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Almaden Lake Park
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
52 reviews for Almaden Lake Park
52 reviews in English
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Review from Lisa N.
7/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here for a birthday party last Sunday at the Cinnabar 2 area.
This park is VERY CLEAN compared to every other park I've been to. It has restrooms close by, has ice cream and soda machines, and a great kids play area! The picnic tables and seating area was clean. They had plenty of trash cans and recycling bins, which is a PLUS!! I hate it when you have to travel far for a trash can!
You can also go FISHING!! bring your fishing poles!
Oh they also have a beach to swim, but unfortunately, it was closed the weekend we were there!
Parking is $6.
I WOULD DEFINITELY have a kids party here!!! -
Review from Julie N.
1/29/2012
Geese are a lot scarier than ducks. They are such bullies too!
Every time a goose charges after me, I can't help but to think of Yoshi picking on someone in Super Smash Brothers and chasing them with his stubby little legs and pudgy little body the whole battle (I may have been Yoshi in a few or... every game o_O). It looks so cute and funny but it's pretty annoying.
I do not enjoy this taste of my own medicine... -
Review from Alena B.
4/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
I like this park - it is really close to my house and the parking pass that I get for Discovery Museum works here too - HOORAY. There are lots of geese...and they poop lot but we had a lot of fun - there are water activities for warmer days too!
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Review from Lisa L.
San Jose, CA
3/27/2012
So much potential, and a painful reminder of what underfunding our parks looks like. The lake itself and the bird sanctuary are beautiful, but the park is closed on Mondays, the lake is contaminated and the beach is often closed, and deferred maintenance is making things start to look run down. It is sad. On the plus side, the play structures are great, the walking trails are broad and clear, and there are lots of picnic areas. However, there are not enough bathrooms, no shade in the play area and the equipment gets too hot to play on, and the geese are more than an annoyance--they are a real health hazard and just super nasty. All in all, a mixed bag.
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Review from Mark B.
8/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Kinda crowded.
Kinda "low rent"
Lake closed to swimming because of "water conditions", read: poison or sewage.
$6 to park.
Go to Vasona for the same price - way more relaxing and open.
An extra star 'cuz I'm a softy and there are some rare birds there. -
Review from Esther Y.
3/5/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I grew up going to this park for events, bbqs, bike rides, etc...until the whole mercury contamination thing. The lake seemed to be dead for a long time after that.
I went there today for the first time in years (like 10 years) on a run on the Los Alamitos Creek Trail. When I got to the lake, it was a lot nicer than I remembered it. Lots of ducks here of different types, pretty fun to watch. It still seems to be a pretty quiet place (except when there's festivals), not many people who utilize it.
There's a nice little playground for kids, and a lot of picnic areas with different names like, "Ohlone Picnic Area" so you can tell people where to find you for BBQs.
Since I came here on a run, I have to comment on that. I thought you could run around the lake, but the trail actually keeps going along the creek and it doesn't ever seem to turn around. I accidentally ran a couple extra miles than intended due to that...the trail kept going and I realized I had to turn back before I got too tired to get home. =P I still wanted to run around the lake though, so I had to run out of the park onto Almaden Expwy/Coleman, cross the street, and re-enter the park at the official car entrance, and then run around the lake back to the creek trail.
I'd probably do it again though. This is a great run/walk/biking place! There's some great views around the lake, especially this one with Mt. Umunhum in the background.Listed in: Places to Run
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Review from Janet O.
Love this lake. Walked or rather strolled with JD here yesterday after that huge breakfast at Scramblz. Like he says-this park is amazing at this time of the year.
Trees with leaves just in the middle of turning into that beautiful color of fall...amazing scenery. Ducks are quacking...a few joggers and a couple of lovebirds complete the scene.
Its cute how they call the sandy area of the park as the "Beach" :) It's the thought that during summer this place could actually be the beach in your backyard. Awesome!
This is by no means a long haul for those that are looking for miles and miles of path to walk or jog. This is simply a place for a small refuge from a sometimes mad world.Listed in: Hiking/Backpacking/ Day Hikes/…
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Review from Peggy H.
San Jose, CA
2/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
My favorite place to run...just a lot of goose/geese. Aka...Goose Poop Park.
I love the Bocce Ball courts and glad the playground had a renovation.
Love how The Art & Wine Festival is there and other Community Events. -
Review from Michelle P.
San Jose, CA
5/2/2011
View: Nice because of the lake
The lake: Gross. Do not go in. You will come out growing scales.
Birds/Geese: Not afraid of people. Beware.
Playgrounds: Lots of varieties for kids
Trail: Goes around the lake and leads out of the park and continues along the creek--like!
Picnic/BBQ/Volleyball areas: Decent
All in all, a nice place to go for a picnic, run/walk, bike ride, etc.
Plenty of street parking along Winfield! -
Review from Steph G.
San Jose, CA
1/11/2011
This place is so cute. There are ducks everywhere! They literally hang out in mobs. You can even run with them if you want.
My company held a lunch here, and I had never been before. There is parking, but you have to pay, which is a drag. The recreation area is pretty big and they have BBQ pits, which is nice. We used a shaded area of benches, but most of the spaces are open, so if it's hot, bring some sunscreen. There is plenty of space, but I think they section off only a small area where you are allowed to get into the water. This would be a great place for a kid's party for sure. The bathrooms are quite a ways though, so be aware of that. -
Review from Lixa M.
San Jose, CA
Awesome place to picnic, have a party and play with your kids OR go for a wonderful walk around the park lake.
I think the only drawback is the geese chase you and you have to watch out for their poop when you walk around. -
Review from Amber M.
Providence, RI
9/14/2010
I grew up around the area and only in the latter half of my 20 something and counting years of living here have I discovered that it is not just a so-so lake with a so-so beach (if you can even call it that). I actually love the surrounding areas much more, from the picnic areas to the walking trails to the little patches of bird habitat.
Yes there's a major street running right next to it, but it's still a great place to do some walking, meditating, and biking (it connects to the creek trail that runs through Almaden). I would say it's about a good mile in circumference
If you're into them you'll love the birds, but if you don't then you may be a little turned off by the flocks of geese and ducks that kind of dominate the park. Also the water is gross. Do not go in. -
Review from Doris C.
San Jose, CA
4/24/2011
I've been coming here for years to jog! It's been getting nicer and nicer over the years, with the recent additions of a playground for kids, upgrading the bathroom, bocce ball courts. My nephew really loves the water sprinkler area of the playground. There's lots of picnic tables and family areas and a community of older gentleman chess players who meet here regularly.
They've also recently added some more signs along the trail, which is one of my favorite places to go running. From the lake there's a 3 mile loop, or if you follow the trail father you could go about 16 miles round trip. It's an easy trail to jog, while it is shared with bikers most of them are respectful and don't mow you over. There's even bits of the trail farther away from the park that would be great to learn some mountain biking techniques on, not full runs but little slops to practice for beginners. Trail also includes water fountains in the area by the lake, but not farther on down. It's a mix of very sunny to shaded, so if you're going on a long run, morning time is best. -
Review from Marzan W.
San Leandro, CA
10/14/2008
This lake is nice. Nice paved trail around the lake and a nice long trail for running once you pass the lake area. I didn't see much bird poops. Perhaps they were all cleaned off. The lake is available for swimming. The lifeguard, he was extremely friendly.
To the tune of Kanye West's "Love Lockdown":
So come to Almaden Lake.
To Almaden Lake
Comin' to Almaden Lake.
To Almaden Lake.
Now drive to Almaden Lake.
To Almaden Lake.
So come.
I'm not workin' out.
The way I wanted to.
I can't sit at home.
And no weight to lose.
So I gotta go.
I can't sit at home.
Gotta hit the trails.
So come to Almaden Lake.
To Almaden Lake
Comin' to Almaden Lake.
To Almaden Lake.
Now drive to Almaden Lake.
To Almaden Lake.
So come.Listed in: The Places I Go Running &…
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Review from Monica L.
5/13/2009
I'm always looking for new places to walk so I decided to check out Almaden Lake Park. Since it was a Wednesday when I went it was a quiet day at the park.
Parking is $6 but it did not look like anyone was collecting parking fees today. It might be free during the week. I parked on the street on Winfield and there was plenty of parking close to the park.
Comparing this park to Vasona Lake Park, it certainly is not as nice and well kept as Vasona but it's a good park. Picnic benches and chairs have seen better days here I am sure.
There is a nice amphitheater area where it would make the perfect location for a small wedding ceremony.
Nice walking trails and a great playground area for kids! From what I saw today, also a nice park to make out with your sweetie too ;)
I'll probably be back for my walks but if I am throwing a get together or party, I think Vasona is a much better park for that. -
Review from Cindy N.
San Jose, CA
1/11/2009
Running this trail is kind of a blur as my running buddy and I were having a really bad run day. It was the weekend after New Year's so our training hadn't been what it should have been for two weeks.
I like that it was so convenient to get to yet the trail felt like we were further away from civilization than we really were. For the most part of the trail we were running on asphalt which was a little harsh on my knees, but I tried running in the dirt just off the trail to soften the blow a bit.
I will keep this on my list of places to go when I need a change of pace. -
Review from Mike M.
8/21/2011
Almaden Lake is a beautiful park. The grounds are well kept and the scenery is serene and peaceful. There is a large playground near the main entrance. And there's also a nice walking/running/biking trail around the lake. Parking is $6, however, if you don't mind walking a bit, there is plenty of street parking on Winfield Blvd. Really, my only complaint about the park is the wire fencing that surrounds the park which is a bit of an eyesore.
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Review from Sean M.
San Jose, CA
A park with a lake and a beach on Almaden? Really? Apparently so!
If you want a spot with a little bit of everything this is it. You can chill and watch your kids play in the little water park, set up a nice little picnic, kick around the soccer ball, watch your child risk death on the climbing apparatus, or even have a beach?!
It does cost $6 to park, kind of a bummer, but whatev. It is at least kept up pretty well. It does cost $ to swim in the lake, the amount depends on the day, between $1 on some weekdays to $3 I believe. You can only go out 15 feet or so, kind of a bummer, but it gets deep fast.
There are lifeguards there so if you're feeling negligent you could ignore your child in the water. Several people chose to do that the day I was there and three lifeguards were on it and pulled three panicky kids out while the "parents" were completely unaware of what was going on.
I didn't get to the other side of the lake which supposedly has a trail, but I'll be back to check it out. It's worth another trip for sure.Listed in: Get out of your box, hit the…
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Review from terry h.
San Jose, CA
8/18/2008
I love going to this park.
It's great for walking, great for the children, great for parties, great for picnics. And all for one low fee to enter. There are so many neat families laughing, playing, running and swimming during the weekends that you literally can't get in. You can rent paddleboats to go out into the water with a girlfriend or boyfriend (life jackets provided).
The lake isn't that clean because of flowage issues and bird poop issues. Apparently, the gulls park here in the winter and the geese in the summer so that's a lot of feathers and poopage to clean up. Personally, I would never swim in here but the kids don't seem to mind at all.
There are plenty of lifeguards to watch for trouble and a barrier so the little ones can't go out beyond the deep part. There is also a little sand beach for them to run around in under their parents eyes.
The best thing about this park is the extensive playground area for the children. No matter how big you think it is, when you get here you'll be wrong. It's bigger.
A snack shack is also available for any hungry people and they have a lot of different food according to their menu. Never eaten there but I'm sure with all the hungry kids flying around, it does box office business.
So come here. Give it a looksee. It was more than I expected and I came back again and again.
There are a lot of barbecue pits for barbecue parties but you have to reserve them ahead of time I thinkListed in: Things to do in Almaden
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Review from KT C.
San Jose, CA
4/22/2007
This lake is not for the faint of heart. Don't be fooled, just because this lake host the San Jose International Triathlon, does not mean it's spectacular.
Swimming is not advised, as most of the time, during the Summer, it's closed due to bacteria levels in the water. I have dubbed it "Duck Poo Lake" and that is no joke!
The bike path is nice though, it's a perfect end to a nice ride on Bailey and McKean roads in the South Bay.Listed in: Nature - Get Back To It
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Review from Jenny G.
San Jose, CA
2/9/2009
I'm definately a fan of this place and would recommend it for a birthday party, a nice walk or bike ride, a BBQ, some swimming and PADDLE BOATS!
It sucks that you have to pay $7 for parking, but there is free street parking along the side of Winfield. Some of the picnic tables you can reserve ahead of time for a fee, but all the good ones, close to the swimming/beach area are first come first serve. -
Review from pardees p.
San Jose, CA
4/4/2009
Almaden lake park reminds me that almaden valley is actually pretty damn awesome. In the sense that there's natural beauty everywhere. I came here for a walk today, hoping to relieve some stress by taking in the sunlight and scenery. I started at the lake and walked along the los alamitos calero creek trail. I felt pretty great within minutes. The sound of the moving water in the creek, the birds chirping, and the fresh air were a perfect combination. I'm sure I looked like a crazy homeless guy (haven't shaved in days so the scruff is coming in nicely) or a blissfully drugged up hippie as i walked at an extremely leisurely pace and kept looking up at trees (sometimes squinting, other times with my mouth open and a goofy grin).
Point being- this is a great place to put everything on pause and just take a look at things around you (hills, trees, water, the passing animal or two...all you need).
note: i would never actually swim in the "lake" here, and I only hang out on the back side of the park (winfield entrance...there's free parking here), where it connects to the trails. The dirt trails starting here are also great for running. The front/main entrance can get way too busy on the weekends and is too close to almaden expressway to be very peaceful. -
Review from Zakk D.
San Jose, CA
2/6/2007
This park is classic City of San Jose leadership. Come up with something big and flashy then do it half as well as it should have been.
The park has had serious bacteria and algae problems with the total under installation of pumps and the lack of filtration for a lake that size. The terrible part is the rest of the park has great grounds crews working to make it one of the best city parks around! The trails that lead out to the old quicksilver mining areas are a great place to stroll or jog year round and is a great outdoor escape from the suburbs.
If they had taken the time to properly create a man made lake this would easily be a 5 star place to spend a nice summer day. -
Review from Nick G.
Sacramento, CA
5/20/2008
While the lake is pretty to look at, this park is a classic example of "bambi-ism", or animal sentimalism run amok. The park has become so duck and geese friendly it is saturated with their excrement and is no longer suitable for human swimming and wading.
Before the City Of San Jose developed this park, it was the abandoned Piazza Paving Company quarry, and did not have an extensive duck and geese habitat. As a result, the water was actually clean enough to swim in. -
Review from Madison C.
San Jose, CA
8/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great path for a bike ride or run - you can make it as easy or hard as you want. Avoid the path mid-day on sunny SJ days, too many moms with strollers.
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Review from Tina B.
San Jose, CA
7/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Beautiful park. Kids friendly. There's a bathroom location at almost every picnic table..so if you have kids...this is a PLUS. I just wish this park was more well maintained because I can't stand PARKS with bunch of bird/geese/duck's doodoo all over the place.
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Review from Erin O.
11/12/2006
2 1/2 stars. Nice playground (great swings) and lake area. I came here a lot when my daughter was an infant to walk her in her stroller. The walking path goes around the lake and down into Almaden area.
It's got paddle boats and lawn areas, but the geese have pooped all over the lawn so it seems like a disease waiting to be caught for those who choose to hang out on the lawn. On warm days, it is body-to-body along the lake front and lawn area.
So except for the playground and walk trail, I avoid this place. Good luck finding parking on summer days. Better off parking along the trail in an Almaden area neighborhood and walking in. -
Review from Jan P.
9/15/2007
Like everyone else has said...great park--in theory---if only it had been designed correctly. Bocce courts are cool, but very limited as they are always full on weekends. Should have made more, with a designated area. They are also redoing the water play area for kids...who knows what happened, perhaps bacteria in water or something. Also, benches around the park are only on the Winfield side for some reason...and very old. Haha, I am starting to think they took it from another park being remodeled and just stuck it over by the lake.
My biggest peeve is that you simply cannot walk around the whole park. You end up on the sidewalk of Coleman/Almaden Expy because large parts of the park have fencing with no opening. It's pretty lame.
Second peeve is that there is low income housing right across the street from the lake. There are always sketch looking people "chilling" at some benches, I think drinking beer and smoking pot. I am not too keen on having to look back and forth always...
The playground area looks pretty rad for kids to play around on, but not enough trees equals not enough shade.
P.S. Why in the world would you pay for parking when you can park for free on Winfield?? -
Review from charles s.
San Jose, CA
5/26/2008
i cant review it, as they turned us away. Actually, they did not turn us away, they were willing to take our money, and not TELL us private canoes are not allowed. Fortunately, Sara saw the sign.
Now I ask you, family pulls up to a lake in a car with a canoe on top. The management does not allow private boats. Why do you offer to sell admission? It's pretty obvious we were there to paddle around.
So I do not know about duck poo, bacteria, jogging, etc, and I may never know, cause we turned around and went to Calero Lake, part of the Santa Clara County Park system, you know, Parks that work. -
Review from D.J. T.
San Jose, CA
9/2/2009
Nice park, but $6 to park on the afternoon weekday!?! RIDICULOUS..
Oh yeah, the fat woman working the parking booth was really rude as well. -
Review from Mariko B.
1/6/2011
Running here is pretty nice. They have water fountains lining the trail and there are a lot of runners, walkers, dog walkers and bikers. I always park on Winfield Blvd, there's a little entrance in the fence and the Almaden Creek trail goes a long way. They have some 5k/10k runs there every now and then. My friend had a bbq for her birthday here a while ago and it was great. We all were able to park inside in the lot and set up under one of the roofed picnic tables. Someone brought an ihome and we were able to plug it in one of the columns that held up the roofing. The bbq grill was also right next to us so we had tons of hot food. They do not allow dogs on the beach side of the lake. There is a playground that many little kids enjoy. I would come back if it wasn't so far away from where I live.
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Review from wheatberry s.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/16/2009
3.5 stars
Almaden Lake Park is a place for everyone. The grounds are pretty big and although I haven't used any amenities (including bathroom), I'm glad to see them available. I usually see families, couples, runners, bikers, walkers around so this place surely is suited for anyone wanting to be outdoors. The site and paths seem fairly well maintained. Good place to run as I usually do. -
Review from Theresa N.
San Jose, CA
4/19/2011
Great place to take the dog, the family, the bike, the boyfriend. A but crowded on sundays try to avoid. There's fishing too! Closed mondays !
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Review from Sara W.
5/11/2009
I really enjoyed this park. It was very clean, big, and there were lots of things to do. The parking is $6, so we parked at the Sonoma Chicken Coop down the road. There is a playground, snack bar, tables, and even paddleboats for the lake! The boats are $15 per hour per boat. I was really amazed by the wildlife; there were two geese with six babies in tow walking around on the lawn, and all of the other parkgoers absolutely loved them. Also, there are so many types of birds, squirrels, and even turtles! There's a trail for bikes... so many things to do!
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Review from Anna K.
Milpitas, CA
3/15/2009
Almaden Lake Park is another park we like to frequent in the summer. My husband likes to barbecue while I watch the kids run around, play on the playground and/or play in the water park. There are trails for bike riding or running. Something for everyone basically.
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Review from Michael P.
San Jose, CA
5/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
The grass sucks there parking was free when I went they had some bums cleanly the park freaked my kids out!!!!
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Review from Mary T.
Sunnyvale, CA
6/16/2008
It's not the cleanest lake I've been to, but I had fun playing in the water with my two nephews. One is seven and is learning how to swim. The other is two and is terrified, yet drawn to, pools and lakes. The fam was going to return to Sunset to celebrate Father's Day and my mom's birthday, but I was really tired from a day in Sac and everyone (but my sis) wanted to stay local.
I found this place through google and off we went. We got there before 11am, before the lake opened for swimming, and before the place got packed. Unfortunately, all the picnic areas were reserved by that point. Luckily, we were able to camp out on the grassy area, close enough to an open area in the picnic spots so we could still use a portable grill. I think I'm bringing my bike the next time we visit this Park. -
Review from Mauricio M.
San Jose, CA
6/30/2008
I like to walk the trails here, seems safe both by day and night, its very relaxing. if you do decide to go through the trails at night you might think of hiding or running if you see a popo and you happen to have anything on you cuz its supposed to be closed off to the public at night. Oh yeah, if youre in a group walking through here at night, have the most annoying person in your group walk in front cuz sometimes spiders come down from the trees and he/she will accidentally clear the path for you.
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Review from Sara G.
San Jose, CA
5/14/2009
I love this place!! It's great to spend the day here walking, riding a bike, even roller skating. On windy days it's nice fly a kite. Great for the family. On the off seasons parking is free. It's big and open and if you want to walk and think and groove your iPod come on down and get some fresh air. Love it
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Review from Eco T.
San Jose, CA
2/26/2008
Now here's a place with a lot of potential. It's a large park with a lake, waterfowl, playgrounds, and picnic areas. There are some nice trails that go through wooded areas that are quite pretty. However, there are other areas of the park that look like crap. Granted, this park is a work in progress and there is some construction going on. It is also an urban park, so it's surrounded by busy roads and residential areas. I hope that future plans call for beautifying the lake area, since some vistas from the lakeside are of the Almaden Expressway and tall, gray townhomes. Not very park-like. Still, if you walk away from the lake and past the grassy picnic areas, you do get into some pretty areas that include exercise stations situated along wooded lanes. I hope that someday the whole park will be as scenic and serene.
