November 11, 2004

Don’t let fall weather deter visit to a Santa Clara County Park

By Carl Ponzio
Times Intern

Autumn is here, and with it comes pumpkins, turkeys and dried leaves. Fall also brings the traditional belief that the time to enjoy outdoor activities is over. With the weather taking a turn toward the chilly side each fall, people slowly start to abandon the seven county parks that encompass the San Jose and Santa Clara valley area. But fall is a great time to enjoy these wonderful stretches of land unencumbered by hordes of valley visitors.

Seven ideally located Santa Clara County Parks feature an abundance of recreation opportunities throughout San Jose and western Santa Clara Valley. Residents and visitors, families and friends can enjoy hiking, picnicking, fishing, biking and camping.

Many residents from all over the area utilize parks such as Vasona Lake in the early spring and summer. It’s within a quick 15-minute drive of virtually any part of San Jose and offers a getaway from the stress of living in the Silicon Valley. The only thing stressful about Vasona is trying to find a small haven that you can call your own.

However, the introduction of fall tends to drive visitors away from these reserves. Moreover, the weather only presents small restrictions on the activities that take place in these getaways. Each of the seven parks in the area offers a variety of activities that frequenters can partake in even with a jacket on.

Santa Teresa County Park
Tucked away in the Santa Teresa Hills, Santa Teresa Park offers a number of trails that twist and turn throughout the reserve.

“Santa Teresa also offers nearly 20 miles of unpaved trails for horseback riding hiking and biking,” said senior park ranger Geoff Sewell.

While hiking through the hills you may catch a glimpse of the ravishing scenery that the peaks of our city has to offer. Or sling some arrows at the Black Mountain Archery Club if hiking through trails isn’t your idea of a walk in the park.

Santa Teresa County Park: 260 Bernal Road in San Jose. For more information, please call (408) 225-0225.

Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Want an idea of how it was to mine for treasure? Almaden Quicksilver is a historic site that highlights over 130 years of mining and examines the people who were looking to get rich quick.

“There are many remnants of mining structures here,” said William Burr, senior park ranger. “Visitors will enjoy the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, which has exhibits as well as authentic photographs and artifacts portraying what life was like in mining towns.”

There are over 65 miles of trails that offer recreation for hikers, walkers and bikers alike.

If it’s water your looking for you can find it at Almaden Quicksilver. The park borders both the Guadalupe and Almaden reservoirs or you could stop by the various ponds scattered throughout the area.

Almaden Quicksilver County Park: McAbee Road and Camden Avenue in San Jose. For more information, call (408) 268-3883.

Joseph D. Grant County Park
Once stretching over 35,000 acres under the ownership of Joseph D. Grant and now ranging close to 10,000 acres in area, this park is known for more than just its magnitude.

“Grant Park offers a tremendous opportunity for visitors to see the amazing wildlife, majestic oak groves and trek the variety of hiking trails here,” said Senior Park Ranger Jeff Cossins.

Even with the vast magnitude of the park and the opportunity to see wildlife in their natural habitat the park remains almost vacant during the cooler months.

“After the summer months, if feels as if you literally have the park all to yourself,” said Ranger Cossins.

Joseph D. Grant County Park: 185405 Mt. Hamilton Road in San Jose. For more information, call (408) 274-6121.

Vasona Lake County Park
Fishing may be out of the question for some in fall, but others may still be up for some casting and reeling. If so Vasona Lake should be your destination. Fishermen and women can have fun angling for various fish including black bass and bluegill.

Bring the kids to Vasona for a good time and a little bit of education. Vasona offers a Youth Science Institute at the north end of the facility that teaches youngsters about the wonders that nature has to offer.

Vasona Lake County Park: 333 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos. For more information, call (408) 356-2729.

Los Gatos Creek Park
Everyone needs to get around and the trail at Los Gatos Creek Park is the perfect place to start a vigorous walk.

A 14-mile trail that passes through the beautiful scenery of Los Gatos, Vasona Lake County Park and the cities of San Jose and Campbell. With other smaller parks to stop at, this trail offers an excellent route to getting around in the secluded parts of Campbell and Los Gatos.

Back at Los Gatos Creek Park there are six percolation ponds that offer viewing of nesting fowl and fishing. The ponds and trail offers an excellent scenic route to all anglers, walkers, hikers, and biker looking for an adventure.

Los Gatos Creek Park: 1250 Dell Avenue in Campbell. For more information, call (408) 356-2729.

Hellyer County Park and Coyote Creek Parkway
Looking to take a bike ride in the rain? Coyote Creek Parkway is your answer. Offering an Olympic-sized velodrome for riders of all skill levels, bikers are encouraged to pump their pedals all year round.

If you’re more of an outside person stop by Hellyer Park and play a game of 9-hole disk golf. Or you could, walk, jog, and skate your way to Anderson Lake Park on Hellyer’s 15-mile paved trail. You’ll enjoy all the sights and sounds of Coyote Creek while getting a bit of exercise.

“Recreational variety is truly what makes Hellyer an appealing park experience,” boasts Ranger Sewell.
Stop by Hellyer and see what this park has to offer.

Hellyer County Park: 985 Hellyer Avenue in San Jose. For more information, call (408) 225-0225.

Motorcycle County Park
Put on your helmets and pads because this county park lets you drive those toys you have sitting in your garage.

Dedicated to off-road vehicles, Motorcycle County Parks is a vast 459 acres of adventure for beginners and experts. Featuring motocross and quarter midget tracks, this park is the answer all of you extremists have been looking for.

Motorcycle County Park: 300 Metcalf Road in San Jose. For more information, please call (408) 226-5223.

There is much to be done outside during this season and most don’t take advantage of it. Break the old tradition of fall that keeps you locked up in the house in front of the TV or Playstation. Take a drive to one of these parks, most of which are no more than 15 minutes from your driveway, and do some hiking, walking, fishing or exploring. So bundle up and enjoy having a park to yourself.