Alum Rock Park , founded in 1872, was the first municipal park in the U.S. and State of California. Located in a valley in the Diablo Range foothills on the east side of San Jose, the 720 acre (2.9 km²) park offers 13 miles (21 km) of trails, varying from fairly level along Penitencia Creek to sharp switchbacks climbing to the ridges to the South Rim Trail and the North Rim Trail. The narrow floor of the valley includes a visitor center, picnic areas, a playground, and sand volleyball pits. The park offers trails for everyone from hiking, jogging, walking, equestrians and mountain biking.
Youth Science Institute (located inside the park)
Opened in 1953, the Youth Science Institute - Alum Rock Science and Nature Center, operated by the Youth Science Institute, features natural history exhibits and a collection of live teaching animals, including several injured and non-releasable hawks and owls that are found in the region. The center offers nature and science school and group programs, after-school science and summer camp programs.
Alum Rock Park is located just about a minute away from Country Club Villa Apartments. The entrance is located just East on Pentencia Creek Road. |
