event
Children's Halloween Haunt at History Park
Children's Halloween event, 2:00 pm.
- Dates
- Oct 24, 2026
- Hours
- 2pm
- Where
- 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose, CA 95112
County guide
Things to do in Santa Clara County
29 outings for families, couples, seniors and groups, each linked to its source.
Outings near you
🌳20 picks
Family Outings
County parks, hands-on museums, a zoo and seasonal festivals.
event
Community Day: Día de Los Muertos at SJMA
Community Day at the San José Museum of Art, 11am.
- Dates
- Oct 24, 2026
- Where
- 110 South Market Street, San José, CA 95113
event
Tech or Treat at The Tech Interactive
Halloween trick-or-treating throughout the museum, with hands-on spooky science and laser shows. Oct 31, 10am-5pm.
- Dates
- Oct 31, 2026
- Hours
- 10am-5pm
- Where
- 201 S. Market St, San Jose, CA
event
Día de los Muertos & Diwali at Children's Discovery Museum
Día de los Muertos celebration (Nov 1) and Diwali, the Festival of Lights (Nov 7).
- Dates
- Nov 1, 2026 – Nov 7, 2026
- Where
- 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110
eventFree
Christmas in the Park
Free downtown holiday celebration with free Santa photos at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, on Market St. between San Fernando and San Carlos.
- Dates
- Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
- Hours
- Daily 12pm-10pm
- Cost
- Free
event
Children's Heritage Holiday at History Park
Holiday event for children, 2:00 pm.
- Dates
- Dec 12, 2026
- Hours
- 2pm
- Cost
- $5-$10
- Where
- 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose, CA 95112
museum
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
Children's museum with Museums for All access.
- Hours
- Tue-Fri 9:30am-1pm; Sat-Sun 9:30am-4:30pm (also open Veterans Day, Wed Nov 11, 9:30am-4:30pm)
- Cost
- Child (1-17) $22; Adult (18-59) $22; Senior $20; under 1 free
- Where
- 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110
park
Ed R. Levin County Park
1,558 acres with lawns, a playground, fishing at Sandy Wool Lake, views from Monument Peak and a hang-gliding launch area where visitors can watch gliders soar.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate
- Where
- 3100 Calaveras Road, Milpitas, CA 95035
zoo
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
Park and zoo 'connecting people and nature through the joy of play'.
- Cost
- General (2-59) $22; Senior (60+) $19; under 2 free; parking $10
- Where
- 748 Story Road, San Jose, CA 95112
park
Hellyer County Park
178-acre creekside park with a 30-foot play structure, a toddler area, fishing at Cottonwood Lake, a dog park and an Olympic-size velodrome.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate
- Where
- 985 Hellyer Ave, San Jose, CA 95111
museum
History Park
History San José's History Park; hosts seasonal family events.
- Hours
- Daily 9am-4pm; historic houses open Sat-Sun 12-3:45pm
- Where
- 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose, CA 95112
museumFree
Lick Observatory Visitor Center
Visitor area on Mount Hamilton. The East Grounds and Shane Gallery are open 9am-5pm daily; the main building and West Peak area remain closed. Free for all visitors.
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- 7281 Mount Hamilton Rd, Mount Hamilton, CA
park
Martial Cottle Park
A 287-acre historic ranch celebrating the valley's farming heritage, with over 3 miles of paved trails, picnic areas and the Walter Cottle Lester Visitor Center (hours vary).
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate; hourly parking also available
- Where
- 5283 Snell Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136
parkFree
Rancho San Antonio County Park & Open Space Preserve
Over 25 miles of trail across a 2,180-acre preserve and 293-acre county park, including the climb to 2,800-foot Black Mountain, plus Deer Hollow Farm. Parking can be congested at busy times.
Checked 2026-10-20museum
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
Largest collection of Egyptian artifacts on exhibit in western North America. Currently open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Hours
- Fri 9am-4pm; Sat-Sun 11am-6pm
library
San José Public Library - Dr. MLK Jr. Library
Storytimes and early education programs for ages 0-5, kids, pre-teens and teens; free library card.
- Where
- 150 E San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95112
museum
The Tech Interactive
Hands-on science and technology center; admission includes one educational IMAX film.
- Hours
- Vary by season; see daily schedule
- Cost
- Adults $38; children 3-17, students and seniors (65+) $28
- Where
- 201 S. Market St, San Jose, CA 95113
park
Uvas Canyon County Park
1,147 forested acres with a one-mile Waterfall Loop along Swanson Creek. A pre-paid vehicle day pass reservation is required every day.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset; trails open at sunrise
- Cost
- $6 vehicle day pass; pre-paid reservation required daily
- Where
- 8515 Croy Road, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
park
Vasona Lake County Park
152-acre lakeside park with 45 acres of lawn, picnic areas, fishing and the Youth Science Institute nature center. Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad rides run through the park from neighboring Oak Meadow Park.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate
- Where
- 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032
landmark
Winchester Mystery House
Daily mansion tours, with an optional attic access add-on ($13). Halloween decorations may be visible on tours this season.
- Where
- 525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose, CA 95128
🌅7 picks
Date Ideas
Art museums, gardens and evening events.
event
Firsthand Hauntings at Winchester Mystery House
One night only: a documentary screening of stories from mansion caretakers, followed by a flashlight tour through the darkened mansion. Limited spots.
- Dates
- Nov 13, 2026
- Hours
- 7pm
- Where
- 525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose, CA 95128
eventFree
Christmas in the Park
Free downtown holiday celebration with free Santa photos at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, on Market St. between San Fernando and San Carlos.
- Dates
- Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
- Hours
- Daily 12pm-10pm
- Cost
- Free
museumFree
Anderson Collection at Stanford University
A free museum of modern and contemporary American art. Visitor parking is paid via ParkMobile.
- Hours
- Thu-Mon 11am-5pm; closed Tue-Wed
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- 314 Lomita Dr, Stanford, CA 94305
museum
Computer History Museum
Museum of computing history, with exhibits including Chatbots Decoded: Exploring AI. Closed Thursday, Oct 22 for a private event.
- Hours
- Wed-Sun 10am-5pm; closed Mon-Tue
- Where
- 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View, CA 94043
garden
Hakone Estate & Gardens
Japanese estate and gardens in Saratoga. On Oct 25 access and parking are limited by a special event, with tickets sold on site only.
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 10am-5pm (last admission 4:30pm); Sat-Sun 11am-5pm (last admission 4pm)
- Where
- 21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070
museum
San José Museum of Art
Downtown art museum, open until 9pm on Fridays. No ticket needed for the store or cafe.
- Hours
- Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun 11am-6pm; Fri 11am-9pm; closed Mon
- Cost
- Adults $20; seniors 65+ $15
- Where
- 110 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113
museum
de Saisset Museum
Art and history museum at Santa Clara University.
- Hours
- Tue-Fri 10am-4pm; Sat-Sun 12pm-4pm; closed Mon
- Where
- 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053
🌷8 picks
Senior Outings
Museums, gardens and historic sites.
parkFree
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
4,163 acres on a former mercury mining site, with over 37 miles of trails, historic mining remnants and the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. No entry fee.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset; trails open at sunrise
- Cost
- Free entry
- Where
- 21785 Almaden Road, San Jose, CA 95120
museumFree
Anderson Collection at Stanford University
A free museum of modern and contemporary American art. Visitor parking is paid via ParkMobile.
- Hours
- Thu-Mon 11am-5pm; closed Tue-Wed
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- 314 Lomita Dr, Stanford, CA 94305
museum
Computer History Museum
Museum of computing history, with exhibits including Chatbots Decoded: Exploring AI. Closed Thursday, Oct 22 for a private event.
- Hours
- Wed-Sun 10am-5pm; closed Mon-Tue
- Where
- 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View, CA 94043
garden
Hakone Estate & Gardens
Japanese estate and gardens in Saratoga. On Oct 25 access and parking are limited by a special event, with tickets sold on site only.
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 10am-5pm (last admission 4:30pm); Sat-Sun 11am-5pm (last admission 4pm)
- Where
- 21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070
museumFree
Lick Observatory Visitor Center
Visitor area on Mount Hamilton. The East Grounds and Shane Gallery are open 9am-5pm daily; the main building and West Peak area remain closed. Free for all visitors.
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- 7281 Mount Hamilton Rd, Mount Hamilton, CA
park
Martial Cottle Park
A 287-acre historic ranch celebrating the valley's farming heritage, with over 3 miles of paved trails, picnic areas and the Walter Cottle Lester Visitor Center (hours vary).
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate; hourly parking also available
- Where
- 5283 Snell Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136
museum
San José Museum of Art
Downtown art museum, open until 9pm on Fridays. No ticket needed for the store or cafe.
- Hours
- Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun 11am-6pm; Fri 11am-9pm; closed Mon
- Cost
- Adults $20; seniors 65+ $15
- Where
- 110 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113
museum
de Saisset Museum
Art and history museum at Santa Clara University.
- Hours
- Tue-Fri 10am-4pm; Sat-Sun 12pm-4pm; closed Mon
- Where
- 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053
🎳12 picks
Friends and Groups
Hikes, county parks, museums and haunted-house tours.
event
Firsthand Hauntings at Winchester Mystery House
One night only: a documentary screening of stories from mansion caretakers, followed by a flashlight tour through the darkened mansion. Limited spots.
- Dates
- Nov 13, 2026
- Hours
- 7pm
- Where
- 525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose, CA 95128
eventFree
Christmas in the Park
Free downtown holiday celebration with free Santa photos at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, on Market St. between San Fernando and San Carlos.
- Dates
- Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
- Hours
- Daily 12pm-10pm
- Cost
- Free
parkFree
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
4,163 acres on a former mercury mining site, with over 37 miles of trails, historic mining remnants and the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. No entry fee.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset; trails open at sunrise
- Cost
- Free entry
- Where
- 21785 Almaden Road, San Jose, CA 95120
museum
Computer History Museum
Museum of computing history, with exhibits including Chatbots Decoded: Exploring AI. Closed Thursday, Oct 22 for a private event.
- Hours
- Wed-Sun 10am-5pm; closed Mon-Tue
- Where
- 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View, CA 94043
park
Ed R. Levin County Park
1,558 acres with lawns, a playground, fishing at Sandy Wool Lake, views from Monument Peak and a hang-gliding launch area where visitors can watch gliders soar.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate
- Where
- 3100 Calaveras Road, Milpitas, CA 95035
park
Joseph D. Grant County Park
The county's largest regional park, 10,882 acres of grassland and oak woodland at the base of Mt. Hamilton, with a 51-mile trail system and fishing.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate
- Where
- 18405 Mt. Hamilton Road, San Jose, CA 95140
parkFree
Rancho San Antonio County Park & Open Space Preserve
Over 25 miles of trail across a 2,180-acre preserve and 293-acre county park, including the climb to 2,800-foot Black Mountain, plus Deer Hollow Farm. Parking can be congested at busy times.
Checked 2026-10-20museum
San José Museum of Art
Downtown art museum, open until 9pm on Fridays. No ticket needed for the store or cafe.
- Hours
- Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun 11am-6pm; Fri 11am-9pm; closed Mon
- Cost
- Adults $20; seniors 65+ $15
- Where
- 110 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113
park
Sanborn County Park
3,453 acres of redwoods and tanbark oaks in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with over 22 miles of trails and a one-mile nature trail.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate
- Where
- 16055 Sanborn Road, Saratoga, CA 95070
park
Uvas Canyon County Park
1,147 forested acres with a one-mile Waterfall Loop along Swanson Creek. A pre-paid vehicle day pass reservation is required every day.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset; trails open at sunrise
- Cost
- $6 vehicle day pass; pre-paid reservation required daily
- Where
- 8515 Croy Road, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
park
Vasona Lake County Park
152-acre lakeside park with 45 acres of lawn, picnic areas, fishing and the Youth Science Institute nature center. Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad rides run through the park from neighboring Oak Meadow Park.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate
- Where
- 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032
landmark
Winchester Mystery House
Daily mansion tours, with an optional attic access add-on ($13). Halloween decorations may be visible on tours this season.
- Where
- 525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose, CA 95128
🎟️11 picks
Free and Cheap
Free entry, plus outings with a low parking or entry fee.
eventFree
Christmas in the Park
Free downtown holiday celebration with free Santa photos at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, on Market St. between San Fernando and San Carlos.
- Dates
- Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
- Hours
- Daily 12pm-10pm
- Cost
- Free
parkFree
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
4,163 acres on a former mercury mining site, with over 37 miles of trails, historic mining remnants and the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. No entry fee.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset; trails open at sunrise
- Cost
- Free entry
- Where
- 21785 Almaden Road, San Jose, CA 95120
museumFree
Anderson Collection at Stanford University
A free museum of modern and contemporary American art. Visitor parking is paid via ParkMobile.
- Hours
- Thu-Mon 11am-5pm; closed Tue-Wed
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- 314 Lomita Dr, Stanford, CA 94305
park
Ed R. Levin County Park
1,558 acres with lawns, a playground, fishing at Sandy Wool Lake, views from Monument Peak and a hang-gliding launch area where visitors can watch gliders soar.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate
- Where
- 3100 Calaveras Road, Milpitas, CA 95035
park
Hellyer County Park
178-acre creekside park with a 30-foot play structure, a toddler area, fishing at Cottonwood Lake, a dog park and an Olympic-size velodrome.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate
- Where
- 985 Hellyer Ave, San Jose, CA 95111
park
Joseph D. Grant County Park
The county's largest regional park, 10,882 acres of grassland and oak woodland at the base of Mt. Hamilton, with a 51-mile trail system and fishing.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate
- Where
- 18405 Mt. Hamilton Road, San Jose, CA 95140
museumFree
Lick Observatory Visitor Center
Visitor area on Mount Hamilton. The East Grounds and Shane Gallery are open 9am-5pm daily; the main building and West Peak area remain closed. Free for all visitors.
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- 7281 Mount Hamilton Rd, Mount Hamilton, CA
park
Martial Cottle Park
A 287-acre historic ranch celebrating the valley's farming heritage, with over 3 miles of paved trails, picnic areas and the Walter Cottle Lester Visitor Center (hours vary).
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate; hourly parking also available
- Where
- 5283 Snell Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136
parkFree
Rancho San Antonio County Park & Open Space Preserve
Over 25 miles of trail across a 2,180-acre preserve and 293-acre county park, including the climb to 2,800-foot Black Mountain, plus Deer Hollow Farm. Parking can be congested at busy times.
Checked 2026-10-20park
Sanborn County Park
3,453 acres of redwoods and tanbark oaks in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with over 22 miles of trails and a one-mile nature trail.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate
- Where
- 16055 Sanborn Road, Saratoga, CA 95070
park
Vasona Lake County Park
152-acre lakeside park with 45 acres of lawn, picnic areas, fishing and the Youth Science Institute nature center. Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad rides run through the park from neighboring Oak Meadow Park.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- $6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate
- Where
- 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032