New Almaden

Tucked into the Capitancillos Hills at the southwestern edge of Almaden Valley in South San Jose, New Almaden is a historic community built around what was once a mercury mine. Known in Spanish as Nuevo Almadén, the site sits within Santa Clara County and represents one of California's most significant industrial heritage landscapes.

The area is divided into two distinct zones. The mine workings and surrounding ghost town settlements in the Capitancillos hills fall within Almaden Quicksilver County Park, where visitors can explore the remnants of former mining-era communities set against open parkland. A separate, largely residential historic district surrounds the Casa Grande and retains much of its 19th-century character as a living neighborhood.

For visitors, the county park is the practical entry point into the ghost town experience — expect historic ruins, period structures, and a well-preserved sense of place rather than a fully intact settlement. The park setting makes it accessible for walking and exploring year-round, though California's wet winters can make trails muddy. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable conditions for a visit.