Take an adventure to the scenic Penitencia Creek County Park
Penitencia Creek County Park is an excellent destination for a family day out. This park is home to several notable attractions including a water fountain, a community center, ponds, and a paved loop. There are also several hiking and biking trails. The park is a short drive from Interstate 680 and has a light rail station on the north side of the park. The county park also has a children’s playground, well-maintained restrooms, and grassy areas for games. In addition to its own facilities, the park is a part of the wider California Regional Parkway. The Penitencia Trail, a 3.7 mile linear parkway, follows the namesake creek through the suburban greenbelt in northeast San Jose. It’s a fun way to spend a morning and a great way to get in some exercise.
The best way to explore this park is to head on over by foot or bike. You can also take advantage of the county’s free shuttle bus service. The park is a short ride away from Berryessa Park, the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, and Alum Rock Park. The three parks are adjacent to each other and are worth the trip. If you’re looking for something more substantial, the Alum Rock regional park is located within the Penitencia Creek County Park and offers numerous hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and a nature center. Afterwards, you can hop on the light rail for a quick ride to downtown San Jose.
There are plenty of other things to do in the area, such as a visit to the Santa Clara Museum of History, an ice cream parlor, or the popular San Jose Sharks hockey team. In fact, you might even have a chance to spot the city’s mascot, the “Batman,” or catch a live performance by the Silicon Valley String Quartet. But if you’re interested in a day of adventure, you’ll want to check out the four-mile hiking and biking trail that circles the park. The park also has the largest and most elaborate fountain in San Jose, which is located in the main parking lot.
The penitential trail is a tributary of Coyote Creek. The trail is paved, but there are sections of unpaved dirt paths that are best avoided. The route crosses Jackson Avenue a bit 0.2 miles north of Mabury Road. The best part about this trail is that it ties into the Alum Rock Regional Park and the Penitencia Creek County Park, allowing visitors to continue their adventures for an entire day. In addition to this, the park is a stop on the Silicon Valley Trail, a scenic walking trail that covers a little over 20 miles from San Jose to Los Gatos.
The penitential trail, like many of the city’s green spaces, is under-appreciated for its natural and recreational value. As a result, the city is considering selling this park in order to gather funds for redevelopment. The money raised would be used to construct a pedestrian walkway, cycling path and water treatment plant there. It could even potentially become home of an exciting new zoo some day!
