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

Farmers' Markets Around Silicon Valley

by bonggamom

August 06, 2009

To end our series of posts on Farmers' Markets, here's a list of all the Farmers' Markets I could find in the Silicon Valley area.  These markets sell everything from fruits to flowers to soap.   Some of them are open during the summer months only, others are open year-round. They're open in the morning, afternoon and evening.  There's a market in almost every city, and one for every day of the week.   There's just no excuse not to go!

25th Avenue Farmers' Market, San Mateo
Day:  Tuesday
Time:  4:00PM - 8:00PM
Season: May thru October

San Mateo Farmers' Market
Day: Wednesdays and Saturdays
Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Season:  Year-round

San Bruno Farmers' Market
Day:  Sunday
Time:  10:00AM - 2:00PM
Season:  June thru October

Belmont Farmers' Market
Day:  Sunday
Time:  9:00AM - 1:00PM
Season:  Year-round

San Carlos Farmers' Market
Day:  Thursday
Time:  4:00PM - 8:00PM
Season:  May through September

Redwood City Kiwanis Farmers Market
Day: Saturdays
Time: 8:00AM - 12:00PM
Season: April thru November

Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Farmers Market
Day:  Wednesday
Time:  10:00AM - 2:00PM
Season:  April thru September

VA Palo Alto Farmers' Market
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Season: May thru October

Palo Alto Downtown Farmers' Market
Day: Saturdays
Time: 8:00Am - 12:00PM
Season: May thru December

California Avenue Farmers' Market, Palo Alto
Day: Sundays
Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Season:  Year-round

Downtown Los Altos Farmers' Market
Day: Thursdays
Time: 4:00PM - 8:00PM
Season: May thru September

Mountain View Farmers' Market
Day: Sundays
Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Season:  Year-round

Sunnyvale Farmers' Market
Day: Saturdays
Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Season:  Year-round

Milpitas Farmers' Market
Day:  Sunday
Time:  8:00AM - 1:00PM
Season:  Year-round

Cupertino Farmers' Market
Day:  Friday
Time:  9:00AM - 1:00PM
Season:  Year-round

Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Farmers' Market
Day: Thursdays
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Season:  Year-round

Santa Clara Farmers' Market
Day: Saturdays
Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Season:  Year-round

San Jose City Hall Farmers' Market
Day: Tuesdays
Time:  3:00PM - 7:00PM
Season: April thru September

San Jose Downtown Farmers' Market
Day: Fridays
Time:  10:00AM - 2:00PM
Season: May thru December

Santa Teresa Farmers' Market
Day: Saturdays
Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Season: May thru September

Japantown San Jose Farmers' Market
Day: Sundays
Time: 8:30AM - 12:00PM
Season:  Year-round

Santana Row Farmers' Market
Day: Sundays
Time: 11:00AM - 3:00PM
Season:  Year-round

Alum Rock Village Farmers' Market
Day: Sundays
Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Season:  Year-round

Berryessa Farmers' Market
Day: Saturdays
Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Season:  Year-round

Evergreen Farmers' Market, San Jose
Day: Wednesdays and Sundays
Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Season:  Year-round

Kaiser Permanente San Jose Farmers' Market
Day: Fridays
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Season:  Year-round

Campbell Farmers' Market
Day: Sundays
Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Season:  Year-round

Saratoga Farmers' Market
Day: Saturdays
Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Season:  Year-round



Do you have a favorite farmers' market that isn't on this list?  We'd love for you to share your find!  Just leave a comment on this post and I'll make sure I add it to the list.
 Read more...

Fresh Idea: Community Supported Agriculture

by bonggamom

August 04, 2009

We've been singing the praises of local farmers' markets as a great source of fresh, locally-grown, typically organic produce for your family.  All this is true, but I just couldn't let our farmers' market series pass by without mentioning another great (and convenient!) source for delicious, healthy food:  Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, food subscriptions.  

As the name implies, a community of individuals pledge support to a farm operation; they pay a monthly, semiannual or some periodic fee in exchange for a weekly amount of seasonal produce from the farm.  The produce (typically fruits and vegetables, but some CSA's also include dairy or meat products) is delivered to the members' doorsteps or can be picked up at a convenient neighborhood location.  The amount of produce delivered varies as local growing seasons and conditions vary, so growers and consumers truly share in the risks and benefits of food production.  Everything is usually organic, locally grown, and as fresh as you can get.  And since the produce delivered varies with the season, it's a great way to try new varieties of produce.   What a great way to start the week -- with a box of fresh veggies delivered straight to your door! Here are some local CSA's to get you started:

Full Belly Farm - organic fruits and vegetables.

Hidden Villa CSA - organic vegetables.

Farm Fresh To You - organic fruits and vegetables

Frog Hollow Farm - organic fruit, with granola, dried fruit and olive oil during the winter months.

Live Earth Farm - organic fruits and vegetables, with options for extra fruit, free-range eggs and artisan bread.

Eating with the Seasons - organic fruits and vegetables, with separate subscriptions for organic walnuts, organic eggs and organic tea.

Blue House Farm - organic fruits and vegetables, with separate subscriptions for organically grown flowers and organic, free-range eggs

Mariquita Farms - organic fruits and vegetables

Full Circle Farm - organic fruits and vegetables.

Terra Bella Family Farm - organic fruits, vegetables and eggs.


All these farms deliver (or have a pickup site) in the Silicon Valley area. 

When you decide on a supplier, make sure you sit your child on your lap when you visit their website.  If the farm has visiting hours, consider taking a day trip with your child to visit the farm and get to know who grows your vegetables.  Your little one might be more likely to try the vegetables if he knows they're from "his" farm! 

Five Things Kids Love About Farmers' Markets

by bonggamom

July 27, 2009

Farmers' markets run year round, but there's a reason why their populations swell in the summertime.  The lure of healthy produce, the thought of farm-fresh summer fruit, the chance to support local farmers, is too strong to resist.  For grownups, that is.  But what about the kids?  Don't worry, you won't need to strap your little ones to a grocery cart here.  Young children are more than welcome at farmers' markets, and there's a lot for children to love about farmers' markets as well.  Here are five to start with:

1) The Experience
Give your child a few dollars to spend on whatever fruits and vegetables they want, and watch your trip to the farmers' market turn from an errand into an adventure.  He'll have so much fun choosing from the wide, colorful array of produce, handing over the money, receiving his change, and toting his purchases around.  It's also a great way to tempt a finicky eater; children are more likely to try something new if they've had a hand in choosing and purchasing it.

2) The People
There's no better place for young children to practice their people skills than a farmers' market.  The vendors are usually friendly and willing to engage your child in a conversation, talk to them about the different products they're selling, help them weigh out some fruit or pack their purchases into a paper bag.    

3) The Music
Farmers' markets are almost like mini festivals, with local musicians and performers strutting their stuff in front of a gaggle of wide-eyed children.  I've seen balloon artists, face painters, children's musicians and more at our local farmers' market, so you won't need to worry about keeping your child entertained once you've made the rounds and need a little break to count out your change and rest your tired feet.


4) The Sweets
With all the fresh, healthy, yummy samples available, a child could go from vendor to vendor and get her fill of fresh summer fruit.  Before you know it, she could eat enough for her morning snack.

5) The Treats
Well, almost.  No matter how many bowls and trays of cut-up fruit are laid out for eager shoppers, there's always a fresh bakery stall or crepe vendor with their tantalizing aromas wafting out to tempt you, I mean your child.  The lines for these places are always long, so it looks like we're not the only ones without the willpower to resist these farmers' market treats.  But why even try?


No doubt about it, farmers' markets are one of the best things about summer.  And as long as you keep a firm hand on them, a trip to the farmers' market can be a safe, fun excursion for the whole family.  Stay tuned throughout the week for a list of some of my favorite local farmers' markets and some cool farmers' market events you won't want to miss.  Read more...

Summer Activities: Exploring the Outdoors

by bonggamom

July 13, 2009

Last week we got down and dirty when we explored the natural world.  This week we're moving back into suburbia -- but still staying outdoors.  Because even though a patio, pool or sidewalk might not be considered nature, they're all places to explore.  Just being outdoors, with all that natural light, all those smells and sounds, invigorates and energizes a child.  You don't need to sign your child up for summer camp to keep him busy; there's a whole summer's worth of outdoor exploration activities you can do on your own.  I've taken inspiration from the PBS Parents Exploration Guide and listed a few places you can start:

1)  Stones, stones, stones! If you have the space  in your yard, create meandering pathways or mazes with stones so your child can skip, hop and explore.   You can even take a day to create and decorate some stepping stones. 

2)  Dirt, dirt, dirt!  Start a small veggie and herb garden with your little one; they'll love digging and raking and getting their hands dirty.  Then take some time each day to water the plants and watch them grow. 

3)  Water, water, water!  Plan a Water Day and splash around with water balloons, sprinklers or sponges soaked in water.  Or go and throw pennies into a fountain (Check this post out for some great fountains in Silicon Valley).  Kids love the sound of running water and love to splash their hands -- and feet and anything else that mom or dad will let them. 

4)  Sand, sand, sand!  Plan a Sand Day and find a sandpit where your little one can dig to his heart's content.  Or take a day trip to visit the biggest sandpit of all, the beach.

Click here to see the full article on PBS, along with their suggestions for outdoor activities and books.  And here are some great activities from our Savvysource Activity archive:

1) Searching for worms
2) Sandcasting
3) Sand Tracks
4) Tricycle Wash
5) Homemade Bubbles

Don't forget, there's still a week left to enter our Super WHY giveaway!  One lucky Being Savvy Silicon Valley reader will win a DVD of PBS Kids' popular TV series, Super WHY.  Click here to enter -- entries will be accepted until midnight PST on July 20th.  Good luck!

Go Green with your Kids (and win tickets to Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Green Thumb!)

by bonggamom

May 12, 2009

^{Win tickets to the San Jose showing of Elmo's Green Thumb!  Read on to find out how.}

Here at the Savvysource, we take the environment very seriously.  After all, what kind of parents would we be if we didn't want our children and grandchildren to grow up in a clean, green world?   This year alone on Being Savvy Silicon Valley we've explored eco-friendly stores, made some eco-friendly resolutions, gone green on a budget, and found some great ways to celebrate Earth Day.  

Today let's talk about how to start turning your kids green.  A great way to to get them to care about the earth is to expose them to nature. Positive and frequent experiences with nature during the early years can help children develop a lifelong sense of appreciation and responsibility for the environment.  With that said, here are some fun ways to build environmental awareness in your children:

1)  Take a hike.  Children love to run and explore!  Take the family to a local park or hiking trail Be sure to point out different insects, plants or rocks. 

2)  Keep a Nature Journal.  Give your child a notebook so she can spend time outdoors and draw pictures of all the interesting and beautiful things she sees in nature.

3)  Plant a seed.  Show your child a photo of what the seed will grow up to be, and encourage them to take care of their plant, and watch it grow!

4)  Clean up.  Make trash fun by arranging a visit to a nearby recycling facility to show your little one how trash can be made into something new.  Or play a fun sorting game at home by putting recyclable materials into the appropriate recycling bins.

5)  Watch a show.  Another way for children to become eco-aware is to learn through songs and stories and favorite characters.   Elmo's Green Thumb, a Sesame Street Live! stage show, will be playing at the San Jose Civic Auditorium on June 12, 13 and 14.  When Elmo speaks, kids listen -- so sit back and let Elmo and the Sesame Street gang teach your little ones about green, growing things!   Everyone's favorite Sesame Street Characters are going on an amazing adventure as they help Elmo find a new home for Sunny the Sunflower -- and in the process, they'll show your little ones how each creature, from dancing ladybugs and beautiful butterflies to grouchy beetles, plays an important part in our ecosystem.  

Would you like a chance to win tickets to Sesame Street Live?   One lucky Being Savvy Silicon Valley reader is going to win a family pack of 4 tickets to see Elmo's Green Thumb at the San Jose Civic Auditorium!  To enter, leave a comment on this post and share one of the ways you "Go Green" with your child.  Make sure you leave your email address so I can contact you.  This entry must be completed for any extra entries to count.

For extra entries, you can do any of the following:
1)  Follow savvySV on twitter (leave a comment here with your twitter id).
2)  Follow bonggamom on Blogger (leave a comment here with your Blogger name).
3)  Tweet about this contest (leave a comment here with a link to the tweet).  Here's a tweet you can copy and paste:

Win tickets to Sesame Street Live on @savvySV http://tinyurl.com/ry2o5l

This contest is open to U.S. residents only and will end at midnight PST on May 24, 2009.  I will draw a winner at random and announce the winner's name on May 25, 2009. 

If you can't wait to see if you're the lucky winner, don't worry.  You can buy your tickets now at any ticketmaster location or at www.ticketmaster.com.  Tickets range from $15 to $30 -- so reasonable! -- and on opening night, June 12, all seats (except Gold Circle tickets) are $15!  And here's more good news -- Savvy Readers can use the promo code SESAME to save $3 off per ticket! 

Growing Gardens around Silicon Valley

by bonggamom

April 21, 2009

Let's face it:  when you live amidst the concrete and steel of the urban jungle, it's difficult for young children to really understand that fruits and vegetables come from any place other than the local grocery store. Sure, they've read books and watched the PBS shows.  But there's nothing like digging a carrot out of the dirt to really understand what it means to grow food.  Fortunately, many cities and organizations have wisely set aside  so our suburban kids can still get a taste of nature and see what's sprouting.  Here are some gardens in the heart of Silicon Valley where your preschooler can learn and explore, one leaf at a time:

1)  The Kids' Garden at the Children's Discovery Museum has opened for the season!  This real working garden showcases seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs.  They offer daily science and art activities inspired by nature, using natural materials.  Activities rotate seasonally and have included water exploration, seed planting, newspaper seed pots, and wildflower jewelry.

2) The Gardens at Sunnyvale's Full Circle Farm is a great place for children to experience growing produce.  It's easily accessible to kids of all ages, and if you become a volunteer Garden Assistant, you're welcome to bring your little helpers along.  You'll even get to take some veggies home with you as a thank-you!

3) Gamble Gardens in Palo Alto is best known for their gorgeous flowers and picturesque gardens, but their vegetable and herb gardens offer great learning opportunities for children.  They host educational tours for children ages 4 and up, featuring learning, exploration and hands-on activities.

4) At Hidden Villa Farm's educational garden, your preschooler will love crawling through the tunnels, holding imaginary tea parties in one of the little willow-bough tents, and marching along the beds of vegetables, fruits, roots and herbs.  If you join one of their weekend guided tours, you'll even get to nibble on some of their produce just seconds after your guide picks it out of the ground.

Earth Day Celebrations

by bonggamom

April 16, 2009

This weekend it's all about respecting your mother... Mother Earth, that is.  Earth Day is April 22nd, and communities everywhere are commemorating the event.  Here are some events that prove being green can be easy and fun:

1)  Celebrate Earth Day and get your grocery shopping done at the same time.  Whole Foods Los Altos is celebrating Earth Day on Saturday, April 18, 1-4PM.  Activities include live music, face painting, BBQ and a chance to measure your own carbon footprint.  Whole Foods Los Gatos is holding their Earth Day (Sort Your Trash Day) event on Earth Day itself (April 22), but you should still stop by on Saturday for their Spring into Health Fair (11AM-3PM) to enjoy healthy, kid-friendly snacks, coloring and crafts.

2)  Coyote Point Museum's 2nd Annual Earth Day Celebration kicks off at 10AM on Saturday, April 18.  Families will enjoy exciting science and art activities, nature walks and talks, live music, a Green Marketplace, and a yummy barbecue lunch by the San Mateo Fire Department.  Don't forget to stop by any Peet's Coffee & Tea store on the Peninsula before you go, for coupons to visit the Museum for the Earth Day celebration.

3) It's Earth Day on the Bay at Marine Science Institute in Redwood Citythis Saturday, April 18 from 8AM-5PM.   There will music, crafts, touch tanks, and a tour out on the Bay on one of our four trips aboard our Research Vessel, the Robert G. Brownlee (there is a charge for the boat trip).  The Marine Science Institute throws open their doors to the public only once a year, so don't miss it.

4)  With a funky, clever event name like Diggin the Vida Local, how can you resist?  Full Circle Farm in Sunnyvale celebrates Earth Day on Sunday, from 10AM-2PM. The festival is free for all, and features local food, local musicians, fun and games for all ages, a raffle, and lots of great information from (you guessed it!) local organizations on how to enjoy the pleasures of a life lived simply and locally.

5)   Here's another first:  the farmers of Half Moon Bay are opening their farms to the public on April 18 and 19, 2009 in celebration of Earth Day.  The "1st Annual Farmers of Hwy 92 Celebrate Earth Day" will focus on the farmers' daily lives and their role as stewards of the land.  Educate your little one with farm tours, greenhouse tours and demos.  And when their young minds are filled to the brim, entertain them with pony rides, music and fun.

6) The City of Palo Alto will be celebrating Earth Day 2009 and "Livin' Local" in a variety of ways, highlighted by a fun-filled community celebration for the whole family on Saturday, April 18, 10AM–2PM at the Lucie Stern Community Center.  There will be live music, delicious organic food, guest speakers, children’s activities, information booths from local non profits, cooking and garden demonstrations, and much more. 

Savvy Weekend Pick: The San Francisco Flower and Garden Show

by bonggamom

March 19, 2009

At the beginning of this week, Savvy Source's very own Eliza Clark wrote about introducing preschoolers to nature and science through gardening.   In her post, Eliza suggests some ways to get your children into digging and delving, such as visiting local garden centers and clearing out a space in the back yard for a pint-sized preschool garden. Silicon Valley parents, may I suggest one more:  go to the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show.  It's being held this week (March 18-22) at the San Mateo Event Center, and it's my number-one Savvy Activity pick for this weekend.

We took the whole family to the same show last year, and if this year's show is anything like it, your little ones will be in for an afternoon (or whole day!) of fun.  You'll have to keep a tight hold on their hands while you marvel at the beautiful designer gardens in the main exhibit -- they'll be itching to run around the artfully arranged pathways, or throw stones into the bubbling brooks (my sons were all set to drive the 4x4 parked squarely in the middle of the jungle garden display). 

There's even a special section of the show just for children.  It's called Sproutopia, and it's a place where your preschooler's imagination can really blossom.  Sproutopia goes one step further than the usual kids' craft tables (although there's plenty of that, too; last year my kids made bug masks, stone ladybug paperweights, and tissue paper fairy wings).  Here's a sample of the fun to be had:

* Educational and fun displays like a live butterfly exhibit;

* Carnivorous plant displays and feedings (you even get a venus flytrap to take home);

* Educational live shows on the Sprout Stage at various times throughout the day -- learn about bonsai, worms, and summer gardening;

* Mini garden displays created by local schoolchildren;

* A series of custom playhouses that children can explore inside and out (new for 2009!).

If you're all Sproutopia'd out, I've got some good news:  the event has Free Childcare!  You can leave your child for a couple of hours while you stroll around the display area, attend a hands-on demo or seminar, browse through the specialty shops, or talk to professionals.  At the end of the day, you'll all will walk away full of ideas and inspiration for your own gardens -- even the little ones.

Going Green

by Bonggamom

January 26, 2009

Today at Savvy Source we're talking about Going Green. One of the best resolutions we can make with -- and for -- our children is to try and reduce our personal impact on the environment. And one of the easiest steps parents can take in this direction is buying eco-friendly prodcuts for their children. Fortunately, eco-friendly stores are popping up all around Silicon Valley, which means that  Read more...

Park Day: The Oval

by Shawn Burns

January 05, 2009

As you head down Palm Drive toward Stanford University from Palo Alto the view of Memorial Church rising above the sunken green patch called the Oval is really breathtaking (it is especially cool to see on a foggy day; Memorial Church materializes out of a sea of white). The Oval is exactly what it's name implies. It is a green lawn with a single sidewalk as an X-axis. It is sunken a little, so  Read more...

The ABCs of Silicon Valley

by Shawn Burns

November 04, 2008

Today at Savvy Source we're doing the ABCs of Silicon Valley. Do you have the song in your head? Good. A is for Armadillo Willy's Barbecue . B is for the Baby Loves Disco . C is for the Cinco de Mayo Festival. D is for ducks . E is for environmentalism. F is for farmer's markets . G is for the Gilroy Garlic Festival . H is for Hobee's . I is for Ice Skating  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...

A green thumb? Not a chance

by Shawn Burns

May 30, 2008

My wife and I are really really good at killing plants. From Christmas trees that die an early death to the herb garden I tried to plant at our last residence, we haven't been able to figure out how to keep other living things alive. This worried me a little bit when we decided to have a baby. As it turned out, though, babies are way easier than plants. Babies cry when they  Read more...