Places To Go with Kids:
 Local Parks In San Jose & Santa Clara

 

This page contains an alphabetical listing of all Santa Clara & San Jose city and regional parks, with a review (Special Features) and a listing of size and facilities. 

Browse the whole list or click a letter of the alphabet to jump to the section containing a particular park you may be interested in

Be sure to check under "Facilities" to find out about picnic tables, BBQ grills, restrooms, playgrounds and sports facilities such as swimming pools, basketball and tennis courts, as well as soccer and softball fields.

Please send us some email if you have a comment to offer about any of these parks.


A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

 

 

 

 
A Special Features
 
Facilities Size in Acres
ABORN PARK
East of Renfield @ Pentland
 

 

2 Picnic Tables 3.1
AGNEW PARK
2150 Agnew Road
(between Lafayette Street and Mission College Boulevard)

 

  Playground
Restrooms
Picnic Area
Basketball Courts
2
AGNEWS HISTORIC PARK
4030 Lafayette Street at Palm Drive
Although technically located on the campus of Sun Microsystems, this park is open to the public.  In addition to lovely old growth Oaks, park benches, and grassy fields, it features four historic buildings -- two of which,  The Auditorium and Mansion, are available for public use by reservation. Call the Parks & Recreation Office at (408) 615-2260 for more information.
 
Restrooms
Picnic Areas
Reservable Rooms

 
14.5
ALBERTSON PARKWAY
Purple Hills Dr. @ PG&E easement, near Santa Teresa & Cottle
 

 

  2.7
ALMADEN LAKE PARK
Almaden Expwy & Coleman
6099 Winfield Blvd
San Jose, CA 95120-1535
Features a swim area with sandy beach and lifeguard supervision (open Wed. through Sun., closed Mon. and Tues.)  Also offers fishing & boating (no power boats), as well ask hiking, volleyball, horseshoes, and wind surfing.  The nearby Los Alamitos Creek Trail provides a fitness course.  Facilities include a snack bar and rental outlet offering small shade canopies, pedal boats, kayaks, row boats, and life jackets.

Please note that dogs are permitted only in the eastern picnic areas.  For picnic reservations, please call (408) 277-5561 or (408) 277-5562. Parking is $3 per vehicle and is collected from March through Labor Day weekend.

Playground.
Restrooms
95 Picnic Tables
19 BBQ Grills
64.9
ALMADEN MEADOWS PARK
Camden & Meridian
No restroom. 

 

Playground
8 Picnic Tables
1 BBQ Grills
15.5
ALMADEN WINERY
Chambertin & Blossom Hill
No restroom. 

 

Playground
2 Picnic Tables
5.2
ALUM ROCK PARK
Alum Rock & Penitencia Creek
16240 Alum Rock Ave
San Jose, CA 95127-1307
 
With 13 miles of trails, Alum Rock Park is a popular family hiking spot, for those who don't mind hills.  Huge old growth oak trees offer shade, and along the way the hiker is treated to scenic vistas and glimpses of local wildlife.  Bring your water bottle, and expect to carry very young children. 

The visitor's center offers information about local wildlife.   Parking is $3 per vehicle and is collected year round.  A privately operated stable provides horses for those who wish to take advantage of the 6 miles of horseback trails.  Six miles of biking trails also provided.  Please note that reservable picnic areas accommodate up to 300 people. Each area includes tables, barbecue stoves and nearby restrooms. For reservations or more information, please call (408) 277-5561 or (408) 277-5562. 

Alum Rock Park is also home to the Youth Science Institute.

 

2 Playgrounds
Restrooms
149 Picnic Tables
85 BBQ Grills
 
718
ALVISO PARK
Wilson Way & School, on N. 1st
Cute little park with sand, swings, and a play-structure sized for younger children.  Directly next to the Alviso Library. Restrooms are available inside the library, during regular hours.  Soda vending machines at library entrance.  Note that books checked out from the Alviso Library can be returned at any San Jose Public Library branch.

 

Playground
15 Picnic Tables
5 BBQ Grills
 
7.5
AVENIDA ESPANA
Downs & Rawls
 

 

  1

 

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B Special Features Facilities Size in Acres
BACKESTO PARK
13th  Street & Empire
This historic  downtown San Jose park is shaded by mature Sycamores,  has a community center and a variety of other amenities, including playgrounds. Bounded by 12th  & 13th  Streets as well as Jackson and Empire.  MAP 2 Playgrounds
Restrooms
11 Picnic Tables
3 BBQ Grills.
Large group BBQ pit.
2 Basketball Courts
Softball Fields
Handball Courts
1 Tennis Court, Lighted
13
BASKING RIDGE PARK
Chelsea Crossing near Schoolhouse Rd, off Basking Ridge Ave. near Bernal Rd.
No Restroom. Playground
3 Picnic Tables
 
8
BERNAL PARK
Hedding & 7th
  Playground
Restroom
8 Picnic Tables
Tennis Court
2.8
BERRYESSA CREEK PARK
Messina & Isadora
No Restroom.  MAP 3 Playgrounds
7 Picnic Tables
4 BBQs
Tennis Court
 
13.7
BIEBRACH PARK
Delmas & W. Virginia
MAP 2 Playgrounds
Restroom
9 Picnic Tables
5 BBQ Grills
2 Basketball Courts
Swimming Pool
6.4
BOGGINI PARK
Remington & Millbrook
 

 

  10
       
Bowers Park
2582 Cabrillo Avenue
Bowers Park has a neighborhood recreation building for meetings, recreation activities, etc.  Located adjacent to Bowers Elementary School and Cabrillo Middle School
 
Playground
Restrooms
Picnic Area
7
BRANHAM PARK
Ross & Branham
 

 

  7
BRIGADOON PARK
Brigadoon & Maloney
No Restroom.

 

  5.5
BRIGADOON TOT LOT
Threadneedle & Firthth
No Restroom.

 

  0.5
BROOKTREE PARK
Fallingtree @ PG&E easement
 

 

  7.7
BUTCHER PARK
Camden & Ross
 

 

  10
       


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 C Special Features Facilities Size in Acres
CAHALAN PARK
Cahalan & Pearlwood
 

 

   
CALABAZAS PARK
Rainbow & Blaney
 

 

   
CALERO PARK
Calero & Lean
 

 

   
CAMDEN PARK
Camden & Union
 

 

   
CANOAS PARK
Wren & Kingfisher
 

 

   
CAPITOL PARK
Bambi & Peter Pan
 

 

   
CARRABELLE PARK
Camden & Villagewood
     
CASSELL PARK
Leeward & Foxdale
 

 

   
CATALDI PARK
Morrill & Cataldi
A fun park in the Milpitas area that offers play areas for larger and smaller children, plus plenty of sand, a shaded grass area, and a section of circular cement path that is great for tricycles and scooter cars!  Larger grassy field adjoining behind assures there is plenty of room for kids who need to get out and run or maybe just toss a Frisbee around.

Please note that this park is located along a major street, however a low wall along the Morrill side keeps preschoolers from darting into trouble. 

 

2 Playgrounds
Restroom
Picnic Area
Tennis Courts
 
Central Park
909 Kiely Boulevard
(between Homestead Road and Benton Street)
Bordered by Saratoga Creek on one side, this Santa Clara park is a pleasant mix of natural and urban.  Squirrels, bush bunnies, and birds inhabit the area along the creek, often straying into the park.  A large man-made duck pond offers a lively gaggle of geese, mallard ducks, and domestic ducks alike.  And there is a small playground as well as a large lawn area for sports and other active play .  In the springtime the large vine enshrouded group picnic pavilion is surrounded in a stunning display of purple blossoms.  (See Map of Facilities.) Playground
Restroom
Picnic Area
BBQ Grills
Swim Center
Tennis Courts
Basketball Courts
Lawn Bowling Green
 
52
       
CENTURY OAKS PARK
Coyote/Alamitos Canal & Curie, between Gunter & Cottle
     
CENTURY OAKS PARK
Coyote/Alamitos Canal & Curie, between Gunter & Cottle
     
CHILDREN OF THE RAINBOW
Madden & Elodie
     
CHRIS HOTTS PARK
Almaden Expwy. south of Via Monte Dr.
     
CHYNOWETH PARK
Chynoweth & Lean
 

 

   
CIMARRON PARK
Pellas & Orange
 

 

   
COLUMBUS PARK
Spring & Taylor
 

 

   
COMANCHE PARK
Comanche & Shawnee
 

 

   
COY PARK
Coy & Judith
 

 

   
COY PARK
Coy & Judith
 

 

   
COYOTE CREEK PARK CHAIN
from William St Pk to Hellyer Pk
     

 

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D Special Features Facilities Size in Acres
DANNA ROCK PARK
Houndshaven @ Valleyhaven
    11
DE ANZA PARK
Princeton & Meridian
    9.6
DOERR PARK
Potrero & Park Wilshire
    11.7
DOVE HILL PARK
Carick & Ravens
    3.9

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E

  Special Features Facilities Size in Acres
EDENVALE GARDEN PARK
Edenvale & Saddlebrook, off Monterey Road, between Branham & Chynoweth
Adjacent to the historic Hayes Mansion, which features a restaurant open to the general public.

No Restrooms listed.
 
Playground
Picnic Area
Tennis Courts
Walking Path
19.7
EMMA PRUSCH FARM PARK*
Story & King
A wonderful place to visit in spring with young children.  Children of all ages enjoy viewing the animals (especially the spring lambs and chicks), and adults enjoy snapping photos.  There is a nice big grassy knoll to lay a picnic blanket and picnic tables are available also.  Restrooms are available behind the community building (which can be used for group functions).  Plenty of parking. 

Please note that there is no playground, so bring your own ball or bubbles.

MAP
 

Restroom
35 Picnic Tables
5 BBQ Grills
43.5
ERIKSON PARK
Pearl & Oyster Bay
No Restroom.

 

Playground
7 Picnic Tables
 
1.6
EVERGREEN PARK
Yerba Buena & San Felipe
  31 Picnic Tables 16.4
       

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F

  Special Features Facilities Size in Acres
FERNISH PARK
Fernish & Rubion
    6
FLICKINGER PARK
Tourney & Stratton
    14.4
FOOTHILL PARK
Foothill & Cahalan
    6.9
FORESTDALE TOT LOT
Forestdale @ 280
    0.4
       

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G

  Special Features Facilities Size in Acres
GEORGE PAGE PARK
Santa Teresa & Miyuki
    4.0
GLENVIEW PARK
McCall @ Hollow Park
    4.2
GOLDEN OAK PARK
Golden Oak & Paseo Pueblo
    10.0
GRAYSTONE PARK
Mt. Carmel & Camden
    4.7
GREAT OAKS PARK
Guisti & Snow
    12.3
GREGORY PLAZA TOT LOT
Gregory & Helen
    0.2
GROESBECK HILL PARK
Klein & Norwood
    26.6
GUADALUPE GARDENS
Spring St. & Taylor, off Coleman Ave. near 87
Guadalupe Gardens, which already features a renowned Heritage Rose Garden with over 3,500 varieties of roses, a Recycled Water Demonstration Garden, and a Historic Orchard, is being created adjacent to the River Park on land just south of the San Jose International Airport. When completed, the Gardens will be a place of great beauty, planted in a variety of gardens for the enjoyment and education of visitors.    
GUADALUPE OAK GROVE
McAbee & Thorntree
    62.7
GUADALUPE RIVER PARK
Between Hwy 880 and 280 along Guadalupe River in downtown San José

http://www.grpg.org/

Guadalupe River Park is a three-mile ribbon of park land, currently being developed along the banks of the Guadalupe River in the heart of downtown San Jose from Highway 880 at the north, to Highway 280 at the south. It is the largest urban park under development in the United States today and a resource of regional importance to the people of Santa Clara County and the Bay Area.

For information on renting park space for events, call the City of San Jose at (408) 277-4191.

Another great regional park that affords a nice place to take a walk. Follow the river and end up at the carousel or at the Children's Discovery Museum. 

Note to mom's with young children:
  take a friend or two when you go as now and then there are some unfortunates who are a bit confused.  You will feel much more comfortable with another adult friend or two along.  

  205
GULLO PARK
Moorpark & Williams
    0.7

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H

  Special Features Facilities Size in Acres
     HAMANN PARK
Central & Westfield   
    10.5
HAPPY HOLLOW PARK
 & ZOO*

Senter & Story
    12
HATHAWAY PARK
Columbo & Vallejo
    7.7
HELLYER COUNTY PARK
Hellyer Avenue exit along HWY 101 
    223
HESTER PARK
Naglee near Dana
    0.4
HILLVIEW PARK
Adrian & Ocala
    11.6
HISTORICAL MUSEUM*
Senter & Alma
    15
HOUGE PARK
Twilight @ White Oaks, near S. Bascom north of 85
    12.5
HUERTA TOT LOT
Hillsdale @ PG&E easement
    0.3

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I

       
           

J Special Features Facilities Size in Acres
JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN
Senter & Alma
Part of the Kelly Park complex, listed below.    
Jenny Strand
250 Howard Drive
 
  Playground
Restrooms
Picnic Area
BBQ Grill
Basketball Courts
Tennis Court
 
       

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K Special Features Facilities Size in Acres
KELLEY PARK
Senter & Story
Home to Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, the Japanese Friendship Gardens, and the Historical Museum.

 

Kelley Park is the home to Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, the Japanese Friendship Garden and the San Jose Historical Museum. Visitors may enjoy a train ride, picnicking, beautiful lawn and shade tree areas or a walk through the tranquil Japanese Friendship Garden. For those looking for more activity, visit the zoo, amusement park and play area of Happy Hollow or step back in time to the historic 1800s of San Jose at the Historical Museum.

Kelley Park is located on Senter Road in central San Jose, between Keyes Street and Phelen Avenue. Park hours are daily from 8 a.m. to one-half hour after sunset. A $3 parking fee is collected on weekends, during national and school holiday periods year round, and daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

There are several picnic areas, an amphitheater, wedding sites and small meeting rooms available. For reservations, please call (408) 277-5561 or (408) 277-5562.

 

   
KIRK PARK
Briarwood & Foxworthy
     

L Special Features Facilities Size in Acres
LA COLINA PARK
Los Pinos & Ansdell
     
LAKE CUNNINGHAM REGIONAL
Capitol & Tully
2305 S White Rd
San Jose, CA 95148-1518
Phone: (408) 238-8028
Lake Cunningham is a 50 acre fresh water lake open for fishing and boating.  Although no gas powered engines are allowed,  sail boats, canoes, and pedal boats are permitted and are available for rent. 

The Marina, which is open on weekends, features a public boat launch ramp as well as dock space and boat trailer parking.  The concession stand offers drinks, snacks, and also fishing supplies such as bait and tackle.  The Marina is open weekends beginning in the spring and daily during the summer season through Labor Day.

Please note that all California fishing laws apply, and that all persons over the age of 16 must have a fishing license to fish.  No live bait, except worms.

Biking and jogging are also popular in the park and an 18-station par course beckons for golfers.   The park features three playgrounds.

MAP

3 Playgrounds
Restrooms
268 Picnic Tables
93 BBQ Grills
Exercise Course

 
202
LINCOLN GLEN PARK
Lincoln & Curtner
     
Live Oak Park
4025 Rivermark Parkway
This great little park, brand new as of 2005, is nestled beside the Rivermark Shopping Center.  The park offers two small playgrounds,  bouncy rides that still work, big shady oak trees, and a huge wide open grassy area.  Please note there is a separate parking lot, just for the park.  All of Rivermark's eating establishments beckon making this a fun place to pick up take-out for the park. 

A huge Safeway (with Starbucks) provides convenient nearby shopping, allowing you to plunk your tired child in the cart and whisk through the isles while he munches that free cookie.   

2 Playgrounds
Picnic Area
Restroom
 
11