Car Pooling Information
We strongly encourage carpooling on our outings. Carpooling saves energy and cuts down on air pollution. Some trailheads, moreover, have limited parking or parking fees.
"No host carpool" indicates that the hike leader or co-lead will not be at the carpool lot, so you'll have to look for other people dressed for hiking and see if they're going on the same event.
Our most common carpool locations are the Park-and-Ride lots at Tamien, Los Gatos, and Cottle Road. All these locations have ample free parking.
Tamien
Tamien Light Rail Park and Ride is located about a mile southwest of downtown San Jose. It is well serviced by Light Rail, CalTrain and Santa Clara County bus connections.
To get there, drive towards San Jose downtown on a major highway and use the following directions, depending on where you're coming from :
- South OR north on 101 - take the 280 exit towards San Francisco. From 280, take 87 south.
- South on 680: continue to 280 and take 87 south.
- South on 880: take 87 south.
- North on 17: take 280 towards San Jose, then 87 south.
- North on 87: take the San Carlos/ Auzerais exit. Turn left onto Woz Way, another left on Auzerais to go under freeway, then left again onto the entrance ramp for 87 south.
Once you're headed south on Highway 87(Guadalupe Expressway), get off at the Alma exit. Turn left on to Lelong Street after you exit and the Park-and-Ride will be on your immediate left. We'll meet near the Light Rail entrance, close to the southwest corner of the lot.
The Los Gatos city parking lot is located right off Highway 17 southbound, Exit 20B, Los Gatos-Saratoga Road.Drive past the intersection at University and enter the first driveway on the right. The lot is on the north side of the Los Gatos-Saratoga between Santa Cruz Avenue and University Avenue across the street from the Flights restaurant which is located at 165 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road.
Once you're there look for other members near the parking entrance closest to Flights or in the part of the parking lot behind the Starbucks located at 442 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Cottle Road Park and Ride is located in South San Jose just off Highway 85. To get there, take 85 south to Cottle Road, past Blossom Hill and the last exit before 85 merges with 101. Drive directly across from the exit ramp into the Park and Ride.
Some events may use alternate carpooling locations. The following are among the most commonly used for GLS outings:
- Edgewood Road & 280
- Mission Boulevard & 680
- Camden Road & 85
- Page Mill Road & 280 (small and fills up fast)
For more information, see the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority's website.