Fremont Older Open Space Preserve

Photo by David Carroll.

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Oct-Dec 2007

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by David Carroll — published October 01, 2007

Fremont Older Open Space Preserve is the namesake park of the onetime editor of the now-defunct San Francisco Call and Bulletin newspapers. Part of a 2,134-acre block of protected lands, this 739-acre preserve near Cupertino is notable for its mix of natural and developed space: Trails wind through remnants of fruit and nut orchards to vistas that take in the entire sweep of the Santa Clara Valley. Older's historic home—which is still occupied—has been fully restored and is open for docent-led tours a few times a year.

From the Prospect Road parking lot, the Cora Older Trail climbs out of the forest of oaks and bays into bright, sun-bleached fields. The Hayfield Trail continues northeast to Hunter's Point, one of the park's high spots at 900 feet. On a clear day you can see for miles north to the Bay and east to the Diablo Range. The Seven Springs Trail meanders down through chaparral along the eastern slope. A private stable abuts the preserve's eastern edge, so horses and riders are plentiful here. The trail turns west along a creek, and on one summer morning I saw three separate groups of black-tailed deer here. Continue half a mile to rejoin the Cora Older Trail, which returns to the parking lot, or continue west toward Stevens Creek County Park.

Getting there: From Highway 85, take the De Anza Boulevard exit and head south half a mile. Turn right on Prospect Road and go two miles to the Prospect Road parking lot. [David Carroll]