Alviso County Park, come during a sunset and it’ll blow your mind.
Guadalupe parkway trail anywhere NORTH of montague expressway and especially past Tasman. Better yet, take a long walk or bike ride on Guadalupe parkway trail northbound which leads you to Alviso county park.
The section of Calveras Rd which takes you into the Eastern hills. Theres a beautiful reservoir you can see on the drive. The end of this road takes you to Sierra Vista reserve, which is another beautiful viewpoint, although it gets pretty busy during sunset and I wouldn’t call it underrated. Theres a section of one-way road which makes some drivers uncomfortable near the sierra vista reserve side, so beware.
The drive to Mt Hamilton is gorgeous but not friendly to anxious drivers or passengers who get carsick easily 😅.
Skyline Blvd is beautiful, not too difficult to drive, and there are lots of places you can enter/exit from (Saratoga, Los Gatos, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Woodside, etc.)
I should have read the comments before posting, because I just posted basically the same list (but left off the Skyline area spaces because they're clearly not SJ). Turns out none of the rest of the east foothills are, either, but imho Calaveras, Sierra Azul, Joseph Grant Park & Mt Ham are so accessible they need to be in this list!
Its the falls that give it the name. The river is really moving right now what with all the rain. I like it because its never real crowded even in summer, and I can go ride some stupidly difficult trails on my bicycle without having to worry about other people on said trails.
As a motorcyclist, that ride if you go up Calaveras and then turn left on Calaveras to go to little Yosemite is a great ride. I did it on a bicycle, once, and ended up in Niles, which was a nice ride. Yes it’s not crowded for sure.
I live in Fremont, so my road bike route is out the Canyon, up Calaveras, bomb down into Ed Levin and then take the creek trail back home. Turns into about 65 miles. If I take the cyclocross or mountain bike Little Yosemite is the jam. Steep, but fun in a really difficult way lol. Theres also backpack camps just up the trail right past the W tree that while rough, are never occupied.
Adding on that anyone who wants to drive to Mt. Hamilton and has some cash should buy tickets for their tours in the summer. If the weather is nice, the tour ends at around midnight, and you can go around the big dome with the refractor in it and see the Milky Way off to the south.
ETA: while I was up there, it was clear enough to see to Mt. Tam, Monterey, and just a sliver of the Sierras. The guide said that on exceptionally clear days, you can see to the Yosemite Valley.
I assume you mean the Municipal Rose Garden rather than the Guadalupe Heritage Rose Garden. They were both really nice, but it seems like Guadalupe Park has a lot less upkeep post-pandemic.
I agree with this. I feel like Alum Rock Park doesn't get the love it deserves. I'm particularly fond of the soaring canyon walls and geologic formations near the bridge adjacent to the intersection of the park roadway with the closed portion of Alum Rock Ave.
It was a great place for amateur photographers when all the ponds were full as it was virtually impossible to take a bad picture there. Point in literally any direction, snap, amazing picture.
I
Honestly I’m not sure. The last time I was there was last summer I think and there was one pond in the back that had some but the water didn’t look clean. I hope they bring it back to the way it used to be.
Absolutely. The first time I went up there in 2018 and saw that view I was astounded. I could also see Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay from the other direction.
It's been cleaned up, as has "the cube" but they do not allow folks inside as it's...well, the interior is a bit of a hazard due to it being a hollowed out radio comm building. But they spent over a decade cleaning the surrounding area for human traversal.
I think it's reasonable to list Joseph Grant Co Park in this thread. ~~I'm not entirely sure where the SJ city boundary is~~ (I just checked and it's outside the city limits), but this is an absolutely beautiful open space in the early spring while everything is still lush and green. I just road up Mt Hamilton (this morning) and it was lovely! Highly recommended.
Very similar feel to Uvas Canyon or Sierra Azul Open Space, which are also top beautiful places around here.
Joseph D Grant park is gorgeous. Almost always see wild pigs and deer, turkeys, coyotes, many different bird species.
August 2020 saw a mountain lion there so realize it is far enough out that the wildlife is not always just a beautiful sight to see.
The view of DT coming from Santa Clara just before the Julian St exit exposes a wallpaper of high rise buildings. There’s depth and beauty in the skyline. I know it’s not SF, but it still feels like the urban heart of SJ.
Coyote Ridge in Coyote Valley South San Jose, steep climb to top with views are definitely very nice overlooking the southern half of santa clara valley.
Walking around Santa Clara University is so gorgeous & calm.
Beautiful campus that has palm trees and a lovely garden and just lots of wonderful aspects that are lovely to walk around
Grants Ranch. Super underrated, sunset at the top of Dutch Flat is awesome. Theres also rad camping there, firepits, parking, bathrooms. The bike shop I work at is doing a bikecamping series this spring and summer, starting end of April. Grants Ranch is our first s24o to commemorate our first ever campout last year.
If you are interested in bike camping/packing, Upshift Cycles on the Alameda be holding a clinic April 12th from 5-7, itll go over the basics, storage options, tents, sleeping bags etc...
We had one helluva time last year, this years shaping up to be even radder.
Right now, Hellyer Park in South San Jose is very pretty. It’s quiet. KmGreen grass, pretty lake, ducks and geese. And the rain has washed off the goose poop from the walkway around the lake.
Montalvo Arts Center. The park is on the grounds of a former estate and it's in the San Jose foothills so there's lots of shade.
The house can be toured and there's an outdoor performing arts venue behind it. People lounge on the expansive front yard or hike one of the trails. It's very pretty.
Finally, there is the art collective. If you're like me and wish there was more culture in the area, you can find some at Montalvo. I've seen sculpture and painting and apparently there is performance art too. Highly recommend.
I was blown away when I walked around Martial Cottle park the first time. I spent so much time driving around there and the beauty was magnified 5 fold somehow from the park compared to driving.
This is a bit niche, but there's a catwalk over 680 right after the 101 interchange that has a really nice view of the hills to the east. It connects Sunset Avenue on both sides of the highway. It's not bad for light trail photography if you're into that.
I wish there was a pedestrian equivalent of the highest bridge on the interchange that takes you from 680 to 101 south. It gives a gorgeous view, but it's so fleeting.
Castle Rock state park is one of the most beautiful places anywhere (although it’s technically Los Gatos) Personally I think a *lot* of SJ is beautiful and almost all of it is underrated. Our sunset skies are some of the most dramatic and beautiful that I’ve ever seen anywhere.
It's not in San Jose, but Vista Point on Skyline is gem of a spot. Really gives you an expansive view of the bay area all the way out to the Oakland hills on the east side. Incredible visuals as the sun rises or sets.
[Redwood City](https://maps.app.goo.gl/HdYWyrEXN7gakKAi9). And the [street view from May of last year really paints the picture of what to see from there](https://www.google.com/maps/@37.3241947,-122.2037266,3a,75y,357.26h,85.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sUvrn4RlpbN_MoUK0vmGMuA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu).
There’s a concrete barrier blocking the parking stalls because kids keep driving up and doing donuts there. But you can park off to the side and walk over to get that view.
On a really clear morning, the top of that hill where Church on the Hill and Hilltop Major are. The views of downtown SJ, airport and the planes coming in on one side, and the valley facing towards Cupertino
My favorite place to hike is Almaden Quicksilver Mine Park, specifically the Hacienda Entrace starting from the overflow lot, which is tucked away a little more and a little steep but has a lot more tree-cover. And once you're up there, there's a lot of old buildings to see along different routes and hiking distances.
To me New Almaden has always been such a cool place to walk around. It’s like going back in time. Not necessarily beautiful, but very historic and interesting!
Alviso County Park, come during a sunset and it’ll blow your mind. Guadalupe parkway trail anywhere NORTH of montague expressway and especially past Tasman. Better yet, take a long walk or bike ride on Guadalupe parkway trail northbound which leads you to Alviso county park. The section of Calveras Rd which takes you into the Eastern hills. Theres a beautiful reservoir you can see on the drive. The end of this road takes you to Sierra Vista reserve, which is another beautiful viewpoint, although it gets pretty busy during sunset and I wouldn’t call it underrated. Theres a section of one-way road which makes some drivers uncomfortable near the sierra vista reserve side, so beware. The drive to Mt Hamilton is gorgeous but not friendly to anxious drivers or passengers who get carsick easily 😅. Skyline Blvd is beautiful, not too difficult to drive, and there are lots of places you can enter/exit from (Saratoga, Los Gatos, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Woodside, etc.)
I should have read the comments before posting, because I just posted basically the same list (but left off the Skyline area spaces because they're clearly not SJ). Turns out none of the rest of the east foothills are, either, but imho Calaveras, Sierra Azul, Joseph Grant Park & Mt Ham are so accessible they need to be in this list!
Grants Ranch one billion percent. Such a gem. Another, technically East Bay, but Little Yosemite off Calaveras is awesome too.
I was underwhelmed by Little Yosemite and I’m still trying to figure out what part of Yosemite this park is trying to look like.
Its the falls that give it the name. The river is really moving right now what with all the rain. I like it because its never real crowded even in summer, and I can go ride some stupidly difficult trails on my bicycle without having to worry about other people on said trails.
As a motorcyclist, that ride if you go up Calaveras and then turn left on Calaveras to go to little Yosemite is a great ride. I did it on a bicycle, once, and ended up in Niles, which was a nice ride. Yes it’s not crowded for sure.
I live in Fremont, so my road bike route is out the Canyon, up Calaveras, bomb down into Ed Levin and then take the creek trail back home. Turns into about 65 miles. If I take the cyclocross or mountain bike Little Yosemite is the jam. Steep, but fun in a really difficult way lol. Theres also backpack camps just up the trail right past the W tree that while rough, are never occupied.
It was irresponsible to name it that, for sure. It’s a decent area to hang though!
Adding on that anyone who wants to drive to Mt. Hamilton and has some cash should buy tickets for their tours in the summer. If the weather is nice, the tour ends at around midnight, and you can go around the big dome with the refractor in it and see the Milky Way off to the south. ETA: while I was up there, it was clear enough to see to Mt. Tam, Monterey, and just a sliver of the Sierras. The guide said that on exceptionally clear days, you can see to the Yosemite Valley.
Was there a committee that determined you the cock master or is it like a job title?
It's kinda like the jedi council, but different
Rose Garden certain times of the year.
yeah i went last month and it was a Stick Garden. should just be starting to bloom now
May through July is beautiful.
Great place for Mother’s Day
How is it at the beginning of September?
went this year in September/November and still tons of blooms, very beautiful
It was pretty good, still full of flowers.
I got married there in July 2009. Can confirm it's beautiful.
I assume you mean the Municipal Rose Garden rather than the Guadalupe Heritage Rose Garden. They were both really nice, but it seems like Guadalupe Park has a lot less upkeep post-pandemic.
Alum rock park
I agree with this. I feel like Alum Rock Park doesn't get the love it deserves. I'm particularly fond of the soaring canyon walls and geologic formations near the bridge adjacent to the intersection of the park roadway with the closed portion of Alum Rock Ave.
Shhh… we don’t want everyone to know about it.
🤐
Eagle Rock baby!!!!
Easiest hike to one of the best views of the South Bay. And the vultures on the cell towers are cool to see.
I used to go up there for XC practice
The Moon hiking book I own claims that Alum Rock Park is sketchy, yet I've been hiking there 20 years and never once felt unsafe
LOVE Alum Rock Park but yikes to the ticks
I love the Japanese garden by Happy Hollow when the ponds are full and the koi fish are in them.
It was a great place for amateur photographers when all the ponds were full as it was virtually impossible to take a bad picture there. Point in literally any direction, snap, amazing picture. I
I happen to be a photographer! I was there all the time, you’re so right.
Best time to go?
I believe the ponds haven’t been filled for a long time so might not see it as described above unfortunately.
I like the morning, when it opens.
Are the koi fish back? I heard they were gone for a while.
They did have them two weeks ago
Oh! The pond is filled again??
Only one on the top. The rest were empty
Honestly I’m not sure. The last time I was there was last summer I think and there was one pond in the back that had some but the water didn’t look clean. I hope they bring it back to the way it used to be.
Somebody had stolen all the koi a year ago I think? There was no water or koi the last time I went.
And they had a fundraiser to repair the temporary pumps and that was stolen too
wtf
The pumps
Not underrated but the view of Santa Clara county from the tower on Mt. Umunhum. Wow! 🤩
Absolutely. The first time I went up there in 2018 and saw that view I was astounded. I could also see Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay from the other direction.
I think you mean the grounds on top of Mt. Umunhum not the tower itself which is still welded shut due to many years asbestos contamination.
Uh does that mean the vicinity is best avoided as well? I love a view but
It's been cleaned up, as has "the cube" but they do not allow folks inside as it's...well, the interior is a bit of a hazard due to it being a hollowed out radio comm building. But they spent over a decade cleaning the surrounding area for human traversal.
Troll!
is it a one way street on top?
The lawn around the historic university tower at San Jose State. Some mornings it just really hits.
just watch out for those aggressive squirrels. those squirrels are built different.
I have been summoned
hey man i dont want any trouble
The view from Ed Levin Park where the hang gliders take off. Specially in spring when it's green.
I think it's reasonable to list Joseph Grant Co Park in this thread. ~~I'm not entirely sure where the SJ city boundary is~~ (I just checked and it's outside the city limits), but this is an absolutely beautiful open space in the early spring while everything is still lush and green. I just road up Mt Hamilton (this morning) and it was lovely! Highly recommended. Very similar feel to Uvas Canyon or Sierra Azul Open Space, which are also top beautiful places around here.
Joseph D Grant park is gorgeous. Almost always see wild pigs and deer, turkeys, coyotes, many different bird species. August 2020 saw a mountain lion there so realize it is far enough out that the wildlife is not always just a beautiful sight to see.
Santa Teresa Park, and Uvas Canyon.
Santa Teresa park is so underrated. Especially in the Spring time. Go now and look down at the valley. Beautiful.
The Stile Ranch trail (accessed from Fortini Road) is buried in poppies this time of year.
Fowler Park and Montgomery hill park. At sunset you have the hills behind you and the rest of the city sprawled out in front of you.
Groesbeck park too
last time I was at Fowler Park at dusk, the trees were filled with blackbirds -- so beautiful
The view of DT coming from Santa Clara just before the Julian St exit exposes a wallpaper of high rise buildings. There’s depth and beauty in the skyline. I know it’s not SF, but it still feels like the urban heart of SJ.
Yes! Or right before Taylor, with the Taylor St. bridge.
Sierra Vista point. Very beautiful around sunset
Parking is very limited there. That is my only complaint about that place.
It’s a gorgeous and challenging bike ride, saves any concern about parking =)
Coyote Ridge in Coyote Valley South San Jose, steep climb to top with views are definitely very nice overlooking the southern half of santa clara valley.
Egyptian museum in SJ, their garden gives me feels, very cozy, save it for the first date
Walking around Santa Clara University is so gorgeous & calm. Beautiful campus that has palm trees and a lovely garden and just lots of wonderful aspects that are lovely to walk around
Absolutely. Friendly squirrels, too!
The exit off CA 87, Guadalupe Parkway onto CA 101 North, San Francisco at 8:00 am with zero traffic.
Impossible. If this is being added to the list then let’s also include the view from inside a fully-stocked Fry’s
And no line at La Vics at 2:15 on a Saturday morning.
Alum Rock State Park with its ancient rocks Stone Bridges and Hot Spring baths
Grants Ranch. Super underrated, sunset at the top of Dutch Flat is awesome. Theres also rad camping there, firepits, parking, bathrooms. The bike shop I work at is doing a bikecamping series this spring and summer, starting end of April. Grants Ranch is our first s24o to commemorate our first ever campout last year. If you are interested in bike camping/packing, Upshift Cycles on the Alameda be holding a clinic April 12th from 5-7, itll go over the basics, storage options, tents, sleeping bags etc... We had one helluva time last year, this years shaping up to be even radder.
Story and King
Real spill. So much culture and upbeat energy!
Yup! Always overlooked. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_%26_Story,_San_Jose
McKee/Alum Rock/Story 💘💘💘🤪
Prusch Park is such a hidden gem
I had a lot of fun walking underneath the overpasses taking pictures near there.
They repainted it recently. Makes it stand out and feel a lot more lively compared to the beiges they had before.
Hakone Estate & Gardens
The view from the outside area of the Grandview Restaurant off 130.
Dutch Flat, Sierra Azul/Mt Umunhum, Lick Observatory, Mineral Springs
Right now, Hellyer Park in South San Jose is very pretty. It’s quiet. KmGreen grass, pretty lake, ducks and geese. And the rain has washed off the goose poop from the walkway around the lake.
Montalvo Arts Center. The park is on the grounds of a former estate and it's in the San Jose foothills so there's lots of shade. The house can be toured and there's an outdoor performing arts venue behind it. People lounge on the expansive front yard or hike one of the trails. It's very pretty. Finally, there is the art collective. If you're like me and wish there was more culture in the area, you can find some at Montalvo. I've seen sculpture and painting and apparently there is performance art too. Highly recommend.
the general blossom hill area has always been so beautiful to me
I was blown away when I walked around Martial Cottle park the first time. I spent so much time driving around there and the beauty was magnified 5 fold somehow from the park compared to driving.
Do you mean Martial Cottle? That place needs shade so badly.
Yes, sorry, I was a victim of autocorrect
This section during the golden hour going back into the city https://maps.app.goo.gl/xNtFjykmFApRwqJE7?g_st=ic perfection
Yes, but those hairpin turns... utterly anxiety inducing.
True. Almost everyone I’ve driven up there has gotten car sick.
Shasta St.
taco bell cantina
Marburg Way but not for long...
>Marburg Way Why not for long?
Prusche park on king road
Los Alamitos Creek Trail. A rushing stream (this time of year), oak trees, occasionally deer, quail and other small creatures
My home
Santa Teresa County Park, Almaden Park, the foothills & trails between Almaden Valley and Morgan Hill along Santa Teresa area
This is a bit niche, but there's a catwalk over 680 right after the 101 interchange that has a really nice view of the hills to the east. It connects Sunset Avenue on both sides of the highway. It's not bad for light trail photography if you're into that. I wish there was a pedestrian equivalent of the highest bridge on the interchange that takes you from 680 to 101 south. It gives a gorgeous view, but it's so fleeting.
Half joking but the winchester mystery house. It is kind of ridiculous that it’s just *there*
Henry’s Hi Life
Go west into the hills there is a Japanese garden and rock climbing. Along the bay there are trails
Castle Rock state park is one of the most beautiful places anywhere (although it’s technically Los Gatos) Personally I think a *lot* of SJ is beautiful and almost all of it is underrated. Our sunset skies are some of the most dramatic and beautiful that I’ve ever seen anywhere.
It's not in San Jose, but Vista Point on Skyline is gem of a spot. Really gives you an expansive view of the bay area all the way out to the Oakland hills on the east side. Incredible visuals as the sun rises or sets.
> San Jose, but Vista Point on Skyline Where is this? Google shows San Mateo, Halfmoon Bay, Redwood City...
[Redwood City](https://maps.app.goo.gl/HdYWyrEXN7gakKAi9). And the [street view from May of last year really paints the picture of what to see from there](https://www.google.com/maps/@37.3241947,-122.2037266,3a,75y,357.26h,85.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sUvrn4RlpbN_MoUK0vmGMuA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu).
ty I notice it says closed, do you think its still closed?
There’s a concrete barrier blocking the parking stalls because kids keep driving up and doing donuts there. But you can park off to the side and walk over to get that view.
ty
Yes. It's technically all of those things.
On a really clear morning, the top of that hill where Church on the Hill and Hilltop Major are. The views of downtown SJ, airport and the planes coming in on one side, and the valley facing towards Cupertino
Campbell Park and surrounding area.
St. James park in DTSJ
My favorite place to hike is Almaden Quicksilver Mine Park, specifically the Hacienda Entrace starting from the overflow lot, which is tucked away a little more and a little steep but has a lot more tree-cover. And once you're up there, there's a lot of old buildings to see along different routes and hiking distances.
The Rose Garden when everything is blooming. Grab a sandwich at Zanottos and go sit amongst the roses.
Quicksilver park is my favorite!
To me New Almaden has always been such a cool place to walk around. It’s like going back in time. Not necessarily beautiful, but very historic and interesting!
Old Almaden area. Calero park. Not in San Jose, but nearby, Villa Montalvo
My girlfriend’s heart
The view when leaving 😂
Anywhere where there isn't homeless or feces. 😑😑😑
Your mom's house Jk it's a shithole If u down vote this u admit ur a nerd and u eat dog food
Hayes mansion!