Looking for a perfect nature escape right in the heart of Silicon Valley? Look no further than Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos! This 152-acre gem is Santa Clara County’s most popular regional park for all seasons, offering a stunning mix of serene lake views, expansive lawns, family-friendly activities, and spacious parking. It’s truly a “nature wonderland” for all ages.
🍁 Our Recent Visit: Chasing Autumn Colors
My regular Monday “All-Seasons” hiking group and I are typically creatures of habit, often tackling the beautiful, but mostly evergreen trails of Rancho San Antonio County Park in Cupertino. A few weeks ago, we decided we needed a change of scenery—specifically, we were craving those vibrant, fleeting hues of autumn.
A friend suggested Vasona Lake in Los Gatos. We carpooled over, paid a $6 per vehicle parking fee at the entrance, and parked at the Blossom Hill parking lot (see the detailed map here).
It did not disappoint! The walk around the lake was stunning. The path is flat and easy, but the mature trees along the shoreline and bordering Los Gatos Creek truly lit up with brilliant golds, reds, and oranges. It was the perfect change of pace, offering the color we desired without the intense elevation gain of the mountain parks. It’s an ideal spot for a post-hike cooldown or a simple, scenic nature walk.
(Thanks to my friend Anny Peng for sharing some of the photos, including amazing lake views and colorful trees.)
❤️ A Park Full of Precious Family Memories
Vasona and its adjacent neighbor, Oak Meadow Park (managed by the Town of Los Gatos), are a paradise for families, offering unique attractions that feel like a trip back in time. They are more than just a public space, also a living photo album for many families including mine. Walking the perimeter of the lake brought back a rush of precious memories from when my children were young, and now they are both attending college. In 2021, my parents joined me on a visit to meet my friend and her parents along the Vasona Lake. It turned out they were all born in the same year, and they quickly became great friends, hanging out regularly from then on.
Now, with my kids attending college, seeing the Vasona Lake County Park through my “empty-nester”’s eyes was a lovely reminder of cherishing the memories and appreciating the foundational outdoor experiences that I shared with my family here. If you have young children, or you are simply looking for a beautiful, accessible spot to spend a day or just a few hours, Vasona Lake County Park is the place to be! The combination of play, history, and nature is unmatched.
The Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad
What a sheer joy on children’s faces taking the train! The miniature steam engine winding through the trees and over the creeks is pure magic for toddlers and young children.
It was named after a real Southern Pacific Railroad engineer, Billy Jones, who ran the tiny railroad in his prune orchard for decades, offering free rides to the community until his death in 1968. Volunteers made sure his legacy lived on! Also, W.E. “Bill” Mason Carousel is located next door in Oak Meadow Park. This beautiful, antique carousel offers another classic, joyful ride.
The beautiful Vasona Reservoir is the centerpiece of the park and the hub of many activities. The dam that created the reservoir, the Vasona Percolating Dam, was completed in 1934 as part of the local effort to secure the valley’s water supply.
- Boating Fun: Learning to pedal a boat on the calm waters of the reservoir was a rite of passage for my kids. It was always a fun, safe adventure, fostering their love for the water. From spring through early fall, you can rent kayaks, pedal boats, or stand-up paddleboards and enjoy a peaceful trip on the water. The boat rentals are managed by LGS Recreation.
- Fishing: Anglers will find a well-stocked lake with Black Bass, Crappie, Catfish, and Bluegill. Both of my kids attended summer camps hosted by the Youth Science Institute (YSI) at the park’s Nature Center. They spent weeks exploring the park, learning about local wildlife, and getting their first lessons in fishing and nature exploration. These camps are invaluable in fostering a deep appreciation for the outdoors.
- No Swimming: While human-powered boating is permitted, swimming is prohibited, likely for a combination of health and safety reasons that are typical for many reservoirs and lakes.
Trails and Picnics
The Vasona Lake park offers easy, paved paths and direct access to the Los Gatos Creek Trail. Its expansive, reservable picnic areas are perfect for birthday parties and family gatherings.
Playgrounds
Both Vasona Lake and Oak Meadow Parks feature large, modern playgrounds designed for different age groups, complete with swings, slides, and fun climbing structures. Pets are allowed at Vasona Lake County Park if they are on a leash no longer than six feet. You are required to pick up after your pet, and free disposable bags are often available. An off-leash dog enclosure is also located near the fly casting ponds which are located north of the main parking lot and restroom building, in the grassy area towards Camden Avenue.
💡 Don’t Miss the Winter Magic!
And speaking of family traditions, you simply cannot miss the winter magic at Vasona Lake County Park. Every December, the park hosts the annual Fantasy of Lights ! When my hiking group visited there, we saw giant holiday lights being installed. This year, they are hosting a Fantasy of Lights Walk-Thru from Saturday, December 6 to Sunday, December 7, 4:00pm – 9:00pm, then Drive-thru from Tuesday, December 9 to Tuesday, December 30 (closed December 25). Driving through the dazzling, mile-and-a-half-long light display was always a favorite holiday outing for my family. It’s the perfect way to cap off a year of memories made at Vasona.
📜 A Deep History in the Heart of Los Gatos
My nostalgic return to Vasona Lake County Park inspired a deeper dive into the history of the park and the town, uncovering fascinating stories I’m excited to share.
The land beneath Vasona Lake County Park is among the most historic in the region, with a fun, surprising story behind its very name!
- The Park is Named After a Pony: Before the park and the lake were created, the area was crossed by the South Pacific Coast Railroad. A local prune rancher named Albert August Vollmer successfully convinced the railroad to establish a flag stop near his home. When asked to name the new stop, he chose “Vasona”—the name of his favorite pony from his childhood. The name stuck!
- The Original “Corner of the Cats”: In 1839, the founders of the area, José Hernandez and Sebastian Peralta, named their land grant Rancho Rinconada de Los Gatos (Corner of the Cats) after hearing mountain lions near the creek.
- A Rail-to-Road Transformation: The original railroad right-of-way that ran along the western side of the reservoir was eventually removed in 1959. Today, that route is known as University Avenue.
Vasona Lake County Park is a community treasure that truly offers something for everyone, whether you’re chasing autumn leaves, reliving childhood memories, or creating new ones. Please let us know if you also have a family transition to visit this park. Email: info@walkbikecupertino.org.