EquestrianTrails in South Bay

There are three entrances to the park with parking lots and staging areas at each entrance.  The park is the site of over 135 years of mining activities with remnants of mining structures throughout the park. The park covers a total of 4,152 acres with over 23 miles of equestrian trails.  Wildflowers are abundant in the park in early spring.  There are a few horse water troughs throughout the park and drinkable water at the Hacienda and Mockingbird Hill entrances.

This is one of the oldest city of San Jose parks and hosts covers 13 miles of trails open to hikers including six miles of horse trails and three miles of dirt bicycle trails.  Horseback riding and bicycling are only on designated trails. The park is located within Alum Rock Canyon and covers both shaded trails and trails more open to the sun.  Plant and animal life include holly leaf cherry tree, sagebrush, sycamore, maple, white alder, red willow, different types of oak trees, Madrone, California buckeye, toyon, wild rose, sticky monkey flower, wild blackberries, black tailed deer, brush rabbits, quail, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, Stellar jays and bobcats.  There is water and restrooms throughout the park including trail entrances (but not along the trails).

This 3,144 acre park is home to Santa Clara County's largest reservoir. There is an 8-mile horse trail that starts at Burnett Avenue and runs north along the Coyote Creek that is parallel to the multi-use paved trail. Rest areas, a horse trough and emergency call boxes are provided, but water is not available for human consumption.

Arastradero Preserve has 10 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding in rolling hills of savanna grassland and broadleaf evergreen forest.  Elevation spans from 275 feet to 775 feet. There is plenty of wildlife including deer, bobcats, coyotes, and many varieties of birds.

Bear Creek Redwoods is a 1,345 acre park with 10.3 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding.  There are restrooms available near the parking lot.

The trails go through the redwoods, with open pastures as well as steep inclines.

This is a 3,493 acre park hosting California oak woodland, chapparal and riparian plant life and wildlife as well as a reservoir. There are 18.6 miles of trails that are available to hikers and equestrians. The elevation ranges from 500 to 1500 feet.  There is a  large equestrian staging area, three horse water troughs as well as horse rentals (408-268-2567).   There are restrooms.

There is a paved multi-use trail moves along Coyote Creek for 15 miles. It is used by hikers, bicyclists and rollerbladers,  South of Metcalf Road, an equestrian trail parallels the paved trail.

Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park is a 4,595-acre park with a 635-acre lake. It has 22 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, horses and bicycles.  The Bear and Mendoza Ranch sections of the park have over 15 miles of trails that pass through oak studded canyons, grassy ridgelines, and views of Santa Clara Valley. There are restrooms available.

Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve is located at the western edge of the Coyote Valley, which provides a greenbelt between San Jose and Morgan Hill. There is a four-mile loop multi-use trail for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.  The Arrowhead Loop Trail leads to a ridgetop with views of Mount Hamilton, Mount Umunhum, and the entire Coyote Valley. There are picnic tables at the north end of the ridge. The preserve includes a paved parking lot, ADA accessible restroom, picnic tables near the parking lot, and space for horse trailers.

This 1,541 acre park is a great place for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, picnicking and hang gliding. It has a 19 mile trail system that is part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail alignment.

This preserve is over 1400 acres with over seven miles of dirt trails that are open to hikers, bicycles and horses.  The land is primarily chaparral with some wooded areas near the creeks.  Wildlife includes deer, coyote, and brush rabbits.

This preserve is over 730 acres with over 14 miles of dirt trails that are open to hikers, bicycles and horses and dogs that must be on leash. At the top of the trails, there are views of the Santa Clara Valley.

This preserve is over 730 acres with over 14 miles of dirt trails that are open to hikers, bicycles and horses.  At the top of the trails, there are views of the Santa Clara Valley.  There is a dirt parking for about 15 cars. Park as far as you can from the golf course fence.

Henry W. Coe is the largest state park in northern California, with more than 80,000 acres of open space with scenic hills and mountain ridges in the Diablo Mountain Range. The terrain is rugged, and varied, making the park ideal for hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The park has three entrances - the main entrance that has a visitor center, Hunting Hollow in Gilroy and Dowdy Ranch entrance in Hollister.

Joseph D. Grant County Park, is a  9,560 acre park with 52 miles of trails for hikers and equestrians. Mountain bikes are permitted on about half of the park's trails as designated. The trails cover the east foothills of the Santa Clara Valley with grasslands and oak trees.  There are multiple restroom facilities.

Los Trancos Open Space Preserve is a 274 acre area located in the Santa Cruz Mountains at an elevation of about 2000 feet. It has about 5 miles of mainly shaded, dirt trails for hikers and equestrians. The terrain is rolling grassland, oak woodland and shaded forest. Restroom facilities are available at the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve parking area, located directly across Page Mill Road.  There is no drinking water.

Martial Cottle Park has been agricultural land since 1864 and represents Santa Clara Valleys agricultural heritage and how the tradition of farming and sharing food continues to shape our landscape, people and history. There is about four miles of paved, flat trails open to pedestrians, bicyclists, skaters, non-motorized scooters, equestrians, dogs on a 6-foot leash and roller bladers.

This is an approximately 3,100 acre preserve that has a rich diversity of wildlife and plant life.  There are about 15 miles of multi-use dirt trails for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians that cover shady and exposed areas and views of Santa Clara Valley and over to the Mt. Hamilton range. Parking is available for 45 cars. Additional parking is available at the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve parking area, located directly across Page Mill Road.  Restrooms are available but no drinking water.

Mount Umunhum is one of the highest peaks in the Santa Cruz mountain range at 3,486 feet.  From its summit, visitors can experience 360-degree views from the Pacific to the Sierra Nevada.  There is a 3.7-mile gradual uphill (1100 foot climb, 7.4 miles roundtrip) to the summit from the lower parking lot or you can park in the upper parking lot for a shorter but steep walk to the summit. The last 0.2 miles to the summit is a set of steep stairs. The trail has views along the way and some shade from the tree canopy. There are exhibits at the summit shelter and viewpoint around the historic radar tower and below. There is a Native American ceremonial space with exhibits explaining the significance of the mountain to the Native Americans. There are restrooms at the summit. There is no drinking water so please bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.

This is a four mile relatively easy loop on a wide dirt trail that is used by hikers and equestrians.  The only parking is on the road (it is free) and the trail head is at a bridge.  The trail goes uphill toward Fremont Older so there are views.  Peak elevation is about 700 feet.  The trail winds through the open spaces between the houses of the neighborhoods.

Penitencia Creek County Park is a 78 acre park with a four-mile trail that follows Penitencia Creek The trails are used by hikers, bikers and equestrians. There are multiple restrooms along the trail.

This 308 acre preserve is located above the Stevens Creek Reservoir.  It about four miles of dirt trails with sunny exposed orchards on the hill and shady wooded areas.. The trails are open to hikers and equestrians. The historic site is home to the Picchetti Winery and the surrounding farm. Restrooms are available near Picchetti Winery.

This is a 3900 acre preserve that has over 8 miles of multi-use trails with spectacular views of the Diablo Range and Mt. Hamilton.  The trails cover native grasslands, live and valley oak woodlands, sage-chaparral scrub, and creekside habitats. There are horse water troughs but no potable water for human consumption.

This park has more than 25 miles of equestrian trails with elevation from 600 to 1200 feet. Trails are mostly dirt. There are some dedicated horse trailer parking spaces and two places with water troughs for the horses at the beginning and on the trail.

This is park of Calero County Park, and is an additional 996 acres with four main trails including longer routes that connect to Calero Reservoir and beyond for long rides. Most of the trails are exposed to the sun.  There is very little shade on most of the trails so bring lots of water and protect yourself from the sun. Cattle graze in this park. There are restrooms by the parking lot.

Sanborn County Park is within Santa Cruz mountains and has over 3,688 highly forested acres. At the Sanborn Road main entrance, there is a one mile nature trail that offers examples of the flora and fauna diversity in the park. There are over 15 miles of trails for hikers. There is another entrance at the Lake Ranch Trailhead off of Bear Creek Road that offers a shaded, easy, flat hike to Ranch Lake.  There are multiple restrooms available at the main entrance but none at Lake Ranch.

Santa Teresa County Park offers over 18 miles of unpaved trails for equestrian, hiking and bicycle use. Wildflowers are abundant from March through June on the Stile Ranch and other trails.  At the Bernal Road entrance, there is a restroom facility and drinkable water near the picnic area. The other entrance is at the Fortini trailhead off of McKean Rd.

The entire preserve covers 24 miles of trails.  The Mt. Umunhum Area hosts twelve thousand acre areas that are home to abundant wildlife including mountain lions, deer, bobcats, coyotes, and and fauna includes serpentine grasslands, chaparral, bay trees and oak woodland forests. Mt. Umunhum is a 3,486-foot mountain that is not accessible by trails.  Instead, the 6.2-mile Woods Trail that starts at the Jaques Ridge parking area, takes you to the 3,000-foot Mt. El Sombroso.  There are restrooms but no water availability so bring water and sun protection with you.

This is a 1700 acre park containing a diversity of flora including grasslands, oak woodlands and oak savannas. There is only one trail, the three mile, multi-use Boccardo Loop Trail that is open to hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. This trail is a 1100 foot steep climb and can only be reached through Alum Rock Park via the North Rim and then Todd Quick trails or from Sierra Road. There is no potable water available.

This preserve is 270 acres and has about four miles of multi-use wide dirt trails for equestrians, hikers and bicyclists. Most trails are exposed and elevation ranges from about 600 to 1200 feet. The top of St Josephs Hill is 1250 feet and offers a panoramic views of Santa Clara Valley, Lexington Reservoir and the Sierra Azul mountain range. There are portable toilets in parking lot.

Stevens Creek County Park is 1,077 acres with a 92 acre reservoir. There are multi-use and hiker only trails that span up to six miles.  This park is one of the most popular birding parks in the Bay Area where over 125 species have been sighted. There are multiple restrooms available in the park.

Upper Stevens Creek Park is 1,276 acres of douglas fir and redwoods that provide shaded trails.  Hikers share the 11 miles of trails with mountain bicyclists and horses. The trails can be steep.