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    Mount Umunhum

    4.8 (33 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 8:30 pm

    Mount Umunhum Photos

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    Danster L.

    I still cannot believe there are less than 30 reviews and no reviews on the other site. There's not a lot of information so hopefully my experience can help. Throughout Santa Clara Valley, you can see the big box atop the mountain. I have always wanted to go to Mount Umunhum and finally got some friends to go with me. The drive is about an hour from San Jose to the top. The drive was pretty easy for me and there were no other cars, so I took my time driving safely to the top. I think the drive on Highway 17 is more crazier and more tough. So, there are 3 parking lots. The 1st parking lot is near the bottom and the hike is supposedly more than 10 miles roundtrip and will take several hours. We drove to the 2nd parking lot and found out from the park ranger that the hike is 4 miles, 8 miles roundtrip and would also take several hours. We didn't have a lot of time, so we went to the 3rd parking lot which is the closest to the tower. There is plenty of parking at the top with 2 options, the stairs or a 0.3 mile hike. My friends chose to do the short hike which has some incredible views and super easy. Once at the top, yes, you can see the Pacific ocean, Santa Clara Valley, San Jose, the hills, the mountains and much more. It can get pretty cold up there, about 10 degrees less than the Valley during the fall and winter. Bring a jacket during the colder months and some water and soap lol. There are bathrooms but there's no soap and water, so plan accordingly. You cannot go inside the tower but you can walk around it and it's very tall. There are signs explaining its history, maps and other information. I snapped some photos so I can read it when I got home. Don't forget to check out the area and check other the views along the top trail. Also, add an hour for the trip back. It would be easier to drive back down during sunlight because there are no lights along the roadway. Hope that helps and add Mount Umunhum to your South Bay bucketlist. Everything was alllllll freeee. Parking, admission and the awesome views.

    View of the cube from the trail
    Tina N.

    I was pleasantly surprised with the Mt Umunhum trail. There was plenty of parking and a total of 3 parking lots. I ended up parking at the last lot near the radar tower/cube building. There's stairs to go straight up to the cube itself or you can take the back trail route. Since I parked at the top, I decided to hike down the trail to the Guadalupe overlook. It took me about an hour down and an hour back up. The trail was nicely shaded for most of the hike and it was overall a good steady incline/decline. The view at the top was amazing! Pictures really don't do it justice. I definitely recommend this hike.

    Anita T.

    Phenomenal views, fairly easy (but long) hike. Great in the colder months. Pros: Mostly Easy terrain for walking. Aside from a small stretch of rocks heading up to the summit, the trail is a decent width (wasn't uncomfortable to have bikers pass by) and mostly just even, well maintained dirt path and very gentle, steady incline. A good portion is shaded in the winter. Not stressful hike - saw older kids and elderly doing the hike. Beautiful views along the way and the summit has panoramic views of the hills. Cons: The drive in the last 10 minutes involves a lot of winding roads with blind hairpin turns, shared with bikers and narrow if your car is on the wider side. Drive with caution. Lot is pretty limited in spots, there were plenty at 9am this holiday week on a weekday, but it was full when we came out. Bathroom at trailhead is pretty gross but at least there is one. Pro tips: This trail is very exposed in portions. Summer might be uncomfortable. Some areas have rocky areas, so hiking boots recommended. Out and back was 3 hours for us (7.75 mi total)but at a fast clip few stops, plan for 3.5-4 hours round trip .

    Plaque
    Valerie M.

    My husband and I went on a rainy day, I have grown up my whole life in the south side of San José looking up and wondering what it was like to go to the cube. And we finally pulled the trigger and went! It was not a bad drive at all even with the rain the roads weren't too scary and inclined pretty steadily. If you're going in the winter I think it goes without saying bring some LAYERS and make sure to go to the restroom before embarking on your journey because the restrooms as any public restrooms are DISGUSTING. That said as someone that didn't hike the trail there's not too much to see up there, and the view isn't that crazy tbh. But it's nice to get some fresh air and away for a bit so I'll give it some points for that. If you haven't checked it out check it out just for the sake of doing it, and being next to a part of history. I think now that I went I'm just left with the curiosity of what is inside the cube?????

    Sunset at the peak via drone
    Rick H.

    So happy we can finally go here!!! You can drive all the way up, park and walk around to 360 degree views. Great sunsets, quiet and a great get away from the city. Highly recommended!!!

    Info board at the start of the trail
    J J.

    Beautiful hiking trail! Highly recommend! - Level: moderate. - Length: 3.5-4 miles one way for about 8ish miles total to and fro - Views: amazing mountains, greenery, a variety of wild flowers - clean and well maintained - Parking: not enough in the main lot, but there are a few options before and after the main lot. Depending on where you park the overall length of the hike will vary. - Historic: with info boards about the history throughout. The hike starts uphill, but is not a steep climb. The climb up is well distributed across length of the trail making it very easily manageable and not as daunting. Once you reach up on top...there's amazing 360 views. Find a spot and relax for a few min. Close your eyes, take slow, deep breaths and feel the history and the peaceful, serene, calming vibes. Biking and horse riding is ok, but unfortunately, other furry friends/dogs not allowed. Absolutely love this hiking trail...must try! Will be back again soon!

    Old radar building
    Jeff K.

    Well worth the drive up. Nice views and the quiet, you will savor the quiet. Interesting photo boards with the history of the place as well.

    Sunil R.

    This is an incredible hike and with amazing views. Plus you can say Umunhum multiple times and I just love saying it...Umunhum. Say it with me...Umunhum. Don't let the mountain lion signs scare you away. It is well worth it.

    Helipad
    Brian B.

    Cold War era radar converted into a park. Ever since I was a child there was this large gray box sitting on a mountain top. I always wondered what it was for. A few years ago, it was converted into a park and I finally got to see it! Wow! There are great views here. You can see the Santa Clara Valley from Gilroy all the way to the City of San Francisco and Mount Tamalpais behind it (which interestingly enough was also the home of a radar during the Cold War). The giant gray box you can see from most of Santa Clara Valley was home to a Cold War era radar that would monitor the pacific ocean. After satellites took over the job of monitoring the airspace of the USA west coast states hugging the Pacific Ocean, the radar station was retired. It sat in limbo for a few decades until the powers that be agreed to convert it into a historical monument and nature reserve. This park is managed by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. They do a great job fund raising and managing this important historical and nature reserve. The preserve is open until 30 minutes after sunset. The park rangers close all the gates after that so be sure you leave in time and don't get stuck overnight at the top of the mountain. Be prepared for all kinds of weather. It can be as mild as a baby's kiss up there and, on the flip side, it can hit 100+ degrees Fahrenheit and 120 mile-an-hour winds. It is up to mother nature what kind of mood she is in, so be prepared! Bring drinking water, appropriate clothes, etc so whatever mood you she is in, you can maintain your comfort.

    Mukul P.

    I definitely recommend this hike! If you want to do a long hike, you can park at the Jacques ridge lot (can be full since it's kind of small) and either walk up the road for about 1.7 miles to hit the Mt. Umunhum trailhead or take the much longer route via the Wood's trail. However, there is another bigger lot higher up near the Mt. Umunhum trail head where I parked. It's around 3.4 miles one way to the summit from there. You can just choose to drive all the way up too if hiking isn't your thing! Both parking lots have restrooms. The walk from the lower parking lot is quite steep initially but levels out later. From the Mt. Umunhum trail head is a gradual climb, some parts are shaded with trees, some are a bit exposed. Overall, its an easy hike. There were a few hikers and bikers on the trail. The summit offers really magnificent views. At the top there is a place to sit in the shade and relax for a bit, read more about the area/building and walk around. It was very windy and cold when we went so make sure you have a light jacket and a hat etc.

    Stanton Y.

    Came here to hike from Bald Mountain Parking Area up to Mt. Umunhum. All Trails says it's 7.7 miles. Strava says 8.51 miles. Close enough. It is a beautiful non-strenuous hike. EG is approximately +/- 1200 ft. With all the zigzag trails, i didn't notice it being 1200 ft EG. I did get tired towards the end. It's the last part with the stairs, . There are some parts of the trail that is only wide enough for one person to pass. Hiking poles are recommended. Make sure your devices are fully charged so you can take selfie's and scenic pictures. At top, there is a shelter. I did not see restrooms there but later found out after hiking back down and drove up , the restrooms are on the parking lot side. It's a different scenery when driving up. Take pictures (have the passenger take pictures) lol. The road up is curvy and narrow. Some people enjoy driving fast but highly not recommended. There are lots of bicyclists riding and you won't be able to see them around the bend. It was a bit chilly and windy at the summit. Bring sunscreen if you don't want to get sunburn. It was overcast the day i went but i did get sunburned. It's beautiful from start to finish. I enjoyed the hike very much and will return. Btw, bring picnic basket and enjoy the views. No tables but there are plenty of places you can sit. I definitely recommend this place. Cellular signal is limited.

    Shoes on the rope
    Priyanka S.

    Good workout with gradual incline. Start from the second parking located after Jacques ridge lot if you keen on doing 7.7 miles hike. 80% was shaded but avoid hot day if possible. The views are gorgeous and they also have picnic tables near the box building. The drawback for me personally was the windy road from hicks road onwards for about 5.3 miles. It was ok on a weekday to drive as there were no cars behind me so I could drive at the indicated speed limit. However if it's a weekend, I would expect a lot more traffic and that would make me nervous. The other strange thing I found was lots of shoes hanging on a rope near the stop sign and water reservoir. If anyone knows the mystery, please share.

    Start of the hike
    Sara G.

    I recently hiked Mount Umunhum a few weeks ago with my fiancee. When parking at the lot on Mount Umunhum Road, it is 3.7 miles to the summit. The trail is very moderate, only a very mild incline the whole way up, which makes it perfect for a beginner hiker who is looking to start hiking mountains. The trail is well marked and has a good amount of shade and sun. Round trip hike was around 3 hours in length. The views from the top are incredible as it is one of the highest peaks in the Bay Area. On a clear day, you are able to see Mount Diablo, Mount Hamilton, and Mount Tam from the summit of Mount Umunhum. When hiking, plan on getting there early as the parking lot is pretty small and fills up fast. We were lucky to snag an empty spot at around noon on a Sunday. However, cars are always coming and going, so even if the lot is full, you probably won't wait very long for a spot to open up. There is also a parking lot at the summit if you prefer to just drive to the summit rather than hike it. I am definantly looking forward to more hikes here!

    The view

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    What an awesome view of the entire Bay Area! Hike or drive up! Many trails, lots to see, or you can do a tour

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    Ask the Community - Mount Umunhum

    Review Highlights - Mount Umunhum

    We visited Mt Umunhum this past weekend and it was simply lovely.

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    Berry Creek Falls

    Berry Creek Falls

    4.8(8 reviews)
    28.7 km

    Berry Creek Falls is absolutely stunning! If you're coming to Big Basin Redwoods State Park and…read moreyou've never hiked to the falls, you MUST do it. Don't come all the way out here and miss out on this gorgeous waterfall. We did an 8 mile out and back hike to the falls via the Skyline to Sea Trail. The hike is moderate and begins on a downhill slope into the forest. Going down is always the easiest part for me, especially when a trail starts off descending. The real challenge is going back up once you reach the falls. It's nothing too strenuous but I'd definitely bring plenty of water and bug spray because there are lots of bugs on the trail. The trail itself is mostly shaded and features an abundance of beautiful redwoods, vibrantly green foliage, and scenic viewpoints. The waterfall is definitely the highlight of the hike! The falls were still flourishing in mid-July which worked out for us because we were able to take full advantage of the scene. When you make it up to the falls, there's a small deck area with two benches where you can sit and enjoy the picturesque views of the falls. Surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded on a Saturday afternoon in mid July. You may have to wait your turn to take a picture next to the falls. People were really courteous and didn't spend too much time which allowed for others to capture the moment. Bring your lunch and take a break here before continuing on your hike back. The scenery is so amazing here. Definitely recommend a hike to Berry Creek Falls is you're visiting Big Basin Redwood State Park.

    AMAZING PLACE…read more Beautiful views and scenery. We did the Redwood Trail to the Skyline to the Sea to the Berry Creek Falls to the Sunset back to the parking lot. There are so many beautiful waterfalls along the trail. Some parts of the trail near the falls are muddy so wear good hiking shoes Note: This is a long trail (11 miles). Pack water and lunch and stay on the trail. You pay for parking with the rangers (10$ cash or card). Bathrooms at the park entrance are nice!

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    Berry Creek Falls
    Berry Creek Falls - Berry Creek Falls from the view point

    Berry Creek Falls from the view point

    Berry Creek Falls

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    Castle Rock State Park

    Castle Rock State Park

    4.6(429 reviews)
    21.5 km

    Have long eyed the Castle Rock State Park and glad we finally went! The park charges a nominal…read moreparking fee ($10 at time of writing); the parking fee is waived if you have one of the supported passes. Check their site for more info: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=538# We really enjoyed our hike here. The space is beautiful, and the trails are well-maintained. The trailhead had plenty restrooms as well. We made it up to Goat Rock Lookout, back down, then detour to the waterfall. It took ~1.5 hours in total, which was perfect for a end-of-day hike before the park closes at sunset. The view up at Goat Rock Lookout was breathtaking!

    If you're looking for another place that has breathtaking views surrounding the whole Santa Cruz…read moreMountains (but don't want to go all the way to Portola Valley), Castle Rock State Park is the place for you. This place is usually my go to when the weather is just perfect and you want good views of the mountains viewing the Monterey Bay and the Santa Clara Valley. In addition, the park is even open during the cold winter season, where it occasionally will snow (because of how high the elevation is, the main base is situated at about 3,200 feet above sea level). This place has been my go-to park for hiking for a while, because of its terrain. At the same time, it's also been because of how much snow they get when cold fronts come into effect. They are also open year-round, so definitely swing by this state park when you do get the chance to! It's a decision you'll never regret.

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    Castle Rock State Park - Love it

    Love it

    Castle Rock State Park
    Castle Rock State Park

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    Alum Rock Park - Ground squirrel

    Alum Rock Park

    4.4(371 reviews)
    27.6 km

    Rock the Block Alum…read moreRock Park is what many, myself included, consider to be *the* crown jewel of CSJ parks, and it's easy to see why. From the vast 730-acres of green space includes thirteen miles of trails that run the gamet of flat sojourns, to steep hikes to Eagle Rock. It's also California's oldest Muni park (1872) but has always served as land since 1777 when the Pueblo was established. The Good: *Variety of trails, as mentioned above, and they're mostly shaded. *Lots of history here as there's remnants of an old train trestle that used to run visitors up to a health spa of sorts. There's still remnants of the spa as you can see--and smell thanks to the sulfur springs. *Trails also connect to adjoining Sierra Vista OSP, and is part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. *Sand volleyball courts *Playground *Reservable and non-reservable picnic tables *Restrooms *Six miles of Horse trails *Three miles of Bikes trails *Home to the YSi (Youth Science Institute), which I highly recommend to parents. They have a bunch of summer camps that are great ways to get kids to love nature. The Meh: *No dogs allowed *Lots of poison oak *Parking costs $6 *Cell service is spotty, at best. The Ugly: *Budget cuts, budget cuts, budget cuts... Thanks to the lack of caring by our leaders for our parks, this place is not as great as it once was. As there's several entrances that have been closed off for nearly thirty years! *I can't believe I haven't written a review for this place yet. As the (unofficial) Mr San José I find it very shameful and shall self-flagellate immediately. Conclusion: Not as great as it used to be, but still pretty damn amazing.

    If you arrive before they open at 8 am, there is a line to enter. Luckily parking in the…read moreneighborhood and walking into the park is fairly easy. Arrived at one the trailheads hoping for a park map near the restroom but none were to be found. The trails were a little hard to follow and we ended up landing on a different one. Fortunately they all connect! Great place to hike with a ton of trails to choose from. Finished my hike at 9:30ish and the park was packed!

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    Alum Rock Park - Found a friend on the trail.

    Found a friend on the trail.

    Alum Rock Park - Succulents in the wild!

    Succulents in the wild!

    Alum Rock Park - Eagle Rock

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    Eagle Rock

    Alviso Marina County Park - Alviso Marina County Park

    Alviso Marina County Park

    4.4(236 reviews)
    30.7 km

    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.

    Photos
    Alviso Marina County Park - Alviso Marina County Park

    Alviso Marina County Park

    Alviso Marina County Park - Alviso Marina County Park

    Alviso Marina County Park

    Alviso Marina County Park - Alviso Marina County Park

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    Alviso Marina County Park

    The Dragon Mountain  Thien Long Son

    The Dragon Mountain Thien Long Son

    4.8(70 reviews)
    33.1 km

    Nice relaxing place despite the number of people visiting…read more The first dirt parking lot we saw was actually an overflow parking. The signs in that lot were quite confusing. The signs point toward the hill like you can drive up the unpaved path but don't. The actual entrance actually has the Dragon Mountain sign with a paved parking lot further down the narrow road marked "private property." There's a blue boat in the parking lot. Two ways to get up to the monastery: hike up the long driveway or stairs next to it OR drive up the winding road. There's very limited parking at the top. Stairs have some steep sections. Free incense to light at any of the incense stations in front of the diety statues. They had free water bottles. No food ro purchase so bring snacks if you plan to stay long but don't litter. There were a couple of areas away from the main lot that are great for meditation. You can hike up higher, above the Mother Earth temple. Very clean. They have a public restroom.

    What a great place to do a sunset hike! The total trail is about 4.6miles and we finished it in a…read morebit over an hour. We arrived at the parking lot around 6pm, no fees needed. The first part is all stairs, after reaching the end of maybe about 200 flights, we arrived at a lawn patch with some big Chinese gods statues and a panel about Jesus. There's one man there burning the incense to pay respect but mostly it was just visitors checking out the place like visiting a museum than worshipping gods. This spot also has a restroom. Then there're more stairs up, and soon transitions to uphill trails with big patches of grass growing along sides. No cows or other animals insight. To our left is the beautiful valley and a dropping sun. When the wind blows, it was beautiful and magical. As we continued the climb and reached the top where there are a lot of smaller porcelain statues displayed on top of poles. It was super windy up there so we didn't linger. Going down was much quicker. There's a portion of the trail where it was slippery with gravel, fortunately, next to it there's a flight of stairs for easier walking and the steps are not that high. By the time we got down to the first gods lawn, there's a security car probably clearing out the place. A car just arrived and was told to turn back because they were closing. We were all very satisfied with this hike.

    Photos
    The Dragon Mountain  Thien Long Son - Very nice set up with mountains in the back

    Very nice set up with mountains in the back

    The Dragon Mountain  Thien Long Son
    The Dragon Mountain  Thien Long Son

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    Mount Umunhum - hiking - Updated May 2026

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