F Welcome to Vargas Plateau P O A P L le O O a T M s H A a IL R K n L I E L t K o R Between 1993 and 1996, the Park District purchased S A n O

R Vargas Plateau R R Year Dedicated: 2016 Acres: 1,249 A O E i some of the Vargas and Tavares land, and added the d D A R g Highlights: Hiking, biking, equestrian trails, bird- D O e A Rose and Comcast properties in 2010, bringing the total D R e Regional Park watching, , panoramic views. g acreage to 1,249 acres . P a r WILDLIFE This parkland has a diverse array of wild- k Fremont, Newark, Union City life habitats typical of the inner coast ranges, including grassland, seasonal wetlands, stock ponds, perennial and 84 SUNOL D A ephemeral drainages, northern coastal scrublands, and O R N oak woodlands, with some low rock outcrops. YO N A Vargas C Plateau The parkland provides an important ridgetop link S MORRISON E IL Regional CANYON ROAD between ridgeline parks to the north and south (Garin, N Park Pleasanton Ridge, , Sunol). This makes it an important corridor connecting habitats for threatened 680 This regional park, opened in 2017, provides species, allowing genetic mixing between populations 238 VARGAS ROAD magnificent views from its setting in the Fremont Hills. and encouraging their recovery. MISSION BL. The plateau rises quickly and steeply from the bay The ponds in Vargas Plateau provide habitat for N North plain to an elevation 1,000 feet above the streets several special-status species, including the threatened STEVENSOBL. below, overlooking Niles Canyon, Fremont, Union City, red-legged frog and the Alameda whip- FREMONT 02 Miles Newark, and the Bay beyond. Atop the snake, and for the federally threatened California tiger plateau a pastoral landscape predominates, and golden salamander. 2536 Morrison Canyon Rd, Fremont, CA 94539 eagles, , deer, , frogs, snakes, and a variety Ground squirrels proliferate in the highest eleva- of other animals make their home in the open tions of the plateau. Their burrow chambers may be To Reach the Vargas Plateau Staging Area: grasslands, ponds, and steep wooded canyons. These inhabited by the California tiger salamander and the From I-680 in Fremont, exit at Vargas Road and go features, together with the Bay Area Ridge Trail along California red-legged frog, and by reptiles such as the north. Drive about 1.6 miles to Morrison Canyon the ridgetop, make the park a great place for outdoor Pacific gopher snake and the Northern Pacific rattle- Road and turn right. The staging area is ahead on the Jerry Ting recreation and nature appreciation on the urban/wild- snake. Many insects also utilize the burrows, including left about 0.4 miles. land threshold. crickets, ants and beetles, which serve as food for non- HISTORY The -speaking Tuibun and Causen breeding tiger salamanders. The ground squirrels’ pres- tribes thrived here in the Fremont Plains and Sunol ence, along with the California meadow vole, attracts Valley respectively, for many generations. Following a wide array of predators such as the white-tailed kite the 1772 and 1776 arrival of Spanish expeditions, the and Northern harrier. native people lived and labored at Mission San Jose; Wetland habitats within Vargas Plateau include and later, on Mexican land grants, which included land several ponds and seasonal wetlands. Upland, tributary given to Juan B. Alvarado and Andres Pico in 1846, of drainages serve as the headwaters of various streams, which Vargas Plateau was part. With California state- all of which drain into . hood in 1850, the land was used as a horse-breeding The dense stands of coast live oak and interspersed ranch, and by the turn of the century it was subdi- California bay located in the drainages and on the vided. In 1909, Antonio F. Vargas purchased 444 acres plateau’s steep slopes support a wide array of species, of the “lower ranch,” and later, his brother Manuel and including the , black-tailed deer, dusky-footed nephew Edward purchased 550 acres of the “upper woodrat, red-tailed hawks, Cooper’s hawks, the great- ranch.” The Tavares family inherited Edward Vargas’ horned owl and tiny pygmy owl, and wild turkeys. property in 1978. The families used the land for sheep The park’s steep topography has contributed to the and cattle ranching and dryland farming. plateau remaining somewhat isolated from major human East Bay Regional Park District encroachment, save for mostly agricultural uses such as 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, ranching and dryland farming. This in turn has preserved Oakland, CA 94605-0381 the plateau’s integrity as a favored foraging area for 1-888-327-2757 (1-888-EBPARKS) POLICE, FIRE, MEDICAL EMERGENCY...... 9-1-1 www.ebparks.org Rev 4/21 TRS RELAY FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED...... 7-1-1 golden eagles and other raptors, and for far-ranging mammals such as , bobcats and mountain lions. Jerry Ting Jerry Ting A B C D E F G H PALOMARES ROAD

1 270

720

870 Alameda Creek 2

Trail 84 84 h c 270 a n 420 870R 1.45 720 er 3 p p 870 U 1020 D OA R N O 420 1 NY 020 CA 870 S ILE 1190 N D A 020 RO 1 N YO 4 N A C 420

D 570 L .05 .12 O VARGAS PLATEAU REGIONAL PARK .17 .05 720 .08

NILES CANYON .10 STAGING AREA View Point Alameda Creek Trail PARK 5 1170 .30 RESIDENCE 1020 .21 .16

720

1 .30 020 BRING DRINKING WATER. 1148 It may not be available 6 1.03 in the park. 420 720 G 270 o .74 ld en 870 il D ra Ea T .71 g 1 e h le 080 e ulc r r G 5 e Cliff Trail 70 e Gu D Trail 870 lch 870 1020

T 1012 870 r Cli a C ff il 7 720 A T .29 N r Y a MORRISON CANYON ROAD O il 720 N

720

. E AV H E G I .52 70 IN G 5 VARGAS PLATEAU ER H STAGING AREA

K T IC 570 P S

D 420 8 R .

V A RISON C R R ANY ROAD G MO ON A S

HIKER AND BIKER ACCESS ONLY. MORRISON CANYON ROAD R O

CLOSED TO THROUGH VEHICLE ACCESS. A WELCOME! D Please enjoy the Regional Parks safely, and help protect and preserve the parklands by complying with park rules and regulations. TAKE THE I-680 VARGAS ROAD EXIT To SAFETY and ETIQUETTE FOR VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE PARK. 680 /• Stay on trails. Shortcuts are dangerous and damage natural resources. • Carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

• Be prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions. • Trails can be slippery, rocky and steep. Proceed carefully at your own risk. • Keep the parks clean. Pack out what you pack in. • Inform someone where you are going and when you will be back. VARGAS PLATEAU • Store our 24/7 Dispatch Center number on your cell phone: FREMONT REGIONAL PARK Emergency (510) 881-1122; Nonemergency (510) 881-1833.

B E Hiker, Biker, Horse RULES N A C A V . Bay Area Ridge Trail E E N • Pets must be leashed in parking lots, 200N feet from anyV trailY or park entrance or T A O E N Alameda Creek Trail – as posted, in picnic areas, developed areas A such asIA lawns and play fields, on some GALLAUDET DR. V R H Paved Multiuse E E EIG trails, and where grazing animals are present.. PetsM must be under Hvoice control at L T .28 all times. Clean up after your pet; bag it, bin it.A S Mileage Between Points D STEVENSON BLVD. R • Bicycles are permitted on designated trails only. IV Paved Road E • Horses have the right-of-wayFremont on trails. D Creek O • State law requires that all bicyclists under age 18 wear anL approvedE helmet while Park RI Parking riding on trails and roadways. EquestriansL and238 bicyclists are alsoTA strongly encour A A aged to wear helmets at all times. S V Equestrian Staging Area Golf E P . A Water • The following are prohibited: Course L North Central Park M ST. Restrooms o Wading and/or swimming in undesignatedA areas City of Fremont S o Consuming alcohol in non-designated areas/parks A Picnic Area V o Feeding or approaching wildlife E . Buena Vista Park Information o Releasing animals into parklands City of Fremont MACKINTOSH o Damage to plants, geological or archaeological features Rev 4/2021 View Point o Smoking Pond o Drones Gate

Visitors are responsible for knowing and complying with park rules (Ordinance 38). MISSION BLVD. See www.ebparks.org/rules. 0 1/8 1/4 3/8 Mile

Contour Interval 30 Feet