Parks in Saratoga

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Experience the San Jose Mining Era (Saratoga)

The small village of New Almaden was once a world famous quicksilver (mercury) mining community. The New Almaden Mine, first developed by Mexicans, produced mercury beginning in 1845, making it California’s oldest and most valuable mine, producing $70 million in mercury. The mine's mercury was used to process silver in Mexican mines and later gold in the California Gold Rush. Mexican, Chilean, Chinese and English immigrants as well as Americans worked together to extract the mercury from cinnabar. We will experience the diverse history of New Almaden, mining technology and the lifestyle of the mining families through a one hour tour of the artifacts and stories in the Mining Museum. We will break for an included picnic lunch in the garden and then continue with a walking tour of the outdoor mining museum.

Fremont Older Open Space Preserve (Saratoga)

This preserve is over 730 acres with over 14 miles of dirt trails that are open to hikers, bicycles and horses and dogs that must be on leash.  At the top of the trails, there are views of the Santa Clara Valley.  Preserves are open one half hour before sunrise until one half hour after sunset.  There is a dirt parking for about 15 cars. Park as far as you can from the golf course fence.

Parker Ranch Trail (Saratoga)

This is a four mile relatively easy loop on a wide dirt trail that is used by hikers and equestrians.  The only parking is on the road (it is free) and the trail head is at a bridge.  The trail goes uphill toward Fremont Older so there are views.  Peak elevation is about 700 feet.  The trail winds through the open spaces between the houses of the neighborhoods.

Sanborn County Park (Saratoga)

Sanborn County Park is within Santa Cruz mountains and has over 3,688 highly forested acres. At the Sanborn Road main entrance, there is a one mile nature trail that offers examples of the flora and fauna diversity in the park. There are over 15 miles of trails for hikers. There is another entrance at the Lake Ranch Trailhead off of Bear Creek Road that offers a shaded, easy, flat hike to Ranch Lake.  There are multiple restrooms available at the main entrance but none at Lake Ranch.

Villa Montalvo County Park (Saratoga)

Villa Montalvo County Park is 137 acres that features an arboretum and gardens.  There are a few miles of hiking trails within the park grounds that take you through the shady redwoods and past art installations. You can walk to the top for a view of the valley.