In brief:
3.75 mile loop through rocky grassland, with impressive spring wildflower displays. Hosts a Bay Area Ridge Trail segment.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 3.75 mile hike is easy, with about 790 feet in elevation
change. Trailhead elevation is around 600 feet. The park's highest point
is around 1155 feet. Santa Teresa is small, and the trails should be manageable
for even beginning hikers.
Exposure:
Almost totally exposed.
Trail traffic:
Light-moderate.
Trail surfaces:
Dirt trails and fire roads.
Hiking time:
2 hours.
Season:
Best in late winter and spring.
Getting there:
From Interstate 280 in Santa Clara County, exit #12B CA 85. Drive south
on 85 and exit #1B Bernal Road/US 101. Drive west on Bernal Road, past Santa
Teresa Boulevard, into the park. Continue uphill, and turn left, following
the signs for the picnic area (if you start seeing ominous signs for IBM,
you've gone too far). Park near the Pueblo Group Picnic Area, if possible.
GPS coordinates* for trailhead:
Latitude 37°12'45.80"N
Longitude 121°47'16.01"W
(* based on Google Earth
data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
Gas, stores, and restaurants about 2 miles northeast along Bernal Road.
No camping.
Trailhead details:
Lots of parking. $6 entrance fee; use the automated payment box (bring sturdy
bills, or a lot of change). Designated handicapped parking spots in some
parking lots. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms across from Pueblo Group Picnic
Area parking lot. Trails are technically accessible to wheelchairs, but
I doubt that even with assistance they could be navigated. There are a couple
of drinking fountains near the parking lots. Maps available at a signboard
near the Pueblo Group Picnic Area. Emergency phone in the northernmost parking
lot. There is no direct public transportation to this park, but you can
walk from the VTA bus stop: visit the Transit
Info website for details.
Rules:
Most trails are multi-use. A few restrict bicycles. Dogs are allowed in all areas of the park on a 6 foot or less leash,
except for the Bernal-Gulnac Joice Historical Area. Park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset.
The Official Story:
SCCP's Santa Teresa page
Park office 408-225-0225
Maps:
•
Map from SCCP (download Santa Teresa pdf)
Santa Teresa in a nutshell -- a printable, text-only guide to the featured
hike.
Go to Bay Area Hiker Home page