California's Nature Preserve Near San Jose Is A Scenic Escape With Redwoods, Unique Wildlife, And Trails

The Santa Cruz Mountains are rugged, wild, and free. The stunning range, with its wall of burly trees and fault-carved ridges, rises over the valleys below, serving as the brawny backbone of the San Francisco Peninsula and the central coastlands beyond. The Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve sits within this untamed terrain, stretching for almost 1,500 acres on the edge of Santa Clara County. As you probably already guessed from the name, the protected nature area is beloved for its towering coast redwoods. According to Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, an agency that oversees the site, the place is home to one of the "best preserved" second-growth redwood forests in the entire county, with the majority of trees being under 150 years old. 

Although scarce, you can still find a few old-growth redwoods scattered across the grounds, having survived the region's logging heydays. The Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve was widely harvested in the mid-1800s to supply lumber to nearby burgeoning cities, including San Jose, situated only about 15 miles away. Interestingly, the property had a short stint as a fish farm before being transformed into a private estate that was later converted into a Jesuit seminary college. Today, the lands are a safe haven for all kinds of wildlife, which you can try to spot as you wander the scenic trails. "Quiet, peaceful, not too crowded," one visitor succinctly described in a Google review, adding that the preserve is "full of gorgeous views and surprises like deer, wildflower meadows, babbling creeks and streams, and huge redwood stumps of baffling size."

Standing just a few miles away from Los Gatos, California's unsung wine town with Victorian charm, the Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is one of the San Francisco Bay Area's best hiking escapes. More than 10 miles of trails weave through the redwood-filled wilderness area. If you're up for a challenge, tackle the Upper Pete Siemens Trail and Redwood Springs Loop, which is currently the top-rated pick on AllTrails. It's a moderately taxing trek with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain, but it takes you through a thicket of second-growth coast redwoods and along a winding creek for some great views. "Beautiful trees here, [there are] tall redwoods, Douglas firs, and lots of shade," shared one rambler on the hiking app.

The Upper Lake Loop is another popular option and is close by, located near the Alma Parking Area. The accessible route makes for an easier jaunt, circling for just about a quarter of a mile around a little pond. Read the informational signs posted along the way to learn more about the surrounding wilds. Keep your eyes peeled for historical artifacts, too, including mortar holes from grinding acorns and seeds, left behind by the indigenous Ohlone people who inhabited the lands for thousands of years. 

Then, hit the Bear Creek Redwoods Equestrian Trail with your trusty steed. The secluded 2.6-mile out-and-back path winds by a portion of Upper Lake and the surrounding woodlands and rolling hills. "Beautiful scenery of redwoods and creeks," wrote a previous visitor, warning folks to watch out for poison oak on the sides of the wide trail. Before heading out, double-check which routes are open. As of the time of writing, the preserve is undergoing some construction, so some trails may be closed.

The Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is a haven for all kinds of interesting creatures. As you pass the little lakes and streams, peer down into the waters where western pond turtles — the only native freshwater turtle species in California — like to splash about. Along the shaded banks, you'll be lucky to see the elusive Santa Cruz black salamander and California giant salamander, respectively classified as endangered and near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Try not to spook any deer foraging on the edge of the forest or trail clearings. Mountain lions and bobcats have been known to roam around the preserve, too. 

The wilds are also home to a diverse population of resident and migratory birds. Even though they prefer to hunt during the day, you'll definitely need a pair of binoculars to catch a northern pygmy-owl blending in with the trees. But blink, and you might miss a peregrine falcon — the fastest animal on Earth — diving more than 185 miles per hour for its prey. The belted kingfishers are much easier to spot with their punk rock mohawk flair. If you're looking for more places to do some wildlife watching in this neck of the woods, consider a visit to one of California's most scenic parks within an hour of San Francisco. Or, consider adding some of the best birdwatching destinations in the U.S. to your bucket list.