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It hits you almost out of nowhere, the doldrums of suburban roofs and bright green golf courses giving way to a quaint sign announcing the entrance to Alum Rock Park.

There is nothing quaint about the park itself, which lies in a canyon in the Diablo hills at the foot of Mt. Hamilton. When looking towards San Jose from its many high perches, there is a sense of time travel. The low moan of the city below seems inconsequential comapred to the rustling of live oaks and the burbling Penitencia Creek. For being so close, the semi -wild paths seem utterly cut off from the outside world. The 720-acre park has 13 miles of trails with varying difficulty for hikers, runners, bikers, and equestrians to explore, with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,300 feet.

Looking at the park from San Jose, the hills have a smooth and silky look that is largely deceiving. This canyon has stark changes in vegetation. The oaks and buckeyes on its upper ridges provide ample shade on the South Ridge Trail, while the sycamores, maples and white alders on the valley floor make it almost chilly beside the slow-moving creek. Pepper and eucalyptus trees dot the landscape on the north side, where the dry yellow-brown grass sits chest high and rattles in the wind.

The lower floor of the park is perfect for family outings. Nine group picnic areas dot the bottom of the valley near the park's historic mineral baths and grottos, and offer a great respite on hot summer days. The park has three entrances, and charges $6 for inside parking. There is road parking outside the park, and the little-known Peacock Gap Trail is a great way to get right to the start of the South Rim Trail

(Follow this link for more cool info, including some Alum Rock Park history.)

PERFECT FOR: running, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, picnics.

NOT SO GOOD FOR: dog walking (not permitted), camping

YOUR MOM WOULD TELL YOU TO: Watch for poison oak, which almost reaches out at you in some places. Also listen for bikers and horses when hiking on the North Ridge Trail.

CREATURE COMFORTS: many informational kiosks, ample parking ($6). Six restrooms, and emergency phones. The Youth and Science Institute, which hosts exhibits of the animals living in the park, is a great place for families to explore while hiking the easy Penitencia Creek trail.

IF YOU'RE LUCKY YOU'LL: run into lots of wildlife, and, depending on what you think of as "lucky," spot a mountain lion or bobcat in the distance. (Some of you might also run into some of the old souls that are said to haunt the ancient park.)

—Ryan Willard

15350 East Penitencia Rd, San Jose. 408.794.7275. Learn more at the official Alum Rock Park webpage. View a map of Alum Rock Park.

TRAILS
South Rim Trail: 3 miles; 1.5-2 hours; moderate
A true hikers trail. Bikes and horses are not allowed. Largely shaded, it's a great trail to get away from the commotion on the valley floor below. The nearly 600 feet in elevation gain is easier on the western switchbacks at the back of the trail. On the eastern start, the hard stretch rewards you with good views of Silicon Valley below. To the left of the trail, on the north side, you can see the North Rim Trail with its yellow grass. After the elevation gain on both sides, the trail settles into a ridgeline with picturesque views of the park and city below. The work feels minor compared to the results.

Creek Trail: 4 miles; 1.5- 2 hours; easy
This is the perfect trail for families. The Creek Trail winds along the valley floor, with ample chances for parking, picnics and restrooms. Sycamore Grove and Valley Oak further up the trail offer great spots with impressive tree cover.

The wide trail goes slightly uphill, and the grottos and mineral baths that made this park famous are along both sides. The vegetation changes with the much cooler weather. While the South Rim Trail is rewarding, the Creek Trail is an idyllic place for a lazy weekend afternoon.

North Rim Trail: 2.5 miles; 1-1.5 hours; easy to moderate
A great spot for mountain bikers and horseback riders to go strolling along the open yellow grassland. The vegetation has the occasional pepper tree or eucalyptus, with park benches overlooking the valley.If you want to ride your horse on some open, grassy terrain while passing under some oaks, this is the place to do it. Mostly level except for the occasional hill or two.

Todd L Quick Trail: 1 mile; 30 minutes; moderate to strenuous
A loop that extends off the North Rim Trail, the trail is a tough climb higher into the hills. Wildlife seems to be abundant here. Expect to see lots of deer and blue jays. On windy days, the constant sound of grass sounds like rattlesnakes all around you. The trail also connects to the larger Boccarda Trail that goes off the park.