Outdoors
Trails and recreation areas near Santa Clara open to horseback riding, including horse camps.
Good to know: Check trailer parking and stock water at the trailhead, and whether certified weed-free hay is required.
Aquatic Park Cove is a vibrantly urban harbor that mimics a natural anchorage and is located on the Pacific shores of one of America's great West Coast cities.
Contra Loma Dam and reservoir are part of the Central Valley Project - Delta Division and offers recreational opportunities for the East Bay area near San Francisco.
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the most spectacular marine protected areas. This sanctuary also has one of the largest underwater canyons and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments.
Recreation area lakes include O'Neill Forebay, San Luis Reservoir, and Los Banos Creek Reservoir.
The Los Banos Dam and Reservoir are on Los Banos Creek above the San Luis Canal, near Los Banos, California. The dam and reservoir are features on the Central Valley Project - San Luis Unit .
Point Reyes National Seashore offers four backcountry hike in campgrounds and thirteen boat in campsites along Tomales Bay. Note: For reservation purposes, our campgrounds are organized under the "loop" column of the reservation grid.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Santa Clara. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK) (National Park Service), about 40 miles northwest of Santa Clara as the crow flies. Next are Contra Loma Reservoir (43 mi) and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (49 mi).
Based on Santa Clara’s average highs, all year. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.