Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve
| Address: | 5355 Sierra Rd, San Jose, CA 95132, USA |
| Phone: | +1 408-224-7476 |
| Site: | openspaceauthority.org |
| Rating: | 4.7 |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 46
TY
Tyler Richendollar
A unique place to hike and take in Silicon Valley from above. The drive up to the trailhead is not too long, but the road can be steep, curving, and narrow-- be careful on the drive up. There is a parking lot at the trailhead with paved and unpaved spaces that can be tight but will fit longer vehicles. At the far end of the parking lot adjacent to the trail, there is a map of the area with free maps available for review. The trail has a steep, mostly smooth descent, though it is unpaved. There is minimal tree cover, but the area is lush with grass in March and April (as long as its a rainy winter). The most unique feature is that cows are all over the place. They arent too shy, but do not like interaction. Moreover, they drop cowpies all over, so watch your step! But, there are plenty of good photo ops-- loved the trail, the sights, and the sounds. The smell of cow and cowpies is bit tough if youre not used to it. The trail is a flat-to-steep descent that is about 2.5 miles long. At the bottom of the Boccardo loop, there is the option to continue hiking lower. If you loop back up, the total trail is about 5.0 miles. Its a tough uphill if youre not expecting it, especially with the lack of shade.
RA
Rachael Sass
Go for the view!!!! The view is incredible! On a clear day you can see from the bay to Gilroy, including downtown SJ. Parking is free and there was plenty of it. The path was sunny, hot and didnt have any tree coverage. Great for early summer mornings or winter days. Two major downsides. First, there are NO restrooms. Second, COWS. As we started to hike the Sierra Vista Trail towards the Upper Calaveras Fault Trail, we ran into a bunch of cows. After a few not-so-happy encounters with bovines at Ed Levin Park, we didnt want to risk dealing with them. Especially if we were to get caught on the narrow path that overlooks a steep cliff between the Kestrel and Upper Calaveras trails. So we turned around and hiked out to the Vista point at the top of Boccardo Loop Trail. Even not getting to do our full hike, we still had fun. If you are comfortable dealing with cows, youre a better hiker than I am, and youll be able to experience the entire preserve!
CH
Charles McBeth
Awesome mountain views via ridgeline trails, beautiful flowers, quality foot paths. Paths and parking for horses too, unfortunately not dogs. Topographical trail maps available at the parking lot, with daily updates in weather and park conditions. A few benches scattered along the trails at vista overlooks. We visited several surrounding parks and this is the best by far, no contest. Trails overlooking San Jose and towards the Mountains range from 0.5 mi to 4-5 mi loops, or longer if you combine with trails connecting to nearby parks. No water fountains, so bring your own water.
MA
Marco Paganini
Nice hiking and biking trails. This preserve is a bit unusual in the sense that it already starts pretty high in the mountains, and most of the trails are on the side of the mountain, offering great views of the city below. Mountain biking is allowed, but youll start at the top and descend. Make sure you have energy left to come back to your car (the trails are steep).
PA
Pavan Raya
Its nice place to hike, but no shade. Its a different hike, because you park at the top and start the hike down and come back up.(If you start from sierra vista view point on sierra road). Can choose from small to big loops. Good view of san Jose city.
RA
Raj kumar
One of the best places to visit in the evening when the sun sets. Great view of San Jose Downtown and Airport from the top. Good place for mountain bikers to have some adventure. Trails are good to walk along with a cool breeze.
NE
Neha Viswanathan
Hiked with a bunch of friends last week along the Boccardo Loop Trail, Todd Quick Trail and North Rim Trail. Was my first hiking experience and it was amazing! Im definitely going back to do the other trails.
SU
Sunil Vp
Been here to watch meteor showers , you can carry your sleeping bags and find a parking spot to lay and do star gazing .. you also can get a good view of San Jose city in lights on one side
RI
Rita B
A fine view of the surrounding San Jose area. A bit of a winding road up, but nothing like some other drives nearby. A variety of trails available, ranging from easy to strenuous.
HA
Hari Reddy
Sierra Vista has some amazing hiking trails, and the mountain view on the hiking trails is such a pleasure watching! My first hike trip turned out to be the beat experience!
KA
kathireson k
Excellent views. Not crowded at all. You can drive all the way to the top and hike to the bottom. Park opens only at 8 am though - not suitable for early morning hikers
X
x x
This park offers great views of Silicon Valley while being free and largely devoid of the hiking horde. Condors and raptors can be seen flying around.
VI
Vincent Bauer
This is the correct location for Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve. The view of San Jose is beautiful, there are several trails from a parking lot.
ST
Stephan Meyer-Ewald
Great views. Many different trails to choose from, from short to full day. Typically very quiet but very easy and fast to get to from San Jose.
QU
Quercus Mx
Another good place to walk or hike with different trails and distances. Around 10 milles the biggest loop. Good for evening walks.
WI
Will C.
Great place to go running/hiking. I especially love the sceneries there! Just be sure to bring water and some snacks for the trip!
AR
ARJUN M
A wonderful view of bay area and hood place for hikes, though its a no drone area it is indeed a scenic beauty
JO
Joseph Kemp
Excellent place to overlook the South Bay. Good place to see the sunset. Great view of mount Unamunum.
AB
abraham varghese
Gem of nature perched close to San Jose. Breathtaking views of the beautiful and serene Sierra
DA
Danee Ella
I had no idea this place existed.. The new go to spot for all my rendezvous with my dog.
NE
Neeraj Chaudhary
Best view, and lovely trails. Temperature is at least 5 degrees below San Jose.
KE
Kenneth Stone
Beautiful views, and amazing hiking trails. Some can be a little bit steep.
SH
Shirley Rosales
Beautiful views for talks, hikes and sipping coffee watching the sunset.
RI
Richard R
Great park with good views and lots of decent mountain biking trails.
KA
Karl Gossett
Good trails, not overly crowded, nice for a hike or good trail run.
SW
Swetal Gajjar
Good for mountain trails. Generally cold. Beautiful views. Let me
KE
Kennedy Miedema
Sad that theres not much parking, and none at the top at night.
WE
Wenqi Zheng
Great view and good choices of trails. Almost no shade though.
HI
Hideto Kaito
Great place to hike. Beautiful scenery especially in spring.
RO
Roland Francisco
Great views of the south bay area. Nice hiking trails
AN
Anna Fierros
Beautiful place to hike and be one with the cattle
SU
Sumanth Krishna
A scenic place at a short distance from berryessa
HI
Hien
Nice views of the valley from the east foothills.
RA
Raquel Lozano
Beautiful place to go the virw is espectacular.
XI
Xinhai Kang
Great hiking place during the spring season.
MA
Marinela Rodriguez
Amazing. Relax & peacefully. I love the view
MI
Michael Lubensky
Cool night view, but no parking after dark.
NI
Nishant Rakesh
Great views. Recommend this place anytime
LO
Loan Ha
Very good for hiking. I have been excited
AT
Atul Chaudhari
Great place to watch sunrise and sunsets.
EL
elliotmlehman
Beautiful biking area. Scary fast hills.
DE
Dev Milind
Best hiking place in and around Milpitas
NA
Nathan Shaw
Easy way to get away from the city
KU
Kurt Ringer
Fun drive and beautiful views
KR
Kristaps Moruss
Nice for everyday bikers
JO
John Welker
The best view on the bay
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