John W. Christian Greenbelt & Calabazas Creek

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Location

John W. Christian Greenbelt & Calabazas Creek are located in Sunnyvale. There are numerous places to enter the Greenbelt, but parking is generally limited to the street. The trailheads for each of the three routes described below are:

From Mathilda Avenue between Hwy 101 and Hwy 237, turn East at the light onto Ross Drive. Turn right immediately onto Weddell Drive, then left on Borregas Avenue. Turn left onto Garner Drive and park at Colton Avenue, where the trailhead is at the entrance to Orchard Gardens Park. For directions, use Mapquest's Map of 1000 Colton Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1503, US.
From Fair Oaks Avenue Just North of Hwy 101 (South of Hwy 237), turn East onto Weddell Drive. Park at the intersection with Lakehaven Drive. For directions, use Mapquest's Map of [621-699] E Weddell Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94089, US.
From Lawrence Expressway North of Hwy 101 and South of Hwy 237, turn East onto Sandia Avenue. Take an immediate left onto Blazingwood Drive and find parking within a block (trailhead to the right). For directions, use Mapquest's Map of Blazingwood Dr & Sandia Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94089, US.

Attractions:

John W. Christian Greenbelt passes through many neighborhoods in Sunnyvale, making it a convenient place to exercise and play.
Orchard Gardens Park, Lakewood Park & School, and Fairwood Park & School are adjacent to the Greenbelt. Collectively, they have tennis courts, play structures, benches, tables, and lawns.
The Greenway passes by a shopping center West of Lawrence Expressway.
There are ample benches along the length of the path.
The Greenway is almost entirely paved and is well maintained.
Bicycles are allowed.
Dogs are allowed on leash.
The Greenbelt connects to Calabazas Creek Trail which connects to Baylands Park and Bay Trail, making it possible to make this a long trek.

Limitations:

The trail is still being developed, so there are some places where you will have to walk along sidewalks or through business parking lots, until the trail is completed. All of these regions are very clearly marked on the trail map.

Season:

Year round, about 8 am to sunset

Fees:

None.

Maps & More Information:

Maps are posted regularly along the trail, usually where trail intersects roads.
City of Sunnyvale's Map of Trail and Adjacent Parks

Handicapped Access:

The Greenway is flat and almost entirely paved. In some places where the path intersects the road, the curve is not graded for wheelchair access. Additionally, some navigation through parking lots or on sidewalks is needed where the Greenway is fragmented, making it less than ideal for handicapped use.

Recommended routes:

This path is made up of three sections, described below from West to East. Combine them for a longer hike.

Orchard Gardens Park to Weddell Drive: Icon Legend
Have a nice stretch, lie in the grass, or use the bathrooms at Orchard Gardens Park before heading out, then walk East along the clearly marked Greenbelt. It crosses Borregas and Morse Avenues before stopping at Weddell Drive. Walk along the sidewalk of Weddell Drive (or through the parking lot of the business park there, if there is sidewalk construction), through the intersection with Fair Oaks Avenue, to the corner of the PG & E Substation, where the trail resumes. If only doing this section, turn back. If continuing, see directions to Lawrence Expressway. This section is about 1 mile one direction.
Weddell Drive to Lawrence Expressway Shopping Center: Icon Legend
Walk East along the clearly marked Greenbelt. The path crosses Hiddenlake Drive and Meadowlake Drive before passing alongside Lakewood School and Park. Cross Silverlake Drive and continue for about one more block to the Shopping Center, or turn left and walk along the sidewalk of Silverlake Drive, turning right before the corner of the park. This route sends you past the North edge of the shopping center, to a pedestrian overpass for Lawrence Expressway, leaving you on Blazingwood Drive. Turn back if you are only interested in doing this portion, or turn right on Blazingwood Drive to resume the Greenbelt (to the left) in about a block. This section is about 1 mile one direction.
Blazingwood Drive to Fairwood Park: Icon Legend
Walk East along the clearly marked Greenbelt. The path crosses Lakewood Drive and continues East until it reaches Manzano Way. Prior to reaching Manzano, it runs alongside Fairwood School & Park. Continue East at Manzano Way to cross Calabazas Creek, then turn left on Calabazas Creek Trail. The trail ends at Old Mountain View - Alviso Road. This section is about 1.4 miles one direction. If you would like to continue to Baylands Park (which does not allow dogs) and the Bay Trail, turn right on Old Mountain View - Alviso Road, then left when it intersects the paved San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail in about 0.4 miles. See Baylands Park or Bay Trail for more information.
Orchard Gardens Park to Fairwood Park (Entire Trail - all 3 parts): Icon Legend
Link up all three sections, above, for a total hike of about 3.4 miles.