Almaden Quicksilver Park
This park contains more than 3500 acres and takes in most of the 6 mile long Capitancillos Ridge just south of San Jose. This area was the site of the most productive quicksilver mine in the world and still contains several old ghost towns and mine remains. There are more than 25 miles of trails that lead to historical sites and that give beautiful views of the Santa Clara Valley. The area is also well populated with game, and visitors will commonly see deer, coyotes, wild pigs, and wild turkeys.
Uvas Canyon Park
This 1100 acre park, about 15 miles south of San Jose, extends to Skyline Ridge over typically steep, rugged Santa Cruz Mountain terrain. The park is cut by three creeks and their canyons. Swanson Creek and its two tributaries descend in steep canyons from Skyline Ridge and there are several waterfalls and cascades along the trail. These can be quite spectacular after the winter rains.
Berry Creek Falls, (Big Basin Redwoods)
The wildest and most spectacular hike in Big Basin is 11 mile Berry Creek-Sunset Trail Loop. This is not an easy hike, with plenty of ups and downs to encourage you to slow down and enjoy the scenery which includes waterfalls and first grownth redwoods. The best time to hike it is in late winter or early spring when everything is fresh and green and Berry Creek and Silver falls are rushing torrents plunging more than 50 feet.
Coyote Hills Regional Park
In this park are a thousand acres of hills, fresh and salt water marshes, and the site of an Indian village with its 2300 year old shell mounds. The park is a sanctuary for wildlife, which the visitor can observe at close hand from park trails and boardwalks. The marshes attract a great variety of birds and the upland meadows provide habitats for songbirds, small animals, and deer. The picture is of Merle on the highest point of the hills.
Upper Sanborn County Park
A short but beautiful easy hike from the park entrance on Black Road takes you to Lake Ranch Reservoir. The terrain here is steep, and the mountains are wooded with Bay, Douglas Fir, Oak, Maple, Madrone, and Redwood. During and after the rainy season, many small creeks cross the trail and the reservoir is full.
Point Lobos
Point Lobos has been called "The greatest meeting of land and water in the world". There are many trails here and all are beautiful at any time of year. It can be tranquil and warm with soft sea breezes and it can be wet, cold, and windy ( sometimes in the same day), but it is always spectacular. Bring a lot of film if you visit this spot, every turn in the trail is a picture.
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