San Jose Camden Community Center: Visitor Guide

San José, California · 2026 Visitor Guide

Visit Camden Community Center: Swimming, Fitness, Classes & Events

Camden Community Center is a City of San José recreation hub at 3369 Union Avenue, San José, CA 95124. It serves children, teens, adults, seniors and residents with disabilities through swimming, gym activities, fitness facilities, youth programs, recreation classes, senior meals and event rentals.

Address3369 Union Ave.San José, CA 95124
Main Phone408-559-8553Programs and rentals
Regular HoursMon–Thu 8 AM–8 PMFri 8 AM–6 PM; Sat 9 AM–1 PM
Parking195 spacesCity-listed parking capacity

Information reviewed October 27, 2026. Pool schedules, activity availability, rental prices and holiday closures may change independently of regular building hours.

Camden Community Center Hours

The City’s published regular operating schedule is:

DayOperating Hours
Monday8:00 AM–8:00 PM
Tuesday8:00 AM–8:00 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM–8:00 PM
Thursday8:00 AM–8:00 PM
Friday8:00 AM–6:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM–1:00 PM
SundayClosed for regular public operations
Important: building hours do not guarantee access to the pool, fitness equipment, gym courts or a particular class. These activities follow separate schedules. City holidays and seasonal closures may also affect access.

For another San José recreation center with youth programs, gym facilities and community services, see our Seven Trees Community Center visitor guide. Its hours and programs differ from Camden’s.

Facilities & Activities: What Is Available?

Outdoor Swimming Pool

Year-round lap swimming is offered on published schedules, with seasonal recreation swimming and summer swim lessons.

Fitness Room

Cardio and strength-training equipment with daily, monthly and annual access options.

Indoor Gymnasium

Scheduled basketball, volleyball, pickleball and other drop-in recreation activities.

KidsZone & Preschool

Early-childhood recreation and supervised programs with age-specific registration.

Teen Center

School-year activities including games, recreation, homework support and youth enrichment.

Dance & Classrooms

Exercise, leisure classes, workshops and other scheduled programs.

Senior Programs

Programs for adults 50+ and weekday Senior Nutrition meals for eligible older adults.

Therapeutic Recreation

Adapted sports, social clubs and inclusive programs for participants with disabilities.

Room & Event Rentals

Multipurpose rooms, classrooms and gym space for approved private and community events.

Best first-visit approach: identify the activity you want, check its current schedule, then confirm registration and admission requirements. A general center visit is different from a booked class, lap swim session or private event.

Camden Fitness Room: Admission & Membership Fees

Camden participates in the City of San José fitness access program. The City’s published 2026 fee schedule includes the following rates.

PassAdultYouth 14–17 / 50+ / Disabled
Single-day visit$5.50$2.75
Monthly membership$10$10
Annual membership$100$100

Individual fitness passes include the fitness center, gymnasium, locker rooms and showers, subject to facility scheduling. Pool access is not included in these fitness passes.

Which pass is the better value?

Occasional Adult Visitor

A $5.50 daily pass is suitable for an occasional workout. Two adult visits cost $11, already more than the $10 monthly pass, provided your chosen activities and membership period qualify.

Regular Visitor

The $100 annual membership equals ten $10 monthly payments. Compare your expected usage, starting date and cancellation rules before selecting a longer pass.

Age rule: fitness program participants must be at least 14 years old. Ask staff about supervision, waivers and equipment rules for teenagers.

Another published California recreation facility with fitness and meeting-space options is covered in our Oak Park Community Center recreation and rental guide. It is in Sacramento and does not share Camden’s membership rates.

Camden Pool: Lap Swim, Recreation Swim & Rules

Camden Pool is an outdoor swimming facility located at the community center, not an indoor pool. The City lists a 25-yard by 20-yard pool, depths of approximately 3.5 to 12 feet, locker rooms and lifeguard-supervised programming.

Pool Phone

408-369-6444

General Aquatics Email

sjswiminfo@sanjoseca.gov

Published 2026 Swim Schedule

ActivityScheduled Time
Recreation Swim, Monday–Friday2:30–4:30 PM during June 15–August 8, 2026
Recreation Swim, Saturday1:30–4:30 PM during June 15–August 8, 2026
Lap Swim, Monday–Friday evening6:30–8:30 PM
Lap Swim, Tuesday & Thursday morning7:30–10:00 AM
Lap Swim, Saturday9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Seasonal distinction: the published 2026 summer recreation swim period ended August 8, 2026. Do not interpret the summer recreation hours as a year-round public-swim schedule. Lap swim has its own operating dates and closures.

Posted Late-2026 Lap Swim Closures

  • November 11, 2026
  • November 26–28, 2026
  • December 21, 2026–January 3, 2027

Pool staff can also suspend sessions for weather hazards, staffing, maintenance or special programming.

Lap Swim Rules Visitors Should Know

  • Lap swimming is generally offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Lane sharing may be required during busy sessions.
  • Circle swimming may be introduced when lanes contain multiple swimmers.
  • Qualified teenagers aged 14 and older may participate under the City’s adult-accompaniment conditions.
  • Lifeguards are on duty during official pool operating sessions.
  • Water aerobics is not currently listed as available.

How to Purchase a Lap Swim Pass

Check the session

Review the current Camden Pool calendar, including holiday closures and lap-swim availability.

Choose admission

Ask about the current single-entry cost or a lap-swim punch pass. These are separate from ordinary fitness room membership.

Visit the front desk

The City directs visitors to the Camden Community Center desk to purchase daily or punch passes.

Understand the punch card

The published lap-swim punch pass provides ten visits plus one bonus visit.

Follow pool instructions

Check in, observe lane assignments and follow posted lifeguard directions.

Camden Teen Center: Free School-Year Activities

Camden Community Center participates in San José’s Teen Center program. The City’s 2026–27 school-year schedule restarted on August 13, 2026.

Monday & Tuesday3:00–6:00 PM
Wednesday2:00–6:00 PM
Thursday & Friday3:00–6:00 PM
Program SpecialistChristine Marquez
Teen Program Phone408-559-7553
CostFree for eligible Teen Center program participants

What Teens Can Do

Recreation

Drop-in sports, pool tables, foosball, video games and board games.

Learning & Activities

Homework assistance, movies, arts and crafts, cooking clubs, life-skills activities and organized field trips.

How to Join

  1. Confirm the student’s age, grade and school-year eligibility.
  2. Call the teen program desk at 408-559-7553.
  3. Ask whether registration, guardian approval or emergency contact paperwork is required.
  4. Confirm the actual opening day and activity schedule.
  5. Follow the center’s check-in and check-out procedures.

For families comparing San José teen activities at another city-run location, our Southside Community Center comparison guide includes San José among its location-specific resources. Check the city carefully because other communities also have centers with this name.

Preschool, Summer Camps & Children’s Activities

Camden offers early childhood and youth recreation opportunities through San José Recreation Preschool, Camp San José, leisure classes and seasonal youth programs.

Preschool Ages 3–5

Early childhood learning and recreation with age-specific enrollment, program dates and readiness requirements.

Camp San José

Seasonal summer camp activities for eligible youth. Camps may include recreation, group games, creative learning and organized activities.

Summer Swim Lessons

Swimming instruction offered through the aquatics program during published summer sessions.

Sports & Leisure Classes

Seasonal offerings may include dance, fitness, arts, sports and other age-based activities.

Parents: preschool, summer camps and swimming lessons are not automatically drop-in services. Age cutoffs, enrollment dates, participant limits, fees and registration policies depend on the specific program.

Register for a Class or Camp

  1. Visit the City’s official SJRegistration.com system.
  2. Search for Camden Community Center or choose the facility filter.
  3. Choose the program type and age category.
  4. Open the individual class to see its fee, dates, schedule and prerequisites.
  5. Sign in or create the required registration account.
  6. Complete any necessary guardian or participant information.
  7. Submit registration and payment through the official City system.
  8. Save the receipt, program location and first-day instructions.

Senior Nutrition & Older Adult Programs

Camden Community Center serves older adults through recreation classes, social activities, nutrition services and community programs.

Senior Nutrition

Service: Monday–Friday

Meal time: 11:30 AM–12:00 PM

Primary age group: 60+

Reservation & Contact

Advance reservation: 24 hours required

Nutrition contact: 408-371-2888

Center desk: 408-559-8553

The Senior Nutrition Program works with TRIO Community Meals. Camden also received an upgraded kitchen in 2026 to support meal preparation on-site.

How to Arrange a Senior Meal

  1. Confirm participant eligibility and whether registration is required.
  2. Contact the meal program at least 24 hours before the desired lunch.
  3. Ask about current availability, dietary requirements and any suggested contribution.
  4. Verify the day and location of meal service.
  5. Arrive for the designated lunch window.
Helpful distinction: senior meal service is not the same as free fitness-room access. Both programs have their own participation and scheduling rules.

Therapeutic & Inclusive Recreation

Camden is one of the City’s locations offering therapeutic recreation for participants with disabilities and different support needs.

Adapted Activities

Programs include adapted bowling and adapted sports or outings when offered.

Social Recreation

Around the Town Club, Camden Fun Club and other age-appropriate social opportunities.

Summer Programs

Play Camp and Teens Together are seasonal offerings subject to enrollment and program availability.

Individual Support

Families can ask the City about accessibility, inclusion support, necessary accommodations and participant eligibility.

Program contact: Nessa Diamante, CTRS, through Camden Community Center at 408-559-8553.

Before Registering

  • Identify the participant’s age and goals.
  • Ask which current programs are suitable.
  • Discuss required accommodations or inclusion assistance.
  • Confirm staffing, caregiver expectations, transportation and accessibility.
  • Complete the official registration process.

Camden Community Center Rental Prices

Camden is part of the City of San José community-center rental system. Rooms and gymnasiums may be available for approved weddings, family celebrations, quinceañeras, bar and bat mitzvahs, baptisms, community gatherings and business meetings.

The City’s March 24, 2026 fee schedule separates peak and non-peak hours. These are published rate categories, not a guaranteed quote for an individual Camden room.

Basic Hourly Rental Rates

Space CategoryPeakNon-Peak
Room capacity under 50$65/hr$50/hr
Room capacity 50–150$135/hr$80/hr
Room capacity 151+$160/hr$135/hr
Gymnasium$95/hr$75/hr

Discounted Hourly Rate Categories

Space CategoryPeakNon-Peak
Room capacity under 50$30/hr$15/hr
Room capacity 50–150$60/hr$25/hr
Room capacity 151+$75/hr$35/hr
Gymnasium$50/hr$40/hr
Peak hours: Friday 4:00 PM through Sunday midnight.

Non-peak: Monday–Thursday during regular operating hours and Friday before 4:00 PM.

Minimum Booking & Administrative Charges

Minimum rental duration2 hours
Application fee$60 basic / $40 discounted
Rush applicationAdditional $35 if received fewer than 30 days before the event
Reservation change$20 per change
Deposits / added servicesDepend on event approval, setup, staffing and final rental agreement

Discounted pricing is subject to the City’s eligibility criteria. Do not assume that every resident or nonprofit automatically receives the discount.

Rental Cancellation Charges

Cancellation NoticePublished Charge
More than 60 days before event25% of estimated fees
30–60 days before event50% of estimated fees
Under 30 days, at least 48 hours before75% of estimated fees
48 hours or less before event100% of estimated fees
Before paying: verify the assigned room’s capacity, approved use, tables, chairs, kitchen access, staffing, insurance, refundable deposits, cleaning fees and cancellation terms. Setup and cleanup time may need to be included in the reservation.

If you are comparing California recreation facilities for an event, our La Sierra Community Center rental and facilities guide explains a separate Carmichael-area recreation complex. That facility uses its own booking policies and prices.

How to Reserve a Room at Camden

Choose your event and space

Decide whether you need a classroom, multipurpose room or gymnasium. Estimate your guest count and preferred seating arrangement.

Pick a date and backup

Prepare your preferred event date, start and end times, and at least one alternative.

Calculate a starting budget

Match the room’s approved capacity to the published basic or discounted hourly fee. Include the two-hour minimum.

Call the rental desk

Contact 408-559-8553 and confirm the actual available space, rental capacity, date and approved event type.

Ask about all extra charges

Confirm application fees, security deposits, staffing, insurance, tables, chairs, cleanup requirements and any kitchen restrictions.

Complete the City application

Follow the City’s official process and provide accurate event and renter details.

Review the agreement

Check refund conditions, arrival times, cancellation rules and your responsibilities before making payment.

Keep confirmation

Do not announce that a room is booked until the City confirms the reservation.

Scholarships & Lower-Cost Programs

The City of San José offers recreation scholarships that may help eligible residents participate in qualifying classes, camps and other activities.

How to Apply

  1. Find the activity you want to attend.
  2. Check its scholarship eligibility and registration deadline.
  3. Review the current Citywide Scholarship Application requirements.
  4. Prepare requested household or income documentation.
  5. Ask Camden staff about application assistance and current funding.
  6. Submit the application using the City’s authorized process.
  7. Wait for approval before assuming the class fee is covered.
Scholarship availability depends on funding. Submitting an application does not guarantee an award, class space or automatic enrollment.

Parking, Public Transit & Nearby Parks

Street Address3369 Union Avenue, San José, CA 95124
City Council DistrictDistrict 9
Parking195 spaces listed by the City
Public TransitVTA Routes 37 and 61 are identified on City program information; verify current service
Wi-FiAvailable
Adjacent ParksCamden Park, Butcher Park and Kirk Park

Driving to Camden

  1. Enter 3369 Union Avenue, San José, CA 95124 into your navigation app.
  2. Look for the Camden Community Center entrance and posted parking directions.
  3. Follow designated accessible parking and drop-off restrictions.
  4. Allow extra time during large events and popular sports programs.

Taking Public Transportation

Check VTA’s latest route and stop information. The Camden Teen Center information references routes 37 and 61, while the general City listing references route 61. Confirm the correct stop and departure time before traveling.

Accessibility & Inclusion

People needing accessible entry, inclusion assistance or specific accommodations should contact the center before their visit. Ask whether the activity room, pool access route, changing facilities and required equipment suit the participant’s needs.

Before You Visit: Practical Checklist

  • Confirm the address is 3369 Union Avenue, not another center on Camden Avenue.
  • Use the correct hours for the community center, pool or Teen Center.
  • Bring appropriate workout or swimming clothes for your activity.
  • Check the 14+ fitness-room participation rule.
  • Confirm whether a program needs advance registration.
  • For summer camps, confirm the child’s age and session dates.
  • For senior meals, arrange the required advance reservation.
  • For swimming, check pool-specific fees and closure dates.
  • For event rentals, get the capacity, fees and approval in writing.
  • Ask about accessible accommodations when needed.
  • Save any payment receipt, registration confirmation or rental permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Camden Community Center in San Jose?

Camden Community Center is located at 3369 Union Avenue, San José, California 95124, in City Council District 9. The main telephone number is 408-559-8553.

What are Camden Community Center’s hours?

The regular center hours are Monday–Thursday 8 AM–8 PM, Friday 8 AM–6 PM and Saturday 9 AM–1 PM. It is normally closed Sunday. Holidays and individual programs may follow different schedules.

Does Camden Community Center have a swimming pool?

Yes. Camden has an outdoor pool offering published lap-swim sessions, seasonal recreation swimming and summer swim lessons. Pool access follows a separate schedule and fee structure.

How much does the Camden fitness room cost?

The City’s published fitness rates are $5.50 for an adult day pass, $2.75 for eligible youth ages 14–17, adults 50+ and disabled participants, $10 for monthly membership, and $100 for annual membership. Fitness passes do not include pool admission.

Is Camden Teen Center free?

Yes. The City lists Teen Center activities as free for eligible participants. The published 2026–27 school-year schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 3–6 PM, and Wednesday 2–6 PM. Contact 408-559-7553 for enrollment guidance.

Can I rent Camden Community Center for a party or meeting?

Yes. Camden participates in the City’s rental program for approved events, including meetings, celebrations and other gatherings. Space approval, capacity, fees and availability must be confirmed with the center.

How much does it cost to rent a room at Camden?

The City’s 2026 published basic room rental rates range from $50 to $160 per hour, depending on approved capacity and peak or non-peak timing. The minimum rental is two hours. Application fees, deposits and other charges may apply.

Does Camden Community Center provide senior lunches?

Yes. The Senior Nutrition Program lists weekday meals for eligible adults age 60 and older, generally 11:30 AM–noon. A reservation at least 24 hours in advance is required. Call 408-371-2888 for meal arrangements.

Does Camden Community Center have free parking?

The City lists 195 parking spaces at the center. It does not clearly establish a universal parking-fee policy in the facility listing, so visitors should follow on-site signs and ask staff about event-specific parking arrangements.

How do I register for Camden classes or summer camps?

Visit SJRegistration.com, select Camden Community Center, choose the desired class or camp, check eligibility and fees, and complete the City’s registration process. Call 408-559-8553 for assistance with available sessions.

Official Sources & Final Actions

The following City resources provide current confirmations and official registration or reservation options.

This is an independent visitor guide, not an official City of San José service or booking portal. Confirm fees, closures, program availability and reservation details with the City before making payments or traveling for a scheduled activity.