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

New administration office entrance with move date of April 8, 2024.

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

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 - 100 points in 100 days

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.

Ranger Patrol Boat on reservoir with green hills in background.

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 graphic showing two people planting a tree.

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.

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, January 7, 2023

Hellyer Weeding Parties | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

 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

SIGN UP HERE

Father and son at Hellyer County Park weeding party
Event Type:
Volunteer Opportunity
Saturday, January 7, 2023
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

985 Hellyer Ave
San Jose, CA 95111
United States

Bernal Historic House Open | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Bernal ranch house and family in 1910

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.

Saturday, January 7, 2023
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States

Sunday, January 8, 2023

Bernal Historic House Open | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Bernal ranch house and family in 1910

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.

Sunday, January 8, 2023
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Hellyer Weeding Parties | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

 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

SIGN UP HERE

Father and son at Hellyer County Park weeding party
Event Type:
Volunteer Opportunity
Saturday, January 14, 2023
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

985 Hellyer Ave
San Jose, CA 95111
United States

Bernal Historic House Open | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Bernal ranch house and family in 1910

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.

Saturday, January 14, 2023
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States

 

Section of nature journal page with drawings and notations

Saturday, January 14 | 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm. 

CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS

Location: Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Historic Ranch Area, Santa Teresa County Park

Have you ever wondered how new discoveries are made? We can often learn about the world around us through careful observation and note taking. Join a Park Interpreter for an afternoon nature walk to the Santa Teresa Spring where you can learn some techniques for field notes, drawing, and nature journaling. Program best for age 5 and up. Families are encouraged to attend. 

Space is limited. Advance registration required.

Questions? Email [email protected]

Sign up here.

Event Type:
Public Programs
Saturday, January 14, 2023
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Nature Center Pop-up | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Collage with images of Sanborn, YSI Nature Center, and kids creating crafts.

 

JANUARY 15th EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS

Can you discover anything new about nature when you tap into your creative side? Drop in for a "crafternoon" to learn more about the plants and animals that call our parks home before exploring the visitor center or nearby hiking trails on your own. No registration required. All ages welcome!

Location: Sanborn County Park - Dyer House

Event Type:
Public Programs
Sunday, January 15, 2023
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

16055 Sanborn Rd
Saratoga, CA 95070
United States

Bernal Historic House Open | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Bernal ranch house and family in 1910

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.

Sunday, January 15, 2023
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States

Monday, January 16, 2023

View of San Jose from Coyote Peak

Are you interested in learning how to engage with community level actions that address climate change? Santa Clara County Parks is offering the UC Climate Stewards course. It is an 11-week climate change education and service course for adults that combines online learning and dynamic field experiences. Sessions start February 4. Applications are due by January 16. To learn more and apply, visit the Climate Stewards page under "Programs and Events."

Monday, January 16, 2023
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Saturday, January 21, 2023

Hellyer Weeding Parties | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

 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

SIGN UP HERE

Father and son at Hellyer County Park weeding party
Event Type:
Volunteer Opportunity
Saturday, January 21, 2023
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

985 Hellyer Ave
San Jose, CA 95111
United States

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