Alum Rock Park is the oldest municipal park in California, originally established in 1872 within San José’s Alum Rock district. The 720-acre park showcases the beauty and splendor of the Alum Rock Canyon and the foothills of the nearby Diablo Range, offering ample opportunity for outdoor recreational activities.

Visitors can view remains from the turn-of-the-century period of time when the park was a nationally-renowned health spa and mineral springs, which was connected to the city’s downtown via the Alum Rock Steam Railroad. 13 miles of nature trails offer opportunities for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding, while day-use picnic sites offer barbecue grills and public restrooms.

The nonprofit Youth Science Institute Science and Nature Center offers after-school activities and a public museum, while guided nature walks of the park are offered by the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority. Free parking is available at the park’s Eagle Rock and Rustic Lands parking lots.