Summer 2011 Outdoor Activities at Santa Clara County Parks in Almaden Valley – UPDATED 2022

If your family loves spending time together doing outdoor activities, then you’re going to love this one.

Following is the [UPDATED 2022] Calendar of Outdoor Activities for Santa Clara County Parks.

The 2011 events include everything from history hikes, wildlife hikes, geocaching, moonlight paddles, bat sightings, and mining adventures.

History Hike
Saturday, June 11, 2011, 9:00am-1:30pm
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Step back in time and experience what life was like back in the mining heyday. Ride by van up into the park, hike approximately 5 miles to various historic sites, and enjoy a brown-bag lunch in the park. Meet at the Casa Grande/New Almaden Quicksilver Museum. Bring water, lunch, sturdy hiking shoes and sun protection. Tour costs $5. Reservations required. (408) 323-1107

Oh Baby What a Hike!
Saturday, June 11, 2011, 10:00am-12:00pm
Calero County Park
Discover how to safely enjoy a stroller hike with your baby or small children. Learn what items to take along and how to make the experience more enjoyable for all. Meet at the Calero Park office. Bring sturdy strollers, sun protection, water and snacks. (408) 268-3883

Nature Hike with a Ranger
Saturday, June 18, 2011, 9:00am-12:30pm
Calero County Park/Rancho San Vicente
Join a Ranger on a 3-mile hike and learn how the rolling serpentine grasslands provide critical habitat for endangered species. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding foothills from the vistas in this future parkland. Meet at Calero Reservoir, then carpool to the trail nearby. Bring sun protection, water, camera, sturdy hiking shoes and layered clothing. Note: This is a guided hike in a “closed area” not yet open for public access, group travels together. Restrooms not available except at reservoir meeting location. (408) 268-3883.

Living with Wildlife Hike
Saturday, June 25, 2011, 10:00am-12:00pm
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Take a 2.6-mile hike to find out what to do if you encounter wild animals in parks or around your neighborhoods. Discuss what is considered normal animal behavior, and what is not. Learn what these wild neighbors need to survive, and how we can share our lands safely. Meet at the Hacienda parking area with sturdy hiking shoes, sun protections and water. (408) 268-3883

Serpentine Habitat Hike
Saturday, July 9, 2011, 8:00am-11:30am
Calero County Park-Rancho San Vicente
Take a strenuous 3-mile hike to explore the plants and wildlife living in a serpentine ecosystem. Trails are steep and rocky, but we will pace to examine nature not to meet cardio training goals. Meet at Calero Reservoir, then caravan to a gated site nearby. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, sun protection, snacks, and extra water. Hike will not be appropriate for children under 10 years old. No dogs. Note: This is a guided hike in a “closed area” not yet open for public access, group travels together. Restrooms not available except at reservoir meeting location. Primitive conditions- no benches, porta-potties, or picnic tables along trails. Reservations required. (408) 846-5632

History Tour by Van
Saturday, July 9, 2011, 9:00am-1:30pm
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Step back in time and experience what life was like back in the mining heyday. Ride by van to various historic sites and enjoy a brown-bag lunch in the park. Tour costs $5 per person. Children must be over 6 years and 60 lbs. Meet at the Casa Grande/New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. Bring water, lunch and sun protection. Reservations required. (408) 323-1107

Full Moon Paddle
Thursday, July 14, 2011, 8:00pm-10:30pm
Calero Reservoir
Discover local history & nature on a moonlight paddle tour of Calero Reservoir. Experienced paddlers only, no instruction or equipment provided. Meet at the reservoir launch ramp with your kayak/canoe, life jacket & 2 glow sticks per person. Reservations required. (408) 846-5632

History Tour by Van
Saturday, July 23, 2011, 9:00am-1:30pm
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Step back in time and experience what life was like back in the mining heyday. Ride by van to various historic sites and enjoy a brown-bag lunch in the park. Tour costs $5 per person. Children must be over 6 years and 60 lbs. Meet at the Casa Grande/New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. Bring water, lunch and sun protection. Reservations required. (408) 323-1107

Blind as a Bat?
Saturday, July 23, 2011, 6:00pm-9:30pm
Calero County Park
We’ll take you on a pleasant but bouncy ride to the Calero Bat Inn – where you can visit but you cannot stay. Learn some batty bat facts and discover why these creatures are so important. Watch thousands of bats emerge from a good day’s sleep at the Inn. Bring a small beach chair or blanket, closed-toe shoes, bug spray, layered clothing and flashlight. Meet at the Calero Park Office. Reservations required. Call after July 1st at 8:00am. Leave a message with name, phone number and number of participants. (408) 268-3883

Play Like a Miner
Saturday, July 30, 2011, 11:00am-2:00pm
Casa Grande/New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum
Join museum staff and volunteers for a fun-filled afternoon of kid-friendly activities and adventures that reflect the life and hard work of cinnabar miners and New Almaden’s historic mining community. The museum is located at 21350 Almaden Road in San Jose. (408) 323-1107

Introduction to Geocaching
Saturday, August 6, 2011, 8:45am-12:00pm
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Let Park Docent Sam Drake take you on a beginner’s geocaching adventure to find 6-7 hidden caches in the park. GPS units will be provided. Meet at the Wood Road parking lot with sturdy hiking shoes, sun protection, water, and snacks. Register online or call (408) 355-2240.

History Hike
Saturday, August 6, 2011, 9:00am-1:30pm
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Step back in time and experience what life was like back in the mining heyday. Ride by van up into the park, hike approximately 5 miles to various historic sites, and enjoy a brown-bag lunch in the park. Meet at the Casa Grande/New Almaden Quicksilver Museum. Bring water, lunch, sturdy hiking shoes and sun protection. Tour costs $5. Reservations required. (408) 323-1107

The Night Shift
Saturday, August 6, 2011, 8:00pm-10:00pm
Calero County Park
Let’s go for an almost full-moon hike! Explore park trails and participate in fun activities with a Park Ranger to learn which animals come out at night and how they are uniquely adapted to survive after dark. Meet in the parking area adjacent to the Park Office. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, layered clothing and a flashlight with red lens cover. Reservations required. (408) 268-3883

Welcome Home the Bats
Saturday, August 13, 2011, 5:00am-7:00am
Calero County Park
Join Park Rangers on this first-ever opportunity to welcome home the bats to the Calero Bat Inn. Take a sleepy ride to the Inn where we’ll kick back and say hello to the day and to the bats as they return from a night of feasting. Enjoy their aerial gymnastics as they swarm around the Inn and plunge in waves into the Inn for a good day’s slumber. Meet at the Calero Park Office. Bring a small beach chair or blanket, closed-toe shoes, bug spray, layered clothing and flashlight. Reservations required. Leave a message with name, phone number and number of participants. Call after August 1st at 8:00am. (408) 268-3883

History Tour by Van
Saturday, August 20, 2011, 9:00am-1:30pm
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Step back in time and experience what life was like back in the mining heyday. Ride by van to various historic sites and enjoy a brown-bag lunch in the park. Tour costs $5 per person. Children must be over 6 years and 60 lbs. Meet at the Casa Grande/New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. Bring water, lunch and sun protection. Reservations required. (408) 323-1107

Sunset Nature Hike
Saturday, August 20, 2011, 6:00pm-8:30pm
Calero County Park-Rancho San Vicente
Take a hike with a Park Ranger to explore the trails and enjoy an evening sunset hike. Trails are steep and rocky, but hike will be paced to examine nature and the views. Meet at Calero Reservoir, then caravan to a gated site nearby. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, snacks, and water. No dogs. Note: This is a guided hike in a “closed area” not yet open for public access, group travels together. Restrooms not available except at reservoir meeting location. (408) 268-3883.

Blind as a Bat?
Saturday, August 27, 2011, 5:45pm-9:15pm
Calero County Park
We’ll take you on a pleasant but bouncy ride to the Calero Bat Inn – where you can visit but you cannot stay. Learn some batty bat facts and discover why these creatures are so important. Watch thousands of bats emerge from a good day’s sleep at the Inn. Bring a small beach chair or blanket, closed-toe shoes, bug spray, layered clothing and flashlight. Meet at the Calero Park Office. Reservations required. Leave a message with name, phone number and number of participants. Call after August 8th at 8:00am. (408) 268-3883