Outdoors
Outdoors near Santa Clara
40 national forests, lakes, parks and campgrounds within reach, by activity.
Hiking
24 places · closest 39 mi
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK) and more
Best: year-round
Camping
24 places · closest 40 mi
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK), Rob Hill Group Campground and more
Best: year-round
Fishing
23 places · closest 14 mi
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK) and more
Boating & paddling
21 places · closest 14 mi
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve and more
Best: March–November
Biking
17 places · closest 14 mi
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK) and more
Best: year-round
Picnic spots
11 places · closest 43 mi
Contra Loma Reservoir, Kirby Cove Campground and more
Best: February–November
Horseback riding
7 places · closest 40 mi
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK), Contra Loma Reservoir and more
Best: year-round
Wildlife & birding
23 places · closest 14 mi
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve and more
Swimming
10 places · closest 40 mi
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK), Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and more
Best: June–October
Closer to home
Places come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; distances are straight-line miles from downtown.