Metcalf Park

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Parks

California

Nearby: Los Paseos Park Basking Ridge Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Metcalf Park is a beautiful natural area located in San Jose, California.

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Summary

There are several good reasons to visit Metcalf Park, including its stunning vistas, hiking trails, and abundant wildlife. Visitors to the park will be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the nearby mountains, as well as plenty of birdwatching opportunities.

One of the most interesting points of interest at Metcalf Park is the historic Limekiln Trail. This trail was used by early settlers to transport lime from the nearby quarries to the cities of San Francisco and San Jose. Today, visitors can walk along this trail and see the remnants of these historic lime kilns.

Another interesting feature of Metcalf Park is its diverse wildlife population. Visitors may spot deer, coyotes, rabbits, and a variety of bird species while exploring the park's trails. The park is also home to several rare and endangered species, including the Bay checkerspot butterfly.

The best time of year to visit Metcalf Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the park's flora and fauna are at their most vibrant. Visitors should be aware, however, that the park can be quite busy during these seasons, especially on weekends.

Overall, Metcalf Park is a beautiful and fascinating natural area that is well worth a visit for anyone in the San Jose area. With its stunning vistas, historic landmarks, and diverse wildlife, it offers something for everyone to enjoy.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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