Los Alamitos Creek Trail

Location

This trail is located in Southwest San Jose. To get there, take Highway 85's Almaden Expressway Exit, following the signs to the expressway and turning right (West) on it. Drive several blocks until the light at Coleman. You have two options for parking: the (1) dog-friendly Winfield parking lot, or (2) the main parking lot off Almaden Expressway with direct access to the big playgrounds and water areas.

Turn left onto Coleman (where you will see the lake), then right onto Winfield. Almaden Lake Park entrance is at the stop sign. Turn right to enter the park and park in the parking lot. Park along the street to avoid paying a fee (April through September).
Drive through the light at Coleman, continuing West on Almaden Expressway, then take a U-turn within a block, driving the other direction on Almaden Expressway. Just before approaching the Coleman light, turn into the right turn lane to pass a kiosk into the park. There are no free spots to park at, near this entrance, if you are visiting when the park charges for parking.

Attractions:

Two-lane paved trail (in most spots).
Beautiful meadows, hills, and oak grottos.
Ample benches and picnic areas along the length of the trail.
Emergency phones occur freqhently along the length of the trail.
Workout stations occur along the length of the trail, each with clear instructions on a toning exercise.
Almaden Lake Park (path trailhead) has ample parking, bathrooms, a toddler (ages 2 - 5 years) play area, lawns, bocce ball, horseshoes, amphitheatre, picnic areas, benches, paddle boats (seasonal), and a beach (seasonal).
Graystone Park (part way along path) has lovely shade, benches, picnic / bbq areas, playgrounds, and bathrooms.
Wildlife include squirrels, ducks, geese, dragonflies, and lizards.
The entire trail is handicapped accessible.
Dogs are allowed on leash (but not in West parking / park area).
Bicycles allowed - this is a great place to learn to ride!

Limitations:

Stay on the trails to avoid ticks and poison oak!

Season:

Year round, about 8 am to sunset

Fees:

$6 per car April through September. Avoid paying a fee by parking along the road just outside the park.

Maps & More Information:

Maps are available at lower parking lot trailheads, although trails are very well marked.
City of San Jose Website's Info and Map about Los Alamitos Creek Trail: http://www.sjparks.org/Trails/LosAlamitos/LosAlamitos.asp
City of San Jose Website's Map of Los Alamitos Creek Trail - click to generate a pdf file: http://www.sjparks.org/Trails/LosAlamitos/LosAlamitos.asp

Handicapped Access:

There are handicapped parking spots and bathrooms at Almaden Lake Park. The trail is flat and paved, so seems suitable for wheelchairs.

Recommended routes:

Los Alamitos Creek Trail:
The Trail begins at the Northern edge of the Almaden Lake (where it connects to Guadalupe River Trail). You can walk to this end of the trail quickly from the parking lot, and back.

The trail continues South, past the picnic area. As the trail is multi-use, it splits on occasion, the fine gravel part going above a bridge, for instance, and the pavement going below. These trails quickly come back together, so take whichever path suits you. The trail runs parallel to the creek, passing through meadowed areas and oak groves. The trail goes over a bridge with steel slats and begins to run alongside a road. Across the road is shady Greystone Park which has bathrooms, benches, and broad lawns if a break is needed (if you decide to turn back at this point, the total hike will be about 3.5 miles).

The trail continues along the creek and eventually splits, forming two trails that run on either side of the creek. At McKean road, the trail ends, so turn around and return the way you came. Total length of 7.2 miles.