A green grassy hillside with yellow and orange wildflowers, beyond are more green hills under a clear blue sky

Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve

Expanded Public Access

About the Project

Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve is now open to the public!

In 2023, the Open Space Authority completed the planning, design and construction process for expanded public access to Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve. Now open, this preserve offers visitors the chance to visit a largely undisturbed serpentine grassland setting. The Authority protected over 1,800 acres at Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge with funding from several conservation partners and co-manages the preserve with the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency in order to protect habitat for rare plants and animals. Located just 10 miles from downtown San José, this preserve offers rare opportunities for guided recreational access and environmental education that allow visitors to experience, enjoy and learn about this unique landscape.

Public access at the preserve includes a parking and gathering area off Malech Road, a sustainable trail network and a staging area with restrooms, trailhead and interpretive features and signage. Visitors can climb nearly 1,400 feet in elevation through grasslands up to the ridgeline for sweeping views of Santa Clara Valley and spring wildflower displays. Access to the ridgeline completes a nearly 3-mile segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Visitors need a free "Butterfly Pass" for hiking, biking or horseback riding on the trails located inside the Habitat Protection Area.

Visit the Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge preserve page to discover preserve hours and guidelines. 

Project Goals

  • Protect rare Santa Clara Valley ridgetop views and serpentine habitat.
  • Provide public access with expanded trail opportunities.
  • Expand Bay Area Ridge Trail network in the South Bay Region for public enjoyment.
  • Create a central parking and gathering area for educational and interpretive opportunities.
  • Provide unique public wildflower viewing experiences. 
Dark brown wood sign on a grassy green slope that says "Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve" in big white letters next to the Open Space Authority logo
Opened to the public in 2023, Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve offers visitors the chance to visit a largely undisturbed serpentine grassland setting.
Hiker on a trail on a green grassy field overlooking a beautiful view of a valley patchworked with farm fields and blue mountains in the distance
Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge includes trails for visitors to explore a rare serpentine habitat.
A bench under a metal overlook with education signs about elk and the native habitat, overlooking a green hillside and parking lot in the distance
The preserve offers a variety of educational and interpretive signage to teach visitors about this rare habitat.

Project Documents and Public Meetings

CEQA DOCUMENTS  

A clump of bright orange California poppies growing in green grass on a hillside with more green hills behind

Funding for this Project

This project was funded by the Open Space Authority's Measure Q, a generous $400,000 grant from the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, a $400,000 grant from the Priority Conservation Area (PCA) Grant Program and over $1 million from California State Parks Recreational Infrastructure Revenue Enhancement (RIRE) program

Learn more on our Funding page.

Other Public Access Projects

Rolling golden hills covered in dark green trees and crisscrossed with trails, with blue mountains in the distance, under a bright blue sky

Rancho Cañada del Oro Regional Trail Planning

The Open Space Authority is looking at the feasibility of expanding multi-use access and regional trail connections to the southern portion of Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve, including an area formerly known as Blair Ranch. Learn more about this project.

A group of 7 hikers walk away from the camera on a dirt trail surrounded by a large flat field of golden grasses dotted with dark green oak trees, with rolling golden hills in the distance

Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve Expanded Public Access

The Open Space Authority is making accessibility improvements to the Heart’s Delight Trail and other facilities at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve. This project will include providing accessible use areas, and connecting the parking lot, trailhead and interpretive seating and use areas via the Heart’s Delight Trail. Learn more about this project.