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
Sunday, April 2, 2023
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.
Minimum age: 8
372 Manila Dr
San Jose, CA 95119
United States
Join a Ranger for a hike along the nature trail to sketch native species among the redwoods. Bring a sketch pad and pencil. Meet in the parking lot by the Sequoia group area. Questions? (408) 867-3654
16055 Sanborn Rd
Saratoga, CA 95070
United States
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Youth ages 10-20 learn firearm safety and basic marksmanship skills under the supervision of qualified trainers from the San Jose Zouaves Rifle Club. All equipment is provided. Parent or guardian consent forms required. No reservations needed unless bringing groups of 10 or more. Wear long pants, long sleeve shirts and closed toed shoes. For more information email [email protected]
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
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 join us at Grant County Park for an afternoon of Easter Bunny visits, crafts, our famous egg hunt with a chance to win a prize. We'll also feature tours of the Grant Ranch House. Remember to bring your Easter basket. Recommended for children ages 5-12.
$6 vehicle entrance fee
Yerba Buena Trail
San Jose, CA 95127
United States
Sunday, April 9, 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
Saturday, April 15, 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