San Jose's Almaden Region

San Jose, CA--The Beautiful 9th hole at World Famous Almaden Country Club in  San Jose--former site to PGA, LPGA & Nike Professional Golf Tournaments--is on a private course. But tucked away in the nearby rolling hills and ridges near Almaden Valley, just 12 miles South of downtown San Jose is one of California's Best Kept Secrets. 

The amazing public site--New Almaden-- was named after the Almaden Mine in Spain..  It featured the richest mine and one of the most colorful mining camps in California History. It produced more than $75 million in mineral wealth between 1845-1976. It was the deepest Quicksilver Mine on earth. Wallace Stegner used the location as his setting for the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Angle of Repose." 

Hacienda de Beneficio or New Almadenn  includes the Casa Grande, built by Francis Meyers in 1854 as the official residence of the mine manager. Acquired  by the County Parks Department, it is the site of the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. Step back in time at New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, 21350 Almaden Road, San Jose. (408-323-1107) From Highway 85, take Alamden Expressway Exit South 4.5 miles to Almaden Road. Go Right 2.5 miles to New Almaden. 

New Almaden Quicksilver County Park offers more than 33 miles of hiking trailss; 25 miles of equestrian trails; 10 miles of biking trails; picnic areas and panoramic views of the entire Bay Area. 

Golf San Jose

Almaden Golf & Country Club  6663 Hampton Dr. San Jose 408-268-4653  Private course.  Black Tees Yardage 6960  Par  72 Blue Tees  6550  72   18-hole Bent grass course built in 1955. Designed by Jack Fleming

Blackberry Farm Golf Course 22100 Stevens Creek Blvd. Cupertino 408-253-9200   Year Built 1962   Designer Robert Muir Graves    9-hole   Men's Yardage: 1625 Rating: 55.9 Slope:  78  Par: 29  No Golf cart rentals

Cinnabar Hills Golf Club  23600 McKean Road San Jose, CA  95141  408-323-5200 http://www.cinnabarhills.com/   3 9 -hole courses  Mountain/Canyon Hawk Tees: 6641 yds - 72.2 - 135  Cinnabar Tees: 6269 yds - 70.5 - 131     Lake/Mountain Hawk Tees: 6853 yds - 73.1 - 135  Cinnabar Tees: 6397 yds - 70.8 - 130    Canyon/Lake  Hawk Tees: 6688 yds - 72.5 - 134  Cinnabar Tees: 6318  yds - 70.7 - 130   Architect John Harbottle III

Coyote Creek Golf Club  One Coyote Creek Golf Drive San Jose 408-463-8024 http://www.coyotecreekgolf.com/  36 hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Facility. Located in south San Jose, CA, Coyote Creek is home to the annual senior PGA tour tournament to be held the second week of March, 2002  Built  1999    Designer Jack Nicklaus  18-hole  Bent Grass Greens Winter Rye Fairways Water Hazards in Play  Black Yardage: 7027  Rating: 75.5   Slope: 141  Par: 72

Cypress Greens Golf Course 2050 S. White Road San Jose  408-238-3485 18 hole, 58 par, Yardage: 2631

San Jose Municipal Golf Course   1560 Oakland Road San Jose 408-441-4653 Holes 18 Architect:  Robert Muir Graves, 1968  Public  Driving Range Rental Clubs Pro On Site Metal Spikes Allowed   Championship Par 72 Yards: 6659   Slope: 108 

Pleasant Hills Golf & Country Club  2050 South White Road San Jose  408-238-3485  18 hole,  72 par,  6,888 yardage

Rancho del Pueblo   Hermocilla Way   (408) 347 - 0990  http://www.ranchodelpueblo.com/ 9 hole course on old Thunderbird Ranch, (Black) Yardage: 1418    Soft spike only  Designed by Damian Pascuzzo

Santa Teresa Golf Club  260 Bernal Road  San Jose 408-225-2650  (Back) Yardage: 6742 Slope: 124  Par: 71  Banquet Facilities

Contributors to this page were: Susan Bergtholdt, a retired San Jose teacher, Doug Bergtholdt, a retired San Jose Police Officer and Craig MacDonald, author of numerous books and articles on the Old West, including a recent release about the New Almaden Silver Mines.