| Loma Prieta | |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 3,790 ft (1,155 m) NAVD 88[1] |
| Prominence | 3,426 ft (1,044 m) NGVD 29[2] |
| Translation | Dark Hill (Spanish) |
| Location | |
| Location | Santa Clara County, California, USA |
| Range | Santa Cruz Mountains |
| Coordinates | [1] |
| Topo map | USGS Loma Prieta |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Road |
Loma Prieta (from Spanish loma -hill, prieta -dark) is a Northern California mountain located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The peak is located on private property, about 11 miles (18 km) west of Morgan Hill and within the boundaries of Santa Clara County. The dirt road that leads to the summit is gated, but the tower maintainers generally do not mind hikers.
A rural area south and east of the summit is sometimes referred to as Casa Loma, named for an unpaved road through the area. The name is unofficial but its use is supported by the existence of a Casa Loma Volunteer Fire Department in the area. Loma Chiquita Road also serves this general area near the Santa Cruz County line.
From 1976 through 1990 amateur astronomer Donald Machholz set up his telescope, an average of 120 times a year, on the south slope of this mountain to visually search for comets. From this site, he discovered three new comets that bear his name, including Periodic Comet Machholz 1 96P/Machholz on May 12, 1986.
The first official West Coast Messier Marathon was conducted from this site in March 1979.
The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake takes its name from the mountain since the epicenter was located near the mountain.
The mountain was the longtime site for the transmitter tower of San Jose television station KNTV (from 1955 to 2005). It moved its transmitter to San Bruno Mountain in September 2005, after it became the Bay Area's NBC affiliate.
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