Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve

Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve
Map
LocationEastern foothills of Santa Clara County, California
Coordinates37°23′53″N 121°46′55″W / 37.398°N 121.782°W / 37.398; -121.782
Area1,678 acres
Established2002
OperatorSanta Clara Valley Open Space Authority

Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve is a 1,678-acre nature preserve in the eastern foothills of Santa Clara County, California. The preserve is managed by the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority and was opened to public in 2002.

The only access to the preserve had been from Alum Rock Park until 2014, when a new parking lot and trailhead opened along Sierra Road.[1][2]

Ecology

There are oak woodlands, chaparral, and rolling grasslands.[3] It is home to a number of protected wildlife species, including the red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, golden eagle, mountain lion, bobcat, and grey fox.[4]

It provides watershed protection for Penitencia Creek.[4]

Trails

There are over 10 miles of trails in the preserve. There are 6.7 miles of trail as a part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail.[4]

The 3-mile Boccardo Loop Trail is the first trail opened by Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.[5]

The 2-mile Sierra Vista Trail, connects the trails in the western preserve with the eastern preserve trail system. It is a part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail.[4]

The 4.5-mile Calaveras Fault Trail extends from the Sierra Vista trail and Sierra Road entrance gate to the Penitencia Creek drainage.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Bay Area Ridge Trail: Sierra Vista Connector Trail and Parking & Trail Construction" (PDF). California State Coastal Conservancy. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  2. ^ "Stunning views of Silicon Valley open to public with new trailhead, parking area in San Jose hills". East Bay Times. 2014-08-23. Archived from the original on 2023-12-30. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  3. ^ Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan Chapter 2. Land Use and Covered Activities. County of Santa Clara Department of Planning and Development. p. 33. Archived from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e LAFCO of Santa Clara County Chapter 7 Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (PDF). LAFCO of Santa Clara County. p. 181. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-12-30. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  5. ^ "Bay Area Ridge Trail: Sierra Vista Construction" (PDF). California State Coastal Conservancy. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-06-12. Retrieved 2024-01-06.