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
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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, October 7, 2023
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
Parking
$6 Parking Fee - Parking is limited
Avoid traffic by joining the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition's Group Ride
Free monitored bike parking
Event Map and Schedule
Event Maps
Vendors and Community Exhibitors
San Jose Made Vendor Marketplace with 100+ Vendors
For a full list of San Jose Made Vendors click here
Entertainment
For more information on Master Gardener programming visit
https://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/events-calendar/fall-garden-fair/
For more information about Martial Cottle Park visit Martial Cottle Park - Parks and Recreation - County of Santa Clara (sccgov.org)
Interested in volunteering? Sign up here!
Questions? email [email protected]
5283 Snell Ave
San Jose, CA 95136
United States
Monday, October 9, 2023
Come enjoy a tour of the historic Grant Ranch House all decorated for the holiday. Hot drinks and snacks can be enjoyed along with crafts.
Yerba Buena Trail
San Jose, CA 95127
United States
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Come enjoy a tour of the historic Grant Ranch House all decorated for the holiday. Hot drinks and snacks can be enjoyed along with crafts.
Yerba Buena Trail
San Jose, CA 95127
United States
Saturday, October 14, 2023
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.
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
Saturday, October 28, 2023
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
21785 Almaden Rd
San Jose, CA 95120
United States
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
5283 Snell Ave
San Jose, CA 95136
United States
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]
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 9, 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