Emma Prusch Farm Park

Before Silicon Valley was a tech capital it was the Valley of Heart's Delight, a patchwork of orchards and small farms. Emma Prusch Farm Park in east San Jose keeps a piece of that alive. It has the city's largest barn, full of animals raised by local 4-H and Future Farmers of America members, plus chickens and peacocks wandering the paths, a rare fruit orchard, community gardens and wide lawns for picnics and kites. Entry and parking are free.

From Palo Alto it is about 20 miles, roughly half an hour by car outside rush hour. That makes it an easy morning trip with small children. It also pairs well with the zoo and gardens in nearby Kelley Park. This guide covers what is there, hours as the city lists them in November 2026, food and how to get there.

Emma Prusch and her farm

Emma Prusch ran a dairy farm on this land on the east side of San Jose. The city says the farm originally covered 86 acres. In 1962 she donated land to the City of San Jose with a clear purpose: to show future generations the valley's agricultural past. The city dedicated 47 acres as Emma Prusch Farm Park in 1982. Its current park listing gives the size as 43.5 acres.

The park sits beside the big interchange where Interstate 280, Interstate 680 and US 101 meet, so traffic hums in the background. Inside the fences it still feels like a working farm. The City of San Jose's parks department runs it, with support from the nonprofit Emma Prusch Farm Park Foundation. Our page on orchards and farms in Palo Alto history covers the same farming era closer to home.

What to see and do

The barn and the animals

The barn is the largest in San Jose. City staff run it and young people in 4-H and Future Farmers of America keep their livestock projects there, so the animals change with the seasons and the show calendar. Visit San Jose suggests coming back at different times of year to see what is around. A small animal yard lets children see animals up close. Chickens and peacocks roam freely. Visit San Jose suggests bringing a quarter or two to buy feed for them.

The rare fruit orchard

The park's orchard is a cooperative project with the California Rare Fruit Growers. It holds more than 125 rare and exotic fruit trees, including bananas, citrus and other subtropical plants that most people do not expect to see growing in San Jose. Signs help you identify trees on a self-guided walk.

Gardens and lawns

• Community gardens. The city describes robust community garden plots worked by local gardeners.
• Demonstration gardens. The UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County list demonstration gardens here.
• Open lawns. Several acres of grass for picnics, games and kite flying.

Playgrounds

The city lists two playgrounds for ages 2 to 5 and an all-inclusive, farm-themed playground. With the animals and lawns nearby, they make the park an easy full morning for families with toddlers. Our guide to playgrounds near Palo Alto covers more.

Veggielution community farm

Veggielution, a nonprofit urban farm, works about 6 acres inside the park at the same 647 S. King Road address. It describes itself as an East San José farm that brings neighbors together through gardening, outdoor play and nature-based learning. It also supplies fresh produce to more than 1,000 residents with help from a large volunteer network.

For visitors the main draw is the Veggielution farm stand, open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It sells organic produce harvested each week and accepts cash, debit, credit and EBT. A Saturday morning visit lets you see the animals, buy vegetables and have a picnic on the lawn in one trip.

Hours, programs and events

According to the City of San Jose's facility listing in November 2026:

The listing showed no holiday closures. Programs run through the city's recreation department. They include a farm preschool class called The Hatchery, summer camps from May to August and Saturday classes on cooking, gardening and animal care. The park also hosts community events. San Jose's Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade and Festival ended here on May 3, 2026, after a parade along King Road. Our Cinco de Mayo page will carry 2027 details once they are posted. Picnic areas and indoor spaces can be rented through the city.

The city listing does not spell out a dog rule. With livestock and free-roaming birds on the grounds, it is kinder to leave pets at home.

Tips for a visit with children

1. Go in the morning. Animals are livelier before the afternoon warms up and the lawns are quieter.
2. Wear closed shoes. Barn floors and farm paths get muddy after rain, which is common from November on.
3. Wash hands after the animals. Bring wipes or sanitizer for after the barn visit.
4. Pack a picnic. There is no cafe. The lawn is the best seat in the park.
5. Check the calendar. The barn is busiest around 4-H show season and the park fills on festival days.

Getting there from Palo Alto

By car

Take US 101 south toward San Jose and follow signs for Interstate 280 and Interstate 680, then exit toward King Road. The drive is about 20 miles and takes around 30 minutes outside commute hours. The three-freeway interchange next to the park is notorious at rush hour, so a weekday morning after 9:30 or a weekend works best. Parking is free in the on-site lot.

By transit

It is possible but slow. Ride Caltrain to San Jose Diridon, then take a VTA bus east toward King Road. VTA's trip planner will show the current best route. Allow at least an hour and a quarter each way. Our guide to getting to San Jose covers Caltrain fares and timing.

Food and nearby stops

The city lists no cafe in the park, so bring a picnic or buy produce at the Saturday farm stand. King Road, Story Road and Alum Rock Avenue nearby are lined with Mexican and Vietnamese restaurants and bakeries. For sit-down meals with hours we have checked, see our guide to where to eat in downtown San Jose, about 15 minutes away by car. Downtown also has the food hall at San Pedro Square Market, which suits families who cannot agree on lunch.

Kelley Park, a short drive southwest, holds three more family stops: Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, the Japanese Friendship Garden and History Park. A morning at Prusch and an afternoon at Happy Hollow make a full day. If you are visiting from out of town, you can compare hotels in San Jose and skip the drive back.

Closer to Palo Alto, Deer Hollow Farm at Rancho San Antonio and Stanford's educational farm offer smaller farm visits. Our page on animal encounters compares them all.

Frequently asked questions