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 Exhibit: Filipino Farmworkers at Cottle Ranch
Discover the significant contribution of Filipinos to California's agricultural labor force in the early to mid-20th century, specifically at Cottle Ranch, in our new exhibit at the Martial Cottle visitor center. Visitor center hours are 10am-4pm but actual open days and times vary. Call Martial Cottle Park for current hours, 408-535-4060.
Volunteer Open House
Learn about our short and long term volunteer opportunities at our volunteer open house being held on October 28th from 9Am -1pm at Martial Cottle Park. For more information click here.
#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, February 11, 2023
Saturday, February 11 | 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Location: Martial Cottle Park
Throughout its history, many incredible women have lived in the Santa Clara Valley. A look back at its ranches in the 19th and 20th centuries offers the chance to examine the lives of a few of the women who stood out from everyone else. Best for ages 15+.
Space is limited. Advance registration required.
Questions? Email [email protected]
5283 Snell Ave
San Jose , CA 95136
United States
Sunday, February 12, 2023
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 - Sequoia Peterson Grove
Questions? email [email protected]
16055 Sanborn Rd
Saratoga, CA 95070
United States
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
Saturday, February 18, 2023
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
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
Sunday, February 19, 2023
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: Vasona County Park - YSI Nature Center
Questions? email [email protected]
333 Blossom Hill Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
United States
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
Saturday, February 25, 2023
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
There are many ways to keep your park beautiful! 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.
Things to Bring: Please bring work gloves, sturdy shoes that can get dirty, a refillable water bottle, and dress in layers for working in cooler temperatures.
10001 Watsonville Rd
Gilroy, CA 95020
United States
Join us for a Junior Ranger family outing at Sanborn County Park as we explore what makes a redwood forest so magical. Best for ages (7-12)
Click here to sign up or email [email protected] for more details.
16055 Sanborn Rd
Saratoga, CA 95070
United States