IMPORTANT VISITOR ALERT: Please refrain from walking off the trails, especially near the salt pond. The area surrounding the pond is part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. To protect migratory birds, endangered species, and other wildlife, walking to the pond's edge, as well as bringing dogs and drones, is strictly prohibited. Thank you for your curiosity and cooperation in protecting Alviso’s wetlands for wildlife and future generations.
Trail Closure: Mallard Slough Trail is closed due to construction as well as sections of Alviso Slough Trail at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project (Phase I) between the Alviso Slough/Guadalupe River and Coyote Creek is underway and construction is scheduled to be completed by summer 2025. For more information, see the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project fact sheet.
Welcome to Alviso Marina County Park, gateway to the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This 20.6 acre bayside park, located along Alviso slough and adjacent to the salt ponds and marshes of Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Though small in size, the Park offers a great deal of activities within its boundaries and on into the Wildlife Refuge. The pathways and boardwalks of the County Park and trails around the ponds in the adjacent Wildlife Refuge, and the regional trails which include the San Francisco Bay Trail and San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail, offer fantastic views of the mountains surrounding the bay, and of the wildlife that call these ponds home.
How to Get There
Alviso Marina County Park is located at:
1195 Hope St San Jose, CA 95002
Park Office: (408) 262-6980
Directions
From Highway 880:
Take Highway 237 (Alviso-Milpitas Road) west to North First Street exit. Turn right on North First Street (which becomes North Taylor); turn right on Gold Street, left on Elizabeth Street and right on Hope Street.
From Highway 101:
Take Highway 237 (Mt. View-Alviso Road) east to Great America Parkway exit. Turn left onto Great America Parkway, turn right on Gold Street connector, left on Gold Street, left on Elizabeth Street and right on Hope Street.
Activities
Alviso Boat Tour
Join park staff on an interpretive boat ride through Alviso Slough to learn how the South San Francisco Bay’s shoreline has changed over time. Click HERE to register for a spot on the FREE Alviso Boat Tour! if you are an educator for grades 6+ and would like to bring your class out on the slough, please check out the EDUCATION PROGRAMS page HERE and scroll down to Exploring Our Changing Bay.
(c) Mylene Stolpe, Charismatic Photography
Self-Guided Opportunities
Hiking, biking and bird watching are favorite activities in both the park and the refuge, while picnicking and strolling along the manicured pathways can be enjoyed within the County Park. Dogs are allowed in the County Park's pathways and picnic areas, but are not allowed on the trails, levees and boardwalks. While bikes are allowed on all pathways and trails in the park, please walk your bikes on the boardwalks.
Boat Launch
The boat launch ramp provides one of the few clear routes in the San Jose area through the salt marshes of Alviso slough out to the open waters of the San Francisco Bay. The boat launch ramp provides access for both motorized and non-motorized boats and includes concrete launch ramps and two floating docks. Alviso Marina County Park is a Designated Site in the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail Network. Please see the San Francisco Bay Trail or San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail websites for more information about these regional trails. Navigational charts can be obtained through NOAA or a local retailer (Ref. No. 18AHA18651). When using the waters of the bay, please respect the sensitive nature of this unique ecosystem.
Don Edwards San Francisco National Wildlife Refuge
For more information about the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, visit their website HERE. For inquiries about the Environmental Education Center, field trips, trails, and interpretive programs, call (408) 262-5513.
Hours & Fees
The park is open year-round from 8 a.m. to sunset. There are no fees collected at this time for vehicle entry or launching.
Santa Clara County's Alviso Marina is the primary access in Santa Clara County for vessel owners to launch into San Francisco Bay. Fishermen and hunters who want access to the launch ramp after hours will need to purchase an annual Gate Key.
To purchase a Gate Key, you must complete the Alviso Marina County Park Gate Key Form, (see below) read, sign and submit with current payment to the Santa Clara County Parks Administration Office, Attention: ALVISO, 298 Garden Hill Drive, Los Gatos, CA 95032. Annual fee is $75.00.
Prices are subject to change.
Accessibility
In compliance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ('ADA'), the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its programs, services, or activities. The Department will make reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disability have an equal opportunity to enjoy our programs, services, facilities, and activities. If you need assistance with an ADA request, please contact our ADA Coordinator.
Alviso Marina County Park is officially designated as part of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail and has ADA compliant parking, restrooms, picnic areas, and trails with access to the beautiful salt marshes on the southern portion of the San Francisco Bay.
For more information about the features of Alviso Marina County Park, including detail of all ADA amenities, see the Alviso County Park Marina Site Plan prepared in cooperation with the Coastal Conservancy, Association of Bay Area Governments and the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail, and our Alviso County Park Map.
Attachments
Address
1195 Hope St
San Jose, CA 95002