OVERVIEW
In Silicon Valley’s South Bay City of Campbell; home to Santana Row and Hi Tech start-ups and Fortune 500s resides Los Gatos Creek County Park. This park is known for mixed-use trails operated by the County of Santa Clara Park Department, the City of Campbell, the Town of Los Gatos and the City of San Jose. There is a gated off-leash segregated dog park with artificial turf that withstands canine antics and wet weather. There’s shaded canopies, seating, and water in the dog park area. Dogs are required to be on-lead when you exit the dog park area and enjoy the Los Gatos Creek trail. If you are looking for an adventurous pet-friendly activity in Silicon Valley, go do the CANGO at Los Gatos Creek County Dog Park.
HOW PET-FRIENDLY IS IT?
I would highly recommend this park for the following reasons: (1) you can get a nice walk of varying lengths in a natural setting; (2) you can bring a dog to a segregated park that allows bigger dogs to go all out without worrying about hurting a smaller dog, and it provides a place for shyer dogs, puppies and senior dogs to play safely; (3) you could bring your whole family out to enjoy the park because there are flat, wide pathways that are accessible to the disabled and picnic areas to have a kid-friendly outing as well (though the tables are surrounded by ducks and geese so there may be a bit of poop).
When we spent time frolicking in the small dog side of the off-leash gated dog park area. This was the first time either one of us had been to a dog park with astroturf, so I was not sure what to expect. We went the day after it rained in the winter and it was not muddy at all. The dogs behaved as if they were on freshly cut grass: there was a lot of running, wrestling, and rolling. It is not easy to see the park from the park entrance or parking area, but once you are walking on the inner path there is signage and plenty of people to point you in the right direction- luckily that was our experience.
After getting some good canine action, we walked along some of the various paths that wove around a lake and creek. I will warn that it is somewhat easy to get lost and for that reason, I kept track of the creek and the interior lake. There are a number of mudflats that cut across the lake like narrow land bridges.
The main trail is very well used by those heading to the dog park section, walkers, runners, and cyclists. Your dog must be on-leash on the Los Gatos Creek Trail. The Los Gatos Creek Trail 9.7 miles and runs through western Santa Clara County in California, from Lexington Reservoir in Los Gatos, California through Campbell, California to Meridian Avenue in San Jose, California alongside Los Gatos Creek. I would estimate that we wander-walked 2 to 3 miles.
It is very easy to find a place to dispose of waste in the dog park areas or along the trail as there are many doody bag dispensers throughout.
IS IT CONVENIENT OR A PAIN IN THE —?
The biggest downside to this park is that there is a $6 fee to park; if you only went every once in a while, then that may not be a big deal. However, most dog owners bring their dogs to the local parks on a regular basis (as in daily); so $6 a day could add up quickly. [Tip: You can look for street parking and walk in- there is limited near Dell at Hacienda Avenues.]
Los Gatos Creek County Park is fairly close to the Camden Ave exit off Highway 17 (overlaps with 880 after 680) or the Winchester Boulevard exit off Highway 85 (after it intersects with 101). The park is located in a somewhat industrial area but not the boonies.
The closest 24/7 emergency vet is United Veterinary Specialty & Emergency located at 905 Dell Ave in Campbell. This clinic is only about a half-mile away or a 5-minute drive.
*[Please note: We provide the veterinary locations as a reference and resource, not a referral or endorsement].
