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
Parks Administration Office Move
Effective April 8, 2024, the Santa Clara County Parks Administration Office will be relocating from its current address at Vasona Lake County Park (298 Garden Hill Drive, Los Gatos, CA) to a brand-new location at 5965 Silver Creek Valley Road, San José, CA 95138. Learn More.
Earth Day Youth Art Contest
Calling all young artists pre-K to 12th grade! Celebrate Earth Day and Santa Clara County Parks by sharing your creative and original artwork. Let’s celebrate Earth Day by showing how you might save the planet by reducing the use of plastics or sharing what Earth Day means to you. Submissions accepted April 1-30.
Hike The Hundred has Begun!
Are you ready for the next Santa Clara County Parks challenge? Hike your way to 100 points in 100 days to celebrate Stevens Creek's 100 year milestone. Get your hiking boots and binoculars ready, the Hike The Hundred scavenger hunt has begun!
Earth Day and Arbor Day Volunteer Events
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd each year, and Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April. Come join in on one of the many volunteering events occurring in Santa Clara County Parks in honor of these special occasions! 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, November 26, 2022
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.
Minimum age: 12
985 Hellyer Ave
San Jose, CA 95111
United States
Friday, December 2, 2022
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.
Minimum age: 8
372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States
Saturday, December 3, 2022
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.
Minimum age: 12
985 Hellyer Ave
San Jose, CA 95111
United States
Neighborhood Naturalists
A beginner's natural history course for adults
Saturdays, December 3, 10, and 17 | 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Location: Bernal Historic Ranch Area, Santa Teresa County Park
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 South San Jose region's geology, geography, flora, and fauna.
Morning sessions will include nature journaling, brief presentations, outside activities, and group discussions.
Space is limited. Advance registration required.
Questions? Contact [email protected] or [email protected]
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
Join us for the Fantasy of Lights Walk-Thru! Stroll through large animated displays in beautiful Vasona Lake County Park. Watch an erupting volcano at the Dinosaur Den, cheer on Santa shooting hoops, wave at a pen of playful penguins, duck blazing Pirate Cannons and saunter through tunnels of moving lights. Enjoy a variety of Moveable Feast food trucks and make sure to grab some fun photos with your family and friends!
Tickets available on November 1st.
333 Blossom Hill Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
United States
Sunday, December 4, 2022
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
Join us for the Fantasy of Lights Walk-Thru! Stroll through large animated displays in beautiful Vasona Lake County Park. Watch an erupting volcano at the Dinosaur Den, cheer on Santa shooting hoops, wave at a pen of playful penguins, duck blazing Pirate Cannons and saunter through tunnels of moving lights. Enjoy a variety of Moveable Feast food trucks and make sure to grab some fun photos with your family and friends!
Tickets available on November 1st.
333 Blossom Hill Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
United States
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Tickets go on sale November 1st.
Enjoy a magical evening in the warmth of your vehicle as you drive through large animated displays while listening to holiday music on your car radio. See the sights and sounds of an erupting volcano in the dangerously fun dinosaur den, cheer on Santa shooting hoops, wave at a pen of playful penguins, watch blazing pirate cannons and sail through tunnels of moving lights. Over 50 themed displays and a 90-foot twinkling tree will have you “oohing and aahing” throughout your adventure.
The event is closed on Christmas Day.
333 Blossom Hill Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
United States
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Tickets go on sale November 1st.
Enjoy a magical evening in the warmth of your vehicle as you drive through large animated displays while listening to holiday music on your car radio. See the sights and sounds of an erupting volcano in the dangerously fun dinosaur den, cheer on Santa shooting hoops, wave at a pen of playful penguins, watch blazing pirate cannons and sail through tunnels of moving lights. Over 50 themed displays and a 90-foot twinkling tree will have you “oohing and aahing” throughout your adventure.
The event is closed on Christmas Day.
333 Blossom Hill Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
United States