Ulistac Natural Area and Guadalupe River Levee

Location

Ulistac Natural Area is in Santa Clara between Tasman Drive and Hope Drive on Lick Mill Blvd. There is no specific parking lot for Ulistac, but parking is ample along Lick Mill Blvd and there is a small parking lot at Lick Mill Park, across the street from Ulistac.

To get to Ulistac, drive West from Highway 237, using the First Street Exit, then turn right on Tasman Dr. Turn left onto Lick Mill Blvd. Lick Mill Park is on your right in several blocks. Cross Lick Mill Blvd at the marked crosswalk near Hope Drive, to enter the South gate. There is a North gate closer to Tasman Drive on Lick Mill Blvd.

Guadalupe River flows West from San Jose, through Santa Clara and into the bay. There are trailheads to the paths that run on either side of it, at most major streets in Santa Clara, including Montague Expressway and Tasman Drive.

Attractions:

Ulistac Natural Area is a restored wetland area with groves of eucalyptus, pines, grasses, reeds, and access to the Guadalupe River.
The area has a butterfly / hummingbird garden with lovely native and local plants.
The area also has grassland, coastal scrub, oak savannah, riparian woodland, sycamore woodland, and oak woodland regions.
This area abounds in birds and rabbits, both in the park and along the river.
Bicycles are allowed.
There are parks all along the Guadalupe River, either as parts of business parks or adjacent to residences. Thiesman Park, for instance, is Southeast of Ulistac Natural Area, between Guadalupe River Levee and Lick Mill Blvd.
The Ulistac and Guadalupe Levee trails are dirt, fine gravel, or coarse gravel. They are wide and flat.
There are numerous placards throughout Ulistac, explaining the biology of the region.
Ulistac is currently being studied and restored via a connection between City of Santa Clara and Santa Clara University (as well as numerous other volunteers).
Lick Mill Park has parking, restrooms, benches, play areas, picnic facilities, and ample lawns for relaxing before or after the hike.
Dogs are allowed on leash.

Limitations:

No smoking permitted.
Stay on the trail to avoid ticks and poison oak.

Season:

Year round, about sunrise to sunset.

Fees:

None.

Maps & More Information:

Small maps are posted at both the North and South entrances.
City of Santa Clara's Ulistac Natural Area Description: http://www.ci.santa-clara.ca.us/park_recreation/pr_ulistac.html
City of Santa Clara's Ulistac Natural Area Brochure - contains information and a map: http://www.ci.santa-clara.ca.us/pdf/collateral/UlistacNaturalArea.pdf

Handicapped Access:

Ulistac's paths are all relatively smooth and flat, and were designed to meet all-access standards. The ramps up to the levee are steeply graded, but are wide and paved, and the paths along the levee are flat and wide.

Recommended routes:

Ulistac Trails:
Begin at the South Gate to Ulistac Natural Area, nearest Hope Drive. Enter the park and walk along the path to the pump station. Turn right and climb the ramp to the Guadalupe River levee. Turn left at the top of ramp to walk along the levee towards Tasman Drive. Just before Tasman, turn left and descend the ramp back into Ulistac Natural Area. At the bottom of the ramp, turn left, walking through the Riparian Woodland, then Sycamore Woodland. Pass the gathering area for the park, then turn right to the Oak Savannah. Follow the trail North through the center of the park, passing Coastal Scrub, the North entrance gate, and arriving at the Wetlands area. Return by walking along the Lick Mill Blvd sidewalk or South along any of the trails you have already taken, retracing your steps to the South gate. Total distance is about 1.2 miles.
Ulistac and Levee Loop
Begin at the South Gate to Ulistac Natural Area, nearest Hope Drive. Enter the park and walk along the path to the pump station. Turn right and climb the ramp to the Guadalupe River levee. Turn right at the top of the ramp to hike along the levee, South. Look out for birds, rabbits, and domestic cats along the river. There are low roads that merge with the upper levee road, if you would like to walk closer to the river. A few blocks from Montague Expressway, a large footbridge crosses the river. Turn left to cross, then turn left to follow the levee North. At Tasman Drive, turn left and follow the narrow sidewalk to the levee adjacent to Ulistac Natural Area, turning left to re-enter this side of the levee. Continue for about 1000 feet until the ramp leading down into the park. Take the ramp, then turn right to follow the trail to the wetlands and North entrance. Follow the trail just within the entrance left, to pass through the center of the park, enjoying the Coastal Scrub and Oak Savannah. Head towards the pump station, then turn right to reach the South entrance. Total distance is about 3 miles.