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!
Join a guided walk at Stevens Creek on challenge launch day! Learn more.
Boating Season Opens April 13
Recreational boating and water activities at Coyote Lake (power and non-power), Stevens Creek Reservoir (hand launch/non-power boating only) and Lexington Reservoir (hand launch/non-power boating only) open for the season on April 13, 2024. Calero (power and non-power) is the only body of water open year-round to boating. Learn more
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
Thursday, December 8, 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
Friday, December 9, 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
Saturday, December 10, 2022
The San Jose Zouaves Juniors Program is held on the second Saturday of every month, and all shooters must be signed in by 8:30 AM. Depending on group size, you can expect the day to complete anywhere from 11:30 AM - 1PM. The program is open to children from 10-20 years of age and is free to all. However if you wish to donate to the Program we will gladly accept a contribution of $5 per shooter to help cover ammunition and target costs.
Click on their website to learn more: San Jose Zouaves Rifle Club
Registration is desired, click below to sign up.
9580 Malech Rd
San Jose, CA 95138
United States
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
You're invited to come to the Grant Ranch House Holiday open house, 1-4pm. Tour the house decorated for the holidays. Enjoy a hot drink and crafts for the children at this family-friendly event. No reservations are required.
Yerba Buena Trail
San Jose, CA 95127
United States
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
Sunday, December 11, 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
You're invited to come to the Grant Ranch House Holiday Open House, 1-4pm. See the house decorated for the holidays. Enjoy a hot drink and crafts for the children at this family-friendly event. No reservations are required.