The Santa Teresa County Park in San Jose, California is a sight to behold.
The park is open to the public, and is operated by the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department.
The park itself is a hikers dream land (or a living nightmare if you like haunted hikes), as it consists of over 18 unpaved miles of trails
Photo credit: flickr/gillyface
Updated 9/23/2019 – Bikers have also taken a liking to this park.
In addition to this, the park has also recently become a hotspot for family picnics, get-togethers, etc..
Want to take up some archery?
Maybe swing your golf club around a little bit?
Well, you can do all of that at the Santa Teresa County Park, as there’s an 18-hole golf course, as well as an archery range to hone your skills.
If you’re wondering where to go in San Jose, this area may be one of the greatest places on Earth when you just want to get away from it all, and enjoy some time outdoors.
However, you may want to educate yourself on a spirit that’s said to lurk nearby.
Things To Do In San Jose: Get Pulled Under Water by Ghostly Hands
Photo credit: historically-speaking.blogspot.com
In the immediate area, there’s a pond that San Jose locals refer to as Dottie’s Pond and it’s considered a haunted must see.
The story goes that there was a young girl that still lived at home with her parents.
This girl was involved in a love affair with another local boy that was part of a rival family.
When Dottie’s parents found out about their forbidden love, it’s said that they refused to allow her to interact with the boy any further.
One night, upon investigating Dottie’s bedroom, her mother found her daughter’s belongings packed for travel.
Believing that Dottie planned to run away with the local boy; the mother immediately told the father of her suspicions.
The father didn’t take too kindly to his daughter’s plans to flea the family, and considered her acts as a betrayal.
It was at this point that things got violent in the household.
Apparently, the father began physically assaulting Dottie, whom fled the house and ran into their barn in an attempt to hide.
Her father and mother discovered her in the barn, and the beating continued.
Under intense stress, it’s said that Dottie was able to form some sort of telekinetic powers.
Locals say that she was able to use her mind powers to hang her parents from the rafters of the barn — killing both of them.
Realizing what she’d done, Dottie walked out to the pond, and submerged herself in the cold waters.
It’s said that giant hands pulled her under the water, resulting in her drowning.
Some believe this was the hands of demons, as they lay claim to her soul after she killed her own parents.
What had once been an innocent girl in love, turned into a tainted soul that now rests at the bottom of the pond.
Locals believe that if you go into Dottie’s Pond, or around the surrounding area of this point of interest, you should keep your distance, as ghostly hands may pull you under the water.