Though inland from the ocean, water plays a vital role in San Jose's landscape and recreation.
* **Guadalupe River**: Flowing from the Santa Cruz Mountains directly through downtown San Jose and into the San Francisco Bay, bordered by a popular commuter and recreational trail. * **Coyote Creek**: The longest waterway in Santa Clara County, meandering along the eastern edge of the city, flanked by parks and a continuous paved trail. * **Lake Cunningham**: A large artificial lake in East San Jose, surrounded by parkland and adjacent to Raging Waters, the largest water park in Northern California. * **Almaden Lake**: A 32-acre lake in South San Jose offering a sandy beach area, picnic grounds, and trails (though swimming is generally restricted due to water quality).
