Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve - Santa Clara County, California - Public Access Lands on Waymarking.com

In the 1850s this area was logged, but some old-growth trees survived. In 1905 Harry Tavis built a 50-room mansion, gardens and stables on a ridge top. When he died in 1931 this site was acquired by the Sacred Heart Novitiate. From 1934 to 1969 Alma College, a Jesuit seminary, was located on the site of the Tevis mansion.

After the loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989 the college buildings were heavily damaged. In 1999 the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District signed a contract to acquire the former college site. In 2014 they dedicated funds from a 2014 open space bond to prepare the 1432-acre property for public use.

• A first phase, including about 500 acres west of Bear Creek Road, was opened to the public on June 8, 2019. Bond funds were used to build trails, a parking lot, restrooms, retaining walls, bridges, and culverts.
• The second phase, which includes the former college buildings, will open to the public between 2020 and 2026. Midpeninsula plans to demolish most of the college buildings starting in 2020, except for the chapel and the library. Horse stables built in 1915 will be renovated.
• The third and final phase, south of the college and east of Bear Creek Road and Summit Road, will open to the public after 2026.

A Park Map (PDF) showing the three phases is available online.

On opening day, the Google Street View still showed the parking lot under construction.

Estimated size of the public land (in regional measurement standard: hectares, acres, kms, etc.): 1432 acres Is there a trail system?: Yes If there is a trail system, please describe length, terrain, etc.: easy-access interpretive trail around Upper Lake six miles of hiking and equestrian trails (in phase 1) trails pass through shaded redwood and fir forests The second and third phases will include another 15 miles of trails. What points of interest are there?: Old Growth Redwood Trees Upper Lake What activities are available?: Walking / Hiking Geocaching Horseback riding Hours of accessibility?: Daylight List of known hazards (cliffs, snakes, poison plants, etc.): Curvy two-lane access road (1 mile long) Limited parking Dogs Allowed?: No Is a permit/fee required?: No If a permit/fee is required please describe in detail how to get one, how much, etc.: None needed Please supply the website of the land if available: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:
Visitors are encouraged to supply a picture of either themselves or their GPS at the trailhead and/or signage of the public access lands - describe your experience there and what you saw - tell us why other folks should come visit!

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