We went here as a family a couple years ago (my daughter was about 5). Let me say that if you can AVOID going on a weekend it might be a better experience. If you don't mind crowds, then you will be fine on a weekend. We arrived late because there was SO much traffic. We left at around 9am from San Jose, and it was a traffic jam the last 4 miles of the trip. When we got there, the parking was very limited and we parked about 5 blocks away. Finally, when we entered the facility, it was about noon. We started to try and walk around and enjoy the exhibits/displays....it was easy to walk on the 'floor', but when we were at each exhibit, it was elbow to elbow...very uncomfortable. People were not polite & very pushy. The displays were nice - our favorite was the jellyfish. They had lots of fish in tanks in dark rooms, touch-pools where kids could touch different things, a couple huge tanks with sharks, and more. We tried to eat there, and it was outrageously expensive, super crowded and super-close dining (practically dining at another person's table...hard to walk in & out if you forgot a napkin the first time). I'm glad we went once, but we won't probably go again...even if it is free.