At the southernmost tip of San Jose, stretching between San Jose and Morgan Hill where the Santa Clara Valley narrows is Coyote Valley. An unincorporated pocket (with some areas incorporated into San Jose), Coyote Valley is a gem from the valley’s past. Acres of rolling hills with orchards, ranches, and farmland make up the area. It remains some of the least developed land in Santa Clara County. Although plans for urban development have existed since the 1960s, many consider this untouched area, a community and environmental treasure.
Located between the Diablo Range and the Santa Cruz Mountains, the lowlands of Coyote Valley is home to the largest freshwater wetlands in the County – Laguna Seca. This area has become a major corridor for wildlife living in the mountains as well. Coyote Creek is also a significant natural landmark in the area, though part is dammed for the Anderson Lake reservoir.
Coyote, CA was once a town called Burnett, based around a mail stagecoach stop. The name was allegedly changed due to the many sightings of coyotes in the area.
Though much of Coyote Valley is beautiful, untouched hillside and ranchland, the valley is also the location of the Metcalf Energy Center, an energy plant many will recognize from drives along highway 101.
A beautiful, rural area, Coyote Valley is not nearly as tied in or urban as its neighbors – San Jose and Morgan Hill. With no lightrail or train stops, the narrow valley relies on a few large roads and highway 101 for all major traffic. Because of this, commuting can take longer than from other areas in the county, but shorter than commutes from Gilroy and with housing prices closer to Gilroy than San Jose. Still, the rural quality of Coyote Valley is what attracts people the most, and for many who chose to live here the drive is well worth it.
