Public Programs
Mount Madonna Campfire* Programs: Nighttime Neighbors
* there will be no actual campfire at this program.
Saturday, July 2nd | 6:00p-7:00p
Saturday, August 6th | 6:00p-7:00p
Saturday, September 3rd | 6:00p-7:00p
Location: Location: Amphitheater at Mount Madonna County Park (near Ranger Station/Visitor Center). Park Map.
Come meet a wild nocturnal neighbor that goes bump in the night! Featuring a guest speaker from WERC-Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Make a weekend of it! For County Parks camping information and reservations, click here.
Looking and Listening Closely to Nature
Friday, July 8 | 10 am-11 am
Location: Ed Levin County Park
Thursday, July 21 | 9 am –10 am
Location: Martial Cottle Park
Discover the natural world with your senses to reveal the beauty around you! Join park interpreter Luke to explore the park’s sights, sounds, and textures. Parents and their young children participate together in activities designed to deepen your connection to the natural world.
Appropriate for children ages 3 to 7 and their guardians.
Space is limited. Advance registration required.
Questions? Email [email protected]
An Evening with a King
Friday, July 8 | 6 pm-7 pm
Location: Martial Cottle Park
We learn about all kinds of monarchs in history class, but have your ever wanted to hang out with a king… snake? This program offers you and your friends and family the chance to meet Morticia, Santa Clara County Parks’ California king snake, and learn why she is so well adapted to the habitats that surround the Santa Clara Valley and beyond!
Designed for all ages. Families strongly encouraged to attend.
Space is limited. Advance registration required.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Special Event: Play Like a Miner
Saturday, July 9th | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum (21350 Almaden Road, San José)
Imagine a day in the life of a mercury miner and other 19th century residents of New Almaden at this fun, free, family event featuring games, crafts, live music, demonstrations, and mining-era activities for all ages. Food will be available for purchase.
No registration required, just come on by between 11am and 3pm!
Dogs are not allowed on the museum grounds or inside the museum with the exception of service animals.
Questions? Call 408-918-7770 or email [email protected].
Interested in volunteering at the event? Click here for more information.
Coyote Lake Campfire* Program: Nighttime Neighbors
* there will be no actual campfire at this program.
Saturday, July 9th | 6:00p-7:00p
Saturday, August 13th | 6:00p-7:00p
Location: Coyote Lake Amphitheater (near campsite #8) at Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park. Enter through "Coyote Lake Entrance". Park Map and Campground Map.
Come meet a wild nocturnal neighbor that goes bump in the night! Featuring a guest speaker from WERC-Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Make a weekend of it! For County Parks camping information and reservations, click here.
Sunset Sensory Stroll at Stevens Creek
Friday, July 15th | 8:30pm-9:30pm
Location: Steven's Creek County Park, Bay Tree Picnic Area (11401 Stevens Canyon Rd Cupertino, CA95014).
Come experience Steven’s Creek County Park at sunset! Join a Park Interpreter for this 1 mile walk along unpaved trails where we will use our 5 senses to explore the park and learn about some of the amazing adaptations our local creatures have to help them survive! Please bring a flashlight. $6 parking fee applies (payable by machine at the first parking lot on the left as you drive in).
Space is limited. Advance registration required.
Questions? Email [email protected] or call 669-301-0859.
Sanborn Campfire* Program: Sensory Stroll
* there will be no actual campfire at this program.
Saturday, July 16th | 7:00p-8:00p
Saturday, August 20th | 7:00p-8:00p
Location: Sanborn County Park Campground Amphitheater (near campsite #19)
Join a Park Interpreter to explore Sanborn! On this guided hike we will engage our 5 senses and discover some unique adaptations of local wildlife that helps them survive. It will be a leisurely 1-2 mile hike on an unpaved trail. Recommended for ages 5+. Meet at the small amphitheater near campsite #19. Only open to campers staying the night of Sat July 16th or Sat Aug 20th at Sanborn County Park. No advanced registration required.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Make a weekend of it! For County Parks camping information and reservations, click here.
Walk in The Woods – Field Notes in Nature
Saturday, July 23 | 5 pm-6 pm
Location: Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Historic 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.
The trail will be unpaved and have slight grades, as well as a short staircase at the spring. Be prepared with comfortable walking shoes.
Space is limited. Advance registration required.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Quicksilver History Hike
Sunday, July 24th | 9:00 am - 12:00pm
Location: Almaden Quicksilver County Park - Wood Road Entrance
Join an Almaden Quicksilver Park Interpreter to explore what remains of the once-bustling mining operations in the hills above New Almaden. This moderate 3-4 mile hike leaves from the Wood Road parking lot of Almaden Quicksilver County Park and is offered once a month. Best for 4th grade and older. Registration for the hike opens on the 1st of the month that the hike is offered.
Space is limited. Advance registration required.
Questions? Call 408-318-5332 or email [email protected].
Nature Exploration using Agents of Discovery
Thursday, July 28th | 10:00 am - 11:00am
Location: Vasona Lake County Park - fishing pier parking lot
Want to explore Vasona Lake County Park in a whole new way? Come join us as we introduce you to the educational mobile app, Agents of Discovery, and work together to complete challenges throughout the park while learning about the animals that call this place home. Great for ages 5+. Please plan to bring a full charged smart phone or tablet and download the free Agents of Discovery app before arriving. We will travel 1 mile along a flat paved trail during the program. Program will meet at the fishing pier parking lot. $6 parking fee applies.
Space is limited. Advance registration required.
Questions? Call 669-301-0859 or email jaclyn.caldwell@prk.sccgov.org.
Salt Marsh Safari
May-October, times and dates vary because of tides.
Location: Alviso Marina County Park
SALT MARSH SAFARI
Explore the community of animals, plants, and people that call San Francisco Bay home on this 1 1/2 hour boat ride. Discover our region’s natural history and how we have shaped – and protected – our shoreline over time. Minimum age 8.
Space is limited. Advance registration required.