Almaden Quicksilver County Park

This erstwhile mining facility that dates back to the 19th century has miles of trails for horseback riding, cycling or just plain hiking. Buried in the foothills south of San Jose, the park is definitely off the beaten... More »

This erstwhile mining facility that dates back to the 19th century has miles of trails for horseback riding, cycling or just plain hiking. Buried in the foothills south of San Jose, the park is definitely off the beaten path, making it a nice retreat from the city. Once there, you can gaze at remnants of mercury mining facilities from the Gold Rush days. They are a sometimes poignant reminder of how hard it was to stake a claim in those days and how few miners actually struck it rich. Check website for timings.