Just an hour from San Francisco down in Los Gatos, Vasona Lake County Park offers a sprawling lakeside setting with grassy meadows, picnic spots, playgrounds, trails, and even a miniature railroad.
The park itself is free to enter on foot, while the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, located in neighboring Oak Meadow Park, charges just $5 per ticket for either a train or carousel ride.
The result is an affordable day trip out of the city for a fraction of the price of many well-known Bay Area attractions. After the historic train ride, you can build the rest of your family outing around the lake with a picnic and playground time.
A miniature train ride through the trees
The main event is the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, a volunteer-supported miniature railway that runs 1/3-scale steam and diesel locomotives. The one-mile route departs from Oak Meadow Park, crossing Los Gatos Creek into Vasona Lake County Park. Next to the depot, families can also ride the W.E. “Bill” Mason Carousel.
The railroad traces back to Billy Jones, a Southern Pacific engineer who built and ran the original Wildcat Railroad around his Los Gatos prune orchard. After he died in 1968, local residents formed a nonprofit organization to preserve and relocate the railroad, which now operates from the park.
The train and carousel are generally open Saturdays and Sundays. The current fall schedule runs from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through November 1, 2026, weather permitting, although hours change with the seasons.
Beyond the railroad, Vasona Lake County Park has 152 acres to explore for casual games and picnics, while the on-site Youth Science Institute offers nature-focused programs and outings.
Vasona Lake County Park at a glance
📍 Locations:
- Vasona Lake County Park: 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos
- Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad: 233 Blossom Hill Road in Oak Meadow Park, Los Gatos
🗓️ Hours: Through November 1, 2026, train and carousel rides operate Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check ahead because operations are weather- and season-dependent.
🌐 Website: BJWRR.org