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

Three children working in a group to process acorns using traditional Amah Mutsun tools and methods.

Chitactac Family Day, September 16 | 10am-1pm

Join us at Chitactac-Adams Heritage County Park for a family-friendly day of activities celebrating the park’s 25th Anniversary!
Come play traditional games, view the ancient petroglyphs, create unique crafts, and discover what has made this place so special to native people for thousands of years. Event details

kids locking hands and circling giant trunk of tree, junior ranger program

Junior Rangers 

Registration is open for the September 30th Junior Ranger Program at Vasona Lake County Park! Sign up while space is still available!

There are several ways to become a Santa Clara County Parks Junior Ranger throughout the year. Attend a monthly in-park Junior Ranger activity, download the self-guided logbook, Zoom with us for Virtual Junior Ranger sessions, or earn the Junior Ranger OHV badge at Metcalf Motorcycle County Park. Details

 

image for day on the bay, saturday, october 14, 2023, 10 am to 3 pm at alviso marina county park, 1195 hope street, alviso. there are background images of a kayaker, sun, mountains.

Day on the Bay, Oct 14

Save the date for Day on the Bay, our FREE annual multicultural event at Alviso Marina County Park on Oct 14, 10am-3pm. Join us as an exhibitor or entertainer to share all the wonderful resources we have in our beautiful County.

 

A crowd sits outside a barn watching musicians perform.

La Fuente, Sep 23 | 4 – 7 pm

As part of Hispanic Heritage month, celebrate the families of the past, present, and future at Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch and their relationship to the Santa Teresa Spring. Evening festivities include music, stories, crafts, and games for all ages. Event details.

 

 

2023 fall festival flyer, cover only

Fall Festival Oct 7

Mark your calendars for our popular Fall Festival event on Oct 7, 9am-2pm. Check out local arts and crafts, children's activities, agricultural workshops and food. Event details.

PixInParks Challenge 2023

#PixInParks Challenge has Begun!

Lace up your boots!  It's time to get outside and connect with nature in the 7th and Final #PixInParks Challenge.  Challenge ends December 15, 2023.  

Everyone belongs all inclusive logo

Santa Clara County Parks is hiring!

Be part of a dedicated team that stewards over 52,000 acres of Santa Clara County’s finest natural resources and historic areas, along with a wide variety of recreational facilities like campgrounds, boating lakes, an OHV park, shooting range, and more. Learn more.

 

SCC Parks by the Numbers

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.

Volunteer Hours Icon

29,366

2022 Volunteer Hours

Miles of Trails Icon

342

Miles of Trails

Acres Protected Icon

52,000+

Acres Protected

Regional Parks Icon

28

Regional Parks

Annual Visitors Icon

5,482,718

Annual Visitors

Upcoming Events

Filter Events

Saturday, September 23, 2023

As part of Hispanic Heritage month, celebrate the families of the past, present, and future at Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch and their relationship to the Santa Teresa Spring. Evening festivities include music, stories, crafts, and games for all ages.

This event is also part of Binational Health Week.

No registration required, just come on by between 4 pm and 7 pm!

Questions? Please email [email protected]

Are you interested in volunteering? Sign up here!

Dancers from the group El Grito de Cultura pose for a photo
Event Type:
Special Events
Saturday, September 23, 2023
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Quicksilver History Hike | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Historic Picture of Quicksilver

Join a Park Interpreter on a 3-4 mile hike in the Almaden Hills and discover how the processing of cinnabar into mercury was significant to the success of the California Gold Rush and the development of California.  Best for ages 10+. Meet at the Wood Rd Entrance on Hicks Rd.  Questions? Email [email protected] 

Space is limited. Sign-up HERE.

Event Type:
Public Programs
Sunday, September 24, 2023
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

21785 Almaden Rd
San Jose, CA 95120
United States

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Join us for the County of Santa Clara's fall 2023 career fair co-sponsored by Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation showcasing employment opportunities in county departments.

The County of Santa Clara is a diverse workforce of over 23,000 employees serving an equally diverse population of over 1.9 million residents. Critical to providing services for our large population, we provide top rated services to the residents of Santa Clara County. Attendees will be able to speak directly with department management as well as learn more about employment opportunities and benefits from human resources professionals. 

Event Type:
Special Events
Thursday, September 28, 2023
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

985 Hellyer Ave
San Jose, CA 95111
United States

Saturday, September 30, 2023

In-Parks Junior Rangers: Vasona | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

  

Junior Ranger March 2023

Discover a new Santa Clara County Park each month while learning about the plants, animals, people, and places that make our parks special. These 1-hour Junior Ranger programs are best for ages 7-12. After completion of 3 park explorations, Junior Rangers can submit their completed logbooks and receive the Santa Clara County Parks Junior Ranger badge. All youth under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and programs include opportunities for nature hikes and hands-on activities.

Reservations required. Learn more here

Questions? Email: [email protected]  

Sign up

Event Type:
Junior Rangers
Saturday, September 30, 2023
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

333 Blossom Hill Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
United States

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Fall Festival | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cottle Cattle Corral at Fall Festival 2022, children and volunteers roping demo steers

Come celebrate our valley's rich agricultural history! The 7th Annual Fall Festival will have local arts, crafts and foods, kids activities, agricultural workshops, animal presentations, historical autos, antique farm equipment, live music, food trucks, exhibitors, entertainment, pumpkin patch - and more.

Join us on October 7, 2023 from 9 am to 2 pm

Free Admission

$6 Parking Fee - Parking is limited

Avoid traffic by joining the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition's Group Ride

Interested in volunteering? Sign up here!

Questions? email [email protected]

Event Type:
Special Events
Saturday, October 7, 2023
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

5283 Snell Ave
San Jose, CA 95136
United States

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Day on the Bay | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Day on the Bay 2023 Banner

FREE EVENT - 免费活动 - EVENTO GRATIS - CHƯƠNG TRÌNH MIỄN PH
Santa Clara County Parks and the District 3 office proudly present this fun-filled festival along the beautiful South Bay shores of Alviso. Our 2023 event will include a resource fair and showcase the beautiful Alviso Marina, along with several family-friendly and recreation activities. This special event is a wonderful opportunity for small businesses and public agencies to share information, services, and resources with the local community.

Historically, Day on the Bay has drawn more than 10,000 people to enjoy activities and celebrate the rich diversity and abundance of our community's cultural expression. According to the Mercury News, this is the most attended event in the historic waterfront town of Alviso.

If you are interested in being an exhibitor at this event, or would like to provide entertainment on our stage, please complete the application by September 1.

Our 2023 FREE event will include:

-- Health Services & Resource Fair - more than 110 booths and vendors
-- Flu Shots & COVID Booster Vaccines*
-- Pumpkins for Kids*
-- Kayak Rentals* - Provided by Laine's Baits
-- Marina Boat Tours with Santa Clara County Parks*
-- Rock Wall & Activities
-- Food Trucks
-- Entertainment... AND SO MUCH MORE!

Thanks to the support of the County of Santa Clara, the Office of Supervisor Otto Lee, and our sponsors will be able to provide this event to the community for FREE. *While Supplies Last/Limited Availability

Are you looking for volunteer opportunities? Join us at this fun festival.  You can find  more details  on our  volunteer site

image for day on the bay, saturday, october 14, 2023, 10 am to 3 pm at alviso marina county park, 1195 hope street, alviso. there are background images of a kayaker, sun, mountains.
Event Type:
Public Programs
Saturday, October 14, 2023
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

1195 Hope St
San Jose, CA 95002
United States

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Cultivating Local Naturalists

Upcoming Course:

Thursdays October 26, November 2, and November 9, 6-7:30 pm,

New Museum of Los Gatos

Optional Field Day, date and location TBD

New to the area or curious about the natural world in your own backyard? This three-session educational program for adults will introduce participants to the natural history of the Santa Clara Valley, with a focus on the Los Gatos region's geology, geography, flora, and fauna.

Sessions will include nature journaling, brief presentations, outside activities, and group discussions. 

Space is limited. Advance registration required.

Questions? Email [email protected]

More information and registration

 

Thursday, October 26, 2023
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Saturday, October 28, 2023

Volunteer Open House | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
School Program Docents at the Milking Station with a school fieldtrip

Interested in giving back to Santa Clara County Parks in a long-term, defined capacity? Join us for an upcoming Volunteer Open House to learn about what opportunities we are recruiting for, their requirements, and how to get started!
And... bring a friend!

Meet us at the Martial Cottle Park Visitor Center

Click here to browse the current volunteer position openings.

Sign up online for the open house of your choice below - advance registration is preferred but not required.

All long term volunteers must complete a background check, COVID-19 vaccination verification, Outside Employment Form, and Sexual Harassment Training. Additional training and onboarding requirements vary by position.

Call 408-918-4930 or email [email protected] with questions.

Minimum age: 18

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Event Type:
Volunteer Opportunity
Saturday, October 28, 2023
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

5283 Snell Ave
San Jose, CA 95136
United States

  

Junior Ranger March 2023

Discover a new Santa Clara County Park each month while learning about the plants, animals, people, and places that make our parks special. These 1-hour Junior Ranger programs are best for ages 7-12. After completion of 3 park explorations, Junior Rangers can submit their completed logbooks and receive the Santa Clara County Parks Junior Ranger badge. All youth under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and programs include opportunities for nature hikes and hands-on activities. 

Reservations required. Learn more here

Questions? Email: [email protected]  

Sign up

Event Type:
Junior Rangers
Saturday, October 28, 2023
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

10001 Watsonville Rd
Gilroy, CA 95020
United States

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Cultivating Local Naturalists

Upcoming Course:

Thursdays October 26, November 2, and November 9, 6-7:30 pm,

New Museum of Los Gatos

Optional Field Day, date and location TBD

New to the area or curious about the natural world in your own backyard? This three-session educational program for adults will introduce participants to the natural history of the Santa Clara Valley, with a focus on the Los Gatos region's geology, geography, flora, and fauna.

Sessions will include nature journaling, brief presentations, outside activities, and group discussions. 

Space is limited. Advance registration required.

Questions? Email [email protected]

More information and registration

 

Thursday, November 2, 2023
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

©2023 County of Santa Clara. All rights reserved.