Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in silicon valley, CA

Weekend Outlook, July 24th-26th

by bonggamom

July 23, 2009

This weekend, wanderlust has overtaken me and by the time you read this, I'll be partying in Chicago with a bunch of other mommybloggers, daddybloggers, and bloggers in general at the BlogHer '09 conference.  If you want a weekend away but aren't quite ready to jump on a plane and join me, there are still lots of fun things to do this weekend, with or without the family, just a hop-skip-and-a-drive away from Silicon Valley.  Happy travels!

1)  Napa
Is it time for a romantic summer getaway?  Napa Valley is less than two hours away, and the seven day Festival del Solle, culminating this weekend, is the perfect excuse to find a babysitter.  The Festival features concerts by some of the world’s most celebrated classical musical artists, five-star cuisine, art exhibits, and wines from Napa’s top vintners.  

2) Oakland
Kites of all shapes and sizes will fill the air at the Berkeley Kite Festival, held on July 25th & 26th 2009, 11:00AM - 5:00PM at the Cesar Chavez Park in the Berkeley Marina.  From the kite flying competitions, to the Giant Creature Kites as big as houses, to the free Kite Making and Candy Drop for kids, this free event promises to be fun for kids of all ages.

3)  Felton
Choo! Choo!  Thomas the Tank is back on the track at Felton's Roaring Camp Railroad.  Young fans will meet Sir Topham Hatt, listen to stories, dance to music, play with Lego DUPLO bricks, do arts and crafts, and best of all, take a 25-minute ride with a full sized Thomas the Tank Engine.   Day Out With Thomas trips start July 24 and continue through early August.

4)  Gilroy
Gilroy Garlic Festival
There's a smell in the air around Gilroy, and it ain't roses; the world-famous Gilroy Garlic Festival happens this weekend, July 24-26.  This fun festival honoring the odoriffic bulb features Iron Chef-style cookoffs, culinary demos, exhibitions, a Miss Gilroy Garlic pageant, and of course, garlic products of every kind, from ice cream to art.

5)  Sonoma
In my absence, my husband is taking the kids for some rip-roaring fun and fast-car action at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma.  This weekend, they'll be watching the fastest-accelerating vehicles on the planet race on a quarter-mile drag strip during the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals in 2008.   They'll be sharing the weekend with some Funny Cars, Pro Stock Cars and Pro Stock Motorcycles -- a must-see for any little racecar lover. Just don't forget the earplugs, and check out my other tips for taking children to the races!
 Read more...

Summer Concerts

by bonggamom

July 21, 2009

One of the best things about summer are the long, long days, making it easy for the whole family to take a walk or kick around a few balls in the back yard after dinner.   With such nice, warm, sunny evenings, it's no wonder that outdoor summer concerts are such a popular family activity. If you haven't already taken your family to a summer concert, now's the time to try.  Pack a picnic dinner, grab a blanket and sweater, and enjoy one of the many outdoor summer concerts around Silicon Valley. There's one for every night of the week!

Monday evenings
Jazz Mondays on Main Street, Redwood City

Tuesday evenings
Campbell Summer Concert Series 
Milpitas Summer Concert Series
Twilight Concert Series, Palo Alto

Wednesday evenings
Menlo Park Summer Concert Series
Jazz on the Plazz, Los Gatos
Summer Music and Market, Sunnyvale

Thursday evenings
Mountain View Summer Concert Series
Metro Music in the Park, San Jose
Sounds of the Row, Santana Row
Movies on the Square, Redwood City

Friday evenings
Music on the Square, Redwood City
Rockin on the Patio, AJ Stumps San Jose
Friday Movie Nights, Los Altos

Saturday evenings
Vasona Vibrations Outdoor Music Series
Jazz and Beyond, Sunnyvale
Summer Family Movie Nights, San Jose

Sunday evenings
Music in the Park, Los Gatos

Does your city have a summer concert series not mentioned here?  Please email me at bonggamom@yahoo.com; I'd love to add it to the list!

Weekend Outlook, May 15th - May 17th -- Let the Festivals Begin

by bonggamom

May 14, 2009

They say it's going to be a scorcher of a weekend in Silicon Valley.  I'm not looking forward to the high temperatures, but the good news is that the long, lazy summer is almost here -- and  with the heat comes all the fun summer festivals!  The summer festival season kicks off this weekend in cities all over the Bay Area.  Here's a roundup of some family favorites:

1)  Downtown Campbell is hot, hot, hot!  Their Boogie on the Bayou festival (Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17) will showcase Cajun and New Orleans style cuisine, and they've got some spicy music playing, including Cajun, Blues, Calypso and Jazz.  Kiddos will love the kids' craft area and grownups can stroll through the Arts and Crafts booths. 

2)  Mountain View's 13th Annual A La  Carte & Art festival takes place this weekend in downtown Mountain View (Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17).  Aside from the usual food, music and  shopping, expect a juried art show, health and wellness displays, an organic and green products showcase, a farmer's market and kids' amusement section. 

3)  Kids are the stars of the Hands on the Arts Festival in Sunnyvale (Saturday, May 16). There are a whopping 37 different hands-on workshops for children ages 3-12, led by professional artists (participation requires a wristband which can be purchased for $5).  There is also live entertainment throughout the day.

4)  Held on the Saturday following Mother's Day, every year since  1947, the Los Altos Kiwanis Club Pet Parade begins on Main Street, promptly at 10 a.m. (May 16).  It's a wonderful spring celebration that attracts thousands of kids, along with their pets, wagons, bicycles, parents and neighbors.   It includes youth groups, marching bands, fire engines, and antique police cars.

5)  This year San Carlos celebrates the 25th anniversary of the San Carlos Hometown Days festival.  Held in the spirit of the old-fashioned, fun-filled community gatherings of yesteryear, the event kicks on on Friday night with a musical concert, and continues through Saturday and Sunday.  It's chock-ful of events such as a parade, kids' relays, art contests, battle of the bands, a pancake breakfast, and fairground rides.

Get ready for the Palo Alto May Fete Parade!

by bonggamom

April 30, 2009

Palo Alto residents know never to plan anything for the first weekend of May. They know to block that Saturday off for Palo Alto's May Fete Parade, and every year since 1922 they've been showing up in droves.  We've been going to this parade every year without fail for the past six or seven years, either watching or marching, and sometimes both.  

What makes the May Fete Parade so special?  At this parade, children are the undisputed stars.  There are no gargantuan animatronic floats, no beauty queens or roaring motorcycles or prancing horses.  Just lots and lots kids, from preschools to high school marching bands to local dance studios to elementary schools, all dressed in bright school colors or uniforms, on bikes and scooters, accompanied by a swarm of parents armed with cameras and camcorders.  Any group can register to join -- there is no limit -- but there is always a section at the end where anyone can jump in and march along.  
Throw in a few fancy cars, some funny-looking bicycles and a couple of rollerskating, bubble-blowing clowns and you've got a charming parade with a nice hometown feel.  

Each year the parade has a different theme (this year's is "Dream Green") and many groups join a float contest.  The floats reflect the annual theme and are relatively small and simple  -- which says nothing about the amount of effort put in by each and every group. Many who don't join the contest still come up with a float, and here and there you'll see a creative family whose wagon or stroller has been decorated to the nines to match the theme.

The parade starts just west of the University Avenue Caltrain Station on University and High.  It winds its way down University Avenue and turns right on Webster Street. The whole route is shaded with trees, and never gets so crowded that your little one won't be able to snag a spot to sit on the curb for prime parade viewing.    It ends at Palo Alto's Addison Elementary School, which hosts a Town Fair for the community. The fair, like the parade, is simple, fun and low-key.  It features a multitude of  children's activities like ball tosses, bead crafts and a giant inflatable slide, all free.  Families like to stake out a spot on the field beside the playground and let their kids loose on the playstructure while they relax on the grass and listen to the live music play.  Many people pack a picnic lunch or line up to buy the usual hotdog/hamburger/chips/soda combination.    It's a great way for Palo Alto residents meet their neighbors and build a sense of community.

The parade starts at 10:00 am this Saturday, rain or shine.  This year I'm marching with my two preschoolers while their sister and dad cheer us on from the sidelines. Grab your hat, sunscreen and water bottle and join us; we hope to see you there!

Spring Has Sprung! Weekend Outlook, March 27th - 29th

by bonggamom

March 26, 2009

The sun is shining, it's 65 degrees outside, and they're predicting more sun and high temperatures this weekend (mid-70's!)... don't you just love California?!  Spring has definitely sprung in our little corner of the world, with lots of fun springtime events, uh, sprouting up all over Silicon Valley.  We've got lots of ways to celebrate the great weather this weekend with your preschooler:

1) Celebrate the beginning of gardening season with a fun gardening activity, this Friday at Cheeky Monkey toys in Menlo Park.

2) It's time for a Spring Fling at Filoli!  Filoli Gardens hosts their popular annual springtime event this Saturday.  The gorgeous spring blooms serve as a colorful backdrop for this family fun event.  Children will enjoy visits from well-loved characters, a puppet show, a magic show, arts and crafts, and storytelling.   For grownups, there are demonstrations, guided walks, floral displays and live music. 

3)  Stanford Shopping Center hosts an early Easter activity this Saturday at 11:00am.  Their Easter Eggstravaganza features a mall-wide egg hunt, visits from the Easter Bunny and Desperaux, and Hop Into Spring entertainment at 2:00pm.

4)  Speaking of Easter, the Easter Bunny is once again making the rounds at various malls.  Dress your little ones in their best Easter Bonnets for a special photo, or just have them sit on Mr. Bunny's lap for a short visit. 
*  Hillsdale Mall
*  Stanford Shopping Mall
*  Eastridge Mall 
*  Westgate Mall    

5)  Now that the weather is getting warmer, it's time to bring out the ice cream!  The Friends of the Atherton Library will be hosting an ice cream social and book exchange. Head to the library this Saturday,March 28, 1:00-3:00 p.m.  Bring a book, take a book, have some ice cream -- it's all free.

Weekend Outlook, March 13th - 15th : Going Green

by bonggamom

March 12, 2009

It's your lucky weekend!  The stores are full of plastic four-leaf clovers,a nd the weekend is packed with activities leading up to St. Patrick's Day next Tuesday.  With all the green goings on in the next several days, from leprechaun crafts to tree walks,  Kermit the Frog will have to find some other time to sing It's Not Easy Being Green.

1) It's not Boston or New York, but San Francisco's St. Patrick's Day Parade is a longstanding tradition -- it's on its 158th year -- and draws over 5,000 parade participants from all over the country.  The parade begins at Second and Market at 11:30 AM, and the festivities continue throughout the day at the Civic Center Plaza.  

2) Watch energetic Irish Dancers, snacks and crafts at the Palo Alto Family YMCA's Irish Dance Social. March 3/13, 3:30-5PM. 

3) Mountain View celebrates Arbor Day with live music, children's activities and crafts, information and education booths, a tree climbing demonstration and a ceremonial tree planting.  It's all happening this Saturday at Pioneer Park.

4) Treat yourself to some fresh air, a healthy walk and a new perspective. Go on a free guided Canopy Tree Walk around Palo Alto to learn more about the trees that create a healthy urban environment. Meet at the Junior Museum and Zoo on Saturday, Mar. 14, 10am-noon. 

5)  Make free sparkly Leprechaun Wands at San Jose's Lakeshore Learning tomorrow morning starting at 11:00 am -- it's a free kids' craft for ages 3 and up. 

99 things you must do with your child in Silicon Valley before they grow up

by bonggamom

February 24, 2009

It seems like only yesterday that The Pea was just a little pea.  Now she's 7 and there are still so many things we haven't done together.  I really have to hurry, because some of the best experiences in the Valley have use-by dates:  I want my kids to first experience them while they're young, before the magic fades and they retreat into the solitude of their bedroms and their iPods.

With that in mind, here's a list of must-do activities for parents and kids around Silicon Valley:

Good Eats
 1) Taste garlic ice cream at the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
 2) Chew on saltwater taffy at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
 3) Pick berries at a local farm.
 4) Eat fish and chips at Princeton-by-the-Sea.
 5) Get a sugar high at the Jelly Belly Factory.
 6) Have a pancake breakfast at Hobees.
 7) Slurp clam chowder from a sourdough bread bowl at Fisherman's Wharf.
 8) Have an ice cream sundae at Ghirardelli Square.
 9) Burn your tongue at Palo Alto's annual Chili Cook-off.
10) Enjoy berrylicious treats at Watsonville's Strawberry Festival.
11) Go on a tasting tour -- cheese tasting, that is -- around Napa and Sonoma Valley.

The Animal Kingdom
12) Pat a llama at the Happy Hollow Zoo.
13) Join the Los Altos Pet Parade.
14) Milk a cow and feed chickens at Hidden Villa.
15) Watch for whales at the Point Sur Lighthouse.
16) Feed the ducks at Shoreline Park.
17) Spend the day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
18) See the Monarch Butterflies in Pacifica.
19) Listen to the sea lions barking at Pier 39.
20) Ride an elephant at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
21) Go on safari at Santa Rosa's Safari West.
22) Visit the elephant seals at Ano Nuevo State Reserve.

Events
23) Do the Dragon Dance at San Francisco's Chinese New Year Parade.
24) Welcome springtime at Cupertino's Cherry Blossom Festival.
25) Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at San Jose's annual parade.
26) Watch 4th of July Fireworks from Shoreline Ampitheater.
27) See the Tall Ships and Blue Angels at San Francisco's Fleet Week.
28) See the world's biggest pumpkins at the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival.
29) Go trick or treating at Santana Row.
30) Watch the San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker.
31) Drive through the Vasona Fantasy of Lights display.
32) Meet Santa Claus at a train station during Caltrains Holiday Train.
33) Enjoy holiday scenes at San Jose's Christmas at the Park.

Sporty Stuff
34) Watch a baseball game at San Francisco's AT&T park.
35) Sail a boat on Shoreline lake.
36) Surf (ok, boogie-board) the waves at San Gregorio State beach.
37) Go rafting on the American River.
38) Ice skate under the stars at Palo Alto's Winter Lodge.
39) Run Bay to Breakers with the little ones in a stroller.
40) Bike the Los Gatos Creek trail.
41) Sink a mini-hole-in-one at Golfland.
42) Take your child for a spin at Redwood City's Malibu Grand Prix.
43) Row, row, row your boat at Vasona Lake County Park.
44) Catch some fish at Ed Levin County Park.

Museums
45) Explore and learn at the Children's Discovery Museum.
46) Scare yourself at the Winchester Mystery House.
47) Play tag amongst the artwork at Stanford University's Rodin Sculpture Garden.
48) Marvel at the California Academy of Science's Living Roof.
49) Count the Pez dispensers at Burlingame's Pez Museum.
50) Walk like an Egyptian at San Jose's Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum.
51) Geek out at the Tech Museum.
52) Take a class at the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo.
53) Play and pretend at Oakland's Habitot Children's Museum.
54) Let your imagination take flight at the Hillier Aviation Museum.
55) Follow the toy trains at the Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History.

Seein' the Sights
56) Watch an IMAX film at The Tech Museum.
57) See the circus trees at Gilroy Gardens.
58) Enjoy the view from the top of Stanford's Hoover Tower.
59) Watch a space shuttle launch at the NASA Ames Visitor Center.
60) See the stars up close at Lick Observatory.
61) Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge.
62) Check out the local bikers at Alice's Cafe in Woodside.
63) Watch a play, for kids and by kids, at Palo Alto's Hotdog Suppertime Shows.
64) Watch the airplanes bound for San Francisco airport take off and land, from Coyote Point park.
65) See where the San Francisco Bay ends at Palo Alto's Baylands Park.
66) Count as many of the Livermore windmills as you can while driving through Altamont Pass on Highway 580.

Nature
67) Hike through the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park.
68) Hike up to The Dish at Stanford University.
69) Build a sandcastle at Santa Cruz beach.
70) Find serenity at San Jose's Japanese Friendship Garden.
71) Paint the roses red at San Jose's Heritage Rose Garden.
72) Wade in the creek at Los Altos' Shoup Park.
73) Save the earth on California Coastal Cleanup Day.
74) Pick apples at Gizdich Ranch.
75) Explore the tidepools at the Natural Bridges State Beach.
76) Say hello to the wild turkeys at Deer Hollow Farm.
77) Camp overnight at the Big Basin State Park.

Spend the weekend (or week!) at....
78) ...Yosemite National Park...
79) ...Sequoia National Park...
80) ...Lake Tahoe...
81) ...Napa Valley...
82) ...Sacramento...
83) ...Strawberry...
84) ...Gold Country...
85) ...Carmel-by-the-Sea...
86) ...Big Sur...
87) ...Solvang, or...
88) ...LA

Just Plain Fun
89) Ride the Caltrain up and down the Peninsula.
90) Ride the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad.
91) Chug through the redwoods on the Roaring Camp Railroad.
92) Catch a cable car on the hills of San Francisco.
93) Hop on the Bill Mason carousel at Oak Meadow Park.
94) Enjoy the rides at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
95) Get stuck on stickers at the Mrs. Grossman's sticker factory.
96) Splash around at the Morgan Hill Aquatics Park.
97) Meet storybook characters at Oakland's Fairyland.
98) Splash through the fountains at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez.
99) Watch a movie at the San Jose's Capitol Drive-In Movie Theater.

My family has done quite a few of these items, but we're nowhere near done.  We (and you) had better get cracking on the rest of this list before the kids grow up!

If you have other activities that simply must be on this list, email us at beingsavvysiliconvalley@savvysource.com. 

Happy Kwanza!

by Bonggamom

December 26, 2008

Kwanzaa starts today! This seven-day African American holiday gets its name from a Swahili phrase meaning "first fruits" and is based on the African tradition of the "first harvest of the crops" at the end of each year. Kwanzaa honors African heritage and culture, as well as family and community. To celebrate Kwanzaa, the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito is offering free admission and  Read more...

Weekend Outlook: December 12th-14th

by Shawn Burns

December 10, 2008

Food and immigrant traditions and storytime are all rolled into one at the San Mateo County History Museum . At 11am and 2pm on Friday your pre-schooler can listen to "Too Many Tamales" read aloud and then learn about holiday food items from around the world and make their own clay tamales. The senior residents at Lytton Gardens are holding their Festival of Trees on Saturday from  Read more...

List Day: Holiday Traditions

by Shawn Burns

December 02, 2008

I'm a new-ish Holiday Dad, and this year marks my first real opportunity to immerse my daughter in the local holiday celebrations and know that she'll get something out of it. Of course there are holiday events all up and down the Peninsula and in the Silicon Valley this month, but for today's List Day at Savvy Source we are charged with presenting a list of local traditions, and not  Read more...

List Day: Holiday Traditions

by Shawn Burns

December 02, 2008

I'm a new-ish Holiday Dad, and this year marks my first real opportunity to immerse my daughter in the local holiday celebrations and know that she'll get something out of it. Of course there are holiday events all up and down the Peninsula and in the Silicon Valley this month, but for today's List Day at Savvy Source we are charged with presenting a list of local traditions, and not  Read more...

Holiday tree lighting ceremonies

by Bonggamom

November 28, 2008

Get ready, people; today is Black Friday. Even though you've still got half a turkey in your fridge, The December Holiday Season has Begun . For many grownups, this means crowds and overspending and drunk relatives and stress, but for children, it's all about the presents and the treats and the decorations and the pretty twinkling lights. The holidays are a special time for children, and cities  Read more...

Weekend Outlook: November 28th-30th

by Shawn Burns

November 26, 2008

Many families are traveling this weekend, meeting up with relatives and friends to celebrate the holidays, to give thanks, and to get a jump on National Shopping Month. But there are reasons to stay close to home this year, and I'm not talking about the negative reasons like the economy or the hassle of travel. I mean that there are, as always, things a-happenin' right here in the  Read more...

Are you tired of Halloween yet?

by Bonggamom

October 30, 2008

All month long you've taken your kids to parties, parades, crafts and activities. And now Halloween is just one day away. If you're like me, you're thinking, Rats! But I'm fully aware that there are people who are thinking, Hurrah! For those who have had enough of pumpkins and ghosts and skeletons, I'll take pity on you. Let's move on to another celebration: El Dia de los Muertos , or the  Read more...

Weekend Outlook: October 17th-19th

by Shawn Burns

October 15, 2008

Looking back at my Weekend Outlook entries for the past few months I notice that we are really and truly privileged in this area to have almost weekly street fairs of some kind or another. I keep highlighting them because I love to walk them, to experience my town, or my neighbor's town, in full spectacle. But perhaps you aren't the street fair type. Perhaps you've been crying out for me to  Read more...

Weekend Outlook: October 10th-12th

by Shawn Burns

October 08, 2008

(to a classic, unnamed sea chanty) What do you do with a bored pre-schooler? What do you do with a bored pre-schooler? What do you do with a bored pre-schooler On Friday, Saturday and Sun-Day? Friday feed the otters in San Mateo Coyote Point Museum in San Mateo Twelve-thirty pm in San Mateo Let's go feed the otters. Saturday there's Fun Fest at St. Lucy's  Read more...

Apple Picking at Gizdich Ranch: Introducing Ana Picazo

by Shawn Burns

October 02, 2008

Being Savvy Silicon Valley is very, very proud to introduce Ana Picazo, a writer, blogger, and mom from the Silicon Valley who will be teaming up with me to form the new Being Savvy Silicon Valley Super Squad . In the next few weeks Anna will begin posting regularly in this space, offering up her Savvy knowledge of the Silicon Valley to you, the loyal Being Savvy Silicon Valley readers. Her  Read more...

Weekend Outlook: September 26-28

by Shawn Burns

September 24, 2008

It's Weekend Outlook time, folks; that special day each week when I take a look at what is going on this weekend, tell you all to go do it, and then never show (actually, I've shown up at quite a few of these; where were you?). So let's see what's happening around the Valley this last September weekend. Friday: The Family Fun Festival is happening this Friday from 5pm-10pm in Cupertino. It's  Read more...

Weekend Outlook: September 5-7

by Shawn Burns

September 03, 2008

Heading into this first weekend of what always seems to be the Fall to me my thoughts turn from the beach and pool and cooling off to other great activities for us here in the Valley. Although we'll be hitting the pool many more times before the month is out, it isn't our "go to" move now. So if you are like us and want to get out and do something beyond just soaking your head in the sprinlker  Read more...

Weekend Head's Up: August 22-24

by Shawn Burns

August 20, 2008

Another new feature here at Being Savvy Silicon Valley is a look at the weekend ahead. Every Wednesday I'll post some fun activities for you and your pre-schooler to enjoy. This weekend... Friday: This friday Opal'z in Palo Alto is hosting a "Make your own lip balm" workshop for the kids. They'll learn about textures and fragrances, as well as a little elementary chemistry. E-mail  Read more...

Getting to Know My City

by Shawn Burns

June 24, 2008

Our fair valley has a long history. From its Native settlements to its metroplitan birth as a small Peublo to California's capitol to the heart of tech it is ever changing. So for List Day this week I have, for your enriching pleasure, a list of places to bring your pre-schooler to teach them a little bit about the history of the Silicon Valley. I here present them in an order that is pleasing  Read more...