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 Former mining facility |
At the corner of McAbee Road and Camden Avenue San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95120 United States +1 408 358 3741 http://www.parkhere.org/prkpag... |
This erstwhile mining facility that dates back to the 19th century has miles of trails for horseback riding, cycling or just plain hiking. Buried in the foothills south of San Jose, the park is definitely off the beaten path, making it a nice retreat from the city. Once there, you can gaze at remnants of mercury mining facilities from the Gold Rush days. They are a sometimes poignant reminder of how hard it was to stake a claim in those days and how few miners actually struck it rich. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Marcel Marchon  |
 Photo: Dawn Ellner |
 Photo: Ellen Fredricks |
 Photo: Andrea Lee |
 Photo: Tom Lechner |
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California's oldest park |
16240 Alum Rock Avenue (at the corner of Crothers Road) San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95121 United States +1 408 259 5477 |
If you enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, from horseback riding to picnics, from cycling to playing with the kids, then this park is for you. It has been around forever. Up at the end of Alum Rock Avenue, the park is buried in the foothills east of San Jose; on the drive there, you pass some impressive mansions. There are playgrounds and miles of trails. It is a very natural setting in which to enjoy leisure activities. Admission is free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Scott G. Campbell |
 Photo: Jeff Halter |
 Photo: Scott G. Campbell |
 Photo: Christopher Walker |
 Photo: Sylvie Oxman |
 Photo: Cindy Royster |
 Photo: Paul Crovella |
 Photo: Ben Lilly |
 Photo: Lucy W. Shih |
 Photo: Chris Suen |
 Photo: Judy M_2007 |
 Photo: Raymond Cavalcante |
 Photo: krisshcv |
 Photo: Vlad Butsky |
 For animal lovers |
647 South King Road San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95116 United States +1 408 926 5555 |
This urban farm covers an impressive 47 acres. It has school tours, orchards, a barnyard, picnic areas and places to fly kites. It is a great place to bring the kids, especially if they like animals; there are zillions of breeds of rabbits, chickens, geese and ducks for them to befriend. The property was originally given to the city of San Jose with the intent that it be used as an agricultural learning center, and in that it succeeds admirably. Admission is free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Walking, jogging, biking |
Corner of San Carlos St & Woz Way San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95112 United States +1 408 277 2757 http://www.grpg.org |
Crawling for three miles alongside the Guadalupe River and harnessing Highway 87, this unique natural environment contains a rose garden, jogging trails, several species of birds and lots of picnic tables. Nestled in a particularly scenic spot in the South Bay, it is a great place for a day's outing or a slow leisurely walk. Improvements are ongoing and when it is finally completed, it will be a spectacular place for everyone in the family. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Xi |
 Photo: Alan Brown |
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Serene Japanese gardens |
21000 Big Basin Way (at the corner of Ambric Knolls Road) San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95070 United States +1 408 741 4994 hakone@hakone.com |
This authentic Japanese garden is one of the best places to smooch in the entire South Bay, at least that is what several local publications have proclaimed. You will be swept away by the serenity and the perfect harmony of it all. There are koi ponds, tea and Zen gardens, and even a tea museum. Muko, Japan, a sister city of Saratoga, California, donated the materials for the bamboo garden. The facility also offers art classes, and Japanese dance performances are available. Docent tours are available on weekends. Admission is free, hours vary, call for details. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: liwen's memory |
 Photo: Donna Lynn Vennum |
 Photo: Cherri Lakey |
 Photo: Jim Konkler |
 Photo: Donna Lynn Vennum |
 Photo: Stephen A Lee |
 Photo: alan.creeksideretrea |
 Photo: John Conrod |
 Photo: PattiG |
 Photo: Allan Hack |
 Photo: xephemiance |
 Photo: Kathy Kobashi |
 Photo: Anna Zieo |
 Photo: ronH |
 Photo: wang_a_ma_chang |
 Photo: Doña Bumgarner |
 Photo: Bob Wall |
 Photo: Taswiir |
 Photo: jorge bachmann |
 Photo: Rex Walters |
 Living in the countryside |
26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills Santa Clara County San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 94022 United States +1 650 949 8650 / +1 650 949 9704 (Visitor Center) http://www.hiddenvilla.org/ info@hiddenvilla.org |
Looking to reconnect with your inner self and with Nature? A visit to Hidden Villa should help. Over 1500 acres of farmland, home to cattle, fowl, animals, plants and birds will provide that country holiday you've always wanted your kids to experience, at a reasonable price. Many urban dwellers come here to enjoy simple pleasures, such as watching a plump hen tentatively peck some feed off your palm. Various programs on environmental and multicultural awareness are held here, especially for kids. The campsite hostel provides quiet and comfortable quarters well-suited to introspection and solitude, a short distance from Silicon Valley. Note that you can check in only between 4p and 9:30p, but visitors can drop by anytime between 8a to noon and 4p to 9:30p. Accomodation available from $19. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: philos_de_sophia |
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Wide open space |
2305 South White Road (between Tully Road and Cunningham Avenue) San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95148 United States +1 408 277 4319 http://www.ci.san-jose.ca.us/c... |
This spacious outdoor facility will please everyone, which explains the half a million visitors that come here every year. You can exercise, play horseshoes or volleyball, and even go sailing or fishing. Or just enjoy the fabulous sunshine in one of the few fog-free places in the Bay Area. There are a variety of picnic areas including a pavilion to hold your company meeting (call for reservation and fee information). It is a perfect retreat for the outdoorsman in us all. Check out the variety of wildlife that makes the park their home. Admission is free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Alex Pearson |
 Photo: Donovan Snyder |
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South Bay water park |
2333 South White Road San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95148 United States +1 408 238 9900 / +1 408 223 3951 (Group sales) http://www.ragingwaters.com/ jjudy@ragingwaters.com |
This San Jose theme park has one of the Bay Area's best collections of water rides. On hot summer days it is a place where the whole family can splash, play, and picnic. Just a sample of the attractions - a wave pool, a pirate-inspired play structure with water cannons, waterfalls, a speed slide, thrill slides, and a slow river for inner tubing. For little children, there are also a variety of kiddie pools and play areas. Admission: $27.99 adults and for kids less than four feet $16.99. Call for schedules and other rates. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Alex Pearson |
