Waterfalls near san jose california

You can catch some sun on the hard rock and picnic the day away. To get there, take the Fowler Public Camp Road turnoff, which leads to the parking lots for Upper and Lower falls and the various lookouts. Drive to the lookouts or hike the 4-mile trail that runs high above the rushing water.

Not only does spring-fed Burney Creek tumble off the basalt cliffs, splitting into two major sections as it drops, but water from an underground aquifer and springs gush from holes in the cliff, contributing dozens of smaller falls to the beautiful waterscape.

And the flow remains exuberant throughout the year. Take the Falls Loop Trail down to the bottom of the falls for great views. Storm damage has limited access to the full loop, but there are five miles of trails within the park to satisfy your hiking urges, including a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Try to visit on a weekday or early on weekends to minimize the crowds. Check out trail information at www. There are two waterfalls of note here and the first, Hedge Creek Falls, is but a few minutes walk from the visitors parking lot on Mott Road and Siskiyou Avenue. You can even venture behind the flow into a small cave. An abundance of rolling hills defines the landscape of Almaden Quicksilver County Park. This somewhat technical and occasionally challenging trail rewards hikers with unobstructed views of the expansive pastures and Guadalupe Reservoir.

This is California, after all. Most people prefer to travel this loop in a counter-clockwise fashion, especially during the heat of the summer. This direction will have you traverse the exposed, unshaded section of the trail first, followed by the cooler portions near the reservoir which have some shaded stretches of trail.

Additional Information: Hiking Project. Why you should go: A trail with a variety of terrain and vistas of San Jose and the neighboring valleys. Rising above southern San Jose in the Santa Teresa Hills , the highlights of this county park are the upland prairies which provide excellent views of downtown San Jose as well as the Almaden and Santa Clara Valleys.

Find seclusion high on the hills where few people decide to roam among the grazing cattle. Down low near the parking area, the trail passes by the historic Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch and the lovely Santa Teresa Spring which is among the largest springs in all of the Bay Area. Sitting atop the deep canyons and rocky outcroppings of Alum Rock Park , this open space hosts sweeping views of the Bay Area and herds of grazing cattle.

The wide-open, dirt road-like trails of the Sierra Vista Boccardo Loop are easy to follow, even after dozens of cows trample through and form their own paths. Hiking the loop can be a sweaty affair on hot days due to the rolling hills and lack of shade. The absence of tree cover does leave hikers exposed to the elements, but it also sets the stage for some grand, unobstructed views. Additional Information: Open Space Authority. Why you should go: Walk under ancient giants toward a whispering waterfall on a well-maintained path.

Located in the heart of Big Basin Redwoods State Park , the Sequoia Trail is a trek underneath some of the tallest trees on Earth and features a lovely waterfall. This is one of many awe-inspiring trails to choose from in the park, all of which showcase the enormous redwood and sequoia trees visitors come from around the world to see.

The Sequoia Trail is on the lighter side of moderate difficulty, making it one of the easier trails in the park.

It also features numerous benches and restrooms along its length. Numerous redwood groves and breathtaking waterfalls grace this long trek. The length may be too difficult for some people to endure, but the overall difficulty of this trail is moderate as it is well-traveled and gently graded. Those who undertake the journey will find many beautiful, Instagram-worthy photo opportunities.

Berry Creek Falls is an absolute wonder of a waterfall, and the other lesser-known falls along the trail are nearly as beautiful. This trail is well-shaded and the waterfalls provide coolings mists, making this an incredible respite from the hot California sun. Though a popular trail, the length of Berry Creek Falls Loop keeps the path from feeling crowded. San Jose and San Francisco come into full view from the peak when conditions are right.

The workout that this hike provides combines with a serenity brought on by the sky-high views, supplanting your inner anxieties with newfound confidence. The feeling is awe-inspiring. The Seven Springs Loop Trail passes through a variety of terrains and ecosystems as it winds around elaborate estates and small wineries.

This trail is located within the Fremont Older Preserve , a section of land that is woven between large swaths of private property. This popular pathway also connects with other hiking-only trails in the area like Inspiration Point Loop.

Wildcat Loop Trail. One of the most popular open space preserves in the South Bay, Rancho San Antonio is a minute drive from downtown. The open space preserve and adjacent county park has over 24 miles of multi-use trails available for hikers, bikers, and horse riders.

The approximately three-mile Wildcat Loop Trail is a good entry point into the expansive public space. Starting at a parking lot near the historic Deer Hollow Farm , where a restroom facility is available, hikers start on the Wildcat Loop by traversing a scenic creek with little elevation gain.

A slight climb on the Wildcat Loop Trail offers some big views atop a ridgeline, as well as a stunning display of wildflowers in the spring. Numerous other hiking trails connect to the Wildcat Loop, including the more strenuous Stephen E.

The most strenuous hiking trail at the preserve, the Black Mountain Trail , is an eight-mile round trip from the closest trailhead. Hiking trail at Santa Teresa County Park. A minute drive south of downtown San Jose, Santa Teresa County Park offers an easy escape into nature with eighteen miles of hiking trails. Multiple different routes and loops can be created to reach the top of the 1,foot Coyote Peak within Santa Teresa County Park, and all of them involve climbing.

After following the Coyote Peak Trail and summit spur trail, hikers can hop on the Hidden Spring Trail to make a loop back to the parking area. It's approximately a four-mile round trip in this fashion, with over feet of elevation gain along the way. Longer loops can be created by utilizing the nearby Ridge Trail or Ohlone Trail. Water is available at the Pueblo Day Use Area. In the high hills above the southern suburbs of San Jose, this 4,plus-acre park has over 35 miles of hiking trails and a long history with mining.

This area was once home to one of the most productive mercury mines in California, and home to thousands of miners and their families, and remnants of these operations remain throughout the park today. Paralleling each other with a gentle slope, both English Camp Trail and Deep Gulch Trail traverse just over a mile to reach a prominent junction in the park's network of hiking trails.

The remnants of an English Camp can be explored at this junction, where other trails like the Castillero Trail and the Mine Hill Trail also converge.

Historical remnants line all these trails in the central area of the park and combine to make a Quicksilver History Trail with numerous looped options available. On-leash pets are welcome on all trails at Almaden Quicksilver County Park, and no reliable water facilities are available. Fourteen miles of trails navigate the undulating low hills of the preserve, including a scenic trail up to Hunters Point. From the Prospect Road entrance of the preserve, hikers start on the Cora Older Trail to reach Hunters Point, and continue on the Hayfield Trail for the quickest route to the top.

Approximately a mile-and-a-half round trip, this route to Hunters Point climbs less than feet and provides a beautiful view of the Santa Clara Valley. With a more moderate climb from the Prospect Road trailhead, an even higher vantage point can be experienced at Maisie's Peak. Sempervirens Falls on the Sequoia Trail.

Encompassing dramatic ocean views, tumbling waterfalls, and ancient groves of coastal redwood trees, some over feet tall, Big Basin Redwoods is also home to nearly 80 miles of hiking trails.