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Northern California Babies
POLL: What are you favorite outings in your area?
So DH and I have come to the conclusion that we have to plan family outings ahead of time or they just don't happen and then we ended up just sitting around on the few days off we have together. Last week we went to Tilden Park for a ride on the little train and then explored the Botanical Garden. We had an amazing time being out of the house as our own family (we live with my Mom).
I want to plan two outings a month for us which will usually be on a Monday. Since you lovely ladies live all around the Bay Area I'd love to hear what your favorite family outings are in your neck of the woods. I'm looking forward to being a tourist in the Bay Area and finding out about places I never knew of.
I hope this helps others too 
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Re: POLL: What are you favorite outings in your area?
1) Tilden Park in Oakland-Steam Train, Botanical Garden, Picnic Areas, Merry-Go-Round, Little Farm, Gorgeous Views of the Bay!
2) Val Vista Community Park (tipped off by M&M818). LOVE this park's water feature. https://www.yelp.com/biz/val-vista-community-park-pleasanton.
3) Emerald Glen Park in Dublin. I don't care much for the larger park but they have a smaller park further back and down Central Parkway that we love to go to. It's really good for younger kids as the sides are closed off so they can climb up themselves without you feeling like they are going to dive out the sides.
4) I've been wanting to try this out (although won't work for family day since it's on Tuesdays & Wednesdays) $1 G or PG 10am movies at the Dublin Regal Cinemas
https://www.regmovies.com/summermovieexpress/default.aspx
Oakland Zoo
Lindsay Wildlife Museum
Children's Fairyland
Pixie Playland
Roaring Camp Railroad
Lime Ridge Open Space
Mt. Diablo State Park
We live with in walking distance of the Lindsey Museum, but still haven't been! Can you believe that? Add that to your list.
Grey loves Pixieland (concord) & Fairyland (Oakland). There is also Mateo's Dream in Concord which is a pretty cool park.
Hap Magee Ranch Park in Danville is cute. It has a water feature for days when it is hot, then you could venture into Downtown Danville for lunch.
Lafayette Rez
The Blog | BirthbyKellyM
We aren't really near most of you, but...
We love festivals - we just went to the Scottish Games Festival in Toro Park, we also like to go to the Carmel Valley Art & Wine Fest. We also make a special trip to the Santa Clara Art & Wine Fest every year. Also in that area, my mom and I got to the Santa Clara quilt show every October at the SC convention center.
We have a season pass to the MB Aquarium and go almost weekly with a lot of local moms. Also any of the trails along the beach are great for walks, we especially love Del Monte beach.
Over Father's Day we went to Jack's Peak for a picnic and little hike, it has great views of the bay. Also for hiking and great views, Point Lobos, Asilomar, Lover's Point.
There are a couple of great local parks in Monterey and Pacific Grove that we frequent. I've been to Dennis the Menace park but find it to be pretty touristy and way too full.
Hacienda Hay & Feed - a local farm where they let the kids look at and pet some animals then we go next door to Earthbound Farms for a yummy lunch. In Oct. they have a pumpkin patch and hay maze.
The library and local community centers offer a lot of great programs, some of them are even free.
Oh, also the Farmer's Market! Just discovered a great local one and I plan on making a habit of going every week now. It's great!
Monterey Bay Aquarium and the surrounding area.
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo.
I have to 2nd a lot of others: Hap McGee, Oakland Zoo, Tilden, and more but let me add to the list:
Our favorite is probably the ducks and Martinez marina. They have a pier, ducks, park, pond, skate park, area to exsplore on foot or on a bike. We love it and Riley and I are down there all the time on weekdays.
Alameda waterfront area, including Crab Cove and then lunch down town.
San Ramon's Central Park
Mt. Diablo, including Rock City
Coyote point is a great trail but we haven't taken Riley yet.
Muir Woods
Point Reyes
1. Oakland Zoo. We are members and go almost every week, either just me and E or all of us together. It has rides too, merry go round, train through the "Australian outback" with free roaming Emus and Walleroos. She loves it!
2. Crab Cove in Alameda is a lovely beach and park and when it's low tide, you can walk way way out and still only get your feet wet. It's darling for the kids. They also have some educational toys inside the visitors' center.
3. CA Academy of Sciences, we started going in May and joined there too as members. I have taken E about once a month since then. They have a Toddler's Cove that she loves, an Aquarium, a Rainforest exhibit, live penguins and a great cafe!
4. We have taken her once or twice to Studio Grow, I think Super Frank's is similar, lots of different rooms to play and learn, dance and do art. Habitot is another cute place like that, with painting and water play as well.
5. We take Elena hiking in Redwood park too, you can do that anywhere though. There is a nice small loop that start right up the block from our house.
These are the places we go all the time and we have passes for most of them. They are all within an hour of us (we are in San Jose)
1. Gilroy Gardens
2. Happy Hollow Park and Zoo
3. Children's Discovery Museum
4. Monterey Bay Aquarium
5. Santa Cruz Beach/Boardwalk
6. Oakland Zoo
7. Gymboree
8. John D. Morgan Park (one side of the park has a sprayground and it's just little kid friendly).
9. Lake Almaden (sand for her to play with, a sprayground and playground)
For close to home outings, we head to Oak Meadow in Los Gatos to ride the train and play.
We really enjoyed the Bay Area Kids Discovery Museum. Especially the outdoor got area and big kid playground with awesome views.
We love the beach and wharf in Sanata Cruz.
We scout out free tickets (from TJ's, OSH, and Target) to the SJ Giants games (love their churros).
I also make a list of free outdoor concerts and movies near us. We saw the Silicon Valley Symphony at SJSU a few weeks ago and will see Cars in downtown Campbell in a few weeks.
In the fall we do one pumpkin patch and the San Bemito County Fair.
Love all these ideas - so fun! We just spent 4 hours at the San Jose children's museum today so that's a favorite. Also love the Sausalito children's museum.
My boys also love taking the train - either Bart or Caltrans. Doesn't matter where we are going, they just like the ride. If you want to go all out, there's the ferry from Sausalito to the San Francisco ferry building.
I think San Francisco has some of the most beautiful playgrounds I've ever seen with sweeping city views. The Golden Gate mother's club has a comprehensive list with reviews. Alta Plaza Park is stunning, but kind of inconvenient unless you live in the area.
I forgot about Dennis the Menace park! I went there growing up and it was so much fun!
1. San Francisco zoo - we are members there and go frequently. It has a family farm where they can brush and feed goats and sheep, and pet ducklings. It also has a carroussel.
2. California Academy of Science - she goes on the free day (third Wednesday a month) with the Au Pair and it's a lot of fun.
3. Bay Area Discovery Museum
4. Crissy Fields/ Ocean Beach