The mission of the Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation Department is to provide, protect, and preserve regional parklands for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.
Santa Clara County Parks strives to provide all visitors a place where diversity and inclusivity is valued and makes every effort to provide access to outstanding recreational opportunities, a rich cultural historical legacy, and an expansive regional trail system for all to enjoy.
Featured Items & Upcoming Events
Visitor Center Host & School Program Docent Training
Love nature or history? Want to give back to the Bay Area community? Join us for an upcoming training to become a Visitor Center Host or a School Program Docent! Our next training is on Thursday, February 23rd. To learn more and sign up, visit the Docent & Host Training page under "Get Involved."
Volunteers Needed for South Bay Fishing in the City!
Love to fish? Help parks staff teach children ages 5-15 the joys of fishing and provide them the tools they need to fish on their own at lakes, ponds, and streams close to home. We are looking for one-time event volunteers as young as 14 years old, and Core Volunteers (18+) who would like to take a leadership role and attend multiple events throughout the season. Click here to sign up!
SCC Parks Milestones
Since the first County parkland was acquired in 1924, the Santa Clara County Parks system has grown to include 28 regional parks encompassing over 52,000 acres of land. We at Santa Clara County Parks are committed to balancing the need for public use of parks and recreational lands with preserving the natural beauty of our area, including wildlife refuges and historic sites.
29,366
2022 Volunteer Hours
342
Miles of Trails
52,000+
Acres Protected
28
Regional Parks
5,482,718
Annual Visitors
Upcoming Events
Filter Events
Saturday, January 28, 2023
If you are looking to get outside and connect with new people right in your backyard, this is the opportunity for you! California native plants play an important role in the health of our parks. To help them thrive, we have to work together to remove non-native and invasive plants.
This event is in partnership with Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful.
Vaccination verification will not be required for volunteer events that are outside and one-time or short-term in nature. If you wish to apply as a Long Term volunteer (18 and older), or volunteer working indoors, you will be required to show proof of vaccination and all boosters for which you are eligible. Regardless of your vaccination status, do not attend a volunteer event if you are not feeling well or have been exposed to COVID-19. Click here for Santa Clara County's COVID-19 Guidelines. Please contact the volunteer office with questions: [email protected]
Minimum age: 12
985 Hellyer Ave
San Jose, CA 95111
United States
Join us for a Junior Ranger family hike to explore different ways animals have adapted to life along the Coyote Creek watershed. Junior Rangers will look for evidence of local wildlife and discover how they survive as well as protect themselves in this special habitat. Less than one mile hike, best for ages (7-12) Located at Coyote Creek Visitor Center by Anderson Lake at 19245 Malaguerra Ave, Morgan Hill CA 95037.
Click here to sign up or email [email protected] for more details.
A visit to the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch historic area of Santa Teresa County Park immerses you in the realities of living and working on a family ranch more than 100 years ago.
The Bernal house was built c. 1860, and served as family home for the Bernals and their descendants for over a hundred years. It has been restored to its c. 1910 appearance, as in this historic photo. House museum rooms and exhibits inside tell the story of the Bernal family and the home.
372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Spring Valley Habitat Hike
Come along for a guided hike among the oak woodland and grassland habitats at Ed Levin County Park. Discover birds, mammals, and more and learn what makes these special habitats home to so many diverse animals. This moderate 1.2 mile hike requires some uphill hiking on portions of uneven terrain and is best suited for ages 8+. A $6 parking fee is required.
Space is limited. Advance registration required.
Questions? Email [email protected]
3100 Calaveras Rd
Milpitas, CA 95035
United States
A visit to the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch historic area of Santa Teresa County Park immerses you in the realities of living and working on a family ranch more than 100 years ago.
The Bernal house was built c. 1860, and served as family home for the Bernals and their descendants for over a hundred years. It has been restored to its c. 1910 appearance, as in this historic photo. House museum rooms and exhibits inside tell the story of the Bernal family and the home.
372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States
Friday, February 3, 2023
Bernal Ranch is a historic site located in Santa Clara County Parks. The Muwekma Ohlone were the first inhabitants of the land and recognized the value of the natural fresh water spring of Santa Teresa Spring. The spring was also used during the Juan Bautista De Anza expedition in 1776. Jose Joaquin Bernal was thirteen years old when he first visited Santa Teresa Spring during the expedition. He eventually settled at Santa Teresa and 120 of his descendants lived on the same ranch land. Currently, the Santa Teresa community is home to a diverse population of families each with a unique history to the land.
Join us to volunteer and be part of the Santa Teresa community. Volunteer opportunities available include gardening, barn maintenance, and historical house upkeep. Hope to see you at the community volunteer days!
For families with children under 14, please be prepared to sign a release form for your child on the day of the event.
Vaccination verification will not be required for volunteer events that are outside and one-time or short-term in nature. If you wish to apply as a Long Term volunteer (18 and older), or volunteer working indoors, you will be required to show proof of vaccination and all boosters for which you are eligible. Regardless of your vaccination status, do not attend a volunteer event if you are not feeling well or have been exposed to COVID-19. Click here for Santa Clara County's COVID-19 Guidelines. Please contact the volunteer office with questions: [email protected]
Minimum age: 8
372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States
Saturday, February 4, 2023
A visit to the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch historic area of Santa Teresa County Park immerses you in the realities of living and working on a family ranch more than 100 years ago.
The Bernal house was built c. 1860, and served as family home for the Bernals and their descendants for over a hundred years. It has been restored to its c. 1910 appearance, as in this historic photo. House museum rooms and exhibits inside tell the story of the Bernal family and the home.
372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States
Sunday, February 5, 2023
A visit to the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch historic area of Santa Teresa County Park immerses you in the realities of living and working on a family ranch more than 100 years ago.
The Bernal house was built c. 1860, and served as family home for the Bernals and their descendants for over a hundred years. It has been restored to its c. 1910 appearance, as in this historic photo. House museum rooms and exhibits inside tell the story of the Bernal family and the home.
372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States
Saturday, February 11, 2023
A visit to the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch historic area of Santa Teresa County Park immerses you in the realities of living and working on a family ranch more than 100 years ago.
The Bernal house was built c. 1860, and served as family home for the Bernals and their descendants for over a hundred years. It has been restored to its c. 1910 appearance, as in this historic photo. House museum rooms and exhibits inside tell the story of the Bernal family and the home.
372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States
Saturday, February 11 | 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Location: Martial Cottle Park
Throughout its history, many incredible women have lived in the Santa Clara Valley. A look back at its ranches in the 19th and 20th centuries offers the chance to examine the lives of a few of the women who stood out from everyone else. Best for ages 15+.
Space is limited. Advance registration required.
Questions? Email [email protected]
5283 Snell Ave
San Jose , CA 95136
United States