The best times to visit Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve are winter and spring. Many of the specialty birds of the preserve can be found very close to the parking lot.

In winter, Golden Eagle and Ferruginous Hawk (uncommon) are sometimes seen flying over the preserve, and Yellow-billed Magpies are usually around the parking lot area and in the fields nearby. The rocky hill next to the parking lot used to have a pair of Rock Wrens that would come down to the parking lot, providing nice views, but they have become infrequent and have only been seen a few times since May 2021. This rocky hill may also have an occasional Rufous-crowned Sparrow. Burrowing Owl is a rare winter visitor to the preserve.

In spring, Bullock’s Oriole and Western Kingbird show up at the preserve, and both can be found in the oaks near the picnic tables on the Heart’s Delight Trail. Yellow-billed Magpie and Golden Eagle can still be found, although Ferruginous Hawks usually leave by March. The 4-mile Arrowhead Loop Trail (currently one-way) goes through the nearby hills and may have birds usually found in oak woodland/savanna, including Blue-gray Gnatcatchers.

Yellow-billed Magpie, Golden Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Bullock’s Oriole, Western Kingbird, Burrowing Owl, Rufous-crowned Sparrow

Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve is a preserve managed by the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. It has a fairly large parking lot, picnic tables, and a restroom, as well as fields, oak savanna/woodland, and a rocky hill.

There are two main trails: Arrowhead Loop (one-way) and Heart’s Delight. The Heart’s Delight Trail is fairly short and will produce many of the specialties for the preserve, while the 4-mile Arrowhead Loop goes through hills with oak savanna/woodland.

To get to the park from San Jose, take US-101 south towards Morgan Hill, exit on Bailey Avenue, and turn right. Take a left onto Santa Teresa Boulevard, and then make a right onto Palm Avenue in 2 miles. Continue to the end of the road to reach the parking lot. To get to the park from Morgan Hill, take US-101 north towards San Jose, exit on Bailey, and turn left. Continue to Santa Teresa Boulevard and turn left, and then turn right on Palm Avenue and continue to the end of the road.

Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve is located at the western edge of the Coyote Valley and provides a greenbelt between San Jose and Morgan Hill. While only 20 miles from downtown San Jose, this preserve offers a truly rural and wilderness experience. Recreation amenities include a multi-use trail for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.

Heart’s Delight Trail, Arrowhead Loop Trail (currently one-way going counterclockwise)