This is a small garden in the heart of Palo Alto. The demonstration garden is a good manageable size to introduce small kids to vegetables and find out what dill look and smell like, for example. Mom would love the plantings, flowers and peaceful get-away. Perhaps you can relax on the bench under the great oak tree, or have a short stroll around the 2.5 acre property. There is a historic house and some parking to make this green patch a brief haven from the hustle and bustle of mom's life.

Although this annual Fog Fest is held along Palmetto Drive in Pacifica, it is in close proximity to Linda Mar Beach. Why not make a drive along the Pacific coastal highway and check both out! The fun can be checked out on the web site for the festival at :
http://pacificcoastfogfest.com/

Happy fog hunting and enjoy the cool of back to school days!

I was delightfully surprised when our 5 year old wanted to be carried up so he could gaze at the intricate jade mountains and dwell on the pagodas, houses, people, animals and trees carved onto large precious jade pieces. Although art exhibits can change for two weeks at a time, the encased jade pieces in the gallery are there until someone decides to spend a fortune to acquire them. This gallery is located up the elevator in the 4th floor of the Central Computer Building, with free parking in the back lot. Although not a museum, it is an intimate space to introduce young ones to Chinese art in the heart of Silicon Valley. You can spend less than half an hour here, depending on their interest.

Shade seeking families would love a walk through the tree lined trails. Paths are wide enough for kids, but challenging enough for adults who want a slight climb for exercise. You can enjoy an "out-in-the-woods" experience without toughing it out in the wild. Outhouse and benches for rest available. You can keep on trekking if you want, or just choose the easy loops back to "camp" or car.

Yerba Buena Gardens is located on Mission Street between 3rd & 4th Streets in downtown San Francisco. If you can find parking, it is a great place for city kids to roam around and picnic while enjoying the free outdoor performances on Thursdays, from 12:30 to 1:30 PM August till Sept. 30, 2010 as follows:

ARAB CULTURAL CENTER: AJYAL
Thursday, August 12, 2010

PRASANT RADHAKRISHNAN'S VIDYA (JAZZ/CARNATIC)
Thursday, August 19

MEXICO: ARTIST TBD
Thursday, August 26

GRAMOPHONE AND DYNAMO (WORLD)
Thursday, September 2

WAYNE WALLACE QUINTET (JAZZ)
Thursday, September 9

MARIA VOLONTI (TANGO/JAZZ)
Thursday,September 16

ORCHESTRA NOSTALGICO (MUSIC OF THE CINEMA)
Thursday, September 30, 2010