Looking across Coyote Valley, covered in golden fields and farmlands, towards rolling golden hills in the distance all under a blue sky

Coyote Valley Conservation Areas Master Plan

Making Coyote Valley a Landscape for All, Forever

About the Master Plan Project

Located at the southern edge of San José, Coyote Valley is remarkable for its scenic beauty, wildlife biodiversity, prime farmland and natural floodplains. Thanks to the tireless commitment of partners and community members, over 1,600 acres of valley-floor lands are now protected forever in Coyote Valley. But land protection is just the beginning of an amazing conservation story that’s unfolding here.

About Coyote Valley
Aerial photo of Coyote Valley landscape with elements and locations highlighted with text and colored overlays

View the full-sized map in new window.

Get Involved

Together We Can Shape the Future of Coyote Valley

The Open Space Authority has embarked on a public planning process to define the future of Coyote Valley and provide more public access. We invite everyone who cares about the future of Coyote Valley to get involved as we plan, restore and steward this important landscape.  

How You Can Get Involved

  • Volunteer to help us manage, steward and restore these open spaces.
  • Lend your voice to the visioning process by signing up for the Master Plan interest list to be notified of upcoming outreach activities.
  • Get the latest news on our work in Coyote Valley by signing up for the monthly Open Space Authority News & Events email.

Timeline

  • 2021-2022
    • Project Start Up
  • 2022 - 2024
    • Understanding Coyote Valley
  • 2025 - 2026
    • Creating the Vision
  • Spring 2026
    • Coyote Valley Discovery Days
  • 2027
    • Writing the Plan
    • Environmental Review & Approval
    • Begin Implementation

Recent Updates

sunrise over green hills and a small lake

Coyote Valley Restoration & Public Access FAQ

Through the Coyote Valley Conservation Areas Master Plan, the Open Space Authority is planning for habitat restoration, public access and agricultural uses across 1,600 acres of protected land in Coyote Valley. In this FAQ, readers will learn about these plans and how to get involved in the planning process.

A concept mock up of a restored hill in Coyote Valley shows visitors enjoying a seating area, native garden and views of the Fisher Creek floodplain.

Shaping the Future of Coyote Valley

New ideas are being shared as the Coyote Valley Conservation Areas Master Plan “Concept Alternatives,” or design options, and illustrate a range of approaches for achieving the conservation goals for Coyote Valley on these lands. Learn more and see the proposed designs.

Resource Library

Past Community Engagement

A group of three people stand with a volunteer learning about the Laguna Seca wetland.
The Open Space Authority held an open access day in May 2026 at the Laguna Seca wetland. Attendees had the opportunity to explore the freshwater wetland while viewing plans for habitat restoration, public access and local agriculture in Coyote Valley.
A crowd gathers under a series of tables and umbrellas to enjoy nature-based arts, crafts, games and music.
In April 2026, the Open Space Authority celebrated Earth Day by bringing nature to Santana Row! Attendees learned about the potential restoration and revitalization plans for Coyote Valley while enjoying nature-based crafts, games and music.
Open Space Authority staff talk to a visitor at a Coyote Valley Discovery Days event booth.
At a Coyote Valley Discovery Days event in March 2026, Open Space Authority staff members shared information about restoration design plans for the future of Coyote Valley and encouraged community members to vote on their preferred amenities.
A display in an indoor space with posters on easels and photographs set up on tables, where a crowd of people is looking at the various displays.
At CVCAMP open house events, community members were invited to learn all about Coyote Valley, provide input on the future planning of the region and vote on their favorite winning photo from the "Picturing Coyote Valley" photo contest.
A group of people stand at the top of a hill overlooking a green valley bathed in late-afternoon light, under a clear blue sky
For Earth Day 2024, the Open Space Authority hosted a guided hike to the top of Spreckels Hill in North Coyote Valley to learn about water, wildlife and habitat connectivity in this special landscape.
A few children and an adult stand over a table covered in colorful brochures and maps about Coyote Valley, with colorful cut-out shapes that they are writing on
The CVCAMP team hosted interactive booths at community events and festivals around Santa Clara County, where guests could write or draw why Coyote Valley is important to them on colorful shapes representing the different benefits of Coyote Valley’s open space.
A painted wooden cut-out of a mountain lion sits in the grass next to a whiteboard easel that says "Learn about Water, Wildlife, and Connectivity!" behind which are people walking towards a line of trees
Visitors attend a guided hike to learn about water, wildlife and connectivity in Coyote Valley during a 2023 Earth Day event, hosted by the Open Space Authority.

Core Partners & Funding

CVCAMP is led and managed by the Open Space Authority in close partnership with the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) and City of San José. Work on CVCAMP is funded by the Open Space Authority with the generous financial support of POST, Santa Clara County Parks Department, California Wildlife Conservation Board, California Department of Water Resources and California State Coastal Conservancy.

We thank the many organizations and countless individuals who worked for decades to ensure Coyote Valley is protected for future generations and have advanced appreciation and understanding of the vital role the valley plays in the long-term health and resilience of the region.

Open Space Authority, POST, and City of San Jose logos