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 & Upcoming Events
Want to be a Park Ranger? 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.
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Want to become a Virtual Junior Ranger?
Sessions run March 14th-23rd. We invite all Santa Clara County youth, ages 7-12, to join park staff after school via Zoom for Virtual Junior Rangers program. Reservations required. Learn more.
#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.
Provide Feedback on the Countywide Trails Map Update!
County Parks is working to update the Countywide Trails Master Plan Map to better reflect current planning and changes to the countywide trails network. Explore the Draft Map or attend an upcoming public meeting.
Let us know.
Do you like the Parks website?
What works? What doesn't? What's missing?
Click here to answer our brief survey.
Camp Hosts Wanted
Love to camp out in your RV or trailer? In exchange for 20 hours of volunteering a week, Camp Hosts can park their rig free of charge for terms up to 3 years. We are currently looking for dedicated ambassadors in our parks at Alviso Marina, Martial Cottle, Chitactac Adams, and Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Parks. Apply Here!
Volunteers Needed for South Bay Fishing in the City!
Love to fish? Help parks staff teach children ages 5-15 the joys of fishing and provide them the tools they need to fish on their own at lakes, ponds, and streams close to home. We are looking for one-time event volunteers as young as 14 years old, and Core Volunteers (18+) who would like to take a leadership role and attend multiple events throughout the season. Click here to sign up!
Let your voice be heard
County Parks submitted an application to the CA State Parks OHV Division for a grant to help fund Metcalf Motorcycle Park improvements and operations. We welcome your input March 7 - May 1. Details
Attn: Young Artists, Grades Pre-K - 12
Create and share the art that inspires you to explore your County Parks. This year’s theme is Earth Day 2023. Submit your original artwork by Sat, Apr 1 to receive a participation prize and a chance to win a grand prize.
Details
Coyote Creek Habitat Day, Apr 1, 10a-2pm
Join us for a family day of activities and to view wildlife connected with Coyote Creek. Discover the people and animals who have made their homes along Coyote Creek and how we can protect it in today’s changing environment. Details
SCC Parks Milestones
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, March 25, 2023
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, March 26, 2023
Come along for a guided hike among the oak woodland and grassland habitats at Ed Levin County Park. Discover birds, mammals, and more and learn what makes these special habitats home to so many diverse animals. This moderate 1.2 mile hike requires some uphill hiking on portions of uneven terrain and is best suited for ages 8+. A $6 parking fee is required.
Space is limited. Advance registration required.
Questions? Email [email protected]
3100 Calaveras Rd
Milpitas, CA 95035
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
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
County Parks is working to update the Countywide Trails Master Plan Map to better reflect current planning and changes to the countywide trails network. Attend this virtual public meeting to learn more about the project and provide feedback on the Draft Map Update.
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Zoom link to be provided here prior to the meeting.
Saturday, April 1, 2023
Join us for Coyote Creek Habitat Day on Saturday, April 1st from 10am to 2pm for a free family day of activities and to view wildlife connected with Coyote Creek. Discover the people and animals who have made their homes along Coyote Creek as well as how we can protect it in today’s changing environment. The day will include an opportunity to meet wild animals from the Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center (WERC), and participants can become wildlife detectives through hands-on activities like dissecting owl pellets and more.
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Discover history and science through hands-on family activity stations
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Make the nature connection by taking a guided bird walk or nature hike
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Explore the Coyote Creek Parkway by bike to Ogier Ponds. This ride is led by the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, sponsored by Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. This ride is 6 miles roundtrip on a flat trail. (personal bikes are welcome, Sign Up Here)
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Participate in a community science nature exploration along the creek
The event will take place at Coyote Creek Visitor Center at Anderson Lake County Park (19245 Malaguerra Ave., Morgan Hill, CA 95037). Admission is free. Please consider walking, biking, or carpooling.
Coyote Creek Habitat Day Event Schedule (all free!)
10:00 am Event begins
10:00 am – 10:30 am Meet Morticia (California King Snake)
10:00 am – 10:30 am Backyard Neighbor-WERC
10:00 am – 10:30 am Creek Trek Guided Hike
11:00am - 12:00pm Bike Ride to Ogier Ponds (Sign Up Here)
11:00am - 12:00pm Bird Walk
11:30am – 12:00 pm Backyard Neighbor-WERC
12:00pm - 12:30 pm Meet Morticia (California King Snake)
12:00pm – 12:30 pm Creek Trek Guided Hike
12:30pm – 1:00 pm Backyard Neighbor-WERC
1:00pm - 2:00 pm Bird Walk
1:00pm - 2:00 pm BioBlitz community science nature exploration
2:00 pm Event ends
Family Activity Stations (10:00am-2:00pm) Drop in at any time!
"Owl Pellet Dissection"
"Junior Archeology"
"Build a Park"
"Beaks and Feet"
"Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt"
"Explore water bugs and learn about what lives in a watershed"
"Bird education station"
"Pollution prevention starts with you"
Email [email protected] for more information about the event.
Event partners include Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, Valley Water, Grassroots Ecology and many more.
Click here to view: Coyote Creek Habitat Day Flyer
19245 Malaguerra Ave
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
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
Roll out your bicycles to Stevens Creek to learn the basics of bike safety, practice inspecting your gear, and learn the rules of the road/trails. For ages 8-12. Helmets provided. Meet at the Chestnut Parking lot. Look for Ranger Truck. Questions? (408)-582-8014
11401 Stevens Canyon Rd
Cupertino, CA 95014
United States
Sunday, April 2, 2023
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
Roll out your bicycles to Stevens Creek to learn the basics of bike safety, practice inspecting your gear, and learn the rules of the road/trails. For ages 8-12. Helmets provided. Meet at the Chestnut Parking lot. Look for Ranger Truck. Questions? (408)-582-8014
11401 Stevens Canyon Rd
Cupertino, CA 95014
United States
Friday, April 7, 2023
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.
Vaccination verification will not be required for volunteer events that are outside and one-time or short-term in nature. If you wish to apply as a Long Term volunteer (18 and older), or volunteer working indoors, you will be required to show proof of vaccination and all boosters for which you are eligible. Regardless of your vaccination status, do not attend a volunteer event if you are not feeling well or have been exposed to COVID-19. Click here for Santa Clara County's COVID-19 Guidelines. Please contact the volunteer office with questions: [email protected]
Minimum age: 8
372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States