This is a long-standing favorite of our family. It is just the right size for young kids (0-6) and allows them to learn about science and animals while having fun playing, interacting with the exhibits and visiting the animals. It offers a great combination of indoors and outdoors time for the little ones and, just as importantly, is a relatively stress-free experience for the parents! The indoor space is compact and packed with inviting hands-on educational activities and the outdoor area is quaint and fairly shaded, with several cute corners to rest with the kids and little animals such as raccoons, bats, bobcats, owl, ducks, geese, bunnies, snakes, rats, fish, shark, peacock and many more. Our kids even had the opportunity, this past weekend, to pat a rather large Python that was taken out of its cage and displayed right in front of the entrance to the museum. The indoor exhibits tend to change roughly every 12 months. Currently the main theme is renewable energy. This is a lost-cost activity. There is no formal entry fee but they recommend a nominal donation. It is conveniently located in the heart of Palo Alto and is right next door to Rinconada Park and Rinconada Pool. After a visit you can picnic at Rinconada Park or go right around the corner for a family-friend meal at Hobee’s in Town & Country Center.

This park is the perfect family destination for a day in the outdoors. For starters it is simply beautiful: the serene Vasona Lake and vast grassy expanses set against the backdrop of Log Gatos hills always make me happy and calm. And there are so many activities to choose from!! You can stroll, hike, bike or rollerblade along the Los Gatos Creek trail that curves around the lake and continues through the park along-side the Los Gatos creek with lots of cute little bridges. You can rent a boat and paddle or row the lake, fish or visit with the many duckies and geese who walk and swim about the lake and creek area. The kids always love to play in the nice-size playground and run around in the many large grassy areas. And to make it a perfect day plan on a picnic/bbq utilizing the many picnic tables and barbecues available on the premises or just spread a blanket on the grass. We also like to take a quick stroll along the creek into neighboring Oak Meadow Park, where we can board the cute train that runs through Vasona park and also take a spin or two on the carousel. Sometimes after a day at the park, we head down Santa Cruz Ave for pizza at T-Bird’s Pizza followed by frozen yogurt and ice cream next door.

During the summer there are outdoors concerts at the park. During the winter there is a beautiful drive-through lights display at this park. Check with park for exact dates and hours . For the lights display be prepared for long lines around the block. Coming earlier, on a weekday, right before opening seems to work better.