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    Ulistac Natural Area

    4.4 (73 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Paved gravel trails
    Sharon H.

    This is a lovely preserved natural area that is close to urban living (you can see Levi stadium from parts of it). The park is divided into 7 different "biotic communities" such as grassland, woodland, wetland etc. The trails are well paved with cement and surrounded by lovely flora. It's a great place to take kids since the trails are flat and stroller and bike friendly. There are no benches, but there are some log circles that kids like to play on as well. We saw a bunch of neat birds. The trails aren't very long- probably took 20-30 minutes to walk through them all at a leisurely pace. If you want a longer stroll, it does connect to the trail along Guadalupe River which is not shaded but fairly lush alongside. It is also dog friendly! Restrooms and picnic tables are located at Lick Mill Park which is across the street from Ulistac. Parking is street parking by the entrances and is easy.

    Zoey on the road overlooking the river.
    Kelly M.

    I was delighted to find out that this wilderness area existed in Santa Clara, especially when I saw that dogs are allowed. It is on Lick Mill Road and goes back to the Guadalupe River. There is parking on the street, excluding football game days at the nearby stadium. I did not get to see any of the reported coyotes, but then, they tend to be nocturnal. Since this is a natural area and not a park, be prepared for the fact that there are no restrooms, water, benches or picnic areas.

    Sarah M.

    What a beautiful nature area to walk and explore in!!! Ulistac Natural Area is a quaint walking area to see different fauna and nature all around you. They have lots of signage and a variety of things that you can explore. I had a bunch of fun and ended up staying until dark and it was very creepy having to haul behind back to my car in pitch black darkness with all the rattling bushes and sounds of animals walking around. Definitely do not stay after dark because it gets scary fast! Other than that, this is a great place to get some steps in and see cool and interesting plant life!

    Nice walking trail 2021
    Franklin M.

    We were staying at the Hyatt House that is about a mile away so I came here to check it out. There's plenty of free parking on the street with no time limits. This nature park has something for everyone. We walked along the dirt trails and many people were here enjoying it plus the bicyclist and runners that were on the river side part of the park.

    Kat Y.

    Overall I think this is a great place to hike .. unpaved but flat path surrounded by nature. At this time of the year when everything start turning green , you can see the healthy green foliage along the Guadalupe river, the tree and the meadow on one side of the trail, and the other side , residential houses and community. I was thinking, man those fruit trees grew so well, I wished I can have green finger like this. I gave three stars because I was looking for more flower but didn't see much this time which was a little disappointing, but I didn't talk the entire loop, so maybe I missed it? if you continue hiking to your right, the trail became a little deserted which I won't recommend.

    Yay bees!
    Brian B.

    This is a small nature reserve dedicated to native California flora and fauna. It is close to Levi Stadium, Guadeloupe River Trail and Rivermark Village. A great place to visit during the day. Take a walk and see all the native plants that evolved here in our California. I really like the choice of plants that will help feed butterflies and their caterpillar young. Especially monarch butterflies which appear in smaller and smaller numbers year after year in the South Bay. Did you know some types of milkweed are better than others for monarch butterflies? Well, you can learn about this and other facts on posted information areas in the park . Volunteers are welcome. Just go to the website to see how you can contribute. https://www.ulistac.org

    Sheila B.

    My boyfriend and I love taking our dog here. It is a hidden gem for sure. During different times of the year, we see different types of plants and flowers flourishing. It's a beautiful, well maintained and peaceful place to clear your mind and get away for a bit.

    Lauren Z.

    A great place to go on a nature walk. Went here with my two little boys. They had an absolute blast playing on all of the tree stumps. There are a few main trails that loop around and a lot of smaller trails to explore. Along the trails are signs describing each area and the plants and wildlife that could be found on that type of California landscape. It's really interesting if you have the time to read it. Though this place is all we were exploring for almost two hours and my kids didn't want to leave. Check this place out if you are looking for someplace to get out with your crazy energetic kids. Most people were wearing masks and it was fairly quiet on a Monday afternoon.

    Trailhead
    Piyush C.

    This is a nice trail for long walks, biking and jogging activities. It's located right next to the Guadalupe River. It's a natural area so it's open 24 hours. It's not really a park but more like a long trail which goes in both directions. Sunsets are nice. However there is a gas pipeline and water pumping facility right next to the river. Nevertheless it provides a quick escape from the urban jungle and located in a nice area of Santa Clara. If yiu live in North San Jose this is the place to go for your daily workouts or weekend walks. I don't know if it's safe to walk here at night but you should be fine walking by yourself till sunset.

    Oh so it's milkweed ! Hmm
    Veronica S.

    The air in here in definitely fresh and filled with the scent of the trees. My first visit to Ulistac was late in the afternoon and I definitely felt a little regret that I did not come earlier. So the next free time that I had, I hit up Ulistac again. This time with my dog. With the many parks that are in the Santa Clara County, this nature reserve is definitely one of the best ones that I've been to. There are four entrances to this one. Two along Lick Mill and another two along the Guadalupe Trail. Entrance to this natural area is free of charge so make sure that when you come and visit, to keep it clean and follow the directions along the trail. This area is very clean and obviously well-kept. Not only is Ulistac eye-pleasing with all the trees, there are plenty of shrubs all around and a lot of them have flowers that I am sure this area never runs out of blooms all year. Birds fly in the atmosphere and some of them aren't even shy! There's also a place for Monarch butterflies. Just a little FYI, there are no public bathrooms in this area. Parking is along the street or next Lick Mill Park. Oh the eucalyptus trees! Walking by these trees is so refreshing. Once, when I was walking by and the eucalyptus had flowers, the whole tree looked enchanted. It is undeniably great to hear the rustling of the leaves when the weather is windy. Very relaxing and comforting. Although there are no benches in between the areas of the park, there are gigantic logs that are located everywhere where people can sit down and just absorb the goodness of nature around. I know that these logs were placed strategically for that purpose. In one location, there is a circle of logs that make it look like people can gather around and create a bonfire! This place is also a good learning ground for people like me who are very much into trees and shrubs. Coming back here numerous times has help me get more familiar with the plants and understand more about trees. Tree hugging is really good for you! There are plenty of eucalyptus trees, oak trees and this one tree with nuts that are so big, they look like dried up testicles. (You didn't see that coming, did you?). My love for this area has made me the Duchess and I am very honored. I shall protect thee and cherish your pristine beauty as best as I can !

    Ang D.

    Beautiful, nature-abundant, and all-around awesome! Please disregard the negative review that was written SEVEN years ago. Ulistac has come such a long way since then, and it's run by a team of dedicated, passionate and friendly volunteers who work hard to maintain the environment and the plants and trees that thrive there. Their mission continues...there's going to be a creek, a savanna with native plants, and added diversity to the plant life in the works. But even as it is now, the environment and serenity of this place is the reason why joggers, families, and dog-walkers love it so much. Definitely a true gem in an already overdeveloped area in Silicon Valley. A must-visit for kids, families, and nature enthusiasts!

    Carmen V.

    One of those unexpected and awesome discoveries when visiting a couple of friends at the Nantucket apartments in Santa Clara. I noticed the characteristic brown metal sign indicating some sort of natural something. So I went there another day and found that it was a natural area repopulated and maintained by volunteers. Kudos to you guys for this great restoration work. This is the nicest place in Santa Clara for sure. I learned a lot about every single tree and plant growing there as absolutely everything had the info of what was about. You will see an array of wildflowers and tons and tons of butterflies. Do not expect any trail or hike, I went just for the sake of contemplating nature and do a short walk smelling nature. Mission accomplished.

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    Great place to explore with family. Clean and free outdoors experience. I hope to visit soon again.

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    Ask the Community - Ulistac Natural Area

    I live quite near the area and I never know where the entrance is or where I can park my car. Is there a parking?

    There is parking right at the entrance. There are two entrances on Lick Mill Road. The main entrance is the easiest one to find. Can't miss it, its the one with the big-ish sign.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Ulistac Natural Area

    This is a lovely preserved natural area that is close to urban living (you can see Levi stadium from parts of it).

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Central Park

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    4.0
    (160 reviews)
    4.4 mi

    Props to the county and the city for how they budget the finances in creating such a spectacular…read morepark. Not residing in this county and visiting this park for the first time, I was blown away. I am sort of kind of okay totally envious and jealous. :) OVERALL: Very, very, very well kept and very, very, very clean. Nothing was or seemed broken down. Saw many people walk and play in the playground but not many people picnic/sunbathe. VARIETY: If you love water, there's a walk path for you. If you love redwoods, there's a walk path for you. If you love sunshine, there's a walk path for you. If you love bridges, there's a walk path for you. If you love pavilions, lights, nature, there's a place for you. If you love playgrounds, there's different ones for you to pick from and a super modern clean one too! PLAYGROUNDS: Wow. The equipment utilized is high end. The options is numerous of what one wants to do. The 3 hammocks are fantastic...this modern playground is gated with one entrance/exit door. Questionable individual sitting at the entrance with a table of "free gift," attempting you to entice you to join their program. Restrooms available. Simple parking with multiple spaces for you to pick from. Very ground level flat cement guided trails.

    Love this park! Parking maybe challenged at the time as they are having some upgrades for the next…read moreyear. But love the water, walks, and a gym .

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    Pavilion. Love the overlay and trees!
    Pavilion. Love the overlay and trees!
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    Alviso Marina County Park

    Alviso Marina County Park

    4.4
    (237 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    Honestly? Alviso Marina County Park isn't really bad after all. The first time I went was a few…read moreyears ago when I visited after a rainy day and that the trails are very muddy. Rarely any people came here. However from this visit, I came in the right time. It was sunny during the day and many people came here for a reason. Keep in mind that it's not a regional park but rather a wetland. When you look at the water, it's colored slightly red from its edges. Also, the trails are light since there is no elevation here. It's really good for jogging and biking. I've seen people do that here. The trails are very long which is why I selected a stop so I can turn back to where I started. Ideally, you want to come here in earlier in the morning so that you can hike longer and end sometime in the early afternoon. It was hot outside and I prefer not to hike longer. Basically, I powered walk from halfway. It's not necessary to bring hiking shoes due to light trails but you should use them if it's muddy. Perhaps, I should come here way earlier so that I can maybe hike longer.

    Mostly dog friendly location in Santa Clara. There are a few decks that dogs are not allowed but…read moreit's like 1% of the whole thing. The views are jaw dropping! You can see the mountains in the background. Very clean and well maintained. I love seeing the wildlife. I've seen so many different bird species, plants species and I've even seen a seal once. Super special place indeed.

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    Meadow Park

    4.5
    (4 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    Wow wow wow, new park in Santa Clara. Last retouches on the final phase but I could not resist to…read morebe the first one to talk about this fresh minted Meadow Park! You can smell the freshly cut wood as many of the benches throughout the park are cut directly from a tree, which looks so pretty and blending with the landscape. There is plenty of grass and posh playground areas for children, separated in various ages. The park seems designed mostly to cater the families that live in the adjacent high end apartment complexes, very close to famous companies. There are also several picnic tables and even chaise lounges and colorful chairs and various scenes, so not a monotone park. Definitively I will be visiting often. They have built this mini city inside Santa Clara in just a couple of years...nothing ago the Whole Foods was opened and all the nice restaurants and businesses nearby and the list is growing. So sometimes you don't know if you are at some company campus, the patio extension of one of those apartment complexes, the shopping center or the park itself. Hopefully this is kept in great condition and people don't destroy this beautiful park as i have seen happening to some newly built parks, unfortunately. Very pretty area also very close to the walking area that goes by the Guadalupe river and that many employees from the nearby companies use for relaxing and exercising during lunch time.

    Great park to touch some grass and sunbathe!…read more I always see folks walking their doggies here and it's so nice. Theres also a mini-playground for kids. Overall, spacious and chill spot.

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    Ulistac Natural Area - parks - Updated July 2026

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