One good way to bond with your family is to spend time in nature. Getting outdoors lets you enjoy the fresh air and get away from the stresses and demands that ordinarily keep you apart. Consider the following family-friendly parks near Morgan Hill the next time you want to enjoy outdoor activities.
Calero County Park
Head to Calero County Park to enjoy 4,471 acres of land nestled along the Santa Cruz Mountains and the California Oak backcountry. There’s also a large reservoir, which offers a number of great recreational water activities, including power boating, kayaking, jet skiing, and sailing. If you’ve come for fishing, just keep in mind that the reservoir is catch and release.
Once you’ve cooled off on the lake, head to the backcountry to enjoy 18.9 miles of trails for hiking, horse riding, or walking your dog. You can even take the Serpentine Loop Trail to get to the nearby Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve. End the day with a nice meal at one of the many picnic and barbecue sites that are located in the park.
Uvas Reservoir County Park
For a quieter experience, the Uvas Reservoir County Park makes a nice stop. This park, which is located in the shadows of the Santa Cruz Mountains, offers you 1,017 acres to explore. Because the reservoir is used for underground aquifers, no boating or swimming is allowed. This results in a peaceful atmosphere that’s great for family relaxation, fun, and unwinding.
Spend the day fishing, enjoying a nice picnic, or walking your dog around the lake. Public facilities are limited at this park, so plan on using your imagination to entertain yourself. Bring a football or Frisbee to toss around, as well as a camera to capture some amazing nature shots.
Anderson Lake County Park
Anderson Lake County Park includes Santa Clara County’s largest reservoir, which offers nearly limitless opportunities for a fun day on the water. This 4,275-acre park and 953-acre lake provide a mix of land- and water-based activities, including fishing, boating, hiking, horse riding, picnicking, and more.
One of the most popular things to do is cruise along the lake, as power boats are permitted. Keep in mind that water levels vary and are sometimes too low for boats, so check with the Santa Clara County Parks website before you head out with your speedboat in tow. In the meantime, why not try your hand at fishing? Just keep in mind that, like Calero Park, it’s a catch and release lake.
Anderson Lake also provides numerous hiking trails, most notably a 15-mile paved trail that runs along Coyote Creek and connects to Coyote Hellyer County Park. The trail is mostly flat, making it great for smaller members of the family to ride their bikes, run, and play.
These are just a few of the parks in the area. Spend some time going to each to find your favorite spot, and make it a tradition to visit it whenever your family is in need of an outing.
Photo by donjd2 | Licensed under cc BY 2.0
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