Penitencia Creek

View of a paved trail with grassy fields in Penitencia Creek

Welcome to Penitencia Creek County Park. This 163 acre linear park and regional trail incorporates parklands and open space from a number of agencies including Santa Clara County, the City of San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley Water District. This four-mile trail follows Penitencia Creek from the 700-acre Alum Rock Regional Park (City of San Jose) to its confluence with Coyote Creek. The trail is incomplete at this time, however, a majority of the trail is developed and is open to public use and enjoyment.

How to Get There

Penitencia Creek County Park is located at:

Mabury Rd & Jackson Ave San Jose, CA 95112

Park Office: (408) 262-6980

From U.S. 101:

To reach the park chain from U.S. Highway 101 take the McKee Road exit in San Jose. Travel east on McKee 1.2 miles to Jackson Avenue. Turn left on to Jackson and proceed 0.7 miles to Mabury Road. The Penitencia Creek County Park gardens and access point to the trail are located on the northwest corner of Jackson and Mabury. The trail crosses Jackson Avenue 0.2 miles north of Mabury on the south side of Penitencia Creek. Penitencia Creek Road parallels the trail form Capitol Avenue to Alum Rock Park. To reach the City of San Jose's Penitencia Creek Park, take the McKee Road exit east. Follow McKee Road 1.8 miles to Capitol Avenue, turn left on to Capitol. Travel north on Capitol 1.2 miles to Penitencia Creek Road. Turn right and proceed east to the park's entrance of the left.

From I-680:

To reach the park chain from Interstate 680, take the Berryessa Road exit and proceed east 0.2 miles to Capitol Avenue. Turn right and follow Capitol Avenue south 0.4 miles to Penitencia Creek Road. You may either follow Penitencia Creek Road to the City of San Jose's Penitencia Creek Park or continue on Capitol Avenue south 0.4 miles to Mabury Road in order to reach the Penitencia Creek Gardens. Turn right on to Mabury and travel west 0.5 miles to Jackson Avenue. The Penitencia Creek County Park Gardens and access point to the trail are located on the northwest corner of Jackson and Mabury. The trail crosses Jackson Avenue 0.2 miles north of Mabury Road, on the south side of Penitencia Creek.

Activities

Penitencia Creek Park is an 163 acre part of a parkway project owned and operated by several agencies. The parkway begins with the City of San Jose's 700 acre Alum Rock Regional Park. This park offers opportunities for hikers, bikers, and nature lovers. The park incudes a nature center and picnic grounds. The trail proceeds intermittently from Alum Rock Park. Some portions of the trail are as yet undeveloped. Between Alum Rock Park and Noble Avenue, trail users must use the road shoulder. This is also the case between Noble Avenue and White Road/Piedmont Road, however, sidewalks and bike paths fill in the gaps. The trail from White/Piedmont Roads to Jackson/Mabury area is continuous except for the on-street crossings of Capitol Avenue and Jackson Avenue. The paved trail provides opportunities to hikers, bicyclists and skaters/bladers. The creek flows westerly through the residential neighborhoods of Berryessa and Alum Rock to its confluence with Coyote Creek near Berryessa Road. The trail between Jackson/Mabury and Coyote Creek is as yet largely undeveloped.

Hours and Fees

The park is open year round form 8:00 a.m. until sunset. The ranger station for Penitencia Creek County Park is located at Ed R. Levin County Park in Milpitas (408) 262-6980. No fees are collected at this facility.

Accessibility

In compliance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ('ADA'), the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its programs, services, or activities. The Department will make reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disability have an equal opportunity to enjoy our programs, services, facilities, and activities. If you need assistance with an ADA request, please contact our ADA Coordinator.