571 camps found • Ages 1–18 • Prices from $50/week
San Jose is the largest city in the Bay Area and home to one of the most diverse summer camp markets in Northern California. As the heart of Silicon Valley, the city naturally produces an outsized number of STEM and technology programs — but the camp scene extends far beyond coding. From the Guadalupe River Park trails to the lush grounds of Kelley Park, San Jose's geography supports a wide variety of outdoor adventure programs alongside the more structured academic camps.
Families in Willow Glen and Rose Garden gravitate toward arts programs at venues like the San Jose Museum of Art and the Children's Discovery Museum near the SAP Center. Almaden Valley parents often look south toward nature-based camps in the Almaden Quicksilver County Park corridor, while Berryessa and North San Jose families have strong access to YMCA and Parks & Recreation programs at the Alviso Environmental Education Center.
San Jose's Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services department runs one of the most extensive city camp systems in the Bay Area, with drop-in day camps at neighborhood recreation centers starting as low as $25/week for qualifying families. These programs are the best-kept secret for parents managing a tight summer budget — many fill up in February, so early registration is critical.
On the private side, Camp Galileo runs multiple San Jose sites with its signature project-based learning model targeting ages 4–10. iD Tech has a strong presence at San Jose State University and several private school campuses throughout the city, offering week-long intensives in coding, game design, and AI. Science camps from providers like Mad Science and California STEM offer half-day and full-day options for younger kids (ages 4–8) who aren't ready for a full week of tech immersion.
For sports-minded families, San Jose has strong youth soccer and basketball programs through organizations like Wolves FC and the YMCA Silicon Valley. Gymnastics-focused families will find several well-regarded programs in the Cambrian Park neighborhood. Baseball and softball camps affiliated with the San Jose Giants minor league system run throughout July at Excite Ballpark.
Transportation note: most San Jose camps do not include bus service, so plan for morning drop-off logistics. The city's VTA light rail serves some camp-dense corridors, but the majority of families drive. Register early — the most popular programs open in January and competitive spots are gone by mid-February.
Last updated: 2026-05-03
Tell us your child's age, interests, and location — our AI finds the best matches in seconds.
Stroke classes for Intermediate and Advanced swimmers focused on refining technique for children who have reached level 8 or higher.
1120 S. Bascom Ave.
Recurring youth swim meets held 1-2 times per month for swimmers Level 5 and up, focusing on personal bests and building confidence.
1120 S. Bascom Ave.
A recurring swim team program for advanced youth swimmers looking to improve competitive technique and endurance.
1120 S. Bascom Ave.
Fashion sketching, color and fabric selection, pattern making, sewing machine skills, and crafting accessories
527 Chynoweth Avenue, San Jose, CA, 95136
Silver Creek Academy's award-winning programs feature differentiated curriculum, credentialed teachers, and individual support that will challenge students and build a strong academic foundation.
5619 Silver Creek Valley Road
A caregiver and child program designed to strengthen relationships through shared activities, field trips, and events.
550 S. Winchester Blvd, Ste. 250
A comprehensive after-school program offering academic enrichment, STEM activities, and arts for elementary and middle school students.
550 S. Winchester Blvd, Ste. 250
Creative enrichment classes that allow children to explore artistic expression and musical fundamentals.
550 S. Winchester Blvd, Ste. 250
Recurring child care programs that emphasize social development and healthy habits in a safe environment.
550 S. Winchester Blvd, Ste. 250
Developmental programs that engage young children in intellectual, emotional, and physical activities.
550 S. Winchester Blvd, Ste. 250
Progressive swim instruction covering water safety, basic swimming skills, and stroke development in a supportive environment.
San Jose, CA 95112
Martial arts classes for youth that emphasize discipline, self-defense, and physical fitness.
550 S. Winchester Blvd, Ste. 250
Personalized one-on-one or semi-private instruction focused on technique, endurance, and confidence for all skill levels.
San Jose, CA 95112
Academic enrichment programs focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to nurture curiosity and innovation.
550 S. Winchester Blvd, Ste. 250
Nationally certified instructors teach water safety, technique, and confidence through private and group classes for all ages.
550 S. Winchester Blvd, Ste. 250
A leadership and civic engagement program for teens to learn about the legislative process and government.
550 S. Winchester Blvd, Ste. 250
Recurring youth sports programs focused on physical development and cultivating social skills through active play.
550 S. Winchester Blvd, Ste. 250
An advanced swim program for participants who have mastered basic strokes and wish to refine their technique and compete.
San Jose, CA 95112
At YMCA of Silicon Valley Summer Day Camp, kids build confidence, make friends, and explore through fun, safe activities. With 16 locations and camps for every interest, the Y nurtures youth potential, promotes healthy living, and strengthens community.
1551 McLaughlin Ave
Alpha Camp offers an immersive summer experience where campers learn drawing, painting, STEM, clay sculpting, and digital animation. Located at Westfield Valley Fair, the program features epic challenges and flexible scheduling including full-day and half-day options.
2855 Stevens Creek Blvd
Located at Westfield Valley Fair, this in-person camp features a variety of activities including painting, sculpting, STEM experiments, digital animation, and 3D printing.
2855 Stevens Creek Blvd
An immersive in-person camp at Westfield Valley Fair exploring painting, sculpting, STEM, 3D printing, and digital animation, including field trips to the Apple studio.
2855 Stevens Creek Blvd
An all-encompassing artistic adventure exploring drawing, digital animation with Procreate, painting, clay sculpting, and STEM experiments. Students participate in highly interactive sessions that blend traditional art masters' techniques with modern innovation.
2855 Stevens Creek Blvd
Located at Westfield Valley Fair, this summer camp offers a blend of canvas painting, sketching, clay sculpting, and STEM projects. Students explore different modalities daily and enjoy local activities including art workshops at the Apple studio.
2855 Stevens Creek Blvd
A comprehensive art and STEM camp where students explore drawing, digital animation with Procreate, clay sculpting, and science experiments. Programs are designed to be highly interactive, allowing students to socialize and develop creative skills in a fun environment.
2855 Stevens Creek Blvd
Welcome to Young Scientist, our premier STEM summer camp for ages 11–13, where curious minds explore science from Anatomy to Zoology through real-world experiments and hands-on learning! This exciting week offers an immersive experience in biology, chemistry, robotics, physics, and earth science, designed to ignite curiosity and inspire future innovators.
3800 Blackford Ave
Youth Science Institute (YSI) nature-based science summer camps in San Jose for ages 4-14. Since 1953, YSI has provided hands-on outdoor science education at Alum Rock Park, Vasona Lake, and Sanborn County Park. Low camper-to-staff ratios (1:9 general, 1:6 fishing/biking). Live animal ambassadors, hiking, arts & crafts, and interactive games.
16260 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95127
Kids transform their love for technology into an exciting adventure by learning how to create and share content safely on YouTube.
San Jose, CA 95112
At Code Ninjas North San Jose, kids learn to code while building video games. They gain vital skills like problem solving and critical thinking in a fun, safe, and inspiring environment. Programs include after school, camps, birthday parties, and more
1701 Lundy Ave, Ste 120
Full-day camps for young animal enthusiasts filled with interactive educational activities, live animal encounters, zoo tours, and nature play.
San Jose, CA 95112
Showing 30 of 571 camps
Summer camps in San Jose range from free (city recreation programs for qualifying families) to $900/week for specialized STEM intensives. City Parks & Recreation programs run $25–$150/week. Private day camps average $350–$500/week. Half-day programs for younger kids typically run $150–$250/week.
Most San Jose camps open registration in January or February 2026. City recreation programs and popular providers like Camp Galileo and iD Tech sell out by March. If you missed early registration, check back in April for newly added sessions or waitlist openings.
Yes. San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services offers subsidized programs starting at $25/week for income-qualifying families. Several YMCA branches offer sliding-scale pricing. Many camps also offer financial aid — filter by 'financial aid available' on KidPlanr to find them.
Most San Jose summer camps serve ages 4–18, with the largest concentration of programs for ages 6–14. Half-day programs for ages 4–5 are available through city rec centers and some YMCA branches. High school programs (ages 14–18) are primarily STEM and pre-college academies.
STEM and coding camps are the most numerous, reflecting San Jose's tech industry roots. Sports camps (soccer, basketball, gymnastics) and arts programs are also strongly represented. Outdoor/nature camps operating in the Santa Cruz Mountains or Almaden Quicksilver Park are popular with families in south San Jose.
Browse all San Jose camps, filter by age and category, add to your calendar, and compare side-by-side on KidPlanr.
Search San Jose Camps on KidPlanr →Explore camps across all Bay Area cities, grouped by region.
Browse All Bay Area Summer Camps →Research the full camp market with pricing, category, and availability data.
Bay Area Camp Research →