24 Best San Jose, California Parks
San Jose, California Parks offers plenty of amazing activities to do. The city serves as the focal point of Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area’s primary innovation and technological powerhouse recognized globally.
There are plenty of playgrounds for kids, and many parks include separate spaces for older and younger kids to play. Kelley Park’s History Park contains about thirty-two historically significant buildings that have been conserved. Take a weekend trip to one of these fantastic parks in California. You can navigate to the table of contents or scroll to view the whole list with photographs.
Best San Jose, California Parks
1. Almaden Lake Park
With a 32-acre lake with the same name, Almaden Lake Park is a stunning 65-acre entertainment facility that is well-liked by San José locals who own legal California fishing permits throughout the summer months. Pedal boats can be rented for a summertime exploration of the lake’s waters at the park, which is open to the public daily from 8:30 a.m. to sunset. Due to worries about California’s drought, visitors should be aware that personal boats and other watercraft are now not allowed on the lake. The 3.9-mile Los Alamitos Creek Trail connects the park to the nearby Santa Teresa County Park, which has a public exercise facility.
408-277-5130, 6099 Winfield Blvd., San José, CA 95120
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2. Berryessa Creek Park
Located close to Milpitas in northeastern San José lies the lovely 13.5-acre regional park known as Berryessa Creek Park. The focal point of the park is its namesake seasonal creek, which gathers urban runoff during the summer and gives rise to tributaries including Piedmont, Calera, and Penitencia Creek. The park has two kid-friendly playgrounds: one is a secure area for young children up to age five, while the other is a more energetic play area for kids up to age twelve. There is an exercise course, softball field, and soccer field available, as well as ADA-accessible swings. There are also day-use picnic areas with barbecue grills provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
408-535-3570, 1855 Majestic Way, San José, CA 95132
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3. Cahalan Park, San Jose, California
Located in the eastern part of San José, Cahalan Park is a charming 9.5-acre neighborhood park that provides a range of summertime park services for families with kids. There are two distinct playgrounds available for kids: one is a secure place for kids under five to play in, while the other is a more energetic space for kids five to twelve years old. A multifunctional turf, basketball, tennis, and softball fields, as well as play equipment like swings, slides, and a tire swing, are available for the public to use. There are picnic areas accessible for tourist use on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are multiple BBQ pits for cooking food. You can rent the Homeward Shelter in the park for a private or special occasion.
408-535-3570, 770 Pearlwood Way, San José, CA 95123
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4. Canyon Creek Park
Thompson Creek and the Hillstone Development encircle the lovely 37-acre Canyon Creek Park, which is next to the Evergreen Community Center. There is a 1.2-acre community park area next to Larkspur Canyon Drive, but there are also large undeveloped tracts of open terrain. A children’s play area is available for use by guests, with distinct play equipment for younger and older kids, such as climbing frames and bucket swings. Large grassy spaces offer space for picnics and pickup athletic games, and a charming globe-shaped water fountain is a favorite play place for kids and families. At the top of the park’s hill are lovely views over the city, with good spots from which to watch the Fourth of July fireworks.
408-793-5510; Larkspur Canyon Drive & Trinity Hills Court, San José, CA 95138
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5. Edenvale Gardens Regional Park
Situated on the grounds of the 1891 Hayes Mansion, a National Historic Landmark since 1975, is the expansive 19.5-acre Edenvale Gardens Regional Park. More than 646 acres of farmland and orchards formerly covered the Hayes estate, yielding an abundance of year-round fruit, vegetable, and nut crops. The Frontier Village amusement park was located on the estate in the middle of the 20th century. The City of San José bought the estate’s grounds in 1987 to establish a public community park after the park closed. In addition to basketball, tennis, and sand volleyball courts, the park now has two age-segregated kid’s play areas and day-use picnic areas with grills.
408-793-5510, 200 Edenvale Ave., San José, CA 95136
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6. Emma Prusch Farm Park, San Jose, California
Emma Prusch Farm Park is a distinctive 43.5-acre public park located in East San José. The park’s holdings were donated to the city by local citizen Emma Prusch, and it was first made accessible to the public in 1962. The park maintains Prusch’s former farm homestead as a living history museum, with the largest intact barn in the city, which is available for use by the 4-H organizations in the area and the local chapter of Future Farmers of America to raise animals in urban areas. Overseeing approximately 125 unusual tree species, a rare fruit orchard is managed by the California unusual Fruit Growers Association. Veggielution, a sustainable urban agricultural community farm, is one of the other attractions. The park hosts its annual Harvest Festival in October, where guests may enjoy wagon rides, a 4-H animal exhibit, and a variety of live acts.
408-794-6262; 647 King Road, San José, CA 95116
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7. San Jose Parks: Falls Creek Park
A great 1.07-acre neighborhood park in San José, Falls Creek Park welcomes guests of all ages with a variety of play structures and park facilities. For guests with kids, there are two distinct play areas featuring play structures for smaller and older kids as well as a pair of baby swings. First come, first served, day-use picnic tables are available for birthday celebrations and leisurely lunches on warm days. It should be noted that the park does not have fire pits, barbeque grills, or public facilities. There are plenty of benches where parents can watch their kids play, and there’s a big grassy field where kids can run about and have more fun.
408-535-3570; 4673 Batten Way, San José, CA 95135.
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8. Foothill Park
Situated at the edge of the Santa Teresa Foothills, 6.9 acres of wide yet sparse public park, Foothill Park offers breathtaking views of the neighboring Blossom Valley. A walking track that runs alongside the Coyote-Alamitos Canal, which transfers water between the Los Alamitos and Coyote Creeks and shields the area from hill runoff, and winds through the park. The park’s trailhead is located at the intersection of Foothill Drive and Cahalan Avenue. From there, visitors can walk for almost a mile, with an additional dirt bike path area leading beyond another foothill and toward Almaden Lake, which is nearby. With few path barriers and significant elevation changes, the park is a great hiking route for families with young children. The park is a great place to see the city’s Fourth of July fireworks every year.
408-535-3570; 6209 Cahalan Ave., San José, CA 95123
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9. Fowler Creek Park
A lovely 9.5-acre neighborhood park, Fowler Creek Park offers stunning panoramic views of San José’s skyline. A seasonal children’s water play area and two age-group-segregated children’s playgrounds are just two of the park’s many outdoor recreational options for guests of all ages. The tanbark surface of the play area is covered with rubber flooring at both playgrounds, reducing the risk of falls. A variety of day-use, reservable picnic areas with barbeque grills are accessible for visitors, as are three tennis courts and two bocce ball courts. The park is the site of the Evergreen Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Phone: 408-535-3570; Address: Altia Ave & Cortona Dr, San José, CA 95135.
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10. Frank M. Santana Park, San Jose, California
Spread on 5.3 acres along South Monroe Street, Frank M. Santana Park is a charming neighborhood park with plenty of shaded spots and spacious open areas ideal for playing or lounging. There’s a children’s playground with climbing and play structures best suited for kids between the ages of five and twelve. There are also day-use picnic areas and BBQ grills accessible, first come, first served. There’s also a softball field open to visitors, and the park’s circumference is ringed with a cement sidewalk suitable for strolling and jogging. Nearby, a range of boutiques, dining establishments, and coffee shops can be found in one of the city’s most sophisticated retail areas.
408-793-5510; 511 S. Monroe St., San José, CA 95288, (website link)
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11. Guadalupe River Park
More than 2.6 miles of walking and cycling trails can be found in Guadalupe River Park, which is well-known for the many outdoor seasonal leisure options it provides for San José residents. The park has several sizable open areas, such as Arena Green, Discovery Meadow, and Confluence East, all of which protect delicate ecological zones. The park’s Courtyard Garden showcases drought-resistant flora and landscaping techniques, while the Heritage Rose Garden is home to plantings of over 3,700 exquisite roses. Additionally, guests can have fun at the biggest Monopoly board in the world, where teams can hire tokens to play cooperative games.
408-298-7657; 438 Coleman Ave., San José, CA 95110
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12. San Jose Parks: Hester Park
Hester Park is a small public park that is next to the Rose Garden and Library and the Rosicrucian Museum in San José. Two age-appropriate children’s playgrounds with swings, multiple climbing frames, and a climbing wall can be found in the secret park. Families can bring lunches and unwind together at the park’s day-use picnic areas, which are first come, first served. The park is well-shaded, providing plenty of shade so kids may play in the shade and keep cool. The park has a soccer field that can be used with a permit. When visiting the park with children, visitors should be aware that there are no bathrooms available and should make appropriate plans.
San José, California 95126, 1578 Naglee Ave., 408-535-3570
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13. Kelley Park
Over 172 acres makeup Kelley Park, a large urban park situated on the former property of Judge Lawrence Archer, the mayor of San José. Numerous family-friendly attractions can be found in the park, such as the bustling Happy Hollow Park and Zoo and a lovely Japanese friendship garden with koi ponds. Visitors can tour 32 historic and replica area buildings and monuments at the free-to-enter History Park living history facility, which is designed to depict the history of the city in the 19th and 20th centuries. Every day, there are historical displays and performances along with a revolving art exhibition at the Arbuckle and Leonard & David McKay Galleries in the park. The renovated O’Brien’s Ice Cream Parlor and Candy Shop, which offers milkshakes and other treats from the turn of the century, is one of the other attractions.
San José, California 95112, 1300 Senter Road; 408-794-7275
14. La Colina Park, San Jose, California
Located in San José, La Colina Park is a large public park spanning 25.5 acres, which is the home field for a well-known flag football league in the city. Set amidst several tiny hills with sweeping views of the city skyline, the park has two age-appropriate children’s playgrounds that kids up to 12 years old can utilize. There’s also a soccer field that can be reserved for permit usage and a seasonal kids’ water play area. Many day-use picnic areas are available for visitors to enjoy on a first-come, first-served basis. A few of the locations have covered wooden patios and barbeque grills. At the park, a pleasant walking track climbs the hill behind the play area and peaks at a picturesque plateau.
Phone: 408-793-5510; Address: 6100-6138 Ansdell Way, San José, CA 95123
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15. Los Paseos Park
Fitness lovers frequently use Los Paseos Park, a roomy 10.8-acre public park in San José, as a place to run or jog on its 0.25-mile decomposed granite track. There’s also a multipurpose grass for sports and exercise, as well as a fitness course. Together with multiple spacious grass fields that are frequently utilized for baseball, soccer, and softball games, there are four illuminated tennis courts available for visitor use. There are two age-appropriate playgrounds: one has supervised areas for young children under five years old, while the other has more age-appropriate play equipment for kids up to twelve years old. There are additional day-use picnic areas available, some of which can be reserved and have grills. There are also plenty of benches for parents to sit on and watch their children play, as well as public facilities.
408-535-3570, San José, CA 95139, phone
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16. Mayfair Park, San Jose, California
Mayfair Park is a bustling six-acre public park next to the Mayfair Community Center in San José. Despite being close to the city, the park feels isolated because of the surrounding thick vegetation. All ages can enjoy the many amenities provided by the park, which include a seasonal children’s pool and spray pad with fountain features and separated playgrounds for kids up to 12 years old. Adjacent to the park’s swimming pool is a public community garden and a skate park area. The park hosts a wide range of special activities for the public all year long, including the yearly Camp San José summer camp for local youngsters.
408-535-3570; 2039 Kammerer Ave., San José, CA 95116
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17. San Jose Parks: Parma Park
Parma Park is a 4.5-acre neighborhood playground off Camden Avenue, close to the Almaden Library. There are many different types of kid-friendly play structures in the park, such as two playgrounds for different age groups that are open to kids from two to twelve. A rock climbing wall provides special chances for young children to try their hands at safe climbing adventures, while a sandbox play area within the playground for smaller children pays homage to the Almaden Quicksilver mines with its mining theme. There are also two seasonal water play areas, a baseball diamond, a soccer field, and a covered outdoor reading area with ornamental statues and ardenwood trees. Picnic areas for day usage are available first come, first served.
408-793-5510; 6409 Camden Ave., San José, CA 95120
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18. Penitencia Creek County Park
Penitencia Creek County Park is a 38-acre park with a wide, rolling terrain that is near the Berryessa Community Center in San José. A mile-long route encircling a tiny lake, shaded by dense palm palms and inhabited by large numbers of geese, provides breathtaking views of the city. Kids between the ages of two and twelve can utilize the designated children’s playground sections, with distinct facilities for younger and older kids. Swings, slides, and a bouncy bridge are among the play attractions. Visitor day use includes several first-come, first-served picnic spots and baseball and softball grounds. There are also large parking lots, public restrooms, and dog-friendly areas available to the public.
San José, California 95132; phone: 408-535-3570; 3050 Berryessa Road
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19. Rosemary Gardens Park
Rosemary Gardens Park is a delightful 1.3-acre public park with a distinctive circular concrete walkway that is a favorite site for locals to promenade in the evenings and take in the breathtaking sunset views. Both a bocce ball court and a workout course are accessible to guests with reservation. Children’s play spaces include a lovely playground with a twisting slide, toddler swings, and bouncy play equipment that is best used by kids between the ages of two and five. A kid-friendly water play area and splash pad is open during the summer. There are day-use picnic tables available, some with BBQ grills for food preparation; first come, first served. An additional feature is a little dog run that is open to the public. When visiting the park with children in tow, visitors should be aware that there are no public facilities.
408-793-5510; 161 Sonora Ave., San José, CA 95110
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20. Ryland Park
There’s a seasonal children’s pool at Ryland Park, a charming 3.2-acre public park with a depth of two to four feet. Throughout the summer, lifeguards are on duty at the pool, where kids can borrow life jackets and play with water toys after getting permission from a lifeguard. Children’s playgrounds featuring climbing frames, slides, swings, and kid-safe play areas are open to young guests between the ages of two and twelve. The park’s dog park facility offers distinct spaces for large and small dogs to play, as well as plenty of benches for watching kids and dogs interact. Along with several first-come, first-served picnic areas, the park offers an exercise course, a basketball court, and chess tables for visitors to use.
Fox Avenue & First Street, San José, California 951112
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21. San Tomas Park, San Jose, California
San Tomas Park is a bustling 4.8-acre public park in Campbell that is suitable for people of all ages, especially those who are strolling with four-legged companions. The park, which stretches along the western edge of San José, has two playgrounds for kids between the ages of two and twelve. The playgrounds have equipment that is safe for younger kids to play on and exciting for larger kids to play on. During the summer, a kid-friendly water play area is also open, and there are plenty of benches and open space on a spacious grassy field. There is a walking and running track around the park, and there are two basketball courts set aside for sports. Barbecue grills and public restrooms are available at picnic spots that are first come, first served.
408-793-5510, Valerie Dr. & Eva Ct., Campbell, CA 95008
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22. Saratoga Creek Park
A favorite meeting place for parent groups with young children, Saratoga Creek Park is a picturesque one-acre park located in West San José close to Saratoga Creek. The park, which is situated at the intersection of Cordelia Avenue and Hoyet Drive, has two distinct kid-friendly play spaces that are separated according to age groups. Children up to the age of twelve can engage in active play, while those between the ages of two and five can play safely. Seesaws, swings, slides, and a sand play area are examples of play equipment. Along with a dog play area that offers distinct off-leash play areas for large and small breeds, there are three public exercise courses available. There is a shaded walking trail and day-use picnic areas with barbeque grills and facilities for visitors to use.
Phone: 408-793-5510; Address: Cordelia Ave & Hoyet Drive, San José, CA 95129
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23. St. Elizabeth Park, San Jose, California
Located on St. Elizabeth Drive in San José, St. Elizabeth Park is a modest 0.7-acre park that’s ideal for parents who want to easily keep a close check on their kids while they play. The park has two separate children’s playgrounds with amenities for younger and older kids, as well as safety elements for kids between the ages of two and five. In addition, there’s a sizable expanse of lush lawn for picnics and sports, and enough of midday shade keeps the park cool and secure for kids to play all day. There is a spot for communal mealtimes with a first-come, first-served picnic area; however, guests should be aware that there are no public facilities available and should make appropriate plans if they are bringing small children.
95126 San José, California, St. Elizabeth Dr.
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24. Wallenberg Park
Raoul Wallenberg, a businessman and philanthropist, is honored with Wallenberg Park, a well-liked nine-acre community park located in San José’s Willow Glen area. The park, which has eight lighted tennis courts available for use by locals and tourists, is a highly well-liked location for tennis players in the city. There are two playgrounds for kids based on age groups, and there are several dog-friendly locations where guests may play with their four-legged companions. There are lots of grassy fields where sports like soccer can be played. Along the park’s eastern edge is a magnificent community garden, a walking trail, and a day-use picnic area equipped with charcoal grills.
Curtner Ave & Cottle Ave, San José, CA 95125, Phone: 408-535-3570