Bear Creek Stables / photo by Midpen staff

Bear Creek Stables

Bear Creek Stables / photo by Midpen staff

Located within Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, Bear Creek Stables is a boarding and training facility with room for over 70 horses that has been in operation since the 1930s. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) is a public agency that owns and manages the preserve. 

 

Stables Repair Plan Meeting - October 28, 2026

On Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 7 p.m. Midpen staff will present an update on the Capital Maintenance and Repair Project at Bear Creek Stables and ask the board to provide direction on the onsite wastewater treatment system to address Santa Clara County permitting requirements. 

In 2024, the board approved an updated site plan for the Stables. Since then, staff have reinitiated the design development and permitting process for the proposed site improvements with the County of Santa Clara. However, the County recently reached the conclusion that the proposed onsite wastewater treatment system is infeasible. Staff have identified two design options to address this permitting requirement:

  • Option 1 (Recommended): Reduce Onsite Water Treatment System. This option removes the caretaker residence from the project and replaces the proposed public restroom with vault toilets which would reduce the size and cost of the wastewater treatment system. This option is recommended due to its higher degree of certainty that it will be approved by the County and a cost savings of approximately $600,000. 
  • Option 2: Explore Wastewater System Relocation Options. This option keeps the caretaker residence and standard public restroom in the project by moving the wastewater treatment system to a different location on the site. This option will increase the overall project cost by approximately $550,000.
Agenda and Board Report

Starting July 1, 2026, the nonprofit organization Friends of Bear Creek Stables has a management agreement to oversee stable operations, and will offer classes, public programs and manage horse boarding. For inquiries related to those topics, contact: 

Friends of Bear Creek Stables
Website: friendsofbearcreekstables.org
Email: info@friendsofbearcreekstables.org

Site information

Located at 19100 Bear Creek Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95033, Bear Creek Stables spans approximately 7 acres along a narrow ridge. It is bordered by Briggs Creek to the east and a seasonal creek to the north.  

The grounds contain an equestrian arena, riding rings, hay storage barns and potential paddock space for 72 horses. There is access from the stables to the expansive, 10-mile trail network of Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. 

To ensure the safety, privacy, and well-being of the horses and handlers, Bear Creek Stables is closed to the general public unless attending an authorized public program. 

For more information on public programs or horse boarding, visit friendsofbearcreekstables.org 

Friends of Bear Creek Stables Logo. Graphic of mountains, rising sun and redwood trees behind a hawk and horses. Friends of Bear Creek Stables text below graphic.

A New Era for Bear Creek Stables

Midpen’s board of directors approved a new management agreement for the stables with the local nonprofit Friends of Bear Creek Stables. The Friends group will oversee day-to-day stables operations and provide public programming while Midpen focuses on its core mission of land preservation, environmental restoration and ecologically sensitive public access.

Learn More
Public Access, Education, and Outreach
Public Access
illustration of a bird in flight next to the letters MAA
Measure AA

Repair Plan Goals and Objectives

Midpen has been planning site improvements to the Bear Creek Stables through a public process since 2015, with the goals of bringing the aging facility up to modern building codes and public access in alignment with environmental protection. 

To guide the management of Bear Creek Stables, Midpen approved the Bear Creek Stables Site Plan in 2017. The plan outlines goals regarding public access, protection of natural resources and financial feasibility. The project is designed to include: 

  • Improving the driveway to meet county fire guidelines
  • Installation of ADA-accessible parking and restroom
  • Improving and water storage
  • Installation of new small, dispersed hay barns

Midpen is in the permitting stage for planned repairs and improvements. However, beginning construction is contingent upon Midpen’s board approval based on operational and fundraising milestones that would need to be met by the Friends before Midpen substantially invests in repairs and improvements at the stables. Final improvements will also be dependent on available budget. 

Future improvements including improvements to the boarding area, riding facilities and the rehabilitation of the Tevis barn would be dependent upon fundraising secured by the Friends.  

great horned owl and fledgling

Protecting Local Wildlife

Midpen follows a rigorous set of best management practices, informed by peer-reviewed literature, to protect natural resources and wildlife during construction, maintenance and recreation activities. These processes help us balance caring for the land while continuing to provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment. Midpen’s Resource Management Policies meet and often exceed state and federal guidelines and can be found below.

Resource Management Policies

To care for these lands often requires choosing between competing priorities. Midpen's resource management policies guide the ways we care for the plants, animals, water, soil, terrain, geologic formations, historic resources, scenic features and cultural resources on our public open space lands.

Download Resource Management Policies

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History

Dr. Harry L. Tevis first developed the site in 1916 to accommodate his Tennessee walking horses on his extensive estate. Following Midpen’s acquisition of the site in 1999, the stables have continued under lease with a tenant.

Learn More About the History of Bear Creek Redwoods

The Stables have operated under a legal, non-conforming use designation since 1975. A 'non-conforming use' is an existing use of a property that does not comply with current zoning ordinances. This exception is granted to structures or activities that predate the adoption of the zoning code. 

In 2019, Midpen considered five stables project options (Preserve Plan Site Plan, Maintenance and Repairs, Close Stables, Sell or Lease, Relocate). At that meeting the board of directors opted to move forward with the Repair Project at a cost of $4 - $4.4 million. The project was intended to maintain current equestrian programming, implement key repairs and incorporate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. 

In May 2024, the estimated cost of the project increased to $9.5 - $10.5 million due to county code and permit requirements and economic inflation. Midpen’s board considered options for the stables that align with Midpen’s priorities, goals, mission and responsible stewardship of public funds. Given the cost escalation of the Repair Project, the Board reviewed several long-term stables options before deciding to form an Ad Hoc Committee to work with community members to explore and develop potential additional options for board consideration. 

On November 20, 2024, the Midpen Board voted to move forward with a phased approach to Bear Creek Stables site improvements, programming, and fundraising and implementing a nonprofit management model. The site design and operating model were developed by the Ad Hoc Committee working with interested members of the public and included some site plan modifications recommended by staff. 

Timeline

July 2026Friends of Bear Creek Stables will manage stable operations, offer classes and provide public programming opportunities.
February 2026Public Meeting: The Midpen board of directors approved a two year agreement with the Friends of Bear Creek Stables to operate the stables.
Spring-Fall 2025Staff work on significant repairs to the stables, including: Debris and small structure clean up, removal of dilapidated buildings, upper road hardening, hillside erosion repair, water trough replacement and water line upgrades. 
January 2025Midpen assumed operation of the stables assisted by the Friends of Bear Creek Stables under a stable services agreement on ashort-term basis following the board's decision to pursue a nonprofit management model. A long-term management agreement is being negotiated.
November 20, 2024Public Meeting: The Midpen board of directors voted to move forward with the repair and maintenance project at Bear Creek Stables developed by staff with recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee.
Agenda Report
Summer-Fall 2024Bear Creek Stables Ad Hoc Committee meetings. Learn more at openspace.org/BCS-Ad-Hoc
May 14, 2024Public Meeting: The Midpen board of directors received an update on the Repair Project, County permitting status, and updated projected costs. The board opted to create the Bear Creek Stables Ad Hoc Committee to consider additional options and engage the community for input
Agenda report
April 2024Public programing temporarily paused for people who did not board horses while the operator and Midpen determined appropriate levels of programming and associated insurance. The operator was required to remove their own horses from Bear Creek Stables.
March 22, 2023Public Meeting: The Board directed staff to address Use Permit Conditions using an alternate means and methods approach, to reduce the scale, cost and environmental impacts of certain conditions of approval and remain as close to the Repair Project budget as possible.
Agenda report
January 1, 2023Chaparral becomes the new operator of stables facility. 
August 24, 2022Public Meeting:  The Midpen board of directors voted to award a multi-year concessionaire agreement for Bear Creek Stables to Chaparral Country Corporation.
Agenda report
July 14, 2021Public Meeting: The Midpen board of directors received a presentation on the process for selecting a long-term Bear Creek Stables operator. Both the board and members of the public provided input on the proposed operational requirements and operator selection criteria.
Agenda report
June 9, 2021Public Meeting: The Midpen board of directors received an update on the Bear Creek Stables project and affirmed the Use Permit permitting approach to implement the project.
Agenda report
Spring 2021Ongoing permitting coordination with the County of Santa Clara.
April 8, 2020Public meeting: The Midpen board received an update on the Bear Creek Stables project and allocated $1.2M of the available Interest on Measure AA Bond Proceeds to close the known funding gap to implement capital maintenance and repairs.
Agenda report
October 9, 2019Public meeting: Midpen’s board votes not to pursue public-private fundraising to raise the resources that would be needed to implement the entire 2017 Bear Creek Stables Site Plan.
Agenda report
Summer 2019Planning and permitting for capital maintenance and repair projects begin.
April 25, 2019Public meeting: Midpen’s board approves implementing capital maintenance and repairs within the approved project budget, while pursuing implementation of the entire Bear Creek Stables Site Plan in the long-term.
Agenda report
2018-2019Coordination with Santa Clara County to clarify capital maintenance and repairs allowed under the stable’s existing legal nonconforming use.
2017Preliminary planning reveals site constraints and challenges associated with implementing the Bear Creek Stables Site Plan. New cost estimates increase funding gap.
January 25, 2017Public meeting: Bear Creek Stables Site Plan approved by Midpen’s board as part of the Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve Plan, along with a certified Environmental Impact Report.
July 6, 2016Public Meeting: Midpen's board selected the preferred site plan alternative, which was incorporated into the Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve Plan.
Agenda report
February 24, 2016Public Meeting: Midpen's board reviewed two site design alternatives for the Bear Creek Stables and directed the General Manager to develop three additional site design alternatives to address the high, upfront capital costs for the proposed improvements.
Agenda report
2015-2016Public and environmental review process to create the Bear Creek Stables Site Plan

Funding

In November 2024, the board voted to move forward with a phased project approach. The first two approved phases are estimated to cost approximately $7,573,620. Two elements originally included in the project will be deferred and are contingent on nonprofit fundraising.

Project Plans and Environmental Reports

Bear Creek Stables Q and A (December 2024)

Agenda Report: Selection of a Long-term Use and Management Option (November 2024)

Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve Plan (January 2017)

Final Environmental Impact Report for the Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve Plan (January 2017)

Draft Environmental Impact Report (September 2016)

Draft Environmental Impact Report Appendices (September 2016)

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