Coyote Creek Parkway

If your four-legged pal loves taking long walks, then they're in for a treat at the Coyote Creek Parkway! Spanning 15 miles along Coyote Creek and Highway 101, this scenic route makes for a furrific spot to stretch your legs and experience the natural beauty of San Jose with your canine best friend.

Since the Coyote Creek Parkway is essentially a lengthy asphalt trail with multiple access points, it's easy to start wherever you want and customize the length of your walk. The path is relatively flat and weaves among oak, cottonwood, and sycamore trees, making it pawfectly suited for hikers of all skill levels. You'll also find various parks and rest areas along the way, so you can include a picnic and other activities in your itinerary. Remember to bring plenty of water for you and your canine companion, as drinking fountains are not available at the parkway.

In addition to stream and lake views, you and Fido will get to see the undersides of highway overpasses since the trail intersects with the freeway several times. There's also a radio control model airplane area where you might catch members of the local model airplane club flying their craft. One of the parks along the parkway is the Anderson Lake County Park, which is home to the county's largest reservoir and a 1-mile self-guided nature trail that will introduce you and Fido to the history, flora, and fauna of the area. On the northern end of the parkway is the Hellyer County Park, which includes an off-leash dog enclosure where your pup can romp unfettered. The park also contains an Olympic-size velodrome and picnic areas.

Wherever you go, always keep your pooch on a leash and clean up after them, so have clean-up bags handy. Make sure Fido is familiar with proper trail petiquette, as you'll be sharing the path with other hikers, bicyclists, and rollerbladers.

Enjoy a beautiful day out in San Jose with your doggo at the Coyote Creek Parkway!