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 other sporting activity imaginable, you’re sure to find the sports and recreation activities you are looking for in Santa Clara.
The San Francisco Bay Area in general has a reputation worldwide for having one of the more athletically and health conscious populations. This is readily seen in the available options for sports and recreation in the South Bay and Silicon Valley areas. Because of the high volume of business travel to the area, there are golf courses, tennis facilities, health clubs, and swimming pools in abundant supply in Santa Clara to serve the residents and their traveling guests. If you’re looking for biking and running routes, Santa Clara’s active population has seen to it that there are many secluded paths to enjoy as well as a variety of surface street routes that are bike/runner friendly.
Santa Clara’s parks and recreation department has consistently provided an enormous amount of options to Santa Clara residents when it comes to sports and recreation facilities and activities. Operating more than thirty five public parks, several of which have public swimming pools, the city sees to it that there are many choices for outdoor activities to enjoy.
Parks in Santa Clara
Santa Clara’s city park system is the envy of many South Bay communities. With 39 parks to choose from, you’ll have your pick of activities and venue. If you are looking for a quit picnic place 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, one of the more sports oriented parks like the ever popular Central Park might be the best bet. Take a look at Santa Clara’s park and recreation offerings and discover something new for you to get outside and enjoy!
Swimming Pools in Santa Clara, CA
If you are looking forward to taking a dip to beat the warm weather in the summer time, Santa Clara provides access to 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 friendly fun in the water. If you’re in the mood to visit a historic and iconic pool in Santa Clara, take a look at the George F. Haines International Swim Center and take a swim in the pool that has trained more Olympians than any other in the sport. With options for everyone looking for a bit of pooltime fun, Santa Clara has a pool for you!
Santa Clara’s Golf Courses
The enormous amount of business traffic in Silicon Valley has spawned a wealth of golf courses in Santa Clara. 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 locally famous Deep Cliffs Golf Course. Looking for a tee time in Santa Clara is an easy proposition with so many courses to choose from!
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 a bit and enjoy a bit of solitude. The Los Gatos Creek Trail and the Penitencia Creek Trail both afford riders a chance to get off the beaten path, but to get there quickly and easily. If you are looking for a longer ride, try Coyote Creek Parkway – one of the longest paved trails in the entire South Bay. Whether you would like to enjoy a bit of sunshine and ride with others at he ever popular Rancho San Antonio, or get out by yourself at Joseph D. Grant Park, Santa Clara makes access to bike paths a snap.
