Kelley Park comprises over 63 hectares of lawns, tree groves, ponds and picnic sites. As well as this, the park houses such attractions as Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, and the immersive History Park, which is ideal for younger visitors. Although Kelley Park peaks in the summertime, it is home to enough attractions to make it a perennial must-visit.
Kelley Park began life as a farm owned by Mrs Louise Kelley, but has been open to the public for some time now. Explore the paths which weave through the tree groves. Make your way to the Japanese Friendship Garden, where expertly-manicured shrubbery surrounds a koi-filled pond. Feed the geese which glide on the water, or simply take a moment to reflect and find inner peace.
Laze with a good book on one of Kelley Park's well-kept lawns, or cook a few burgers with friends at one of the special barbecue pits that are available for all to use. A Greek-style amphitheatre lays on occasional entertainment in the summer months.
Seek out the area's diverse past at the History Park. This 20th century replica town tells of the early settlers and pioneers who lived on this spot many moons ago. Visit the post office, print shop and doctor’s surgery and feel like you've stepped back in time to another era. Ride a trolley bus at the Trolley and Railroad Museum. Call in at the Portuguese Historical Museum, which depicts the European colonisation of the Americas, and Portuguese immigration worldwide. The Viet Museum gives further insight into the area's multicultural past. Here, you can learn about the heritage of the Vietnamese Americans, and how they journeyed from the East into the States. The Hellenic Heritage Museum and Ng Shing Gung are two more sections of the History Park which celebrate the area's immigrants.
Kelley Park is just over three kilometres southeast of downtown San Jose. Entrance to the park, the Japanese Friendship Garden and the History Park is free. Car parking is charged.
