Cupertino McClellan Ranch Preserve

McClellan Ranch Preserve is a gem. I took a class on Tule reed basket making, taught by Charles Kennard, and it was a great experience. Very educational, and well organized. Very pleased with the entire experience, and will be looking out for future classes at McClellan.

Looking or a place to watch the nice planet conjunction during June and July brought me to McClellan Ranch in Cupertino. A total paradise in the Silicon Valley! the real valley filled with fruits, vegetables, flowers and even goats for you to pet! (if the owner lets you, which was my case:). I found the community garden to be extremely prolific, veggies in full splendor, people working in their gardens, butterflies flying around, nice smell from the seasonal flowers… everything picture perfect. We arrived to an area where you need some sort of permit as there are animals (like pigs) and there are educational events going on. There are also hiking trails, you can picnic, go to the creek and many other hidden treasures. Loved this ranch as has so many things to do and haven’t even had time yet to see the whole thing.

Favorite park ever with paved trails, a mini farm that teaches kids leadership and decision making.

Found this place after a Unilocal search… What an awesome lil treasure. Hiking trails, picnic areas, beautiful creek, community garden, playground, kid friendly museum… lots to see and do. Definitely hope to return next time we are in the area.

What can I add that other reviewers didn’t say yet? I agree with all reviews — this place is a true gem in the heart of Cupertino urban (ish) view. The farm brings a lot of joy and tender animal care to the children volunteering here and the community garden is a bless.
I sometimes walk my tiny dog up and down the path that connects the farm with blackberry farm. Lately I entered the restrooms at the farm and pleasantly found the most clean and maintained restrooms I’ve ever saw in a park.
This place shine.

The city council agreed to change the official name of McClellan Ranch Park to McClellan Ranch Preserve a couple of years ago. Of course it will take time for all signage to be changed. In 1976 the recently purchased property was given the special designation of Nature and Rural Preserve, so the name «preserve» better communicates its mission. A second McClellan Ranch Master Plan is ongoing now within the Parks and Recreation Dept., a followup to the 1993 Master Plan. Not much was ever done after 1993 with the comprehensive recommendations, but now 21 years later the preserve is receiving some attention and capital funds. You can learn more about the studies and plans on the Cupertino web site (just search around). McClellan Ranch has always needed more advocates speaking to the folks who make the decisions and hold the purse strings, so if you like MRP, read up a bit about what’s going on now and speak up (email, write, phone, attend meetings and testify) so that this preserve never falls into years of neglect again. It is a gem but it needs some loving care and funding to fulfill it’s mission «to maintain and protect the ecology of the area, conserve the natural features and scenic values, expand community awareness and understanding of natural history and the environment and provide enjoyment of the resources present consistent with their preservation.»

I found this place on Unilocal after searching last minute for a location (that allow dogs) for a Christmas card photo shoot. The park was really easy to find (across from a golf course) and parking was not a hassle at all. It was early fall when we did the shoot, and the trees and leaves were all so beautiful and colorful! It wasn’t crowded at all and I liked that it was really quiet-​helped a lot when doing a photo shoot with my dog because there were no distractions at all. Will be back here again in the near future!

This place is one of those hidden gems in Cupertino. The Santa Clara chapter of the Audubon society is homed here so it’s a pristine place for bird watching. The working ranch sells honey made by the bees on the ranch. Our daughter absolutely loves the nature classes.

The coolest thing in Cupertino besides Ike’s! It’s lovely to get a sandwich to go and eat it here. It’s really quiet, tucked away in the hills behind some neighborhoods. The scenery is lush, and there are lots of trails to get lost (in a good way) down. The best part was the stable area with the miniature horses (!!), chickens, pigs, and wide variety of goats. A baby pygmy goat jumping around was one of the best things I’ve ever seen in my life.

18 acre preserve run by the City of Cupertino. There is a paved path where dogs are allowed. It’s all flat and a relatively short walk good for younger kids too. Also has the Cupertino Community Gardens, various 4-​H animals, office for the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society and the office for the City Naturalist. They offer classes for kids during the year and a summer camp that my children also enjoy a lot.