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

Coyote Creek Habitat Day - FREE family fun!

Join us on Saturday, June 1 from 10am to 1pm at the Coyote Creek Visitor Center (19245 Malaguerra Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037) for a day of activities highlighting wildlife connected with Coyote Creek. Learn about the people and animals who have made their homes along this watershed both long ago and today.   Learn more.

 

Hike The Hundred Challenge!

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. 

 

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 through May 15.

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. 

 

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.

Volunteer Hours Icon

29,366

2022 Volunteer Hours

Miles of Trails Icon

342

Miles of Trails

Acres Protected Icon

52,000+

Acres Protected

Regional Parks Icon

28

Regional Parks

Annual Visitors Icon

5,482,718

Annual Visitors

Upcoming Events

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Saturday, May 25, 2024

Volunteers cleaning up weeds at Hellyer Park

There are many ways to keep your park beautiful! 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.

Locations include Hellyer Park's Velodrome, Dog Park, and east side of Cottonwood Lake. The Maintenance Crew has greatly appreciated the work that volunteers have done all around the main park over the past year, so keep it up!

Please bring a water bottle, hat, sunscreen, and work gloves if you have them.

All ages welcome!

SIGN UP HERE

Event Type:
Volunteer Opportunity
Saturday, May 25, 2024
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

985 Hellyer Ave
San Jose, CA 95111
United States

New Almaden Miners on lunch break.

Who were the people whose hard work in and around the mercury mines made the New Almaden mines a success? Drop in between 12-4pm to discover how citizens of Spanishtown, Englishtown and the Chinese communities toiled and thrived above and below the earth’s surface during the heyday of mercury mining in the late 1880s – early 1900s. $2/person suggested donation. For more information call 408-918-7770 or email [email protected]

Event Type:
Public Programs
Saturday, May 25, 2024
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

21350 Almaden Rd
San Jose, CA 95120
United States

Children and a few adults facing the camera, smiling and holding stuffed animals.

Discover a new County Park on the last Saturday of each month as we explore, learn about, and respect nature in this 1-hour family program.
After completion of 3 park explorations, Junior Rangers can submit their completed logbook and receive the Santa Clara County Junior Ranger badge. 
This program will meet at the Coyote Lake Visitor Center; use the Lake entrance to the park.
Best for ages 7-12. Registration required.

Questions? Email [email protected].

Event Type:
Junior Rangers
Saturday, May 25, 2024
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

10840 Coyote Lake Road
Gilroy, CA 95020
United States

Craft Projects at Almaden Quicksliver

Did you know that mercury was once used to make dye for Chinese lacquerware and the communities of New Almaden were amongst the first to celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

Learn more and help us celebrate the multicultural communities of New Almaden, by joining a Crafternoon at Almaden Quicksilver County Park's Mining Museum at Casa Grande! (Address: 21350 Almaden Rd, San Jose, CA 95120)

Free drop in event, great for all ages.  Questions? Email [email protected]

Event Type:
Public Programs
Saturday, May 25, 2024
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

21350 Almaden Rd
San Jose, CA 95120
United States

Three photos, left: A barn owl standing over eggs. Right-top: A barn owl sitting on a branch. Right-bottom: An owl box.

At Martial Cottle Park, we create a space for birds of prey to find a home and habitat within a dense, urban area. Join us for an afternoon walk to learn more about barn owls and raptor boxes in Martial Cottle Park. This program will include a very short walk on paved paths. Families are encouraged to attend. Questions? Email [email protected] for more information. A $6 parking fee is required.

Reservations required.  Learn more and sign up here.

Event Type:
Public Programs
Saturday, May 25, 2024
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Sunday, May 26, 2024

Quicksilver History Hike | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Historic Picture of Quicksilver

Join a Park Interpreter on a 3-4 mile hike in the Almaden Hills and discover how the processing of cinnabar into mercury was significant to the success of the California Gold Rush and the development of California.  Best for ages 10+. Meet at the Wood Rd Entrance on Hicks Rd.  Questions? Email [email protected] 

Space is limited. Registration opens May 1st.

Sign Up Here

Event Type:
Public Programs
Sunday, May 26, 2024
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

21785 Almaden Rd
San Jose, CA 95120
United States

Qigong and Tai Chi | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Learn the oldest and most powerful type of Tai Chi – Lao Jia. Develop greater physical strength, balance and coordination. These slow gentle movements are perfect for all ages and physical abilities. Meet at the parking lot near the restrooms with comfortable shoes, water, sunscreen and layers. Reservations online or contact Carrie Grisenti (408) 355-2240

Event Type:
Public Programs
Sunday, May 26, 2024
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

21350 Almaden Rd
San Jose, CA 95120
United States

Craft Projects at Almaden Quicksliver

Did you know that mercury was once used to make dye for Chinese lacquerware and the communities of New Almaden were amongst the first to celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

Learn more and help us celebrate the multicultural communities of New Almaden, by joining a Crafternoon at Almaden Quicksilver County Park's Mining Museum at Casa Grande! (Address: 21350 Almaden Rd, San Jose, CA 95120)

Free drop in event, great for all ages.  Questions? Email [email protected]

Event Type:
Public Programs
Sunday, May 26, 2024
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

21350 Almaden Rd
San Jose, CA 95120
United States

Redwood Hike with a Ranger | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Redwood trail

Explore the redwood forest of Mt Madonna with a park ranger. Gentle 1 mile loop, appropriate for all ages. Meet at the Giant Twins Trailhead with wearing comfortable shoes, dress in layers, bring snacks and water.

Questions? (408) 842-2341

Event Type:
Public Programs
Sunday, May 26, 2024
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

7850 Pole Line Rd
Watsonville, CA 95076
United States

Saturday, June 1, 2024

Coyote Creek Habitat Day 2024 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Park Staff showing junior archeology activity instructions to parent and child

Join us for a day of activities highlighting wildlife connected with Coyote Creek. Learn about the people and animals who have made their homes along this watershed both long ago and today.   

  • Discover history and science through hands-on family activity stations

  • Connect with the Coyote Creek habitat by taking a guided walk or ride

  • Participate in a community science 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 as parking is limited.

Questions? Email [email protected] for more information. 

Event partners include: 

Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful  (For KCCB events and volunteer opportunities, visit kccb.eventbrite.com)

Grassroots Ecology 

Valley Water 

Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center

CA State Parks - Henry Coe

Tamien Nation

Santa Clara County Libraries - Morgan Hill 

Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society 

Felidae Conservation Fund


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

If you are interested in volunteering, we are looking for volunteers to:
-Assist with family-friendly activity stations (owl pellet dissection, bird beaks, build a park, welcome table)
-Assist with parking (must be 18 or older)
-Provide extra guidance on hikes and at story time
-Take turns with other volunteers at various spots to facilitate breaks

Minimum age: 16

SIGN UP

Event Type:
Special Events
Saturday, June 1, 2024
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

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