For those headed to Rte 5 from the South Bay, you've likely passed Pacheco State Park on Hwy 152…read morebefore descending to the San Luis Reservoir. (But don't blink, or you'll miss the exit). Despite the unassuming entrance, it's a surprisingly large and beautiful park. Like a lot of hikes in the Diablo range, your experience will depend much on the season. Summer here is to be avoided, unless you are a heat-freak (or masochist). Fall and winter are much better, but still brown with a capital B. Spring, however, is the time to see sprouting trees and hills bathed in green. I went here with hiking buddy M in early March, and conditions were absolutely ideal. Some wildflowers were already out; and we spotted munching elk on an adjacent hillside (They scattered quickly.) The weather was sunny, windy, and in the 60s. Just gorgeous. (Photos added). Trail junctions were well-marked, but some trails were so faint they sometimes faded into pasture. (For those who want to hike on anything but primary fire roads, a navigation device is recommended.) We had excellent trail maps on our phones, so we were able to explore some more remote trails. Note: Being next to Henry Coe State Park, I had thought to call this a "mini Coe" but that's not accurate. It feels a little less wild and is windier (a wind farm borders the eastern side). Believe it or not, my biggest issue with the park was in leaving. To get back to the Bay Area - and starting from a dead stop - we had to cross two lanes of busy, eastbound traffic on Hwy 152 while also merging with two lanes of 70 mph traffic heading the other way. Patience pants were required, size XL. Hiking Spot Checklist: -- Parking: Self-register lot (paid) after entering gate, but there's also free parking 0.1 mi away (outside the gate) -- Bathrooms: Pit toilets at main entrance -- Potable water provided: No (bring plenty, especially in summer) -- Maps provided: Yes (but not very good); bring good maps on your phone -- Highlights: Unspoiled oak woodland and expansive views

Without GPS you would be completely lost hiking these trails. At least 40% of the trails are…read morebeautifully overgrown with wildflowers. There are at least a dozen places to make a wrong turn, but as long as you're not in a hurry, the wrong turn will likely leave you to a steep beautiful hillside. I did this hike on a beautifully sunny and cool April 1st. On a blazing hot day I think it would be miserable unless you have a good hat and plenty of water. Almost zero cover. April 1st 2023, the wildflowers were amazing. So many wildflowers that you couldn't find the trail. Check out my GPS track for this trail and you'll see how chaotic it got. But all the time it was amazing and beautiful.

I love this park. Especially in the spring time, when things are green and the wildlife is out and…read moreabout feasting on new growth. It is peaceful here and not a far drive from residential areas. A nice escape for a day or even an hour.

This is a great 2 mile loop walk. There is plenty of FREE parking…read more The trail has a tiny bit of incline for those walking with strollers or wheelchairs. The trail has minimal shade so make sure to wear a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. There are portable toilets. If you are a hiker, there are different trails to choose from. The popular one is the steep one that leads you to the top and has a beautiful view. The hike has no shade so definitely wear sunscreen and a hat. Dogs, horses, carriers, strollers, wheelchairs, bikes are all welcome. There's a sign at the entrance that lets you know what time they are closing.

Nice clean park! My kids always had there soccer games…read morehere! very well taken care of:)

Very nice and well kept up with! Clean , the parking lot…read morewas probably the only thing that made no sense to me! Small parking lot for a "sport" park But it's a great place to go I'd say

Gilroy hot springs will plan to open summer 2021, they are still looking for volunteers and…read moredonations. You can donate at: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/reopen-gilroy-hot-springs-in-2021 They are currently closed to the public. Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs has a tea house and cabins. This is the only hot spring/ onsen in the Bay Area! Excited for the restoration and reopening of this mineral rich, history rich state treasure!

Gilroy Hot Springs has a long history in the Japanese American community. Article from Watsonville…read moreRegister-Pajaronian. September 8, 1945: HOSTEL SLATED FOR RETURNING JAPANESE AT GILROY SPRINGS "Hostel accommodations for servicemen and ex-servicemen and women of Japanese ancestry and their families will be made available through arrangements completed this week between the Presbyterian Home Missions board and the War Relocation authority for joint sponsorship of Gilroy Hot Springs, owned by Frank Sakata, formerly of the Pajaro valley and now of Oregon. The hostel will be taken over Sept. 15. ...The hostel will be available to Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara county Japanese." Only 3 stars because most sources say it's not presently open to the public, it is, however, part of Henry W Coe State Park.

REVIEW OF MIDDLE RIDGE TRAIL. The areas of Henry Coe Park nearest the headquarters (elevation…read more2,800 feet) include Flat Frog Trail, a valley with Coyote Creek (elevation 2,100 feet) running down the middle, Middle Ridge (elevation 2,900 feet), and another valley (elevation 1,640 feet). Beyond this other valley is Mt. Sizer and Blue Ridge Road (elevation 3,274 feet). Middle Ridge is flanked by these two valleys. This info from topo map available from hikingproject dot com. Our hike of March 7, 2021 took us from park headquarters, north along Flat Frog Trail, north along the short Frog Lake Trail, and towards the southeast on Middle Ridge Trail. Then, we took Fish Trail and descended into the valley with Coyote Creek, crossed the creek, and ascended the opposite side of the valley on Fish Trail. Coyote Creek can easily be crossed by stepping from stone to stone. Our starting and ending point was a trail marker located near park headquarters, where this trail marker has arrows pointing to Flat Frog Trail, to Fish Trail, and to Forest Trail. The length of this hiking loop, consisting of Flat Frog Trail, Frog Lake Trail, Middle Ridge Trail, and Fish Trail, was 6 1/2 miles. Most of Middle Ridge Trail is on a 100 foot wide, fairly flat meadow, situated at the very top of Middle Ridge. The meadow is peppered with many trees, and many areas are free of impenetrable tangles of bushes, vines, and weeds. Along the trail are many patches of Indian Warrior plants. Indian Warrior is related to Indian Paintbrush. Indian Warrior is a parasitic plant that thrives by attaching itself ot the roots of manzanita, including the bigberry manzanita found at Henry Coe State Park. PHOTOGRAPHS of MIDDLE RIDGE TRAIL, FISH TRAIL (return route), and COYOTE CREEK (needs to be crossed during return route). ( 1 ) Trail marker pointing to Middle Ridge Trail. The marker states that Middle Ridge Trail is 0.8 miles ahead. ( 2 ) Many large pine cones are found near Middle Ridge Trail. I placed it in a tree and took a photo of it. ( 3 ) Weirdly shaped dead tree and nearby Indian Warrior. The wood is entirely gray colored. ( 4 ) Bird's eye view of an Indian Warrior plant. ( 5 ) Field of about 50 Indian Warriors near Middle Ridge Trail. ( 6 ) Y-Shaped part of a dead tree. Each branch of the Y has a crevice that is long and narrow, where each crevice is surrounded by sinuous streaks of white-colored wood and light brown-colored wood. Obviously, this Y-shaped object is a space alien, and likely a distant relative of E.T. ( 7 ) Another weirdly-shaped dead tree near Middle Ridge Trail. ( 8 ) Typical view of Middle Ridge Trail, showing a well-worn dirt path surrounded by grassy areas that are flat and free of bushes. ( 9 ) Photo of trail marker on Middle Ridge Trail that identifies Fish Trail. You need to take Fish Trail in order to return to Park Headquarters. Fish Trail leads you down the slope of Middle Ridge and to Coyote Creek. Once you have crossed this creek, you will find another trail, and this is also called, Fish Trail. ( 10 ) Photograph of a gruesome-looking pumpkin growing on a manzanita. This is next to the descending part of Fish Trail. ( 11 ) Photo of a manzanita next to Fish Trail, where half of the tree-trunk is covered with orange bark, where the other half is gray-colored and is free of orange bark. The photo also shows part of the trail decorated with a pattern of shadows created by the sunrays passing through branches of nearby trees. ( 12 ) Hiker crossing Coyote Creek. ( 13 ) Photo showing Coyote Creek and of the ascending part of Fish Trail on the far side of Coyote Creek. ( 14 ) Mossy stones sitting in Coyote Creek. REFERENCES ( 1 ) Teddy Goodrich (2005) Names on the Land. A History of Henry W. Coe State Park. ( 2 ) Robert J. Keiffer (2012) Indian Warriors Welcome Spring at HREC. University of California Hopland Research and Extension Center. ( 3 ) Michele Driggs (2013) The Record Searchlight. Redding, CA. ( 4 ) Toni Corelli (Botanist, Curator Emeritus of the Carl Sharsmith Herbarium) Plants That Like Hosts.

Nice trail to combine with other trails if you are visiting the park. Beautiful, peaceful and…read moremoderately trafficked on a Saturday afternoon.

The park was closed for renovations when I took my photos, but it's a great park for children under…read more6 years old. No bathrooms.

Lots of green grass and wide open field! Has a playground and other play areas. Palm tree along the…read moreperimeter of park gives an island feel.

Nice bbq area. Excellent striped bass fishing. You can see elk, deer,boar and other wildlife.read more

Excited to spend a day with my boy and girl and fish for the first ti…read moreme.