ulistac natural area

During our visit we noticed this hiking area very close to where we were staying. Went for a morning walk and found this place really unique. It is a nature abundant are with native plants. Actually gives you a glimpse of how the silicon ballet would have been before it was urbanised. We spotted a Poisonous oak tree as well. Couldn't spot the quail family though. Saw many beautiful birds in that area. It's a short and nice hike right in the heart of silicon valley. Great effort by the volunteers who have infused a new life to this area.

This is a lovely little spot to go for a bit of walk in the middle of Santa Clara. A little over a dozen years ago, this was a section of an abandoned golf course that was slated for development; some activists were able to get 40 acres protected - at least, temporarily. A team of volunteers have been restoring the area with native plants - which has had great success in attracting bird and butterfly life, particularly in the butterfly garden. It's a great place for solitude, and to get a sense of what California used to be like. It's remarkable the change since they began the restoration; however, it is still a "work in progress", largely by volunteers. Some of it is under threat, as the city needs to find a new location for a kids soccer park; a worthy cause, but please, not here ... I stop by once a month, to see how it changes with the seasons ...

To live close to this natural area is like a dream if you live in Silicon Valley - one of the busiest places on earth. To walk here and watch the trees and the birds is just a fantastic experience. When it is time to relax my wife and I always go here. Great place with an interesting history.

I've visited this area several times but just recently had an opportunity to take a guided tour. The area rests in an urban/residential area and adjacent to the Guadalupe River. The people conserving and restoring this area have brought in native plants and allowed existing plants to thrive. Some plant species had dwindled to almost non-existent in this area due to development. Their efforts have brought back native bird species and given homes to many reptiles and other animals, like jack rabbits, small foxes, etc. We even saw Monarchs on their migration path thanks to generous plantings of narrow-leaf milkweed. This is also a fantastic place to see plants in their natural habitat without all the pruning and watering they receive in a landscape setting. You will see many types of drought tolerant and native plants - some of the plants and trees we saw blooming had not received any water (other than rain) for over a decade!The trails were well marked although since the area is still under restoration, some trails just end. The area is arranged by plant ecosytem: bird and butterfly garden, grassland, coastal scrub, oak savannah, etc. There are displays informing of the history of the area and the native creatures that make it home but a guided tour is the way to go. Although it is right in the middle of town, you feel as if you are immersed in nature - a breath of fresh air. * Bathrooms: there are none on-site - its a natural area afterall! But bathrooms are located across Lickmill at Lickmill park.** They host field trips and team building events! We saw some awesome structures built by corporate execs on a team building exercise!