A very popular park for picnics, biking and walking…read more I've been going to this park ever since I was a child. The playgrounds were great when I was a kid and they still are today. Always great to see birdlife here: geese, coots, ducks, grebes, herons and an occasional hawk. Very popular with dog walkers on a leash (the dogs, not the people ). Recommendation: The park officials would be praised if they organized a separate trail track for humans and bicyclists. It would make both walkers and bicyclists so very happy. This park's popularity makes it crowded at times. Especially weekends.

I was in the South Bay and wanted to do a sunset hike in a place I haven't been before. My…read moreson-in-law suggested this county park. Boy, was that a very good suggestion. It takes a 20 minute drive from San Jose to Los Gatos. The main gate kiosk was unattended, so I proceeded to find a parking spot near the arched pedestrian foot bridge. I found out later that there was $6 parking fee but I got there around 7 pm this past summer, so I maybe got away with it. Next time, I'll just park for free in the nearby neighborhood streets such as University Avenue and Garden Hill Drive. This is a pretty large park with the Vasona Reservoir as a center piece. I wanted to loop around the lake's trail path only to find out that the west side is accessible through the University Avenue only. The miniature train wasn't in operation when I got there but I got to check out the mini train station and tracks. Ducks, geese and herons were hanging out by the water. People were concluding their day's activities as I went on with my hike. These were all sorts like urban anglers, birdwatchers, families on a walk, runners and bikers. I even noticed a couple of birthday parties ending as the sun was setting. Ongoing renovation, summer's dry foliage and some unkempt areas are what's keeping my review from being 5 stars. Still a serene place for a walk or a relaxing stroll and a good alternative to the overcrowded Silicon Valley area parks with a lot of picnic areas and even a dedicated bike lane.

Oak Meadow Park in Los Gatos, California, is an absolute treasure, and I can't recommend it…read moreenough--5 stars all the way! This 12-acre park is a haven for families, kids, and anyone looking to enjoy a delightful day outdoors. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the park's charm and the sheer variety of activities it offers. The playground is a standout feature, perfect for kids of all ages. It's packed with imaginative play structures, including a retired fire engine and airplane that my kids couldn't get enough of--they spent hours climbing and pretending to be pilots and firefighters. The swings, slides, and climbing structures are well-maintained, and the layout ensures there's something for both younger and older children. I also appreciated how clean and safe the area felt, with plenty of benches for parents to keep an eye on the little ones. What makes Oak Meadow Park truly special, though, is the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad and the W.E. Bill Mason Carousel. The mini train ride, which winds through the park and into the adjacent Vasona Lake County Park, was a highlight for my family. At just $3 a ticket (and free for kids under 2), it's an affordable treat that brought smiles to everyone's faces. The carousel, with its vintage charm, was equally enchanting--my kids begged to ride it multiple times. Both are operated by volunteers who clearly love what they do, adding a warm, community feel to the experience. The park also boasts plenty of open grassy fields, perfect for a game of frisbee or soccer, and the creek-side walking paths are serene for a leisurely stroll. We packed a picnic and enjoyed one of the many tables available, though I'd recommend reserving a spot for larger groups since the picnic areas can get busy. The barbecue pits are a nice touch for family gatherings, and I noticed several birthday parties happening, with kids laughing and playing everywhere. The park's location next to Vasona Lake County Park is a bonus, giving you access to even more trails and activities without needing to drive. While there's a small parking fee ($6 for non-residents), you can park on the street for free and walk in, which we did without any hassle. The restrooms were clean, and the overall upkeep of the park was impressive--there's a real sense of pride in this community space. Oak Meadow Park is more than just a park; it's a place where memories are made. Whether you're a local or just visiting Los Gatos, this park is a must-see for a fun, family-friendly day out. I can't wait to return!

Went on a trail walk and ended up at this park to eat the snacks and e brought with us. It was a…read moreMonday afternoon, so it was pretty quiet. We sat closer to the bathrooms, so far enough away from the playground. If you're going to sit on the grass just be careful about not sitting in geese poop. They have several areas where they keep picnic tables. You might just want to bring a wet rag or something to clean off the space. If you're looking for entertainment for the kids, you can take a mini train ride throughout the park. On weekends they have the snack bar open. They sell candy, soda pop, hamburgers and hot dogs. Never had anything there but in case you came to the park and decided to stay a little longer, then there's food available. They keep the park relatively clean. Plenty of garbage cans so no littering. There's a beautiful creek that is close to the park.

This is my go-to local hike!…read more I love that this trail is near to many things and I can go for a nice long (or short) hike within half an hour from where I'm at. While parking can be tough if you go a bit later on the weekends, it's pretty easy to find parking on the weekdays - just make sure you don't park in the employee spots near downtown LG! I love that I can vary the length of the hike just by choosing different trails to take. On days that I have more time and the weather is nice - I take the long trail and soak in the beauty. On days where I'm a bit more rushed or the weather isn't as good - I can do a quick up and back down then head on my way. Afterwards, a short walk takes you to downtown LG with lots of options for shopping and eating! A very nice place to hang out with friends/a date after a good jaunt into nature. And if you're here on Sunday - there's the farmers market to enjoy as well!

Parking is limited. Park at the street. The trail is middle to easy, a bit steep, very noisy with…read moretraffic next to the trail. The peak is nothing but grassland and not shaded. We finished the trail quickly and headed back to Los Gatos downtown, lot of nice shops and restaurants.

A nice neighborhood family park, really quiet & relaxing…read more Easy parking in the street, several picnic tables more benches, half court basketball, & a nice playground for little kids plus a good sized sand pit for sand toys.

My friend recommended we meet at Bachman Park, which I hadn't heard of before. It's tucked away in…read morea beautiful residential area and it's very peaceful and quiet. It's only a few minutes drive (or 10 minute walk) from downtown LG. There are 2 playgrounds and a large sandpit with plenty of toys for children to use. There are some picnic benches and a water fountain, but as others noted, there are no bathrooms. I love the huge oak trees and walking path. I've only been here twice but it's already become one of my favorite local parks. Street parking is easy and convenient. There were lots of locals walking their dogs but I didn't see that many children/families at the playground area.

A great spot where locals hang out by the water, fish, bike & hike the trails…read more You can get up in the mountains or walk as far as you want to from the trailheads.

I have come here countless times over the years. It's one of my favorite spots. It's peaceful, not…read moreoverly crowded, and has a really calming, almost zen feel to it. The views of the water and surrounding hills make it a great place to reset for a bit. Perfect for a quiet walk, light hike, or just getting away from the noise for a while.

Such a pretty little park. There's a small creek running through it and a nice little bridge…read more I have to tell you, if you like the idea of a fall stroll this is your park. When it's a little foggy, overcast, or even a tad on the rainy side, this is the best park for a quick ramble. Trust me.

This is a small but beautiful park with plenty of appealing features including a bridge at the…read moreentrance with the Saratoga Creek running underneath, picnic tables and seating, a grassy field, a volleyball net set up, a playground for the kids with swings and climbing structures, and a woodsy area in the back which is gorgeous in autumn with all the fallen leaves from the various trees and the colors of the season creating lovely scenery. The trail on the border was not the sturdiest path, with large rocks protruding from the dirt and warning signs posted to "enter at your own risk". But I was still able to get a good run in while exploring the park, extending to the neighborhood since, again, the park is small. There were several porta potties on site, as well as a parking lot for convenience. Such a carefree and relaxing atmosphere, with the adorable shops and eateries of Big Basin Way just around the corner.

The good: This was a great park with a shaded playground, a…read moresmall splash pad, sand area, bathrooms, and plenty of street parking. We have a heat wave right now in San Jose but I was still able to take my kid here because of all the natural shade from the oak trees. It's especially pretty during the fall because the trees have all turned colors. It's nestled in a neighborhood so feels safe and quaint. I liked the cute "kids only" treehouse sign on the playground. My daughter enjoyed climbing the faux rocks. It was busy on the Saturday we came. The bad: The sand and splash pad area are adjacent so that gets messy with kids. The interesting: The name comes from the former principal of the school that used to be located where the park is now.

Nice park but we came for the water feature and it was really underwhelming. It can really use some…read moremaintenance. Not every sprayer works and there's lots of sand in the splash pad area. We'd like to come back but hopefully it'll have been serviced.

Awesome park! There are separate big kid and little kid play structures. In the little kid section…read morethere is even a structure for even littler kids! Appropriate even for crawling babies I think! (See photo) There are ton of benches and picnic tables around the play structures. Intermittent shade. Easy street parking around the park and also looks like its own dedicated lot but I couldn't figure out how to get to the parking lot

We love to come to Houge Park when we want to take our dog for longer walks. We used to come here…read morewith our daughter when she was younger as well. I like that they have two different kids playgrounds, one for children 5-12, and another for children 2-5. There're huge grass areas, and lots of big trees. Many people bring their dogs here in the morning. It's nice to greet and chat with other dog owners. There're often people doing various exercises or dancing in groups in the morning as well. There are quite a lot of picnic tables with BBQ, and we often see people having parties on weekends. Restrooms are in building 2, and they're always clean. There's a parking lot, and street parking in the area is easy, too. Other amenities include basketball courts, tennis courts and outdoor fitness stations (some have missing instructions, though). They even have a horseshoe pit! I feel fortunate to have such as a well-equipped and well-maintained park not too far from us.

Always such a chill and quiet park! 10/10…read more Always come here all the time Not the biggest park but very nature filled Great for picnics but not parties Nears the hills so great for skating ------ Lesley Berenice Instagram: WestCoastBrujita

Little plat area out of the way. Not far from the larger parks which were overpacked with kids and…read morefamilies on a nice day. Great find! No bathrooms!

Needed to rest, so I looked up a nice park. Lots of kid playground and lots of places benches along…read morethe park for parents to sit down and relaxe. I'm neither a parent or a kid. I'm just an adult who needed to wait had time to kill but with a fun twist in my life. I needed a short burst exercise so I did some steps on the step Benches. Had so much fun. Waking up. 10/10 awesome park

Found this park on TikTok and finally got to check it out...It was really cute and I loved how…read morecolorful everything was. The butterfly theme and little farmers theme were a nice touch. The park was clean and the other families there were really nice too. The only downside was there were no restrooms, which was a bit of a bummer since I rode my bike there. Other than that, I'd definitely bring my daughter back on occasion as it isn't the closest park.