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Tag: <span>Learn</span>

Teenagers in Silicon Valley & Milpitas

What’s there to do for teenagers in this town? How do Milpitas and other Silicon Valley cities treat their teenagers?

Commentary

Kids of the Silicon Valley Housing Crisis
Gabriel’s parents paid $1,200 a month for close to two decades. But with the Silicon Valley housing explosion, rents are rapidly rising and the family is now priced out of their neighborhood.

The Most Interesting Teenager In Silicon Valley
During his first semester at USC, Lavingia was contacted by Pinterest’s founders. He dropped out of school to become a founding member of the site.

Pressure to Succeed: Silicon Valley Teens Face Culture of High Expectations
“Having that sort of constant weight of, ‘Oh, I really have to succeed sometimes,’ that can really wear you down.”

The Real Teens of Silicon Valley
Inside the almost-adult lives of the industry’s newest recruits. There’s no official tally of the number of teens who work in tech, but Fontenot estimates that there are as many as a hundred recent high school dropouts working on startups in the city. Some were too distracted by programming projects and weekend hackathons to go to class.

Silicon Valley’s Impact On Teens
Everywhere you look, there’s a story about a new teen building the next hot startup. Lists like the Forbes 30 Under 30 (which I was shamelessly on) encourage it. It’s part of the culture. This is where I’m torn.

Teenage Wasteland
Most of the attention given to teenagers in Santa Clara County comes in the form of restrictions driven by law enforcement, instead of what kids really need. Can society ever learn to love its teens? By Traci Hukill.

Civic Groups

Azen Seagulls
The Azen Seagulls strive to share our love for arts and crafts with others. We provide engaging and interactive videos for young kids and teens that will enhance or begin their experience with arts and crafts. Especially with quarantine, we believe it’s the perfect time to explore new things, and we believe that art can take you places! We Upload Videos Every Monday! YouTube Channel.

FLY – Fresh Lifelines for Youth
Since 1998, FLY, a nonprofit organization designed by troubled teens themselves, has been providing programs for more than 1,000 at-risk and disadvantaged youth, their parents and guardians, and community members.
568 Valley Way, Building 4
408-263-2630

Public Allies
Public Allies identifies talented young adults from diverse backgrounds and advances their leadership through full-time, paid apprenticeships in nonprofit organizations, weekly leadership trainings and team service projects. Contact Holly Lim by email.
600 Valley Way, Suite C
408-586-7633

Teen Advisory Board at Milpitas Library
If you’re interested in advocating for Milpitas teens, creating and planning events, and working on a team with like-minded teens, consider sending in an application and email it to rleo@sccl.org. Requirements are that you are in grades 9-12, able to attend a monthly meeting during the school year, and actively go to Milpitas Library.

Youth Advisory Commission
Established to advise the Council on matters pertaining to youth and teens in Milpitas. Commissioners must be in grades 7 through 12 and live in Milpitas. Members and alternates are appointed to one-year terms.

Employment

Milpitas Youth Force (MYF)
Preparing Milpitas teens, ages 15-18, to successfully and confidently enter the workforce by providing new opportunities, goal setting, hands on exposure, breaking down barriers and career soft skill building. Apply in early spring for work over the summer.

Indeed Jobs for Teens within 10 miles of City Center
Teen jobs in Milpitas, CA

Snag a Teen Job in Milpitas, CA
If you’re looking for part time jobs in Milpitas, California or even student jobs and jobs for teens in Milpitas, California, you’ve come to the right place!

Teens: summer jobs to avoid
Many teens are working in unsafe conditions without the proper training or supervision. Too many are injured or killed on the job because they were performing tasks prohibited by federal or state labor laws.

High Schools

Calaveras Hills High School 
Our mini-high school serves 220 9-12 students. 1331 East Calaveras Blvd., 408-945-2398.

Milpitas High School
Milpitas High School has a web site to keep teens and their parents abreast with events and activities at the school.

News

The MHS Union Blog
Blog has more up-to-date news than the newspaper below about what is going on in Milpitas High. Also easier to read.

The Union ~ Student Voice of Milpitas High School
Online version of the Milpitas High School Newspaper.

Of Interest

Drivers Ed
A GO MILPITAS RESOURCE
For teens and others new to driving in California here are links for driving schools, driving test practice sites and safety tips.

Silicon Valley De-Bug
A collective of young workers, writers, and artists organizing to improve Silicon Valley.

Recreation

Best fun things for teens near Milpitas
Room escapes, K1 speed, Sky High sports, Golfland, dance studios, and more.

Fun Inside
A GO MILPITAS RESOURCE
Quiet and active things to do inside. Teen Club information.

India Community Center Main Youth Center
From preschool programs to classes for teens. Learn Bollywood dancing.

India Community Center Table Tennis Center
The ICC Table Tennis program has been growing exponentially since its launch in 2005. In 11 years it has opened North America’s largest dedicated table tennis center and has produced 2012 USA Olympic team members Timothy Wang, Ariel Hsing & Lily Zhang. Team ICC playerLily Zhang and Jiaqi Zheng will also represent USA at 2016 Rio Olympics.

Skatepark at Milpitas Sports Center
A beautiful 20,000-square foot, all-wheel skate experience, with a combination of transition and street terrain.

Teen Center
Teen Center
Temporarily on hold due to Covid restrictions. The Milpitas Teen Center is a safe space that provides services and programs for teens. There will be drop-in activities and classes from 3:30p.m. to 6:30p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, with classes, trips and events on evenings and weekends. See site for calendar. Check Facebook page for news. Teen Center rules.
40 N. Milpitas Blvd. – inside Senior Center.
408-586-3210

Youth Sports
A GO MILPITAS RESOURCE
This site’s section for public and private sports opportunities for community youth.

Youth Groups

DECA
An association of marketing students. The students run a ship-shaped cart called the TIE-TANIC in the Great Mall. Contact is Tonette Rancadore, at 408-941-9603.

Kids’ Clubs
A GO MILPITAS RESOURCE
From scouting to sport teams, Milpitas has lots of groups for kids and teens.

Fishing in Milpitas Lakes

We’ve got some of the best fishing spots around! No activity can be as rewarding as relaxing near a crystal clear waterway with fishing pole in hand and line in one of Milpitas’ lakes.

Department of Fish and Game plants larger fish.
To enhance anglers abilities to enjoy lakes close to home, the Fishing in the City program provides supplemental stocking of 1 pound rainbow trout and 1 to 2 pound catfish at lakes around the Bay Area, including Sandy Wool Lake and Spring Valley Lake in Milpitas.

CDFW Wildlife Area Operational Changes due to COVID-19
The Department plans to operate wildlife areas to provide recreational opportunities while keeping the public and Department staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to check the Department’s Closure Page for updates.

State Fisheries Biologists Continue Efforts To Eradicate Deadly Fish Bacteria
January 28, 2021. Not affecting Milpitas lakes and ponds or their stocking. Read about affected areas on this site.

Information on purchasing licenses, permits, tags and other entitlements, can be found on CDFW’s Online License Site.

The following Santa Clara County lakes will be planted with 1-pound rainbow trout in the spring. In the summer the lakes are stocked with catfish. Fishing is a favorite activity at Ed R. Levin Park. Sandy Wool Lake is stocked from November through May. Swimming is prohibited.

Latest fish plants at Sandy Wool Lake
Reports by date and species of fish

All you need to know about fishing in Santa Clara County Parks but were afraid to ask
No activity can be as rewarding as relaxing near a crystal clear waterway with fishing pole in hand and line in the water. We’ve got some of the best fishing spots around! Feeling a little rusty with your casting? Take advantage of our practice fly casting ponds, usually a dedicated enthusiast will be on hand to give you a tip or two.

Department of Fish and Game
Yes, children 15 and younger can fish at Sandy Wool Lake without a license. In the summer the lake is stocked with catfish, and in the cooler months with trout.


Ed Levin County Park
Fishing is another favorite activity at Ed R. Levin Park. Sandy Wool Lake is stocked from November through May. Swimming is prohibited.

Flycasters of San Jose
A large and active fly fishing club with a diverse set of offerings catering to fly fishers of all backgrounds and skill levels.

Free Fishing Days
If you’re new to the sport of fishing, and not sure if you will enjoy it, we have a great deal for you. The Department of Fish and Game offers two “Free Fishing Days” each year. Free Fishing Days for 2022 are Saturday, July 2 and Saturday, September 3.

Fishing in the City
Fishing in the City Clinics gives city dwellers an opportunity to learn how to fish, and to fish close to home. Valid fishing licenses are required of anglers 16 years or older. Anglers 16 years of age and older need to have a fishing license except on Free Fishing Days. (See above dates.)

Salmon in Silicon Valley
Salmon in Silicon Valley? The Valley is not known for its salmon but they are here in very small numbers. Their numbers are so low, that most people don’t know they exist, and if river health and function are not drastically improved, we may loose these salmon for good. Urban Wildlife Research Project of Silicon Valley has been monitoring salmon since 2011 along side other conservation groups Salmon and Stealhead Restoration Group, and Friends of Los Gatos Creek.

Art Clubs and Associations in Milpitas

Join Milpitas art clubs to share tips. Come to a gallery to view our art. Take a class to learn or improve your favorite art form.


Arts Commission
Serves as an advisory body to the City Council on matters pertaining to the Arts, performance or visual in the City of Milpitas. The Commission reviews Phantom Art Gallery artist applicants, and reviews the Cultural Arts Support Program.

The Arts Commission meets at the Milpitas City Hall, Committee Conference Room, 455 East Calaveras Boulevard. It holds regular meetings on the fourth Monday at 7:00 p.m. on alternating months of January, March, May, July, September and November. If a scheduled meeting occurs on a holiday, the meeting will be deferred to the same day of the following week.

Art Clubs and Associations

Camera Club
Photographer Kaz has organized local photography enthusiasts interested in meeting monthly or more often to share photography tips and occasionally go on photographic field trips. Meetings held either on Zoom or at the Milpitas Police Station, located at 1275 N. Milpitas Blvd. 7 PM, second Tuesday each month.

Golden Hills Art Association
This art club holds its monthly meetings on the first Thursday of each month at the Community Room of the Milpitas Police Station, located at 1275 N. Milpitas Blvd., at 7:30 PM. For more information, please call 408-263-7929.

SV Creates
We are a network of art club leaders who care about the cultural and aesthetic quality of life in Silicon Valley. Our mission is to ignite investment and engagement in our creative culture.

Art Clubs, Classes, Studios and Galleries

Artistic Art Studio
Come and learn art from artist Erric Yang. He is an alumni of Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He was the head art instructor at San Jose Art Academy for 7 years.
1209 S. Park Victoria Drive
408-400-7780

Bayshore Art Studio 七棵松藝術工作室
We keep our art classes no more than 6 student per class. Expert one-on-one art instruction is tailor-made just for your child.
1613A S Main St.
510-449-1638

Dove Art Gallery
Art Gallery on the site of Park Victoria Baptist Church in Milpitas, California. Displaying a wide variety of arts and crafts from artisans of all ages. The Gallery is open after every Sunday Service which starts at 10:30 AM and ends around 11:45 AM. Calling all ARTISTS! Dove Gallery in Milpitas Ca. is accepting submissions for REFLECTIONS of LIGHT. Exhibit Dates September 26 – December 5, 2021. Seeking art with reflected, refracted, mirrored, patterned or sunlit imagery. This could include reflections on water, looking through glass, mirror images, light effects and much more! Depictions of angels and other subject matter that reflects God’s glory is also encouraged. Entry is FREE. Submissions can be emailed to dove@parkvictoria.org.
875 S. Park Victoria Drive

Hwu’s Art Studio
Milpitas Art & Drawing Class: Oil Pastel, Pencil Drawing, Pastel, Watercolor.
1369 Jacklin Road
408-821-3297

Mook Art Gallery
Handmade oil paintings. We specialize custom framing. Art class is available from age 6 yrs old to seniors.
141 – Neighborhood 5 in Great Mall.
408-262-4801

Paintilicious Art Studio
Paintilicious Art Studio offers art classes for kids, teens and adults. Unleash your creative and artistic side and learn from a variety of talented artists. Facebook.
63 Dempsey Rd.
408-507-0979

Ceramics

Clay Magic House
We provide adult clay art classes and kids clay art classes, we also provide instructor training and birthday party activity as well.
322 S Abel St.
408-930-6246

Grants for the Arts

Grant Writing Help
A list of organizations that provide technical assistance, consulting, classes and research materials in the San Francisco Bay Area.

  • Grant Writing
    Too often grant writers fall into these traps when applying for community grants.

Swimming Pools & Lessons

Swimming pool at the Milpitas Sports Center

Public Swimming Pools

Milpitas has lots of pools where you can go and to keep cool or take swim lessons when the summer heat sizzles.

Recreational Swimming at the Milpitas Sport Center
Due to Covid restrictions, only a limited number of participants are allowed in the pool, and they must all make a reservation well in advance. No drop-ins. Two large and one “baby” pool provide a variety of water fitness and exercise programs. Recreational swimming is offered at both Milpitas Sports Center and Milpitas High School during the summer months. Pools are fully supervised by lifeguards. The fee a $2.00 is charged to all entering on the pool deck. Children ages 7 years and under are required to be accompanied by an adult, 18 years or older. Infants and toddlers must wear specialized swim diapers. For more information, call the Milpitas Sports Center at 408-586-3225.

Milpitas High School Swim Team Results
The Milpitas High School Swim team is part of the California Central Coast Division.

Milpitas Aquatic Club
Offers swimming lessons from beginners to advanced, and has a competitive swim team, too. Offers diving and water polo. Meets at the Milpitas High School Swimming Pool.

Private Clubs with Swimming Pools

24 Hour Fitness Mipitas Super-Sport Gym
Indoor lap pool, sauna, hot tub, and steam room. Primarily for adults.
719 E. Calaveras Blvd.
408-856-1961

Milpitas Star Aquatics and Fitness
With convenient freeway access from neighboring cities, the new aquatic and fitness center offers indoor swimming lessons, competitive swimming, lap swimming, summer camps, steam and sauna, cardio machines, weight training machines, free weights, aerobics, yoga classes, and much more.
1818 Clear Lake Ave.
408-800-8838

Milpitas Yosemite Cabana Club Pool
This is a Membership only, neighborhood pool located on Yosemite just east of N. Park Victoria. Permanent members pay a one-time fee to join and annual dues of $300. Seasonal  members pay annual dues of $350. Access to the pool is 365 days/year from 5 am to 11 pm; however, it is only heated from May until September. Members have access to BBQ’s, picnic areas, lounge chairs, diving board, bathrooms and can schedule parties. Lifeguards on duty during the summer. Swim lessons offered (members get a reduced rate). Contact pool at 408-MY7-POOL (408-697-7665) to get current rates and information.

Northwood Park Improvement Association No 2
Closed for now. Although the pool was originally built to meet the recreational needs of the 201 homes surrounding the facility, Pool #2 now offers a limited number of memberships to families outside of the Northwood Park development. 2094 Morrill Ave., San Jose, CA 95132(Across from the Target Shopping Center at Morrill and Landess, near Milpitas, CA)

Milpitas Pool Laws and Regulations

Swimming Pool & Spa Safety Requirements Certificate
Conditional to receiving a permit listed above for construction of a new swimming pool or spa, or for the remodeling of an existing pool or spa, at the location listed above, I (the property owner) agree to install the enclosures and safety devices required by the 2013 California Building Code, Section 3109.4.4. Permit information.

V-9-3.08 Swimming, Wading or Bathing
It shall be unlawful for any person to do any of the following acts within any park in the City of Milpitas, except in areas specifically designated therefor, and in accordance with posted regulations therefor. Swimming, wading or bathing in any stream, lake, pond, lagoon or pool, except in areas specifically designated therefor.

Friends of the Milpitas Library Book Sales

The Friends of the Milpitas Library usually hold three 4-day book sales each year.

Four Day Book Sales

Inside Book Sale

  • The Book Nook behind the accounts desk on the first floor is now open.

Next Regular Board Meeting: TBA

Milpitas Community Library
160 N. Main St.

Extra parking available in the Midtown Garage
120 N. Main St.

Thursday is members’-only night. Doors open from 5pm until 8:30pm.

Bring your membership card, or purchase a membership at the door. Individual memberships allow 1 person to enter; family memberships allow the entire family to enjoy the booksale. You must be present to hold a place in line – you cannot “save” your spot with boxes or other items. Learn more about memberships.

Being a Friend offers several benefits:

  • Entry into members-only previews at all major book sales:
  • Get the first look at our stock of books on Thursday night before the public is admitted on Friday.
  • Flyers: You’ll also receive flyers to remind you of important dates — like the next booksale!
  • Free Bag of Books: Members receive a coupon good for a free bag of books on Sunday Bargain Days at each 4-Day Sale. Recoup your member fee at your first sale! (Or your second sale for Family memberships.)

Annual memberships costs $5 for individuals and $10 for families. We also offer a lifetime membership for $300.

Friday and Saturday is open to the public. Doors open from 10am until 6pm.

Sunday is Bargain Bag Day – open to the public. Doors open from 10am until 6pm.

Book Sale Prices

Prices for the book sale are as follows:

  • Books: $1.50 per inch
  • CDs: (music and software) 4 for $1.00
  • Audio books, DVDs, VCDs and BluRay discs: $2 each
  • Box sets of DVDs, CDs, or VCDs: individually priced based on the number of discs in the set
  • Specialty items: Individually priced
  • Bargain Day Sales: $5 per paper grocery bag full of books, media prices are 1/2 off.

Ongoing Sale Shelves

The Friends have a continuous book sale within the Milpitas Library. Several shelves behind the Accounts Desk hold a variety of books for sale, which are refreshed frequently.

Please bring all selections for purchase to the Accounts Desk and indicate that you picked them up from the Friends of the Milpitas Library sale shelves.

Inside Book Sale

In addition to our triannual book sales, there is a continuous book sale within the library. Behind the accounts counter are several shelves holding a variety of hardback and paperback fiction, children’s books and assorted non-fiction. This selection is refreshed frequently. Please bring all purchases to the accounts desk and indicate that you picked them up from the FOML sale shelves. Prices for inside sales are:

  • Paperbacks and Children’s books: $1 each
  • Specialty books: Prices as marked on the book
  • All others: $2 each

Donating and volunteering

If you’re interested in donating books to our sales or helping out during a sale, please visit our volunteer information page.

If you have a collection of intact paper grocery bags, these, too, are most welcome.

Inside Book Sale

In addition to our triannual book sales, there is a continuous book sale within the library. Behind the accounts counter are several shelves holding a variety of hardback and paperback fiction, children’s books and assorted non-fiction. This selection is refreshed frequently. Please bring all purchases to the accounts desk and indicate that you picked them up from the FOML sale shelves. Prices for inside sales are:

  • Paperbacks and Children’s books: $1 each
  • Specialty books: Prices as marked on the book
  • All others: $2 each

Ethnic History & Culture

“This [country] will in a few years become a…colony; instead of [their] learning our language, we must learn theirs, or live as in a foreign country.”
– Advice to German immigrants from Benjamin Franklin, publisher of die Philadelphische Zeitung, the first German newspaper in America, 1751.

Immigrants speaking other languages have been arriving in Santa Clara County for about 2 centuries contributing to our diverse ethnic history. Eventually they learn English, and begin to call themselves hyphenated-Americans, and become part of this wonderful melting pot. But is being a hyphenated-American a good thing? Does it imply not being 100% American?

Our Ethnic Heritage

Knowledge of Immigrant Nationalities of Santa Clara County
Unless we all start from the premise that we are innocently ignorant of the background and conditions of the rich cultures in our midst, and are challenged to rise to new levels of human understanding and humane relations, we suffer the possibility of engaging in insensitive or even discriminatory behaviors.

Silicon Valley Cultures Project
A fifteen year ethnographic study of the cultures living and working in the hi-tech communities of Silicon Valley.

Black Heritage

Manumission paper for Plim JacksonBlack History Community Resources
KQED has long list of resources in the Bay Area to assist you in studying Black History.

A History of Black Americans in California
Although Afro-American people were comparatively few in number before World War II, they were settled throughout the state and made significant contributions to its development and growth. National Park Service.

Two Years a Slave in the Santa Clara Valley: Sampson Gleaves and Plim Jackson
The manumission papers of Sampson Gleaves and Plim Jackson, preserved today at History San Jose, are rare in California, and provide clear evidence of African-American slavery in the Gold Rush state.

Chinese

Chinese in San Jose and the Santa Clara ValleyAngel Island: Immigrant Journeys of Chinese-Americans
Between 1910 and 1940, there were as many as 175,000 Chinese immigrants detained and processed at Angel Island, San Francisco Bay, California. Unlike Ellis Island in New York’s harbor, Angel Island is a visible reminder of a shameful period in U.S. immigration history.

Asian-Nation
Your one-stop information source on the historical, political, demographic, and cultural issues that make up today’s diverse Asian American community. You can almost think of Asian-Nation as an online version of “Asian Americans 101.”

Pacific Link: The KQED Asian Education Initiative
A complete study of the role of Asian immigrants in the history of California. From KQED.

Chinese Historical & Cultural Project
Based in Santa Clara County, California, it was founded in 1987 as a non-profit organization to promote and preserve Chinese American and Chinese history and culture through community outreach activities.

A History of Chinese Americans in California
Amid the increased numbers of Chinese immigrants in recent years, it should be remembered that not all Chinese Americans are recent arrivals.

Filipino

Context for Filipino Immigration
In Santa Clara County, 60% of randomly surveyed Filipinos cited economic problems as the main reason they left the Philippines. Fifty three percent also reported a desire to reunite with family. Similarly, 65% of public benefits recipients cited family reunification as the main reason they left their home country. The Filipino community is scattered in the suburbs of San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale. While most speak English, many do not consider it their first nor most frequently used language.

Germans & Swiss

Die Deutschen in Kalifornien: Germans in Urban California, 1850-1860
A scholarly thesis by Carole Cosgrove Terry. The society that the European and American newcomers created in urban California was a combination of individual, ethnically-centered but unstructured cultural communities where the German-Californians were an influential and important segment of the citizenry.

Johann August Sutter
General Sutter, as he was generally known, was forced to flee his creditors in Switzerland at the age of 30. Ten years later, in California, he was the “ruler of the Saccramento Valley, founder of New Helvetia, a small sovereign.” After the discovery of gold on his land, he lost everything.

The Fatherland 1915The WWI Home Front: War Hysteria & the Persecution of German-Americans
Anglo-Saxons had their own definition of what was “American”, and anything that did not conform was an undesirable deviation, perhaps even dangerous. And they were having trouble understanding why German-Americans would not willingly give up their German culture.

Hispanic

Early History of Santa Clara County
Although Mexico broke with the Spanish crown in 1821, it was not until May 10, 1825, that San Jose acknowledged Mexican rule. On May 13, 1846, the United States declared war on Mexico. Captain Thomas Fallon, leading 19 men, entered San Jose on July 14, 1846, and raised the United States flag over the town hall.

A History of Mexican Americans in California
The roots of the Chicano experience stretched back some three centuries to 1519 when Spaniards and their Indian allies carried out the conquest of the Aztec Empire in central Mexico and established what they called “New Spain.” National Park Service.

Irish

Martin Murphy houseCalifornia and Bay Area Irish History: The Murphy Family
Martin and his family, Irish immigrants whose search for religious and educational freedom led them to California, were the first English speaking family to settle in Santa Clara Valley in 1849. From his home, Martin introduced the area’s first orchards and modern farm equipment and helped to establish the state’s first schools. In Milpitas we have a park named “Murphy.” The Shaughessy-Murphy Milk Shed still exists at the sewage pump facility near Coyote Creek.

The Irish in California
It is fashionable today, in some circles, to ignore, or at least minimize, the contributions of anyone from Europe. My intent is to point out, in a small way, how important the Irish were to the development of this state.

Japanese

History of Japantown, San Jose
Japanese, new to the country, eventually chose to build their wooden buildings next to Chinatown. Because the Chinese had already settled there, the environment was more familiar to them.

A History of Japanese Americans in California
How the National Park Service selects sites to show the history and contributions of Japanese in our state. A site both to find history and directions to historical sites.

Japanese American Museum of San Jose
Step into the past and help us honor our community’s stories of sacrifice, hardship and resilience. We invite you to come and engage with the firsthand experiences of Japanese Americans who experienced the racial tension and hysteria of WWII.

Japantown, San Jose
San Jose’s Japantown (Nihonmachi) developed from where the immigrant Japanese first settled in Santa Clara Valley. More than a century following its humble beginnings, it remains one of the last three historical Japantowns in the United States.

Native Americans

 

Indigenous People (Indians) of Silicon Valley
History of the Ohlone Indians who inhabited the south San Francisco Bay region of California.

Indigenous People (Ohlone Indians) of Silicon Valley

History of the Ohlone Indians, the indigenous people who inhabited the south San Francisco Bay region of California.

Bloody Island Massacre
To this day, the US Army, State of California, or County of Lake, have made no attempt to apologize for nearly annihilating the innocent Pomo people of Bodanapotti.

California Powwow Calendar
Check here for powwows of indigenous people being held in California.

California Cultures: Native Americans
At the time of Spanish colonization in the late 1700s, California was home to more than 300,000 indigenous people in more than 200 tribes. Their centuries-old way of life was brought to an end relatively quickly: native Californians soon established regular trading relationships with the Spanish, increasing coastal groups’ power and prestige, giving them greater leverage in dealings with inland groups.

California Indian Heritage Center
After a long search for an appropriate site, the California Indian Heritage Center Task Force and California State Parks secured a new location along the Sacramento River in West Sacramento.

California Indian Pre-Contact Tribal Territories
Nicely labeled map graphic showing where each California Indian tribe lived in early California. Perfect for illustrating a 4th grade report.

Chitactac-Adams Heritage County Park
The park features the beautiful Uvas Creek and a wealth of cultural artifacts including bedrock mortars and petroglyphs left by the Ohlone Indians. Visit the park.

Coyote Hills Knap-in and the Gathering of Ohlone Peoples
At the Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, California. Photos.

Federally Recognized California Tribes
The BIA only give the tribe’s legal name — often that of its little rancheria — so I added the tribe or tribes included for each. I’ve grouped the rancherias by tribe, and arranged the groups roughly from north to south.

First Californians
What happened to the first Californians? Before 1769, over 300,000 Native Californians lived in the state. This population was made up of over 100 tribes that practiced diverse cultural and linguistic traditions. In 1870, 22 years after the discovery of gold in California, less than 30,000 were left.

A History of American Indians in California
Unlike the present population of California, the Indians lived well within the capacity of their environment. They developed religious systems and social norms, and they traded with their neighbors for goods or services not available in their own communities. National Park Service.

The Indigenous Holocaust in Big Sur – Life and Death at the Carmel Mission
One has to wonder – if traditional life in the pre-contact Indian villages on the Monterey Peninsula was so great, and the game so plentiful, and their spiritual life so satisfying, what in the world possessed these contented Indians to voluntarily, sometimes it seems, even eagerly, enter a Catholic mission in the first place?


In the Land of My Ancestors – Kanyon “Coyote Woman” Sayers-Roods and POST
The film is about the life and work of the mother of Kanyon “Coyote Woman” Sayers-Roods, Anne Marie Sayers, and her work stewarding Indian Canyon, the only Federally recognized Indigenous land in the Bay Area, located just south of Hollister. Kanyon will share more about her story, the film, and other issues related to Indigenous communities of the Bay Area.

Indian Canyon
The free, non commercial, Indian Created and Managed information site on Costanoan/Ohlone and California indigenous people.


Indigenous History in the Bay Area, Part 1: Overview – Mark Hylkema and POST
Before the Spanish arrived here and before California became a part of the United States, the Bay Area was one of the most densely populated and linguistically diverse areas in North America. This session provides a broad overview of historic Indigenous communities in our area based on what we know of archaeological studies and oral histories. Participants will learn a basic framework for understanding the complex and varied native communities of the Peninsula and the South Bay.
Session 2 and Session 3.

Indigenous Populations in the Bay Area
It is critical to recognize the Bay Area’s Indigenous populations, past and present. Despite the atrocities of colonization and genocide, Native communities persist today and are active in efforts to preserve and revive the culture. According to the U.S. Census, the Indigenous population in the Bay Area is 18,500 strong and is projected to grow over the next few decades.

Ishi Collection
Ishi, born probably about 1860, spent most of his life in hiding with his family, avoiding the assaults of white settlers moving into Yahi territory. Finally, on 29 August 1911, Ishi walked into the nearby town of Oroville, CA. Apparently, all the members of his family, along with the rest of the Yahi, had perished

Linda Yamane’s Apprenticeship Blog
Ohlone feathered baskets involve a labor-intensive three-rod coiling technique. In addition to the delicate work of incorporating fine mallard duck feathers throughout the outer basket wall, the baskets are adorned with quail topknot feathers and abalone shell dangles.

Living on Ohlone Land
The agreement with Planting Justice is a first step in a far more ambitious effort to repatriate East Bay land to Ohlone people. The Sogorea Te Land Trust intends to acquire dozens or even hundreds of parcels in a patchwork throughout the East Bay, partly using funds generated by the “Shummi Land Tax” — a voluntary way for non-indigenous Bay Area residents to acknowledge the theft of Ohlone land and work toward its healing.

Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area
Over ten thousand years ago, before the waters of the Pacific Ocean passed through the gap now spanned by the Golden Gate Bridge and filled the interior valley-basins, the ancestors of the present-day Muwekma Ohlone along with the neighboring tribal groups had established their homes within this changing landscape.

Ohlone Costanoan Esselen Nation
Presently Ohlone Costanoan Esselen Nation represents over 600 enrolled tribal members of both Esselen and Carmeleno descent from at least 19 villages from a contiguous region surrounding Monterey Bay.

The Ohlone People
Ancestors of the Ohlone people wandered into this land of great abundance several thousand years ago.

An Overview of Ohlone Culture
In the 16th century, (prior to the arrival of the Spaniards), over 10,000 Indians lived in the central California coastal areas between Big Sur and the Golden Gate of San Francisco Bay. This group of Indians consisted of approximately forty different tribelets ranging in size from 100-250 members, and was scattered throughout the various ecological regions of the greater Bay Area.

Early California: pre-1769–1840s: Native California
Beginning in the 1840s, leaders and politicians used the phrase, “Manifest Destiny” to justify American expansionism and make it seem preordained. Instead of waiting for the organic, though inevitable expansion of the U.S. population to the West, the federal government took actions to both accelerate and control westward expansion. The goal of “settling” the country from ocean to ocean had a profound impact on the Native Americans, who had no place in this vision of the nation’s destiny.

Shapes and Uses of California Indian Basketry
A basket was worked, and formed of grasses, twigs and fibers into a piece of artistic design–sometimes only to be admired for its artistry, but usually created to serve a further purpose. Baskets were made to serve all the container needs of the early California peoples who had no pottery.

Short Overview of California Indian History
Few contemporary Americans know of the widespread armed revolts precipitated by Mission Indians against colonial authorities. By Professor Edward D. Castillo

Song for the Ohlone
by Martha Robrahn: We have walked these hills and valleys long before your time, When the waters ran clear, the forests stood tall, The earth gave us all we could ever need, And we lived our lives in dignity.

Those Who Came Before
Long before the Stanfords built their farm, the Muwekma-Ohlone called this land their own. Now the University is striving to preserve 5,000 years of history.

Volunteer

Volunteer opportunities and matching services in Milpitas, California, Silicon Valley, and the San Jose and San Francisco Bay Area.

Many volunteer groups want you to get a background check and to be fingerprinted. This place is convenient:

Isha Diagnostics California Corporation
Drug & Alcohol, DNA Testing. Live Scan Fingerprinting
1207 S Park Victoria Dr
408-791-6016

Currently Needed

Child Advocates of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
Over 400 needy children are on our waitlist for an Advocate. Help a child today. Contact us: info@cadvocates.org
408-416-0400.

Reading Partners Silicon Valley
Volunteer reading partners help equip students with the lifelong literacy skills that empower their learning. Facebook page for local information.

Vision Literacy Adult Literacy Services
To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 408-262-1349 or email info@visionliteracy.org.

Ongoing – Milpitas


Azen Seagulls Project
New videos every Monday. A non-profit organization that aims to educate about art. The Azen Seagulls strive to share our love for arts and crafts with others. We provide engaging and interactive videos for young kids and teens that will enhance or begin their experience with arts and crafts. Especially with quarantine, we believe it’s the perfect time to explore new things, and we believe that art can take you places!

Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley
Offers innovative and effective afterschool and summer enrichment programs primarily for low income, at-risk Santa Clara County youth ages 6-18 years. Yelp review.
518 Valley Way
408-957-9685.

Child Advocates of Silicon Valley
Provides essential services to this vulnerable population since 1986. The organization trains and supports Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers. Sobrato Foundation center, off Abbott.

The Family Giving Tree
Interested in volunteering during the Family Giving Tree’s Back-to-School and/or Holiday Wish Drives? We’re always looking for people who want to have fun, are passionate about our work and love giving back to their community. Yelp review.
606 Valley Way.
408-946-3111.

Fresh Lifelines for Youth aka FLY Program
We are always looking for energetic individuals to become mentors or facilitate our law classes. Yelp review.
568 Valley Way
408-263-2630.

Friends of Milpitas Library
If you wish to volunteer for library book sales, please call the library at 408-262-1171 and leave your name and phone number so a member of FOML can contact you.

Graffiti Terminators
Become a graffiti terminator and help beautify Milpitas.

Humane Society Silicon Valley
Whether it’s feeding, walking, or playing, we can always use an extra set of hands. Learn how you can support our programs through volunteering. Yelp review.
901 Ames Ave.
408-262-2133.

Milpitas Police Department Citizen Volunteers
Adults, 21 years of age and older, who have an interest in helping their community improve the quality of life for all citizens of Milpitas. Trained volunteers will be utilized to enhance vital police programs and increase community awareness.

Milpitas Unified School District Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers play a key role in Milpitas Unified School District. They provide essential support to our public schools by mentoring and tutoring students, helping in classrooms and school activities, and helping raise much needed for schools.

Milpitas Volunteer Partners
Parks & Recreation Services has many volunteer opportunities available.

Police Community Relations Unit
A variety of community based programs: McGruff the Crime Dog, Police And Community Educational Seminars, Neighborhood Watch, Police Explorers, Ride Along Program, and Citizen Volunteer Program.

Public Allies
Through our signature AmeriCorps program, Public Allies identifies talented young adults from diverse backgrounds and advances their leadership through a ten month program of full-time, paid apprenticeships in nonprofit organizations, weekly leadership trainings, and team service projects. Sobrato Foundation center, off Abbott.

Ongoing – Bay Area

Bay Area Volunteer Information Center
The purpose of this Web publication is to provide information about volunteer opportunities in the San Francisco Bay Area. If your group needs volunteers, you should list here.
Santa Clara County
1922 The Alameda, Suite 211
San Jose, California 95126

Be a Blood Donor
American Red Cross Blood Services, Northern California Region is proud to offer online appointment scheduling. It’s easy, convenient and “open” 24 hours a day. Locate donation centers in or near Milpitas or by date.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area
Helps build responsible, independent children and youth by matching each with a supportive and caring adult role model. Sobrato Foundation center, off Abbott.
600A Valley Way
408-586-0150.

Hands On Bay Area
Every day our volunteers, 10,000 strong, are teaching children the joy of reading, beautifying our parks, coaching athletes with disabilities, cooking meals for our homebound neighbors playing bingo with seniors, distributing food to low income families, cleaning up our city blocks and learning what it means to create positive change.
514 Valley Way
408-956-1448.

RAFT-Resource Area For Teaching
As a RAFT Volunteer, everything you do supports educators, saving them time and money. Yelp review.
1355 Ridder Park Dr., Jose, CA 95131
408-451-1420.

Sports 4 Kids
Recruits and trains enthusiastic adults to lead games and physical activities for all the students at each school. Sobrato Foundation center, off Abbott.

SunWork Renewable Energy Projects
Most SunWork volunteers are local people who are passionate about the environment and who are excited about doing something constructive.
477 Valley Way
650-520-9918

Today’s Youth Matter
Provides battered and abused children in need of positive adult mentoring a wilderness experience followed with year-round support from caring adults, giving them reason for hope and a future. Sobrato Foundation center, off Abbott.

Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley–
Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. From animal care to data entry, volunteers keep the Wildlife Center, and our animals, alive! Whatever volunteer opportunity you choose, your contribution of time makes a BIG difference and gives wildlife a second chance.

Gardens in Milpitas

In spite of our “adobe brick” soil, we manage to have quite lovely gardens in Milpitas. Many are giving up manicured lawns for drought-tolerant and California Bay Area native plant landscaping. Plants are selected to attract hummingbirds and butterflies common to our area to our gardens. 

Beautification of Local Gardens

Heritage Tree Program
Recognize and protect individual trees or groves of trees. Includes photos of significant and historic trees in Milpitas’ gardens.

Neighborhood Beautification Ordinance
The Neighborhood Beautification Ordinance was adopted to enhance the quality and appearance of our community. It requires a minimum level of upkeep for properties and prevents activities that detract from a residential atmosphere.

Our City Forest
Free trees for front yard gardens or public pathways. All you have to do is call either 408-998-7337 or City Hall at 408-586-2600.

Santa Clara Valley Water District Landscape Rebate Program Qualifying Plant List
Customers are required to select plants from the following plant list in order to meet the minimum 50% plant coverage requirement for the Landscape Rebate Program.

Borrow or Rent Tools

Lend-A-Tool Shed
Milpitas residents, businesses, property owners and community groups may borrow these tools free of charge! No power tools. While fire station is being rebuilt, the Lend-A-Tool Shed is not available.

Climate

SF Bay A Subtropical Area?
Does anyone know if the San Francisco Bay Area can support tropical plants outdoors? I’m wondering, as I see tropical hibiscus planted outdoors while my gardening books say they aren’t hardy in this area.

Plant Map for Milpitas
Zip code 95035, Milpitas CA is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b: 25F to 30F. Using updated climate data through 2010, 95035 is in the Plant maps Hardiness Zone 9a: 20F to 25F. The average first frost in 95035 is between December 11 – 20, while the average last frost occurs between February 1 – 10. 95035 rarely has days where the temperature exceeds 86°F. The average annual high temperature in 95035 is 71°F and the average annual low temperature is 48°F. The average high temperature in July (Summer) is 84°F, while the average high temperature in January (Winter) is 57°F.

Sunset climate zones: San Francisco Bay Area and inland
ZONE 17: Marine effects in Southern Oregon, Northern and Central California
The climate in this zone features mild, wet, almost frostless winters and cool summers with frequent fog or wind. On most days and in most places, the fog tends to come in high and fast, creating a cooling and humidifying blanket between the sun and the earth, reducing the intensity of the light and sunshine. Some heat-loving plants (citrus, hibiscus, gardenia) don’t get enough heat to fruit or flower reliably. In a 20-year period, the lowest winter temperatures in Zone 17 ranged from 36 to 23°F (2 to ?5°C). The lowest temperatures on record range from 30 to 20°F (?1 to ?7°C).Of further interest in this heat-starved climate are the highs of summer, normally in the 60 to 75°F (16 to 24°C) range. The average highest temperature in Zone 17 is only 97°F (36°C). In all the other adjacent climate zones, average highest temperatures are in the 104 to 116°F (40 to 47°C) range.

Native Plants and Gardening

California Native Plant Society, Silicon Valley
A non-profit organization dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of California’s native plants and how to conserve them and their natural habitats through education, science, advocacy, horticulture, and land stewardship.

CalScape
83 likely and confirmed host plants for butterflies and moths native to Milpitas, CA. Enter your specific address to refine this list of native plants to lure butterflies and moths, and the birds that feed off them, to your garden.

Urban Ecological Ecological Planning Guide
Like most cities, the urbanized region of Santa Clara Valley is a challenging place for plants and animals to make a home. Largely covered with pavement, crisscrossed by major freeways, and fragmented by a variety of land uses, the urban landscape creates barriers to the movement of wildlife and hostile environments for plants. While a small set of species tolerant of cities (such as pigeons and raccoons) can tolerate these difficult conditions, our cities have the potential to support much greater biodiversity. Urban greening projects are already occurring piecemeal across urban landscapes. Harnessing this momentum can help these efforts build greater benefits for biodiversity and for people

Composting

Composting Education Program
The UCCE CEP is a partnership with the Cities and County of Santa Clara that seeks to educate our community about composting. In addition to a Master Composter training course, the UCCE CEP offers Community Classes throughout the county as well as technical resources. Home composting bins will be available for purchase at each workshop. 2022 Workshop Dates Coming Soon
408-918-4640 to register for a class.

Guide to Home Composting
The work upon which this information is based was performed pursuant to a contract with the County of Santa Clara. Composting is a practical and convenient way to handle yard trimmings. It’s easy to do, keeps useful materials from being disposed in landfills, and compost improves soil and benefits plants growing in it.

SCC Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency
Provides backyard composting classes during gardening months at locations around the valley, but no longer in Milpitas.

Field Trips

Mornings at Martial Cottle Park
Three different free garden field trips to schools, homeschoolers, and other groups throughout Santa Clara County. Age group is 1st through 5th graders. UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County have created an engaging set of nutrition and science lessons for students to experience in the garden.

Martial Cottle Park, 5283 Snell Ave, San Jose, CA 95136.
408-535-4060

Garden Art and Sculptures

T-rex Eating Flamingo
Flamingos are out. Dinosaurs are in.

Landscape Assistance

Call 811 Before You Dig!
Underground Service Alert (USA) is a free service for homeowners, excavators and professional contractors who are digging, blasting, trenching, drilling, grading, or excavating.

Kim Parker Plants, Inc.
Our office plants, plant rentals, plant sales and plant maintenance guarantees the best design, plants and services at competitive rates supported by superior customer service and technical expertise.
430 Evans Rd.
(408) 262-8989

We Start Gardens
We provide a specialized backyard edible landscaping service. Thats right. All edible We strive to go beyond organic and provide our customers with the knowledge and tools they need to sustain themselves and protect the earth for the next 7 generations.
339 Timber Way
408-915-6861

Nurseries

The Best 10 Nurseries & Gardening near Milpitas
Yelp reviews, but you’ll have to drive out of Milpitas to get the best plants. True, Home Depot has some plants, and often you can get a small selection outside some grocery stores, if you top quality plants, you are going to have to drive.

Organizations

California Garden & Landscape History Society
CG&LHS is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the celebration of the beauty, wealth, and diversity of California gardens and landscapes.

California Native Plant Society
This is a group for fun plant conversations, plant ID, and sharing of information and photos. We welcome everyone who has interest in topics related to native plants of California, from the greenest novice to the career professional.

Green Thumbs Garden Club
Members meet in the Police Station’s Community Room at 7 PM. Review does not accurately reflect meeting dates. Occasionally there are speakers at the meetings who present new ideas about growing flowers or even vegetables. Members are all very helpful to one another, so if you just cannot get that special plant to grow, try asking the Green Thumbs for some useful advice.

Gardening with Natives
A special interest group of the California Native Plant Society’s local Chapter which meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7p in the Community Library. The group is open to all, and includes a mix of seasoned native plant gardeners as well as beginners. Social media: YouTube, Facebook, Meetup, and Twitter.

Local (Milpitas) Home Gardeners Club 2018
This is a community based home gardening club begun to provide education, share pointers, trade and exchange, and overall support each other in building productive and healthy home gardens.

Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County
Scientific and educational purposes: promotes horticultural education and service to the community and provides continuing horticulture enrichment for members.

Pests

Creepy Calling
Milpitas-based interior landscaper Parker buys “good bugs”–like ladybugs and wasps without stingers–and brings them into buildings.

Less Toxic Insecticides
Other products—often called less toxic pesticides—cause few injuries to people and organisms other than the target pest. The less toxic insecticides listed on this page should be a first choice when deciding to use pesticides to control insects.

New quarantine zones are added for light brown apple moth
By Holly Hayes, Mercury News, 3/17/09
More Santa Clara County gardeners will find themselves in a quarantine zone following two new discoveries of the invasive agricultural pest known as the light brown apple moth. The new boundary, set by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, includes an additional 64 square miles in the Milpitas area. County agriculture officials are reminding home gardeners who live inside the quarantine area that anything grown inside the zone may not be removed from the property – not even to share with a neighbor.

Pests & Control
A GO MILPITAS RESOURCE
Got something bugging you? Advice on everything from mosquitoes to deer.

Planting Guides

Garden-to-Table Guide to Tomatoes
Tips for growing and caring for tomato plants, plus Sunset Magazine’s favorite recipes come harvest time.

Go Native Garden Tour
Not only information about the tour, but also lots of information about native plant growing, and seed and cutting exchanges in the SF Bay Area.

Growing In A Drought: The Best Plants That Thrive With Little Water
All plants need water to survive. However, like plants that require more water, some plants grow in a lack of water. They are the best drought tolerant plants and can live without water for a long time.

Lemon Tree Growing
Meyer lemons grow well in our soil and climate. Here’s information n how to make yours thrive and ideas for what to do with your backyard crop.

Rose Care in Santa Clara County
The old idea that roses should be cut down to a few canes only 8-10 inches tall does not apply in our climate. If your rose is in its first year in the ground, it will need very little pruning.

Sunset: Garden Basics
Learn how to start your own home garden with our expert gardening tips.

Mysterious Rock Walls

East Bay Mysterious Rock Walls are also known as the Berkeley Mystery Walls. These crude, stone walls are located in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. In places, they are up to a meter high and a meter wide; the walls run in sections anywhere from a few meters to over a half mile long. The rocks used to construct the East Bay Walls are a variety of sizes. Some are basketball-sized rocks, while others are large sandstone boulders weighing a ton or more. Parts of the wall seem to be just piles of rocks, but in other places it appears the walls were carefully constructed. The exact age of the walls is unknown, but they have an old appearance. Many of the formations have sunk far into the earth, and are often completely overgrown with different plants. The purpose of these walls is still unknown. Since the wall is not continuous and is composed of multiple sections, they could not have been used as a fence. They are not tall enough to have been used as defense mechanisms. The walls function is unknown as well as the constructors. The East Bay Walls are accessible in several area parks, including Ed R. Levin County Park in Santa Clara County and Mission Peak Regional Preserve in Alameda County. The walls are found in the east bay of San Francisco.

Ed Levin Rock Wall

The Real, True Story of the Mystery of the East Bay Walls | Bay Curious

East Bay Rock Walls and Alignments
There are many crude walls throughout the hills surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area. In places, they are up to a meter high and a meter wide and are built without mortar.The walls run in sections anywhere from a few meters to over a half mile long.

The rocks used to construct the walls are a variety of sizes. Some are basketball-sized rocks, while others are large sandstone boulders weighing a ton or more. Parts of the walls seem to be just piles of rocks, but in other places it appears the walls were carefully constructed.The exact age of the walls is unknown, but they have an old appearance.

America Unearthed: Ancient Ruins Discovered in California (S3, E7) | Full Episode | History

Berkeley Mystery Walls, Fremont, California
Neither Spanish settlers nor anyone since has been able to tell who built these strange California rock walls. There are remnants of ancient stone walls all over the East Bay, and no one knows how old they are, who built them, or why. Though people have been pondering the enigma of the Berkeley Mystery Walls for well over a hundred years, no conclusions have been reached, and despite wild speculation, no serious scholarly study has ever been undertaken.

Dikes and Sills
Visually, a dike looks like a natural wall of stone, sort of like a dam – or dike. A sill appears on a hillside or cliff face as a horizontal band of stone, like a window sill. Since both dikes and sills are originally of subterranean origin, some sort of regional uplift and/or erosion must have taken place to expose them at the surface. However, the East Bay Walls are definitely sandstone and full of shell fossils, so not volcanic by any stretch.

Mexican Rock Walls
Mexican Rock Walls

Walls of Rock
I’m assuming many of the walls – there are miles of them in total around here – are put up by families, not someone making a solo effort. The work must be dangerous: to drop a heavy rock, or have it topple after it’s positioned, can easily be a bone-breaking event. Up on the trails, I’m conscious that a twisted ankle or a sprained knee would mean a painful hobble to get help, but having 120 pounds of lava fall on my foot would be a whole other problem.So, I tip my straw hat to the guys who can construct and maintain these things. The walls are often a guide to the route I need to take, and they also indicate the long, long heritage of land cultivation around here.

Grand Natural Wall Montana
Grand Natural Wall in Montana
It is easy to see how these walls are formed and broken down by erosion by looking at the Grand Natural Wall on the Eagle Creek in Montana, the biggest of many igneous “dikes” that formed within sandstone cracks millions of years ago. This “wall-like” appearance is quite common along this stretch of the river. Millions of years ago, during active volcanic periods, dark molten material was forced into cracks in the sedimentary rock. Over time the molten material solidified and subsequent erosion of the surrounding softer rock exposed the dark igneous walls you see today.

Mystery Walls – Bison Weirs?
The Spanish settlers in the area reported that the walls were already there when they arrived, and when they asked the local Ohlone American Indians, they said the same thing. Some think ancient Chinese navigators would have built the walls, but there would have had to have been thousands of them here well before the Ohlone Indians and over 10,000 years ago. However, the walls were the only structure left, which would have been odd for a civilization that knew how to build from stone.

Stone walls at Ed Levin County Park
Arlene, a local hiker, asked me about the stone walls at Ed Levin County Park. She said she’s been to the park but hasn’t seen the walls. Perhaps she’s among the sane folks who avoid hiking to the heights behind Ed Levin’s Sandy Wool Lake — the summits require 2,000 feet of climb in 3.9 miles, most of it unshaded and wind-blasted. The insane, like yours truly, have enjoyed the benefits of gazing upon these these interesting piles of stone.

To reach the walls you have to hike to the Monument Peak summit, about a quarter mile from the intersection of the Monument Peak and Agua Caliente trails. Either trail is a major slog, but the Monument Peak Trail is a little bit easier.

Unravelling the Mystery Behind the East Bay Walls: Who Really Made Them and Why?
In the hills around East Bay and elsewhere near San Francisco, there is a series of stone walls that extend discontinuously for miles. The walls are about 3-4 feet high in most places and are not enclosed. There is also no record of them being built or who might have built them.

New England Is Crisscrossed With Thousands of Miles of Stone Walls
Notice how farmers in the 1800s and earlier built stone walls out of rock debris in their fields. A lidar map on this site shows how each field was enclosed by a small square or rectangle of these discarded rocks, never in long, unenclosed areas. They were built from the ground up, never buried like our Mysterious Walls. Usually the remains of a farmhouse can be found nearby to these New England walls. No buildings or foundations have been found near the walls in our hills.

Sheep Jumping Fence

Including this to show how even sheep can manage to get over a wall made of sticks about 4′ high. Why would anyone try to contain wild game like elk or deer or farm animals like cattle or sheep with low rock walls? I can see how maybe more modern people saw these already half built walls, and reengineered them for their own purposes, such as hiding behind when hunting.

The Character and Function of Ancient Chinese Walls and Fortifications
Early Chinese were building huge, wide walls for fortifications against enemies and against flood waters. They were very good at constructing such walls, and they worked as they expected. They were not randomly piled rocks. Our walls are up in mountains and none are near rivers that need diverting, which they wouldn’t work for anyway. And if the walls were built for defense, defense against whom?

More about Ancient and Medieval History in the South Bay Area