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Wild Recovery San Jose, California

April 7, 2007 Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve

The Place

        The 3,800-acre Open Space Preserve, combined with the adjoining 165-acre County Park, offers visitors a unique experience with a sampling of diverse environments, interesting cultural history , and a variety of activities. The preserve has an extensive 23 miles of trails available for exploration. A highlight of the preserve is Deer Hollow Farm, a working farm with a cow, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, other animals, and an organic garden as well as numerous turn-of-the-century ranch buildings. An additional attraction is the restored Grant Cabin, furnished to represent living conditions in the late 1800s.

Getting There

        DIRECTIONS:  From San Jose take I-280 north, take the Foothill Boulevard exit and proceed south on Foothill Boulevard approximately 0.2-mile to Cristo Rey Drive. Turn right on Cristo Rey Drive, continue for about 1 mile, go through the traffic circle, and you will see the Rancho San Antonio entrance on your left. Enter the park and stay to your right. Continue to the last parking lot. We will meet at the restrooms.

Drive time is 30 minutes – Parking Free – Dogs not allowed

Walking the Walk

        (Level 3.5 - Miles: 8 - Elevation ~900')  We will start our hike on the Coyote trail.  This will lead us to the PG&E trail on which we will climb to Vista Point.  We will have the meeting at Vista Point unless there is heavy foot traffic on the day of the hike.  We will make out descent into the valley on the Upper High Meadow trail and the High Meadow trail.  We will stop for a visit to Deer Hollow Farm and return to the parking lot.

Know Before You Go

        RECOMMENDED:  Parking is usually crowded so carpooling is highly recommended.. 

Drive time is 30 minutes – Parking Free – Dogs not allowed

Trail Map: http://www.openspace.org/preserves/maps/pr_rancho_san_antonio.pdf