Gaviota Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

Gaviota Trail runs from the 1.2 mile mark of Coyote Ridge Trail to the 1.8 mile mark along Rancho San Ysidro Trail. Although Gaviota Trail can be enjoyed in either direction, this description starts from its trail junction along Coyote Ridge Trail.

Starting from Coyote Ridge Trail at a saddle on Coyote Ridge, Gaviota Trail immediately heads through the grasslands to the western side of Coyote Ridge. To the left along this section, there is an impressive view of Mummy Mountain across a grass valley for the first 0.3 miles.

At the 0.3 mile mark, having reached the western side of Coyote Ridge, Gaviota Trail turns right and heads northwest on the ridge side. From here, the trail continuously descends gradually, as it winds along the ridge side. Rural southern Santa Clara can be seen below to the southwest. To the northeast are the pristine grass hills of the park with Coyote Ridge rising to its crest. The trail crosses grasslands and wooded seasonal creek areas as it makes its way northwest.

Blue Oak Trail and the last wooded seasonal creek are passed at the 1.5 mile mark. From here, Gaviota Trail runs through the wide open, unshaded grasslands of the western side of the park and Coyote Ridge to its end at Rancho San Ysidro Trail after a total of 2.2 miles.

Grass hills with trees and brush grow along seasonal creeks. The creekside trees are mostly oaks with occasional California buckeye trees. Spring wildflowers can also be found here.