Places To Go In Central California

 South Bay & Silicon Valley

 

Baylands Park
999 East Caribbean Drive
(Near Lawrence Expressway & Highway 237)

Fun and unusual playground areas fringed by a beautiful wetlands setting -- with nature paths. Ideal for kite flying, long walks, and even bikes. A gorgeous place to spend a piece of your day.  Seasonal passes available. Visit their website for more information -- and  pictures.

 

 

 

 

B.F.I Recyclery
1601 Dixon Landing Road, Milpitas CA
(408) 945-2807,   (408) 262-1401

A great place to take your recycling materials or ...your class field trip.

 

Children's Discovery Museum
180 Woz Way, San Jose CA
(408)298-5437

A museum that goes way beyond "hands-on"! Climb aboard a fire truck, a stage coach, an ambulance; play Post Office; conduct bubble experiments; make a doll; check your pulse; visit the garden, and so much more! And when you're tired -- sit on an old vintage porch and sit a spell while your kids clean the laundry on the old-fashioned washboard. Your kids will be busy as the bees in the museum's hive, so eat your Wheaties and be sure to allot plenty of time (3-5 hours).

Check out the Discovery Museum's Major New Addition:
The Wonder Cabinet (click here )

Deer Hollow Farm
Rancho San Antonio County Park
Los Altos, CA, 94024
(650) 965-FARM

Located within the 3,800-acre Rancho San Antonio wildlife preserve, Deer Hollow Farm is an educational center where visitors, school classes, and community groups can participate in an historic working farm. A visit to the Farm will take you back 150 years to when homesteads were an important source of food for the residents in this area.   Not just the orchard and gardens, but animals as well contribute to the food stuff produced by the farm.  Thus visitors will see chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep, and a cow.   (Animals can be view from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm)  The natural setting created by the wildlife preserve gives visitors a unique opportunity to sample rural life as it once existed all over Santa Clara Valley.

The farm is open to the public Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday from 8:00am-4:pm.   And on Wednesdays from 8:00am-4:00pm.  Animal viewing from 9:00am-3:00pm.

Admission is $2 for children and $5 for adults.

For more information about tours, educational opportunities, summer camp, or becoming a volunteer, you can visit their website. 

Or for special questions, email DhFarms@mountainview.gov

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Grand Blvd., Alviso
(408) 262-5513

 Great for field trips or a casual visit. Check their website for their calendar of current events. I love to pack a snack and go for a walk on the zigzagging boardwalk. See if your kids can spot all the different kinds of tracks left in the mud -- check for birds, mice, possum, coons, feral dogs, and of course.. humans! Take a trek out onto the levy and see if you can spot any shells and bones buried in the dirt. This is a popular feeding spot for owls, hawks, and shorebirds. Check out the Environmental Education Center for even more observation tips!

When you're ready for new sights and sounds, head up to the Refuge Headquarters in Fremont for even more hiking, more animals, and even better views of the bay.  Take your binoculars!

To find out about upcoming events and classes at Don Edwards, check their activities guide for more information.  And check out the Tideline Newsletter to learn more about the refuge and its efforts to preserve this critical habitat.

 

 

Great America Amusement Park
Great America Parkway, Santa Clara
Just off Highway 101
(408) 988-1776

Canned entertainment to be sure, but there's lots to challenge the developing motor skills of young children, and heck, it's a way to get out of the house. I recommend getting a group of friends together with children of the same age and meeting up (or carpooling). Parents can chat each other up while the kids go "again!" on their favorite rides. (Be sure to dress your child in something bright that's easily spotted.)
 

 

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

1300 Senter Road, San Jose, Ca 95112
Kelley Park
(408) 295-8383

What better place to take young children for the morning or afternoon? It's relatively inexpensive, nearly everything is their size, and there are lots of fun storybook like themes used in the rides and decor. (And the zoo has made huge (and ongoing) strides in improving the living quarters of its animals!) All rides are included in the price of admission. A snack bar is available, but is rather pricey. Picnic tables provided. Warning: The Danny the Dragon tunnel is a bit much for toddlers and some preschoolers.  Great place to hold a birthday party!

 

 

Hidden Villa
26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills
(650) 949-8650

A 1600 acre farm and nature preserve. Great for families or field trips. Hidden Villas offers an opportunity for hiking and experiencing nature, plus workshops, summer camps, and a wide array of educational enrichment activities.   Hidden Villa places a heavy emphasis on environmental awareness, understanding where our food comes from, and on using "green" techniques to create a better future.

 

Check out their Calendar of Events for more information or call (650) 949-9704.

Or email communityprograms@hiddenvilla.org.

 

 

 

Humane Society of Silicon Valley Animal Community Center
901 Ames Avenue
Milpitas, CA 95035
Phone: (408) 262-2133

When you think family outing you probably don't think "animal shelter"!  But this is no ordinary animal shelter!  Forget the old style "dog pound" of your youth, this is an upscale and modern animal friendly facility that encourages kids and other community members to learn about responsible pet ownership and compassion for our fellow creatures -- all while helping local pets in need find their "forever" family!

Naturally, if you're not looking for a new family companion, you might not want to take the kids out just to look over the cute animals up for adoption (although its a great opportunity to talk to them about the problem of stray and abandoned pets).  So what else is there to do there?  How about the HSSV Summer camp programs, the Animal Pals Club, and the Animal Community Center Tours?  You can even have HSSV's Animal Community Center host your birthday party, put together a program for your scout troup, or visit your child's classroom to do an in class presentation!

Plus, HSSV has plenty of volunteer opportunities for youth and adults.  And foster families are always needed for dogs, cats, kittens, and an assortment of small animals and exotic pets.  Does your home have room for a little more love?

Humane Society Silicon Valley is an independent, non-profit animal shelter that has been serving people and pets for 80 years

Be sure to check out their available animals for adoption.

 

Take a virtual tour!

The Jungle
950 El Paseo de Saratoga,
 San Jose, CA
 408-866-4FUN (4386)

   An indoor playground with a jungle/wild animal theme where the loudspeakers announce "It's a jungle in here!"  Boy they're not kidding.   Faux foliage, animal themed fast food snacks, and wild children running, climbing, and jumping all around.   Kids absolutely love it.  Parents may want ear plugs.   Note that special toddler areas are available, but you'll want to caution your younger children to watch out for big kids in other areas of the facility.  

Do remember to bring socks for everyone in your party, or you'll be heading right back home (or shelling out some extra cash to buy some).

On the plus side, The Jungle provides a much needed outlet for kids cooped up in the house too long by poor weather.    The Jungle is dry in winter, and blissfully air-conditioned in the summer. 

Map and Directions

 

 

The Jungle Island
5401 Camden Avenue,
San Jose, CA
(408)448-4386

Sister facility to the Jungle at Paseo de Saratoga.  Located in the former Bamboola location.   Includes bumper car ride and a build-your-own stuffed animal concession.

 

Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo
1451 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
(650) 329-2111

This place may be unfamiliar to many, but it's well-loved by those who know it. A wide assortment of hands-on exhibits and things to do for the young crowd.  The exhibits inside the museum change from time to time, so check their website to see what's go on currently.  The museum's tiny zoo features many local animals, some displayed in naturalistic exhibits.  Watch the raccoons playing, check out the darting fish in the river exhibit, and rest on the bench in the tranquility of the bat house ("They look just like Stellaluna!").    When you're all done, head back to the adjoining park to play on one of the two playground structure's (one for smaller folks).

 

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium
1342 Naglee Avenue
(408) 947-3635

For a brief review and directions to the museum, click here.  A great museum for school aged children, especially those fascinated with the land of the Nile. The beautiful grounds feature real papyrus plants, and indoors you will find plenty of artifacts, models, mummies.. and even... a replica of an Egyptian tomb.

 

San Jose History Museum
1300 Senter Road, San Jose CA
Kelley Park
(408) 287-2290

We love to visit this place just before Christmas when it's all decked out in it's 19th century holiday finery and chestnuts can be found roasting over open fires. Taste one, and see what all the musical hubbub was about.

 

 

 

Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society

While you can certainly visit the SCVAS Nature Shop out at beautiful McClellan Ranch Park (get directions), you can also use their website and publications for information about bird watching all over the South Bay to go bird watching.  Whether you're interested in viewing forest habitats, fields, or marshes, you can grab your binoculars and head out to one of the sites on their maps and guides.  Don't miss their special page for kids and their resources for teachers.

If you are interested in joining the society or volunteering your time click here.

 

 

 

Tech Museum of Innovation
201 S. Market St., San Jose CA
(408) 294-8324

Nifty exhibits for the tech heads. Check their site to see what's going at present! Educational for school-agers, often exciting to younger siblings as well. (Depending on the exhibits.)

Theme Fest
181 Martinvale Lane,  San Jose CA 95119
408-225-4FUN (4386)

South Bay kids have a new indoor play area to explore!  At Theme Fest kids can come dressed up according to their favorite theme. Inside they will find 7 different Theme/Play areas: 

 

•  A Medieval Area

•  A Western Area

•  A Pirate Area

•  A Jungle Area

•  A Dance Floor with Dance Cam

•  A Game Area

•  An Art Room

 

 

At Theme Fest kids will enjoy imaginative play, games, and art. And the Theme Fest staff is there to interact with the children with dancing and telling theme based stories.  Expect to see fun favorites such as the Hokey Pokey, the Chicken Dance, and maybe even a Conga line.  Adults can enjoy complimentary coffee.

Theme Fest is easy to find.  It's located in South San Jose at 181 Martinvale Lane, San Jose CA 95119; right across the street from the DMV.

Please note that Theme Fest is open to playgroups and general admission from 10AM to 3PM Monday through Friday.  For more information, including admission prices and party information, please visit their website at www.themefest.com

 

Youth Science Institute

A private, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing science education in local schools. They offer summer science day camps, science safaris, afternoon science classes (ages 3-8), and a variety of special exhibits and events.

To receive a complimentary issue of their newsletter/schedule of events, call (408) 356-4945.

Further information about each individual YSI site can be had by calling one of the numbers below:

 

Alum Rock Center 16260 Alum Rock Ave. San Jose, CA 95127 (408) 258-4322

Sanborn Nature Center 15055 Sanborn Road Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 867-6940

Vasona Nature Center 296 Garden Hill Drive Los Gatos, CA 95032 (408) 356-4945

Contra Costa County
 

East Bay/Oakland
 

Fremont 

Gilroy &
Morgan Hill

Islands of S.F. Bay

Marin & The North Bay

lMonterey County

San Francisco & Peninsula

San Juan Bautista

Santa Cruz County  

South Bay / Silicon Valley