Ultimate Dog Lover’s Guide to Los Gatos Creek Trail

Los Gatos Creek Trail

• Distance: Up to 11.2 miles
• Effort: Easy
• Dog Regulations: On Leash
• Parking: Many access points. See below for specific locations.
• Hours: 8am – Sunset
• Cost: Free if you park on the street in Downtown Los Gatos or residentially along the creek; $6 day-use per vehicle at any of the County Parks (Los Gatos Creek, Vasona Lake, Lexington Reservoir)
• Shade Level: Medium; certain segments of the trail are fairly shaded
• Pro Tip: There is plenty of free parking and multiple residential entrances, so it’s not necessary to drive into the County Parks and pay the $6 fee.
• Notable: The entire trail is flat and paved, so be mindful of the bikers and strollers you’ll be sharing the road with. Clean restrooms are available at the Los Gatos Creek and Vasona County Parks, while porta potties are available at Lexington Reservoir.

NOTE: The Paige/Mozart Bridge connecting between Los Gatos Creek County Park and Oka Ponds is closed for renovation 9/12/22 – 9/26/22. If you’re on the County Park side of the creek and want to reach the Oka Ponds side, head North towards San Tomas Expressway, walk past the dog park on your left, turn right onto the sidewalk of the expressway, then turn right through the gate to access the dirt trail.

The Los Gatos Creek multiple-use trail begins at Lexington Reservoir and follows the Los Gatos Creek for nearly 16 miles through Downtown Los Gatos, Vasona Lake County Park, Los Gatos Creek County Park, Downtown Campbell and San Jose, where it connects with the Guadalupe River and eventually flows into the San Francisco Bay. This trail is flat and mostly paved, and thus enjoyed by hikers, runners, bicyclists, and skaters. Dogs must be kept on leash and dog waste bag stations are available throughout the trail. There are countless access points along the Los Gatos Creek trail, which as a result allows you to customize how short or far of a walk you and your dog want to make of it – making this an option we come back to over and over again. Not only does this trail connect to a great dog park for Kona to enjoy, but it also offers multiple recreational opportunities like bird watching at Oka Ponds, paddle boating and fishing at Vasona Reservoir, picnicking at any of the multiple County Parks, and carousel/train riding for the kids at Vasona Park.

Recommended Trails

• Distance: 2-3 miles (depending on where you park)
• Effort: Easy
• Parking:
  1. Creek Trail Parking
  2. Entrance at 1400 Dell Ave – Note there are no sidewalks on Dell Ave.
  3. Entrance at Kilmer Ave/Longfellow Ave – This starts with walking across a pedestrian bridge over Hwy 17 and is a great option if your dog is like Kona, who is fascinated with “chasing” cars
  4. Entrance at Oka Lane
  5. Main Entrance inside Los Gatos Creek County Park ($6)
• This is our favorite go-to spot for a leisurely stroll in any season. On this one trail in Campbell, there are birds to watch at the ponds, wildflowers to smell on the dirt footpath, people fishing along the creek, dogs to befriend at the dog park, benches and picnic tables to relax at throughout the park, and a bridge to explore. The County Park side of the creek is shaded, while the Oka Ponds side is not.

• Distance: Up to 4.3 miles
  • Vasona Reservoir via Los Gatos Creek Trail – 2.1 mile out & back
  • Vasona Lake Loop & Los Gatos Creek Trail – 4.3 mile loop
• Effort: Easy
• Parking:
  1. Entrance at Garden Hill Dr
  2. Entrance off University Ave
  3. Main Entrance inside Vasona Lake County Park ($6) – There are many parking lots, so just keep driving if the lots closer to the entrance are full.
• Vasona Park is located in Los Gatos and is one of our favorite parks in the South Bay because there are so many fun and unique activities available for all ages to enjoy. On top of the playgrounds, picnic areas and multi-use trails at Vasona Park, visitors can also rent paddle boats and row boats from early spring through early fall to explore Vasona Reservoir and lake fish for trout and black bass. Kids can enjoy miniature train rides on the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, as well as rides on the W.E. Bill Mason Carousel located in the neighboring Oak Meadow Park. Best of all, dogs are allowed throughout the park on leash – just make sure they are mindful of the wildlife like ducks, geese, and gophers. During the holiday season, Vasona Park is also home to the “Fantasy of Lights,” a magical evening walk or drive-thru experience full of large, colorful animated displays.
• Tickets for the 24th Annual (2022) Fantasy of Lights are on sale starting November 1

• Distance: 3.8 miles
• Effort: Moderate
• Parking:
  1. Small parking lot on Maple Pl – While this is conveniently in front of the trailhead, it is often full
  2. Parking spaces on Main St – Plenty of spaces in front of Los Gatos Civic Center
  3. Parking spaces near Los Gatos High School – Student/teacher permits not required on weekends
• If you’re looking for a hike with some elevation and beautiful views, this one’s for you. Note that this trail is fairly open, so plan accordingly on hot days. This hike starts at the E Main St trailhead in Downtown Los Gatos. While the flat portion of this hike is on the Los Gatos Creek trail, the elevated portions are part of the St. Joseph’s Hill Open Space Preserve via Flume trail and Jones trail. If you prefer starting the first half in the shade, take the loop clockwise via Flume trail and you’ll be rewarded with views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Lexington Reservoir about half-way through. The Los Gatos Creek trail will then bring you back along Hwy 17 to downtown, where you can reward yourself with a well-deserved gelato at Dolce Spazio, a beer at Loma Brewing, or coffee at Manresa Bread (or all three!).