Peter Ferrante Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Peter Ferrante Park is a popular recreational area located in the city of San Jose, California.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

The park offers visitors a range of activities and amenities, making it a great destination for families, nature lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

One of the main draws of Peter Ferrante Park is its extensive network of trails for walking, hiking, and biking. The park features over 10 miles of trails, many of which offer sweeping views of the surrounding hills and valleys. The trails are well-maintained and suitable for all skill levels.

Another noteworthy feature of Peter Ferrante Park is its large fishing pond. The pond is stocked with trout and catfish, and fishing enthusiasts can try their luck with a valid California fishing license. The park also offers picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields for visitors to enjoy.

Interesting facts about the park include its history as a former ranch and orchard, as well as its unique geology. The park sits on the site of a long-extinct volcano, and visitors can see evidence of volcanic rock formations and lava flows in the surrounding hills.

The best time of year to visit Peter Ferrante Park depends on personal preferences and the activities visitors want to do. Spring and fall tend to be the most pleasant seasons in terms of weather, while summer offers longer daylight hours and more opportunities for outdoor recreation. The park is open year-round, but visitors should be aware of seasonal closures and restrictions on certain activities, such as fishing.

       

Weather Forecast

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.
Related References