Rancho Canada Del Oro Open Space Preserve

Canada Del Oro Open Space Preserve is a little known 5,268 acre property owned by the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority. Just south of Calero County Park, it has 12 miles of trails in the most rugged part of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with views of Loma Prieta (3,790 feet) and Mount Umunhum (3,488 feet). It is about 25 miles from downtown San Jose.

Because the trail system of this preserve continues into Calero County Park there are many loop trail options, from just a couple of miles to as far as you can hike or bike. Because it covers rugged mountainous terrain most of the routes are quite steep. The trail head on Casa Loma Road has a parking lot, outhouse, and picnic tables.

Because of the recent rain the preserve is turning bright green, with wildflowers starting to appear. On a hike yesterday I saw shooting stars, milkmaids, hounds tongue, and buttercups. The vegetation consists mainly of oak woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral. There are some large manzanitas. Because it is on the dry east side of the range it will turn dry and hot by the middle of May. April is a perfect month to visit.

TO GET THERE... From Highway 101 take Bailey Avenue west, turn left of McKean Road, and right on Casa Loma Road.