Santa Clara has ample opportunities for the athletically inclined to enjoy exercise and the outdoors in a wide variety of ways. Whether you are looking for organized sports activities and team exercise, or want to go for a hike or bike ride on your own, the Santa Clara area has something for everyone. With several golf courses, miles and miles of walking, hiking, and bike paths, an abundance of baseball and soccer fields, public and private swimming pools, and courts for every sporting activity, you’re sure to find the sports and recreation activities you are looking for in this area.

The San Francisco Bay Area has a reputation for having one of the most athletic and health conscious populations in the world. There are health clubs, sports facilities and recreation areas in the South Bay and Silicon Valley areas. Because of the high volume of business travel to the area, there are many golf courses, tennis facilities, health clubs, and swimming pools in Santa Clara to serve the residents and visitors. Bikers and runners will enjoy the scenic biking and running trails. There are many secluded paths to explore as well as a variety of surface street routes that are bike/runner friendly.

Santa Clara’s parks and recreation department provides many sports and recreation facilities and activities for Santa Clara residents. Operating more than 35 public parks, several of which have public swimming pools, the city is in charge of operating all the areas for outdoor activities in Santa Clara.

Parks in Santa Clara

Santa Clara’s city park system is one of the best in the South Bay community. With 39 parks to choose from, you’ll have your pick of activities and venues. If you are looking for a romantic picnic spot with your special someone, Henry Schmidt Park or Lick Mill Park may fit the bill nicely. If you are looking to play a game of baseball or soccer or shoot some hoops with the kids, Central Park is a good park to visit. Take a look at Santa Clara’s park and recreation parks and facilities and find the perfect place for some great outdoor time.

Swimming Pools in Santa Clara

If you are looking forward to some warm weather in the summer and time in the pool, Santa Clara has five city-run public swimming facilities. These pools are available during the summer months for public swimming, exercise time, and children’s swimming lessons. Check out the Mary Gomez Park and Pool, or the Warburton Swim Center (both named for community-minded Santa Clarans of the past) for family fun in the water. If you’d like to visit a historic and iconic pool in Santa Clara, go to the George F. Haines International Swim Center. This pool has trained more Olympians than any other venue in the country.

Santa Clara’s Golf Courses

Silicon Valley is where all the business leaders meet. The volume of visitors to Santa Clara has spawned a wealth of golf courses in Santa Clara County. Whether you are a novice player who wants a bit of practice, or a seasoned veteran of the game who would like a challenge, Santa Clara golf courses are crowd pleasers. Choose from any of the three local 9-hole courses in the Santa Clara area (Blackberry Farm Golf Course, Sunken Gardens Municipal Golf Course, or Pruneridge Golf Club) for a challenging, but infinitely playable quick round. If you are in the mood for the full 18-hole experience, check out the Santa Clara Golf and Tennis Club or the local favorite Deep Cliffs Golf Course. It’s easy to find a tee time in Santa Clara that suits your busy schedule.

Santa Clara Bike Paths

Santa Clara is nothing if not bike friendly. With an extremely large population of avid cyclists in the area, there are many surface streets and routes around town that are bike friendly. There are also a wide variety of groomed and/or paved bike paths that let riders get off the beaten path to enjoy a little solitude. The Los Gatos Creek Trail and the Penitencia Creek Trail are both easy to get to and give riders a chance to get off the beaten path. If you are looking for a longer ride, try Coyote Creek Parkway – one of the longest paved trails in the entire South Bay. You can enjoy a nice sunny day and ride with others at the ever popular Rancho San Antonio, or head out solo at Joseph D. Grant Park.