# Santa Teresa County Park Historic Joice Bernal Farm Family Trail Loop

> Place to go for families in the San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara area (CA). Times are Pacific Time.

- When: Open on its own schedule
- Where: Santa Teresa County Park - Historic Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch, 372 Bernal Rd, San Jose, CA 95119
- Ages: All ages (paved historic ranch grounds and gentle foothill nature paths)
- Price: Free admission and parking at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch historic site
- Organizer: Santa Clara County Parks
- Official page: https://parks.sccgov.org/santa-clara-county-parks/santa-teresa-county-park
- Last checked: Thu, Nov 5

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/santa-teresa-county-park-historic-joice-bernal-farm-family-trail-loop--listing-42bfb9bdb2269f1e5c6393b8

## About

Located in the tranquil southern foothills of San Jose, Santa Teresa County Park spans 1,673 acres of rolling terrain rich in Ohlone Native American and Spanish-Mexican ranching history. For families with little ones, the best starting point is the Historic Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch, an impeccably restored 1853 homestead located right on Bernal Road. Here, children can walk through the original two-story farmhouse, examine historic horse-drawn carriages and antique farm implements inside the redwood barn, and admire a towering historic wooden windmill and heritage fruit trees. From the ranch yard, the gentle, flat Joice Trail meanders alongside the historic spring-fed riparian corridor, where winter rains revive the freshwater springs that supported wildlife and indigenous communities for centuries. Educational panels along the path detail the daily life of ranching families, while wide open fields offer frequent sightings of black-tailed deer, jackrabbits, and red-tailed hawks soaring against the scenic foothill backdrop.

Family Experience & Accessibility:
• Stroller Accessibility: Flat, firmly packed dirt and paved walkways surround the historic buildings, barn, and garden areas, accommodating standard strollers and wagons easily.
• Nursing & Rest Spots: Shaded wooden picnic tables under grand olive and walnut trees; ADA-compliant public restrooms with baby changing amenities located directly adjacent to the historic barn.
• Age Suitability: Great for toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary school children interested in pioneer history, antique machinery, and gentle outdoor walking.
• Sensory Tips: Exceptionally peaceful rural foothill atmosphere; gentle sounds of rustling leaves, bird calls, and babbling spring trickles create a calming environment.

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