County parks offer boating, hiking, biking and more. In the
second of a four-part series, we give you a breakdown of Santa
Clara County parks from A to Z
Week 2: COYOTE CREEK PARKWAY to LEXINGTON RESERVOIR
COYOTE CREEK PARKWAY
A scenic 15 mile-long paved trail meanders along the Coyote Creek. Bikers, hikers, rollerbladers and horseback riders use this relatively flat pathway that runs from Anderson Reservoir to San Jose’s Hellyer County Park.
Also, bird-watchers enjoy the fine-feathered friends who flock in the many ponds bordering the trail. Picnic tables are located in several scenic spots along the trail. On the southern end is a well-developed model airplane runway area that’s fun for families to visit.
Directions: In Morgan Hill, take the Cochrane Avenue exit along Highway 101 and drive east to Malaguerra Avenue. Turn left on Malaguerra and follow it a short distance to the parkway’s parking lot entrance.
COYOTE LAKE-HARVEY BEAR
Located in the foothills east of Gilroy, this 4,595-acre park provides spectacular vistas of the South Valley region. Its central feature is a 635-acre lake popular with boaters and anglers. The park also has 13 miles of trails for horseback riding, biking and hiking. Dogs are welcome on a 6-foot leash.
Directions: To get to the Bear Ranch entrance, in San Martin, take the San Martin Avenue exit off Highway 101 and drive east for 2 miles. The entrance is on the left about one-quarter mile east of Foothill Avenue.
To get to the Mendoza Ranch entrance, in Gilroy take the Leavesley Road exit off Highway 101 and drive east on Leavesley about two miles to New Avenue. Turn left on New Avenue, and drive half a mile north to Roop Road. Drive east on Roop Road about 3.5 miles into the foothills. The entrance is on the left.
To get to the Coyote Lake entrance, follow the directions for the Mendoza Ranch entrance but continue along Roop Road a short distance farther. The entrance is on the left.
ED R. LEVIN
Located in the eastern foothills of Milpitas, this 1,539-acre park offers a variety of recreational activities including picnicking, fishing, hiking, cycling, horseback riding and hang gliding. The park has a 19-mile trail system, with some sections open to dogs on leashes. For history buffs, the pioneer era Laguna Cemetery is located in the Spring Valley area of the park.
Directions: On Interstate 680 or 880 in Milpitas, take the Calaveras Road exit and drive east toward the foothills. The road passes through the southern entrance of the park.
FIELD SPORTS
For gun enthusiasts, this park in south San Jose offers a firing range for rifle and pistol target practice as well as trap and skeet shooting. Shooting is supervised by a qualified rangemaster at all times. Park hours vary throughout the year, so call ahead to find the current schedule at (408) 355-2215.
Directions: On Highway 101 in south San Jose, take the Bernal Road exit. Turn left heading west onto Bernal Road and go under the Highway 101 and Highway 85 overpasses. Take Monterey Road exit and turn left onto Monterey Road (heading south). Drive 1.3 miles and turn left (heading east) on Metcalf Road. Drive to Malech Road and turn right here, driving along this frontage road for one mile. The park entrance is on the left.
HELLYER
Just off Highway 101 in San Jose, this 205-acre park along the Coyote Creek is a bit of nature in the middle of the urban jungle. If you’re an avid biker, you can trek the 15-mile paved Coyote Creek Parkway trail to Hellyer from Morgan Hill’s Anderson Lake Park. The park has sites for picnicking. Fishing for rainbow trout is a popular sport in the well-stocked Cottonwood Lake.
A self-guided nature trail loops for one-mile around the park, allowing visitors to learn about local wildlife. Also check out at the park’s northern end the Olympic-sized velodrome, a banked concrete bicycle track used for profession and amateur bike racing.
Directions: From the South Valley, drive north along Highway 101. Take the Hellyer Avenue exit and head west. The park is immediately near the highway.
JOSEPH D. GRANT
Located in a quiet valley in the shadow of Mount Hamilton east of San Jose, this 9,553-acre county park is a treasure of open space next to Silicon Valley. Grasslands and oak trees cover the rolling foothills that once was a ranch owned by the Grant family. Visitors can see cattle still grazing in some areas as part of a resource management plan.
The park contains 52 miles of hiking and equestrian trails, half of which are also open to mountain bikes. Picnic areas are set up in various locations throughout the park. And camping – with hot-shower facilities – is also a popular recreation activity with 40 reservable family sites. One large lake and a number of small ponds are available for fishing opportunities.
Directions: From the South Valley, drive north on Highway 101 to Highway 680 heading north. Take the Alum Rock Avenue exit in San Jose and drive east. Turn right onto Mount Hamilton Road, and drive eight miles along a winding mountain road to the park entrance (it’ll be on you right).
LEXINGTON RESERVOIR
Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Los Gatos, the focus of this 941-acre park is a large man-made lake popular with non-gas powered boaters and fishing enthusiasts. The park is also part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and has a trail that connects to Almaden Quicksilver County park.
Directions: In San Jose, take Highway 17 heading toward Santa Cruz. After Los Gatos, take the Alma Bridge Road exit to reach the park (you’ll see the reservoir on your left).
