Amazing Views - Hiking Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve - San Jose, CA

High atop Sierra Road in San Jose, CA, is Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve. This preserve is best known for great views of San Jose from the east side and a great place for a sunset hike. I also found that it is a good place to view spring wildflowers as well. Please know your limits with this hike. There is a lot of elevation and the trail is 99% exposed to the sun. You will drop in elevation first, so know that you need to go back up. I did it on a clear 60 F degree day and it felt like it was 80 F degrees climbing back up in full sun. The parking lot is of average size, but will fill up at peak times. There is no parking on Sierra road and there are no services at this preserve. I hiked the Boccardo Loop Trail: Distance: 4.1 Miles Elevation: 1,000 Feet Time: 2 Hours Difficulty: 7 / 10 - Mainly due to full sun exposure and elevation. Again, once you go down, you need to make it back up