Oak Meadow Park — Attraction in Los Gatos

Oak Meadow Park is a 12-acre park in Los Gatos, California, adjacent to Vasona Lake County Park. Originally, the land was part of the Rancho Rinconada de Los Gatos, a Mexican land grant from 1840. In the 1940s, locals called the area the “sewer farm,” likely due to its undeveloped state or proximity to Los Gatos Creek. The park opened in 1958, developed in stages to serve the growing Los Gatos community. It was designed as a family-friendly space with open fields, picnic areas, and a playground. The park has a retired T-33A “T-Bird” jet trainer, a highlight for kids. A vintage fire truck and wooden train are also available to stimulate your children’s imaginations. The park’s location along Los Gatos Creek, shared with Vasona Park, offered scenic beauty and access to nature. The creek became a spot for kids to feed ducks or wade, though geese could be aggressive.

Also at the park, one can ride the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, a 1/3-scale steam locomotive. Billy Jones, a Southern Pacific engineer, rescued a miniature locomotive from a San Francisco scrapyard in 1939 and ran it at his Los Gatos ranch. After his death in 1968, volunteers moved the railroad to Oak Meadow, opening it in 1970.

Also, the kiddos can take a spin on the W.E. “Bill” Mason Carousel, a 1915 restored carousel. Rides cost $3 as of 2024 (under 2 free). The train loops into Vasona Park, connecting the two.

The playground has everything one might need or children might expect, including jungle gyms, slides, and swings.

In 2003, the Lyndon Bandstand was built, topped with a historic carriage house cupola, hosting events like concerts and festivals.

The park offers a large grass field, bocce courts, reservable picnic areas (nine for groups of 50), and BBQ pits.

Parking is free for Los Gatos residents with proof; others pay a small fee ($6 as of recent reviews). Street parking on University Avenue is a...

Nice oasis in the city. Parking is $6 and if you have kids you will want to park in the first lot on the left so you can walk through to the Los Gatos park which has a notable playground featuring a fire truck and jet - They also charge $6 for parking but if you have a season pass with the park district it pays to just walk over the bridge from here.

The playgrounds in Oak Meadow are good, they lack noon shade and can be quite crowded (though not as much as the adjacent Los Gatos owned playground).

Access to the lake is great they have paddle and sailboats for rent, Great place to have a party-they allow beer and wine! Lots of trails for bicyclists and peds. Parking is plentiful.

Buy a park district pass and it pays for itself in a few visits. If you live nearby you should have visited or...

The McKee family has been coming here for as long as I can remember, dating back to the late 60's. Oak Meadow Park has so much to offer, BBQ areas for family events like our Family Reunions, playing fields for softball/volley ball, extensive playgrounds, Davy Jones Rail Road, the carousel, or just walk endless miles into and around Vasona. PROTIP...get there early because the parking lot is small and fills up fast or park on University just above the park and walk down. Parking on University gets busy too so go early. Sat/Sun from 10-1, you'll also encounter Beachgoers who get off HWY 17 to try and avoid the beach backup and drive down University, so often times on Sat/Sun it pays to avoid Los Gatos Blvd/University/Winchester between 10am...