1. Harvey Bear County Park

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San Martin, CA

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Harvey Bear County Park

4.4 (31 reviews)

Harvey Bear County Park Photos

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Abou K.

I love hiking. And I especially love a good open hike that is pet friendly! The county park offers a great hiking experience with a moderate level of elevation. You may run into some of the farm animals so you have to keep your dog on a leash at all times, but there's still plenty of space for them to roam! The park rangers do patrol and monitor to make sure all dogs are on leashes! The hike offers great views of the Morgan Hills area! Would highly recommend for everyone!

LOL!
Kathryn B.

This large park has a lot to offer--hiking, mountain biking, camping, and boating, for example. The camping and boating is all via the Coyote Lake Entrance, which is a bit farther drive into the hills. If you want to stay closer to Morgan Hill and just do a hike, try the Harvey Bear Ranch entrance off San Martin Avenue. Parking is free and portable toilets are available. We did a four mile loop hike, heading up the Willow Springs Trail, cutting across the face of the hills on the Townsprings Trail, and returning to the lot via the Harvey Bear Trail. The trails are well-maintained and popular with mountain bikers. You start in the valley, so all of the trails (except the Martin Murphy Trail which does a flat loop in the valley) involve climbing, but the grades are reasonable. The trails are almost entirely in the open, so there is both a lot of sun and great views of the valley. We saw plenty of cattle and a family of wild pigs that scooted off ahead of us. This was a very pleasant hike. There are probably more dramatic views both east and west from the top of the ridge, but that would involve a longer hike. If you want to stick to a shorter stroll, this loop is fine, but I actually prefer the four mile loop across the valley in the Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve. It offers more varied scenery, some shade, and arguably better views.

Gloria C.

I ventured out here to hike and take some pictures. Plenty of parking. Great place to hike, bike ride or walk your dog. There are a variety of trails to choose from. There are kid friendly trails or a great place to bring them to ride their bike around the loop trail.

Coyote Ridge Trail, off Mendoza Ranch entrance  (Early spring 2017)
Michelle N.

This park is huge! I've entered the park from all 3 entrances, and each has a different type of trail/scenery. (*Note: lots of cows and cow dung at this park so if you have a sensitive nose this place isn't for you). The Harvey Bear Ranch entrance (off San Martin Road and free parking) has the Martin Murphy Trail (which is basically a high school running track), and easy hikes further into the park. I've hiked the Harvey Bear-Coyote Ridge Loop, but remember to check your map! The park is big so one wrong turn could be a significant detour. The Mendoza Ranch entrance (also free parking) is on the outskirts of Gilroy. The last time I was here I went on the Mummy Mountain Trail and it was great! It was early spring so everything was lush and green. Plus lots of cute little calves moo-ing at me while I ran past. :) The Coyote Lake entrance has you go through parts of Gilroy to get to the entrance, and since it's the main entrance, I believe you have to pay for parking. This trail runs along Coyote Lake. It's a bit dry/hot in the summer, especially since there isn't too much tree cover, but it's a very easy, flat hike. Overall, I really enjoy hiking/running at Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear County Park - with its variety of scenery, terrain and abundant trails. A great place to visit!

Roshni G.

Love this hike. Perfect for the whole family. The walking loop is great too. Spacious enough for strollers and never too packed.

You looking at me? You looking at me? You must be looking at me because I don't see any other bovines out here.
Sidney S.

Buck Swope: You're not being fair. This isn't fair. Bank Worker: This financial institution cannot endorse pornography. Buck Swope: Stop saying pornography. Why are you doing this to me? I am an actor. I am an actor. The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit -- Moliere Better to be without logic than without feeling -- Charlotte Bronte This time of the year is a perfect time to hike Harvey Bear. I'm starting to do it most evenings either several loops around the 2 mile jogging path or 60-90 minutes up in the hills. Beautiful, green lush hills with beautiful gnarled oaks. I'm sure in the summer it is ugly but right now, especially with a cool, rainy day like today...almost like Ireland. And yes, like the 3 star review states and my photos show, there are cool looking future beef by-products roaming the hills along with wild, succulent living bacon vessels (otherwise known as pigs). And if you be scared of cows, maybe hiking is an activity that you should give a second thought to. Because someday you might run into a squirrel, raccoon, or egads a deer!! Oh, oh Biff...that Buck be angry...just as angry as Buck in Boogie Nights was angry at getting denied his bank loan to open a stereo store. Harvey Bear is a fun park to hike in just don't miss your trail like I did and come back after dark because a 4 mile jaunt became an 8 mile Bataan Death March with no water while hiking with sunglasses on. They are not kidding when they say they will ticket your car after sunset (that's why I park on the street outside the gates). Highly recommended right now while it is green and the wildflowers start blooming. And don't tip them cows or be afraid of them!

Josef L.

This park is nice and clean except the cow pastures. Lol. The places opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. Make sure you leave . A park ranger will be there at sunset to close the parking area off of San Martin Ave. The trails well mark and scenery is great. Moderate walking trails. You can try the lower one if you aren't sure with the foothill trails. Can be busy but it's a nice place and let's keep it nice. Peaceful.

Views from one of the picnic benches
Taylor B.

By far one of my favorite trails. I parked at Mendoza Ranch, free parking & absolutely gorgeous drive up. I highly recommend this trail if you want to experience beautiful views. It has a cute little pond where the cows hang out, there are a few picnic benches along the hike where you can stop & enjoy the views, & it is green as ever right now!! Absolutely breath taking. We had the opportunity to watch the cows going back along the trail while we were ending our hike. So awesome. There is a porter potty in the parking lot & plenty of parking.

Beautiful view
Carliemania P.

It's beautiful here. The hikes are perfect for beginners or intermediate hikers. The park is dog friendly and people are nice.

The trail

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3 years ago

Love the views, great place to walk and unwind! I always play music and helps me with my trails. Overall always a great experience!

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10 years ago

Love going to this park with my girls and my dog. We really enjoy the scenery and wild life.

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Review Highlights - Harvey Bear County Park

“FREE parking at this and Harvey Bear Ranch Entrance, at the Coyote Lake Entrance you gotta pay (don't know cost).”

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Las Animas Park - Playground for your 2-5 yr olds on woodchips

Las Animas Park

4.4(10 reviews)
4.9 mi

It was around seven o'clock when I decided to head out to Las Animas Park that night. I had just…read moreleft the gym at closing hours; the slightly cooler, refreshing air hit my face, when I noticed the tall trees of the park right across the street, less than a football field away from me. Noticing how dark it was, I decided to do a small trek through the trees and just...embrace the natural wonders around me before heading back home. After crossing the street and walking down the sidewalk for a few minutes, I reached the west entrance to the park. As I continued through the gates ad into the park I took a moment to observe my current surroundings. Under the veil of darkness I could barely see the outlines of dozens of trees in my path, scattered and spread out like mines on a battlefield. I walked carefully and tried my best to avoid them, for while these "landmines" didn't explode they'd still hurt if you ran into one of them. The tall grass crunched under my sneakers, the small amount of dew on them clinging to the surface. I noticed, off in the short distance, the street lights, which looked almost like the stars shining in the heavens, spaced out along the parameter of the area. In the faded glow, I could vaguely see the outline of the backstop of one of the two baseball fields. Deciding to take a small break, I laid myself gently on top of a small barrier of stones. As the area around began to get darker with each passing second, I closed my eyes (which, thinking back, could've been dangerous for me, had someone snuck up on me and attacked me while I was unaware. I now count myself lucky that that wasn't the case.) and listened for any noises or sounds in and around the park. At first, everything was pure silence, which was a surprise given that the park was almost completely surrounded by city streets and buildings, but slowly I began to hear the wind whispering in the branches of the surrounding trees. As I continued to listen, I could also hear the small squeaks of squirrels as they scampered across the leaf-covered grass and climb up into the tall limbs of the trees, the sounds of dogs barking as their owners walked them down the darkened sidewalks, and the occasional frog or cricket announcing their presence through chirps and croaks. It felt as though I could hear almost every sound and noise in the park. It was wonderful. But, alas, such wonders were only temporary and I knew it. So, after what felt like ten minutes--even though it was more like one, one-and-a-half minutes--I opened my eyes again. As I picked myself back up and resume my walk, I noticed that a man had been taking a nap underneath one of the trees near me. "He doesn't look like a homeless man," I thought, "must be another visitor to the park." As I looked at him for a few seconds, I began to wonder how he must've felt lying down underneath the tree. He was obviously comfortable, if his small, almost-silent snores were any indication. "He's lucky." I said to myself. "If that was me, I'd have a hard time sleeping on that ground." That was an absolute fact. I would have trouble lying down on that small patch the man occupied. If I tried to lie down I'm certain the grass would keep me awake. Not because I'm allergic but the sharp points on the grass would be similar to the sharp ends of needles, digging into any unclothed areas (elbows, backs of my legs, etc.). It would've been like trying to sleep on a bed of needles! With that thought I decided it was time to get moving. As I continued to wander through the park, I suddenly heard a sound right above me. As I looked straight up, I noticed a flock of geese where flying overhead. Watching their movements, their wings flapping against the winds above and the pull of gravity, their outlines, almost impossible to see if I hadn't noticed them, highlighted only by the glow from the stars and the moon's natural light. I watched as they continued to fly off in the distance until the flock disappeared into the great sea of darkness. It took another five to ten minutes to finally reach the end of the park. As I looked back on Las Animas one more time, I reflected on what I had just experienced. How refreshing it was to just embrace nature for a little while, almost forgetting the large noisy world around me for a few minutes. As I got into my car and prepared to drive back home, I bid farewell to the old park and began my journey back to the craziness that humanity calls "civilization". Looking back now, the whole experience reminded me of a quote that John Muir once wrote, when describing the mountains of California: "Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn."

This is quite the peaceful and spacious park. I went on a stroll with my dog here, the wide grassy…read moreareas made it perfect to have a picnic or play some sports. It's not busy either, with the greatest commotion being the flower stand on the corner of the street.

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Las Animas Park - Nice stroll down the park, lots of small bridges

Nice stroll down the park, lots of small bridges

Las Animas Park
Las Animas Park

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Morgan Hill Community Park

Morgan Hill Community Park

4.9(10 reviews)
6.9 mi

We came here for a kid's birthday party, and this park is so nice!…read more It's very spacious, lots of free parking, and lots of features. There is an extensive playground with different types of swings, merry-go-round things, a large playhouse thing, and several slides on a little hill on the playground. In the area with the slides they have turf material and there is a recycling box with cardboard so that kids can use it and also sled down the hill. They have different types of courts like for basketball, pickleball, tennis, baseball. There is lots of space to walk on the gravel path, and there is sort of a pond area (which appears to be less maintained). There are many picnic areas that are shaded too. I really liked that the area the birthday party was located had a gate so that kids wouldn't run out and away. The playground also had a gate on it too, which is great for childrens' safety and parents' ease of minds! We noticed the bathrooms are somewhat high tech with lights to activate the automatic doors and lights to indicate that the bathroom is occupied. I didn't go in, so I can't comment on cleanliness/upkeep. Wish this kind of park was more common. I would highly recommend this park!

The fact alone that this park has bathrooms makes it awesome…read more I have been coming to this park my entire life. It has definitely gotten some upgrades. New magical bridge playground opens this weekend. It's not even open yet and it looks beautiful so far :) It has a dog park, a trail, a basketball court, a tennis court, and a baseball field. I almost forgot, the ducks! It has a lake with ducks! I like walking the trail because there are plenty of trees which creates shade, so it's not just sunny. The bathrooms are located in between the tennis courts and the baseball field. Also, parking is free! Anyone can come with children, strollers, solo individuals, people with dogs, anyone. Everyone is in their own world, living their life with nature.

Photos
Morgan Hill Community Park - A family let their dog just be outside, tied up to a car

A family let their dog just be outside, tied up to a car

Morgan Hill Community Park - You need to move hello I was here frist

You need to move hello I was here frist

Morgan Hill Community Park - Do better poor dog is panting because he's in the sun and shade

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Do better poor dog is panting because he's in the sun and shade

Coyote Lake County Park

Coyote Lake County Park

3.3(101 reviews)
0.0 mi

Great place! It was my first time visiting, and overall, I had a great experience. The price was…read moreaffordable, and I definitely recommend this place.

First off, my family and friends camp here regularly, and this is the first time I have ever…read moreexperienced an issue like this or been denied entry to my reserved campsite. I arrived at approximately 12:15 PM. I understand that the official check-in time is 3:00 PM, as this allows the previous campers time to leave and for the campsites to be prepared. However, that did not appear to be the situation when I arrived. There were no campers in the RV area whatsoever, and the area appeared to be completely vacant. The booth attendant, Tina made an exception and allowed me to enter the park after paying the $6 entrance fee. She specifically told me that I could wait until 1:00 PM and that she would be happy to check me in at that time. Based on what she told me, I paid the fee, entered the park with my trailer, and waited approximately 45 minutes until 1:00 PM. At approximately 1:05 PM, I returned to the entrance booth, only to find that no one was there. As I waited, vehicles began piling up behind me while the booth remained unattended. I waited for approximately another 30 minutes before eventually having to use the self-check-in process. I find this experience extremely unprofessional and inconsiderate to the paying patrons who regularly support and camp at this park. If an employee makes an exception and provides a customer with specific instructions and a time to return, I believe it is reasonable to expect that employee to honor that commitment. I understand that employees can become busy or may have legitimate reasons for stepping away. However, there was no communication or explanation provided, and I was left waiting after following the instructions I was given. Imagine traveling several hours to camp at this location, only to be told that you cannot check in early, that you must pay an additional entrance fee and wait, and then, after agreeing to those terms, finding no employee available when you return at the agreed-upon time. That is not the level of customer service I would expect from a campground that I have supported regularly. I believe Tina would benefit from additional training regarding customer service, communication, and following through with commitments made to park patrons. I hope management will address this situation so that other customers do not have a similar experience. I enjoy camping here and have regularly recommended this location to family and friends. My intention is not simply to complain, but to bring attention to an experience that I believe could have been handled much better.

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Coyote Lake County Park
Coyote Lake County Park
Coyote Lake County Park

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Harvey Bear County Park - hiking - Updated October 2026

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