50 South Bay Accent KEVIN GONG PROCRATINATORS TAKE NOTE: THE PEAK BLOOM TIME IS NOW, SO LACE UP YOUR BOOTS AND GO. Santa Teresa County Park SAN JOSE MOST PEOPLE KNOW SANTA TERESA for its large, bustling picnic areas located uphill from the Santa Teresa Golf Club. But flower-lovers shun that busy hub and head to the park’s back-door entrance at the intersection of Fortini Road and San Vicente Avenue. Here, the 1.6-mile Stile Ranch Trail zigzags across rocky serpentine grasslands. The steep terrain and southern exposure create ideal blooming grounds for sun-loving flowers like California poppy, goldfields, tidy tips, clarkia and gilia. As you walk, take your eyes off the color-splashed carpet long enough to enjoy the views of the Santa Cruz Mountains far to the west. Simply hike out and back on Stile Ranch Trail for a 3.2-mile stroll, or make a slightly shorter loop by combining Stile Ranch and Fortini trails. Ambitious hikers can continue to the top of Coyote Peak for grand views and even more flowers. Santa Teresa County Park allows you to bring your canine hiking partner along. Leashed dogs are permitted. INFO: No fee at Fortini Road trailhead; $6 parking at main entrance; sccgov.org. GETTING THERE: From San Jose, take Almaden Expressway until it ends. Turn right on Harry Road, then turn left on McKean Road. Drive 1.3 miles to Fortini Road and turn left. Drive toward the hills and turn left onto San Vicente Avenue. Park in the small lot on the right. HENRY W. COE STATE PARK
South Bay Accent - Apr/May 2016
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