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    Overfelt Gardens Park

    3.6 (53 reviews)

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    Confucius statue
    Annabelle R.

    I went running here the other day, and was delighted to discover the curvy pathways throughout the park, the elevation not extreme, and many options for exploring the concrete and dirt trails and lovely scenery along the way... definitely not a boring run. The park is on the smaller side, but offers a lot, considering its size... endless greenery and gardens, so many different types of trees, forested areas, grassy fields great for picnicking, a native plant trail (wildlife sanctuary), picturesque percolation ponds, ducks and other birds, several different monuments on site consisting of sculptures, memorials, and gazebo-like structures (including a statue of the Chinese philosopher, Confucius, Friendship Gate, Black Stone, and Overfelt House), lots of seating (benches scattered throughout the park, some bordering the ponds, ideal for enjoying the views or bird watching), picnic areas, a restroom, and a parking lot (along Educational Park Drive). The park was overall clean when I visited this past Sunday, however some of the structures are extremely worn down or in need of repair, tarnished by natural elements as well as vandalism, educational boards mostly in horrible condition, completely covered in graffiti, or totally faded or scratched up. There are also dried up ponds/fountains, but this doesn't jeopardize the beauty of the park as much. It's still a great setting that allows a feeling of tranquility while immersed in the environment and surrounding nature, seemingly unaffected by the nearby traffic on McKee Road.

    Chinese Writings and Displays
    Thia L.

    I have stopped by this Overfelt Garden Park before with my dog but today Friday the 13th of September 2024, I decided to go by myself and walk around the entire park. Definitely enjoyed this very much! I love that there are plenty of shades, all kinds of Greens, Plants, many kinds of Trees, Palm trees, Birds, Ducks, Geese, 3 different ponds here, the Chinese Cultural Buildings, Historical Monument statues, Picnics Area, BBQ Pits, Bathroom, Walking/Jogging Trails, and a lovely Huge Victorian home here as well! Such a Quiet and Peaceful Surroundings!!! Cool Breezes with Plenty of warmth September Sunshines!!!

    A close-up of the English-language part of the bronze plaque.
    Dan B.

    After living in San Jose for years, we recently discovered quite by accident the existence of this park and the Chinese Cultural Garden within it. We thought it would be appropriate to visit on the occasion of Double Ten Day, commemorating the chain of events that began on 10 October 1911 leading to the establishment of the Republic of China (ROC), ending more than 2,000 years of imperial rule. The main entrance from McKee Road has been largely taken over by one or more individuals who seem to be running some kind of low-end bicycle repair business, with several sketchy characters sitting next to clusters of old bikes. We decided to move our car from McKee to the parking lot off Educational Park Drive that is shared with a public library branch. The presence of people working on old cars there didn't make us feel all that more comfortable than we were on McKee but we decided to take a chance and park there anyway. I wanted to use the men's room in the park but the entrance was blocked by an unkempt fellow wearing only a pair of old shorts and smoking away, with his radio blasting from within the restroom, so we walked to the library for that purpose instead. This theme continued throughout the park, with most of the benches occupied by people who looked to be in pretty bad shape sleeping there. The park itself is quite beautiful--with gorgeous trees, some small lakes and groups of beautiful Canadian geese and ducks--though many parts of it have sadly fallen into disrepair. This was the case for the Chinese Cultural Garden, which features a large traditional Chinese gate, a "plum pavilion" overlooking a small lake, an imposing statue of the Chinese sage Confucius, a memorial hall dedicated to ROC founding father Sun Yat-sen and a memorial pavilion dedicated to the first ROC president under the 1947 constitution, Chiang Kai-shek. The memorial hall is closed, surrounded by metal barriers. The memorial pavilion, including the bust of Chiang Kai-shek, has been defaced by various graffiti, as illustrated in the attached photos. It was sad to see the disrepair into which these environs have fallen. I'm nonetheless giving the Park and the Garden five stars, as it's still a beautiful place worth visiting. It's not their fault that they've been allowed to fall into disrepair. We hope that someday soon, the situation will be remedied by people who care enough to do so.

    Sergio A.

    Overall I had a peaceful stroll in the park. It was nice to hear some of the little critters that call the park home. I didn't grow up here but it feels so historical and culturally significant. It made me sad to see graffiti and litter. I might go again. Seems like a nice place to have a picnic with family. I wonder if we're allowed to BBQ in the park.

    Sunil R.

    I had no idea such a park existed here. I can see the vision they had when they developed it initially. A lot of greenery in the middle of an urban setting, nice walking trails, local flora and fauna, beautiful lakes, great architecture...a resort. Sadly it looks like it has atrophied and withered over the years. There was a lot of trash, overgrown shrubs, dried up lake... I still applaud the vision and hope they are able to restore it to match the original thinking at some point. And my fellow humans...please pick up your trash!

    Joy U.

    This is a big park which seems to be a combination of different parks. We got the Overfelt Gardens Park and the Chinese Garden park. It has different trails to walk to and the California wildlife plants is located in this site too. This is a great spot for pokemon go gamers to as there are numerous gyms and pokestops to go to. I like going here during the summer as it there are alot of trees. Just be careful tho when it is hairy caterpillar season cause they can be everywhere.

    Michele C.

    This is a peaceful park which is surprisingly big when you go in. You can see the Overfelt house here.The Overfelts are early settlers of San Jose. The Chinese Cultural Garden,located within this park, as you may have guessed ,is a monument to Chinese history. There is a large gate,in English on one side and Chinese on the other side as you enter the garden, with many small hills and paths for walking. The Confucius statue is prominent,and there are monuments to Sun Yat-Sen and Chiang Kai-shek.. The monuments have distinctive Chinese architecture. There are many trenches in the park, which are supposed to be small rivers,but they are dry because of the drought. There are many bridges too.The land is dry but the park is still beautiful.

    Ter L.

    I've been coming here since I was a LittLe since it wasn't too far from my parents' home. Oh how it's changed!! OLdie but stiLL very much a goodie.... The huge pond that was once fiLLed with turtLes, ducks, and random fish is Long gone. A good amount of the greenery has turned brown due to the drought yet there is no shortage of shade. OverfeLt Gardens is tranquiL and is great for peopLe of aLL ages. The park is spacious and perfect for a random Lazy day or romantic picnic. I'm a fan!!

    Ann L.

    I went to Overfelt Gardens Park because they had their 19th Annual Chinese Moon Festival Sun 9/30/12. FREE parking at the main parking lot on Educational Park Dr and Schulte Dr. The event was from 1-5pm. I watched the Joi Ying Kung Fu & Lion Dancers & the Kung Fu Demo. Sylvia Lowe did a Community Paper Folding. There was a Community Resource Section where they gave out a reusable bag from District 4, Councilmember Kansen Chu. Bone Marrow Drive, & other stuff for kids. There was an Arts & Craft area for the kids too. I just walked by it, didn't make anything. At the Park there's: Three Ponds - lots of geese & ducks Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall - didn't get to see the inside, suppose to have a SYS statue inside. Two Lion Statues are out in front. Confucius Statue - near a pond. Plum Pavilion - people can relax here. Friendship Gate - cool, impressive gate w/ Chinese characters & English Overfelt House - closed off The Black Stone - stones from Taiwan, some Chinese characters. Chiang Kai-Shek Pavilion - area to relax in w/ a statue of Chiang Kai-Shek. Bathrooms: women's 2 stalls/2 sinks. CLOSED: Mondays!

    Hours
    Terri M.

    If you are looking for a place to sit under the trees and have lunch it would be a good place. There are lots of geese, don't feed them, Warning-they hiss and they will chase and bite you. There is a little pond but it is about halfway dried and full of algae so just a sea of green. Plus lots of homeless people sleeping there. They have bathrooms and a water fountain that no longer has water

    H Q.

    Overfelt by who? I came here looking for a location to do some wedding photos. To my dismay, it's just like Southern Cal and everyone thinks photographers make a ton of money. A permit is required. I thought i'd walk around and see if it would be worth it. Aside from two trees whose leaves were turning to pretty colors because it's Fall, the place is rather 'Blah' color wise. Greenish brown lakes- yuck! Some decent Asian structures, but not really wedding-ish. The final deciding factor in not using this place is all the duck/geese crap everywhere. I'm not going topay to have a wedding party walk in that! Disappointing. If you need a place to relax, it serves it's purpose and it's free.

    Lake view with pagoda in the distance
    Mary S.

    Hidden gem in the middle of a residential area in San Jose. There is a lake with geese and ducks, pagodas and Chinese style buildings, and paved trails. Ideal for older people or moms with strollers looking for a nice walk in the city with at least 30 minutes of mostly shaded trails. Could use some more maintenance from the city though! Where is that extra park tax money we just voted for going toward? For example, the fragrance garden and rose garden look pretty sad :(

    barbaric y.

    This park is a hidden gem. There's a paved loop that's about one mile long that meanders around groves of various tree types, including redwoods, palms, and maples, that's perfect for jogging. One half of the park is dedicated to the Chinese Cultural Garden, which features some beautiful structures, and a large statue of Confucius. Unfortunately, the "pool" over which Confucius lords has been drained dry, which makes the fountain area look a bit like an abandoned skate park. You can tell just how severe the California drought has been by looking at what used to be a pond on the grounds; in the wintertime there's little more than a puddle for the ducks to wallow in. Nevertheless, the beautiful foliage makes up for everything, and there's still a lot of birds to watch. I honestly wish that dogs were allowed in the park but, alas, I suspect that the park officials don't want to deal with the danger of having the geese attacked. With the long benches and park tables, this place would be perfect for a picnic in the summertime, or maybe even a small wedding ceremony.

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    Review Highlights - Overfelt Gardens Park

    The Chinese Cultural Garden,located within this park, as you may have guessed ,is a monument to Chinese history.

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    Rotary PlayGarden

    Rotary PlayGarden

    4.2
    (196 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    Rotary PlayGarden is a wonderful park for families, especially if you have kids who need space to…read morerun, climb, explore, and use their imagination. The playground feels creative and thoughtfully designed, with different areas for different ages and energy levels. I really liked that it does not feel like a basic playground. There are fun structures, open space, places to sit, and a friendly atmosphere where kids can stay busy for a long time. It is also nice that the park feels welcoming and easy to enjoy for children with different abilities. Another thing I appreciate is that on certain days they organize different activities for children, such as small events, games, quests, and fun little challenges. It makes the park feel more alive and gives families an extra reason to come back, not just for the playground but also for the experience. The kids get excited because there is always something new to discover, and parents can relax knowing the place is active, safe, and family oriented. Overall, it is a great spot in San Jose for a simple walk, outdoor play, and a fun day with children.

    What kind of park has a zipline?!? THIS ONE. Two seating options, one with a harness for toddlers,…read morethe other for older kids (I even saw adults using this). The park also offers a fun and inclusive space for children, with climbing structures, sturdy cement slides, swings for both toddlers and older youth, a see-saw, merry-go-round, trampoline, and spongy material making up the ground's surface. The occasional squirrel, lizard, and butterfly too. As an adult simply looking for a place to relax while waiting for my car at an auto shop nearby, I was pleasantly surprised to find this park accommodating. Dirt and concrete trails weaving through the garden, lovely vegetation in spring, and a good amount of picnic tables and benches scattered throughout. Also, a shady area with fake grass and seats made out of smoothed-out logs and tree trunks, as well as adirondack chairs where I was able to hang out and nap while I was there. It wasn't too crowded or crazy on a Friday morning, though it got busier as it neared noon time. In addition, the place offers a parking lot and clean restrooms for convenience.

    Photos
    Parking lot sign
    Parking lot sign
    If you get to the top of the bridge and see the windmill, you can take a seat and listen to SJC radio traffic! So cool!
    If you get to the top of the bridge and see the windmill, you can take a seat and listen to SJC radio traffic! So cool!
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    Japanese Friendship Garden

    Japanese Friendship Garden

    3.7
    (426 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    We visited during our trip to San Diego & oh my goodness, it was absolutely amazing…read more This is such a peaceful place to sit and enjoy the beauty of nature. Located inside Balboa Park, you can tour the museums in the area, but don't forget to stop and take a moment to smell the flowers at the Japanese Friendship Garden... There were so many beautiful birds, butterflies, koi, and plants I've never seen before. The grounds were very clean and well manicured. Pricing to get in was about $60 for a family of 4 (including student pricing for our children) which may be a bit steep if you have young children with thin patience.. however, if you are able to come in and find your Zen for a couple hours, this is the spot to do so. They offer free crafts for visitors- when we were there they were doing an origami workshop, which seemed very fun. However, our kids weren't up For it- so we did not participate. Would definitely visit again in the future!

    I randomly heard about this on TikTok and decided to randomly drop by…read more I also was not aware it was under construction for a while so good timing? The parking fee is....fair which means you only need to come here once or twice a year. To get to the Japanese garden you need to walk a bit to find the big gate? In terms of size it is medium length. Still being built yet good enough to walk around. Lots of lush green views and refined scenery verdant for miles. You could even think of it as a mini nature get away from the busy city life It's worth the trip and you could visit the other parks if you have time for it

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    Japanese Friendship Garden
    Japanese Friendship Garden
    Japanese Friendship Garden

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    Municipal Rose Garden - San Jose

    Municipal Rose Garden - San Jose

    4.7
    (714 reviews)
    4.5 mi

    Growing up in San Jose, I feel like I took advantage of being so close to the Rose Garden. It was a…read morespot to walk to, around, etc. I was in town for Mother's Day and took a walk to Rose Garden after the festivities, around sunset. It was a great time. So many roses in bloom in just about every color. It was packed with people having picnics, taking pictures, walking around but still easy enough to find your own quiet space. Such a pocket of beauty in the neighborhood.

    America's Best Rose Garden Run by Volunteers!!!…read more This is a beautiful 5.5-acre rose garden officially recognized as "America's Best Rose Garden." It features over 3,500 shrubs and around 200 varieties, with about 75% being hybrid teas. The garden has an interesting history: it was once a prune orchard purchased by the San Jose City Council in 1927, thanks to advocacy from the Santa Clara County Rose Society. Today, it also serves as an official All-America Rose Selections (AARS) display garden, where new award-winning rose varieties are tested before public release. The layout is classic and park-like, with a two-tiered fountain and mature, decades-old trees that add to the atmosphere. Some standout roses that I enjoy, include: * Rosa 'Handel' (climbing rose): Soft pink, slightly ruffled blooms that look great climbing fences or arches. Light fragrance, subtle but nice up close. * 'Camille Pissarro': Super eye-catching striped petals in pink, red, yellow, and cream. Looks like a painting. Mild scent. * "Make Me Blush" (hybrid tea): Clean, soft blush-pink rose with a neat classic shape. Light, gentle fragrance. * "Perfect Moment" (hybrid tea): Very polished, classic rose form with rich color and that "traditional rose" look. Noticeable floral scent. * "Double Delight": Creamy white with red edges that deepen in the sun. Each bloom looks a bit different. Strong, sweet spicy fragrance: one of the most fragrant ones there. A pleasant surprise is that the garden is entirely volunteer-run. Volunteers actively work to preserve heritage roses, even rescuing and propagating rare varieties from old cemeteries, abandoned homesteads, and rural roadsides. Practical info: * Parking: free street parking with no time limit * Hours: daily, 8am to 30 minutes after sunset * Restrooms: available (clean, basic, and well-stocked) * Dogs: not allowed * Yoga: permitted if non-commercial * Alcohol: not permitted * Photography: casual photography and picnics are free, but professional shoots require a $100 permit Overall, it's a peaceful, well-maintained garden with both botanical depth and historical character, especially enjoyable for rose enthusiasts or anyone looking for a quiet walk among carefully preserved varieties.

    Photos
    Family Portraits | By 1985Luke Photography
    Family Portraits | By 1985Luke Photography
    Municipal Rose Garden - San Jose
    Municipal Rose Garden - San Jose

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    Groesbeck Hill Park

    Groesbeck Hill Park

    4.2
    (38 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    This park is as the name suggests, a hill. There is a trail that goes around the base of the hill…read moreand some man made trails that go up the hill. It isn't too steep to climb and you will get a decent workout if you go around/up it a few times. The views at the top of the hill are beautiful! There are also tennis courts, a skate park, a basketball court, a sand volleyball section, and a children's playground all around the park. There's something for everyone! Lots of people bring their dogs for walks here too.

    This park holds a lot of childhood memories for me. I had a professional photoshoot here for a…read morevery special moment in my life a few years back and still admire the shots because of the intimacy this park brought to that moment. It's not a park to have a hardcore hike but one could definitely get a good 'walk' in as the trails are easy and the crowd is generally comprised of locals from the neighborhood. I have successfully completed a 5 mile "hike" multiple times here -- just had to keep walking up and down, and all around. The park also has workout stations -- although, many of them are closed right now due to COVID19 but an average person could get a good cardio workout and get in some strength based exercises here (pull-up bars, etc.). Parking is easy as this park is aligned with a huge residential area. P.S. there are no public restrooms with the exception of seasonal porta potties so you should probably go before you plan on visiting. P.S.S. this park is popular for youngsters to "be youngsters" after hours so be cognizant if you're trying to plan a romantic date.

    Photos
    Groesbeck Hill Park
    Groesbeck Hill Park
    Clear day today! 01/01/23

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    Clear day today! 01/01/23

    Overfelt Gardens Park - parks - Updated July 2026

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