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
Available Now - County Parks Gift Certificates
‘Tis the season for adventure! Santa Clara County Parks Gift Certificates bring the joy of nature to your loved ones. Purchase today.
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.
#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, December 9, 2023
We invite you to join Santa Clara County Parks Natural Resource Management team, in partnership with San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, in their efforts to restore the coastal habitat of Alviso Marina County Park.
Volunteers will assist in the removal of invasive plants and the spreading of mulch in preparation for the planting of native plants.
Please bring sturdy gloves, closed toe shoes (boots if possible), proof of vaccination, and your can-do attitudes!
Minimum age: 12
1195 Hope St
San Jose, CA 95002
United States
Friday, December 15, 2023
Throughout time, people have looked up into the sky at night and found meaning in the brilliant pinpricks of light shining down from high above.
During this program, we’ll discuss stories of the stars from ancient times to today as we gaze into the heavens and learn about a few of the mysterious objects there.
Best suited for ages 8+, but all ages welcome.
Use the lake entrance and meet at the launch ramp parking lot.
Advance registration required. Please come prepared for the weather and bring a flashlight, and chair or mat for sky viewing.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Calaveras Trail
Gilroy, CA 95020
United States
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Celebrate the holiday season with a festive traditional Filipino craft. Join a Park Interpreter at Martial Cottle Park to make parols, colorful star-shaped lanterns that are a Filipino holiday tradition. This craft activity honors the Filipino farmworkers who worked on Cottle Ranch in the mid-20th century.
Drop in between 1-3 pm. While supplies last. No registration needed. $6 Parking fee.
5283 Snell Ave
San Jose , CA 95136
United States
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Discover a new Santa Clara County Park each month while learning about the plants, animals, people, and places that make our parks special.
These 1-hour Junior Ranger programs are best for ages 7-12.
After completion of 3 park explorations, Junior Rangers can submit their completed logbooks and receive the Santa Clara County Parks Junior Ranger badge.
All youth under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and programs include opportunities for nature hikes and hands-on activities.
Reservations required. Learn more here
Questions? Email [email protected] .
21785 Almaden Rd
San Jose, CA 95120
United States
Friday, January 5, 2024
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
Friday, February 2, 2024
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
Friday, March 1, 2024
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