the 1,095-acre Upper Stevens Creek Park combine to provide a variety of recreation opportunities for hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, anglers and non-power boating.
The 92-acre Stevens Creek Reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout, black bass, catfish and crappie. Picnic areas along the shore are popular with families outings as well as weddings and other functions. The more than 17 miles of trails connect with the mid-penninsula Open Space’s Fremont Older Preserve. A 28-station archery course and range allows archers to practice their bow and arrow skills. Horses can be rented at the Garrod Stables near the southern entrance on Mount Eden Road.
Directions: In Cupertino, take Interstate 280 to Foothill Expressway exit. Follow Foothill Boulevard west for three miles to the northern park entrance. (Foothill changes into Stevens Canyon Road after it cross McClellan Road.)
SUNNYVALE BAYLANDS PARK
Within Sunnyvale, the 70-acre Baylands Park along the marshlands of the San Francisco is a joint city-county park that’s a tranquil place to get away from Silicon Valley’s high-energy rush. Its wetlands are home to a number of fowl species, such as long-billed curlews, burrowing owls, and great egrets. A creative playground area lets kids work off some of their energy. A 500-foot-long boardwalk winds over the marshes, affording visitors magnificent view of the bay. Nearby is a trailhead to the San Francisco Bay Trail.
Directions: From Highway 237 in Sunnyvale, take the Caribbean Drive exit heading north. The park entrance is on the right.
UVAS CANYON
A pleasant winding drive takes you through the foothills west of Morgan Hill to this 1,200-acre park set in a secluded niche of Santa Clara County. Spanish settlers named the canyon after the wild grapes that grew here. The park is famous for its many waterfalls that run vigorously after heavy winter rains. Activities include camping, hiking along six miles of trails and picnicking.
Directions: On Highway 101 in Morgan Hill, take the Tennant Avenue exit and drive one mile west to Monterey Road. Turn left on Monterey, and drive south half a mile to Watsonville Road. Turn right onto Watsonville and drive three miles to Uvas Road. Turn Right on to Uvas and drive several miles to Croy Road. Turn left on Croy and continue 4.4 miles, passing through the Sveadal private resort. The park is immediately after Sveadal.
UVAS CREEK PRESERVE
Operated by the city of Gilroy, this 125-acre greenbelt runs along the Uvas Creek and gives visitors the opportunity to study first hand a natural riparian corridor. It extends from Santa Teresa Boulevard to West Luchessa Avenue. The preserve was first conceived in the 1970s and the restoration of the creek began in 1995 at the site of a sand and gravel mining business. It was funded in part by a $1 million bequest from former councilman and developer Dennis DeBell.
Directions: In Gilroy at Christmas Hill Park, located at 7050 Miller Ave.
UVAS RESERVOIR
Located west of Morgan Hill, this 625-acre park is set in the foothills of western South Valley and is highlighted by a 286-acre man-made lake used by non-gas powered boaters and anglers. Fish stocked in the reservoir include trout, black bass, large mouth bass, catfish and crappie. Although there are picnic facilities near the boat launch area, they are limited.
Directions: On Highway 101 in Morgan Hill, take the Tennant Avenue exit and drive one mile west to Monterey Road. Turn left on Monterey and drive south half a mile to Watsonville Road. Turn right onto Watsonville and drive three miles to Uvas Road. Turn Right on to Uvas and drive 2.4 miles to the reservoir. The parking lot is on the right.
VASONA LAKE
This placid 151-acre park offers activities from picnics and boating to biking and in-line skating along the trail skirting a small man-made reservoir. The lake is the home of tame ducks and geese. Anglers can also enjoy a lazy afternoon fishing. Canoes and paddleboats are available for rent during summer months. Facilities for horseshoes and volleyball are also available. The park is adjacent to the Los Gatos Creek Parkway as well as the town of Los Gatos’ small Oak Meadow Park. Kids can enjoy a 10-minute train ride on the small-scale Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad that winds through the park. During summer months, free outdoor concerts are held every Saturday in June and July by local musicians playing big band, jazz and folk songs.
Directions: Driving southbound on Highway 17, take the Lark Avenue exit and travel east. Make a right on Los Gatos Boulevard and another right on Blossom Hill road. The park entrance will be on your left.
VILLA MONTALVO
The former estate of James Duval Phelan, whose family made millions during the Gold Rush, this 137-acre park tucked up in the foothills above Saratoga offers expansive lawns and formal gardens as well as several miles of hiking trails through the redwoods. On weekends, the palatial home is a popular site for outdoor weddings. Throughout the summer, the Villa Montalvo Association hosts a series of popular concerts attracting big-name artists.
Directions: Located in Saratoga at 15400 Montalvo Road, just off Los Gatos-Saratoga Road (look for the stone griffins guarding the entrance gate).
