34 Best Stops Between Palo Alto and Capitola (2024)

6 lists

One of the great places for shopaholics to come to San Francisco. We spent 3 hours here but still feel it is not enough. There are stores with items selling extremely attractive prices. But there are also famous brands that you queue to be served. Great shopping experience in a fun space. You can find here very delicious, tasty, and reasonably priced dishes.

It’s a nice open shopping mall with more than a hundred brands, both high end and normal consumer brands. At a DISCOUNTED price. If you’re a fan of high end brands, then you can find a lot of their products with more affordable prices. For mid end brands, they’re even cheaper.I love to come here sometimes for shopping spree when I’m on a tight budget.

Had a great time going in and out of the different stores. This is and outside mall and the temperature was about 42 degrees so my jacket and face mask worked OK. Some of the shops had lines that you had to to wait in before being allowed in because the shops were short staffed. This is a BIG Outside mall so wear good walking shoes and be prepared to wait outside at some of the shops. Security wise I felt safe while walking around and enjoyed the sales that were going on. Am looking forward to going back there soon.

Really a great place with lots of factory outlets. They have very good deals most of the time. They have decent parking spots so on regular days it is not too hard to find parking spots. It really gets crowded on special occasions so plan accordingly for those. Overall my experience was great in this place. You can bring your friends and family and have a super awesome shopping experience. They also have a play structure outside the mall. They also have lots of great options for dining, drinking etc.

San Francisco Premium Outlets hosts some famous brands in Fashion, Apparel, Cosmetics, Home Stores, Eye Wear, Footwear, Gift Shops etc, such as Old Navy, H&M, Adidas, GUESS, GAP, Calvin Klein, Forever 21, Banana Republic, Aeropostale and more. We visit regularly and find more outlets being added every time. Cafes for a meal are such as Villa Italian Kitchen, Green Leaf's & Bananas as some have moved out. Parking is large, but it is still crowded on weekends or holidays.

This is absolutely my favorite place to go shopping.I really like how you have all of the department stores all in one place, but what I really love is that you get to be outdoors enjoying the sunshine while having an espresso coffee.It’s one of those places where you see people from all over, and of course don’t forget the beautiful dogs with shoes and hats.

The San Francisco premium outlets gets better every year. Across the street from the main location or several restaurants a new restaurant I went to is a unique combination of micro brewery and a food truck. The barbecue was exceptional. The service was great. Got plenty of outdoor seating and indoor seating along with a long bar like area where you could sit on stools or you can sit on the couch area. The people worked there are pleasant and have a lot of insight to the beers. Keep in mind getting beer is one bill getting food is a separate they use iPad point of sale devices for you to charge your beverages and then you have a separate QR code to charge for food.

Right off CA-84 Exit 51, impressive outlet featuring at least a hundred and seventy-five popular shoe, apparel & houseware brands.

One stop shop for premium brands. Parking space will be tight during weekends. The connecting passages to shops are open to sky. Therefore if you are visiting during peak summer/ winter/ monsoon, take appropriate precautions.

A Shopper's Paradise: An Unforgettable Experience. I recently had the pleasure of visiting San Francisco Premium Outlet and I must say, it was an absolute delight! From the moment I stepped foot there, I was captivated by the area’s vibrant atmosphere and extensive range of stores. There were diverse range of stores, well-designed layout, variety of dining options. I highly recommend visiting San Francisco premium outlets to anyone seeking an unforgettable shopping experience.

There are 180+ stores which include luxury brands. My friend told me that she read reviews and people who shop luxury brands often get robbed when leaving this outlet. When she and her daughter went in these stores they would lock does behind them. So they obviously need more security on premises. I’ve been too many outlets and this was never an issue.The lady who was robbed was followed from outlet and when she stopped to eat in restaurant, the thieves broke in her car and stole merchandise.This would cause me to really give a lot of thought to making certain purchases at this outlet. Otherwise, it’s very nice except I would have thought the food court would have been bigger and had larger selection of restaurants.

Busy outlet.Put on them walking shoes😁Went there for the Zwilling store. Larger than usual, great selection and very knowledgeable staff.If you need quality cookware or cutlery, and like it for a better price than retail or Amazon, this is the place!

San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore, CA is an absolute dream for those who love big brands at outlet prices.This place is a shopper's paradise! The selection of stores is incredible, with all the major brands you could ever desire. From high-end luxury labels to popular household names, you'll find it all here.The quality of the merchandise is top-notch, and you can trust that you're getting authentic products. The layout of the outlets is well-organized, making it easy to navigate from one store to another. The parking facilities are ample, and I never had trouble finding a spot, even during peak hours.San Francisco Premium Outlets has an impressive range of stores to choose from. Whether you're looking for fashion, accessories, footwear, or home goods, you'll find plenty of options to suit your taste. In summary, if you're a bargain hunter or simply enjoy shopping for big brands, San Francisco Premium Outlets is a must-visit destination.

All great Brands at less then 1/2 price and nice new collection too . Calvin Klein, Levi , Merrell , Kate spade ,every great fashion brand available with full collection….worth visit

San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore is a shopper's paradise!This beautiful outdoor mall offers a vast array of high-end and affordable brands at discounted prices, making it a treasure trove for bargain hunters. With its impressive selection of stores, generous discounts, and serene atmosphere, San Francisco Premium Outlets is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a luxurious shopping experience without the hefty price tag.

This outlet store has a couple shops and it is worth going to. They give big discounts to branded shops and also has their cafeteria like popeyes and etc. Each store has free wifi and usually you only need to register to their websites which is linked to their wifi and opens up when you click it.

Do you like to shop? Do you like to shop all day? You're going to need a full day to visit over 180 outlet stores. There is a wide range of name brand items at discount prices. The mall has an upscale feel with spacious walkways and plenty of natural light. The selection of stores is impressive, with everything from fashion to home goods to electronics. If you want name brands without the price, this is the perfect place to shop. This is a great date spot. Peruse the stores while getting to know each other better. If you need a break from shopping, there's a food court to grab some lunch or a freshing beverage. IG: SACRAMENTOHONEY

First of all, the total area is very large and there are many brands in the store, so it was fun to see and buy. It was the last weekend before the Christmas holiday, so there were a lot of people, and there were a lot of vehicles trying to enter from the moment they came out of the highway. In front of the popular brand store, you had to wait in line, and even though you were calculating, you had to wait in line, so you had to leave the items you wanted and turn around. You have to go in the morning to park, otherwise it's hard to find a parking space. At that time, it might be a way to do valet parking. It's $15.0.

It has Starbucks, restrooms, Gucci and Armani just to name a few. A playground and water fountains. Not to mention the great outdoors with palm trees everywhere. Come on down and enjoy.

The place is quite complete with so many brands. It is quite far outside SF but the access is easy with public transport (train and bus). Very convenient place for shopping branded items, but many stuff from premium outlets not available here.

Lots of stores gathered together at the outlet. Can take a couple of hours to shop here. There’s a foodcourt here as well. Crowded and difficult to get parking lots on the weekends so preferably shop during weekdays.

I have been to many outlets around the world; this one, indeed, is a real deal. Most of the brands are giving really good prices. Also, many brands can be found here.The place is big, yet organized and clean.The only con is the limited number of coffee shops and restaurants.

Shops are not under one roof - on rainy days you get wet walking from store to store.No free wifi and a small food court added to my disappointment.

One of my favorite shopping malls to visit in the San Francisco Bay Area. Your gonna end up walking a lot in this mall. Lots of clothing stores and shopping outlets that will attract you to wanting to buy many things, such as Gap, Nike, or H&M. There's also a mid-range food court at the center of the mall, but if you cross the street to outer parts of the mall, there are more food options. Just off the freeway of I-580, and a short walk from LAVTA/Wheels Bus Route 14.

4.4

(15113)

4.0

(617)

2774 Livermore Outlets Dr, Livermore, CA 94551, USA

13 lists

Great area for hikes or biking. Lots of wildlife - deer, birds of all kinds. Very exposed so wear sunblock. The walk through the marsh is beautiful. $5 entry, plenty of parking. Toilets in multiple areas.

It was my first time visiting this park and it was a wonderful experience! So peaceful with beautiful views of the marshlands. I LOVED the Visitor's Center, it truly pays tribute to both the past and present Ohlone culture. (I only wish more places had Ohlone representation.) And I even purchased some bug boxes for my Girl Scout Troop! Will definitely be back to walk/bike more trails.

We were greeted at the visitor center by a large bunch of turkeys in the morning. This has lush green hills at the moment with expansive views of the Bay. There are a huge number of trails you can choose from and most are easy to moderate. It's dog friendly and also has multiple parking lots. It costs 5$ to park but it was free today. There are a few spots to see wildflowers as well though they aren't completely in bloom.

Great park experience, the rangers were very friendly, helpful and answered all my questions. The visitors center had a lot of educational information, it's basically a small nature museum. The field views are awesome and there are multiple areas to park and relax with nature, will definitely return and recommend, also the parking is not expensive.

Visited the park during the weekend and it wasn't too busy. $5 to get you in, they had enough parking spots. The visitor center has many things to offer, maps for pretty much all the East Bay parks, clean bathrooms and water fountains. There are picnic tables, and you can play outdoor games on the grass. The trails are nice, you can climb to the peak and enjoy the beautiful views. Nice place to visit with families/kids, the hikes are easy.

Great trails for a weekend hiking. Good scenery by the water. You can see turkeys and deers on different parts of the trails. However, it was very busy, even in the morning around 9am. It might be difficult to find parking inside as it gets later in the day.

This place has a paved trail. They charge 5$ entrance fee. Remember to get out before 7pm as the park gates close by 7pm. It was beautiful after rain. Everything was green making the place so beautiful. We spotted some birds too.Spring is the best time to visit here!

Great and neatly maintained trails, especially the red hill and bay view trails. Nice bloom at this time of the year and it’s gonna get better this month. Already seeing lot of wildflowers and awesome views of the Dumbarton bridge and the bay

This park really is a family-friendly place. It has flat paved trails along lakes, where plenty of birds, ducks living there. Also, unpaved trails go to the top of hills, where you can overlook the bay area. Hills are covered by green grass and colorful flowers, which are absolutely beautiful. Try to get there before 9am to get a parking spot at the park.

I love this place! It's accessibility, it's natural beauty, it's views of the bay and beyond...great place to ride a bike, great place to take a hike. I didn't mean to sound like Dr. Seuss, please forgive me...but go check out this park, just be respectful of the wildlife and don't leave trash behind! 😁

There are multiple scenic spots and the view of the bay from here is second to none... You could see both San Mateo bridge, and Dumbarton bridge and the entire shoreline all the way from San Francisco to Mountain View.... Sunsets if clouds allow are a beauty to watch from here. Can do little fun hikes with friends on a weekend or ride the trails on your bicycles... Pretty neat spot for spending some lazy days.

This is a great park for everybody. There are several trails ranging in difficulty. The park is spacious so I didn’t encounter much of any human traffic during my solo hike. I hiked the Quail and Bayview Loop. It was an easy 3 mile 1 hour hike. It was a scenic and peaceful experience for me. Hopefully, I get to visit this park again.

Majestic green hills scattered with California poppies are breathtaking. On top of the hills, you can enjoy both marshland and bay view. Looking at the poppies growing between the rocks, you can feel the toughness of life and nurtured by the power of the universe. Stress is gone with the wind. So relaxing and refreshing.

Yes, there are many places with marshes and views of the shoreline from the peninsula to the east bay. But this place has many trails and you have a clear view of the San Mateo Bridge to the west and the Dumbarton Bridge to the east.As the terrain of the hills in the east bay really traps the wind in, I recommend you wear a beanie if you don't want hair in your face and your ears to freeze.Some of the hills are quite steep; you won't be able to see over the hump, much like a roller coaster. This is especially true if you decide to go off the beaten path for a shortcut traversing the hills. There are strategically-placed benches at the higher heights. You can see the ocean and there are some unnatural colors from the algae.There is a wooden plank path through the reeds and there is a large bike path near the water too.Then, there is a beachy area with estuary birds and the meringue foam in the water.Two parking lots from different park entrances

Windy but beautiful , many hiking trails.Good views of the bay.We entered the park at 720PM, remember to take the parking receipt by paying at the kiosk. There is checking even on Saturday.The park said it closes at 8 PM, this means incoming is closed. If you are there this summer enjoy the sunset and outgoing gates will be open till 10PM.Remember to take a jacket , it’s super windy.

This place is heaven for sunsets lovers, bird lovers, and bike lovers. Go all the way out to the edge of the bay during low tides to see the submarine, Bald Eagles hunting. Blue Heron, Snake 🐍......and oh, don't forget the rabbits.Catch a tail wind and ride 46 mph like the pros, Joint the peregrine falcon patiently waiting for a hunt. Only place in Bay Area 🥰😍👍

Beautiful place for day trip, family picnic. Beautiful scenery along with trails makes it more enjoyable. Plenty of bench for seating. Restroom is near parking lot. Parking is not free.

Perfect place to watch sunset. Very stunning view. Dog friendly! This is “Quail & Bayview trail” It’s loop. Can be done within 1hr. Very relaxing! Plenty of parking space. Parking fee $5 Dog fee $2.

I love going to this marsh with my dog. There are beautiful trails and many parking spaces available.The bay looks gorgeous any time of the day from here.

I’ve hiked here at least 25 times. I’m sure I will hike it another 25 times. As you can see from my photos, there’s a ton of different animals and a lot of my friends. Highly recommended!

This is a fantastic place to get back to nature! There are trails around the park for walking, biking, and even small hikes. There are boardwalks in the marshes for exploring - especially if you are wanting to see birds. I believe at last count, there were over 200 species of birds residing or traveling through this park.The visitor's center has a small museum that has on display some of the wildlife that you could potentially see while exploring here. They also have information on one or more of the Ohlone tribes.I've recently discovered there are park personnel assigned to each regional park, called naturists (or something similar to this), which specialize in knowing about the plants and animals of each park. Coyote Hills has one of these folks too. His name is Chris. I'm not sure if you have to be a part of a group, or if you can just be an individual in order to talk to him, but if you ever get a chance to bend his ear, he can absolutely answer all your questions! He is very knowledgeable about the particulars of the wildlife and plants, can help you identify birds, and can even tell you a lot about the Ohlone tribes in the area.This park is handicapped accessible, has a public restroom in the visitor's center, and has a lot of brochures available to pick up about other regional parks around the Bay Area. There is also a small gift store and museum. This is a great place for you to walk or bike ride for fitness or simply for enjoying the outdoors. Whether you're an individual, couple, family, or part of a group, you'll find this place to be well worth many visits!

Good hiking trails. Park has a $5/6 entry feeGets windy and chilly during evenings.

Nice views, lots of open space for the kids to run around in. Just don't go into the butterfly garden if bugs are attracted to you. We didn't see any butterflies, and I got bit by at least 6 mosquitoes in only 5 minutes! One on my forehead 😕

Loved this hike. It can be an easy or a moderate one. Beautiful views. It also has picnic areas.

Very beautiful regional park within the city.The park has lots of trails with all categories, kid friendly.The park will be very beautiful during the spring time.

4.7

(3014)

4.5

(224)

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont, CA 94555, USA

17 lists

We were made very welcome even though we arrived very late for our reservation. We were given a taste of their Sauvignon Blanc right away and escorted to the patio where there were plenty of heaters to keep us toasty. Our server was well informed about the wines we tasted and actually brought us a Port and a sampling of another one of their Sirahs. I loved their Petite Sirah. We spent a wonderful couple of hours tasting some very nice wine. What could be better?

First, let me say that the tasting we had was very good for the Livermore Valley. We actually bought one of the wines from our flight. However, my disappointment stems from not being able to try any of the Petite Syrah.It's been over 20 years since my last visit here, and Concannon was the reason why I fell in love with Petite Syrah. Unfortunately, we were unable to sample it during our visit. Additionally, despite being asked to taste Mother Vine, which was suggested by a competing wine steward (who is a club member), we were again told no.While the wines we tasted were enjoyable, not being able to sample the Petite Syrah was a letdown, especially given my long-standing affection for it. Overall, a mixed experience due to the restrictions on trying recommended wines.

Their reserves are good, but being able to buy a bottle, sit on the lawn and eat lunch while the kids play on the grass is worth the visit.

Have a great weekend here with friends. Love the picnic area, our server Nick is friendly & professional, like his service!!

Beautiful Vineyard and amazing staff! Thank you for your education, hospitality, and delightful wines.

Probably the best wine tasting experience within a short driving distance of the Bay Area without going to Napa. This place is simply excellent with fantastic wines, indoor tasting rooms, outdoor patio seatings, a large grassy field where you can buy a bottle of wine and picnic with friends, and an outdoor wine bar.This is an excellent place to visit with friends. I recommend making reservations if you wish to sit inside or on any of the tables that are covered. However, the outside uncovered tables and the entire grassy field are completely open! When we came, we bought a bottle of white wine, brought a blanket, and just hung out and had a picnic. It was a great time.The facilities are super clean and the staff are really nice. Just be aware that sometimes people will book events here and you might not be able to stay as long as you want without a reservation, so take note of that and call ahead.There is plenty of parking here and it's pretty easy to get to. I'd recommend bringing sunblock if you plan on being outside. Also, bring a camera because there are some fantastic places to take pictures and you are welcome to walk around the immediate property to take photos!

This used to be a nice place. Its awful. They change their whole set up. Kids are not allowed. Picnic food is not allowed. I would never recommend to anybody again. What a terrible experience. Please if you are looking for a chill day at a winery go anywhere else. They think they are Napa or something.

It is always lovely to visit there. I have had membership over a year now and I'm very satisfied!Added on Oct 14, 2024I still have their membership and just went to their member release party. I love it here!!

Concannon Vineyard is situated in Livermore CA founded by James Cannon in 1883. Excellent vineyard supposed to be the 2nd biggest in California. Went there on 16th April on weekend. Is huge but at the time of my visit there was no grapes crop, may be not the season however the vinery was functioning. You can taste their wines and also purchase. Excellent wine to taste but if you are in a group of 8 or more then you have to take prior reservation or else you can walk in for tasting and purchase. There was a discount of up to 40% in purchase of 6 or more bottles of wine. Lots of place for sitting to consume your wine both inside and outside the billing. There's a big lawn with chairs and table for that. Excellent Vineyard.

Christmas wine train was great. Look forward to tastings throughout the year

Great place to hang out and relax with a bottle or just tasting. My wife and I are members here. Good product and the grounds are beautiful. Reservations are needed.

That's a solid winery and I would recommend going. Beautiful grounds for a picnic or some Instagram stuff if you're into that. I am not a wine connoisseur, so I won't pretend to know what I'm talking about. We got a bottle of white wine cause it was real hot out and I didn't hate it at all, that's a win!

Great time at wine tasting. It being a Christmas from Mt daughter

excellent wines. great service. beautiful views.

What a beautiful property and amazing history behind the place. Christian was a great informative host as well journeyed through the wines they have to offer. If you are looking for a beautiful venue to sip wine on a nice day, this is it!

10+ stars ✨This has been a staple for our family for a long time, but two things stand out…1- My husband was newly introduced to Concannon wines in 2017. He coveted our tasting etched glasses. He broke one in 2022. I visited the tasting room as they were closing for the day (I didn’t realize the time) and Ashley and a manager took such great care of me… figuring out which glass broke, grabbing from a box in a back room, and situating it with my shipping order.2- My husband broke another freaking glass in 2024. I happened to be back in Livermore, stopped in the tasting room, and before I could finish the “do you remember me?” question, Ashley says, “Glass, right?” Over a year later!! She not only made our day of rosé great, she grabbed glasses so I could find the right one and got my stuff ready for shipping along with a friendly, fun attitude.THIS. THIS is why I love certain vineyards. Concannon, you crushed it in more ways than one!!

Busy busy busy. At the wine tasting room no one was there to tell us where to start, finally found a place by the counter and it was just several empty glasses no one was cleaning up. We moved from there because again no one helped us, by the third counter a lady told us somebody else will help us because she was waiting for a group, the guy tried to help but the cashier register didn’t work. We decided to go outside and more than 1/2 of the tables where reserved. We got a bottle of Chardonnay and it was ok not great.By the time we left it was extremely busy.

In addition to their great wines, we enjoy visiting Concannon Winery due to their friendly staff. My wife and I had a very nice time on our most recent visit, and Luella was a big part of that; she was super friendly, knowledgeable, managed the times perfectly between wines… ask for her on your next visit!

I've been going to Concannon Vineyard for the past 10 years, in fact it was the first Livermore winery I ever visited. Unfortunately, yesterday was my last and final visit.I booked a Terrace tasting for 4 adults, a tasting I have done many times there, including 3 weeks ago. Yesterday however I brought along my 5 year old son and was told upon check-in "Sorry, no kids allowed". Which surprised me because I've been to Concannon in the past and there were kids everywhere - seated at tables, playing in the grass, etc. - it was a family place. Apparently 2 years ago they decided that kids are not allowed on weekends, which they mentioned was stated in the fine print of my reservation confirmation email - which is true - but who reads the fine print of those? Certainly not I, I've done hundreds of tastings all over California and have never seen this kind of policy. Nonetheless, I should have caught it and didn't, and that's on me. I booked several other tastings that day and none of those confirmation emails had a such a clause. Thankfully, after being coldly rejected by Concannon we went to Page Mill Winery right down the street and they seated us immediately. And Wente after that. In fact, when we were paying the bill at Wente our sommelier commented on how well behaved our son was. Yeah no kidding, we're responsible parents with good manners and raised our son right, he is a fine little gentleman.In closing, I am disappointed and extremely frustrated by the "no kids" weekend policy and will not be visiting Concannon again. I will go to all the other Livermore wineries who don't have this ridiculous policy. Or Napa. Or Sonoma. Basically everywhere but Concannon. I've been visiting wineries for decades and these days I like to bring my son, and that's exactly what I'm going to keep doing. Concannon used to be a family place, but no longer. Out of respect, I'm still giving them 3 stars for all the good times I had there prior to my recent visit, but they will never see me again.

4.5

(317)

4.5

(148)

4590 Tesla Rd, Livermore, CA 94550, USA

4 lists

I’ve lived in fremont for 18 years and Lake Elizabeth park is amazing. It’s in front of my house and beautiful in every aspect. I go there for morning and evening walks and it just makes me happy and relaxed. It has a breathtaking view and people come from far away just for this park and I’m lucky to live right in front of it. It’s huge beautiful has everything and I love it. People come here for all type of occasions like water peddling and parties. There are different playgrounds across the park. It has everything you need. Everything about this park is perfect.

Central Park and Lake Elizabeth in Fremont is a hidden gem that offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This picturesque park is adorned with lush green gardens that burst with color and vitality, creating an inviting atmosphere for visitors of all ages.The centerpiece of the park is Lake Elizabeth, a tranquil body of water that adds a touch of magic to the landscape. The lake is often dotted with ducks and geese, gracefully gliding across the surface, adding to the park’s charm and providing delightful moments for families and nature enthusiasts.Encircling the lake is a well-maintained walking track that invites you to take a leisurely stroll or an invigorating jog. In the evenings, the weather is typically pleasant, making it the perfect time to enjoy a walk around the lake. The path is popular among locals, who cherish the opportunity to unwind and connect with nature amidst the calming sounds of water and the rustling of leaves.Parking at Central Park is abundant and convenient, ensuring that visitors can easily access this beautiful haven. Whether you're planning a picnic, a casual walk, or simply a moment of reflection by the water, Central Park and Lake Elizabeth offer a rejuvenating experience that captures the essence of Fremont’s natural beauty.

I lived in Fremont for 2 years but never discovered this park until I moved and got back to visit! Where had I been?? This is the park I would go to walk my dog every week if I ever known about.I lived closer to Alameda creek trails, maybe that’s why! 😆It’s beautiful here tho, especially the lake and the Mission Peaks view behind!

I love coming to this park even before my sons were born. Both are now in high school and we sill come here when we get the chance. We have so many good memories in this park and I'm glad it still is well maintained to this day. Biking or walking around the lake is our favorite family activity. I also love watching the birds and ducks here.

This park is having wonderful walking strip about 2 miles along the banks of Elizabeth lake. Water birds like duck , Pelican etc are moving in the lake and it is very soothing for mind as you move along the walking strip

A versatile spot whether you want to spend a quiet evening gazing at the geese or want an energizing workout of a few miles around the lake or have a fun-n-frolic picnic with family and friends or read a nice book under the shade.There are picturesque views of lake, mission hills, birds and a variety of trees that you might want to click for your photo album.For those interested, the Fremont Main Library is close by and also offers views of the lake area.Lake Elizabeth would rate as one of the top places of visit in Fremont.

Beautiful park with a large lake that you can walk / bike around.There are multiple play structures and picnic areas here that can be reserved in advance.During the hotter times, it’s nice to go here as it is cooler than the surrounding areas.Throughout the year, you’ll be able to see flocks of geese and if you’re lucky, some little ones.

It’s a beautiful park in Fremont area. It is 2 miles loop around Lake Elizabeth which is good for walking/running. Plenty of space for Picnic in this park. Apart from too much crowd on weekends, this is our favorite park to get the steps in for a day.

A very cute park with friendly people, some duckies and some aggressive geese 🙄 the park has a small lake overlooking the hills. There's plenty of parking and benches around the lake to sit and have your peace and quiet.

Great place to hike spring events. Was here recently to see the SF Unicorns to meet their fans. Hundreds of people attended the event. Great to meet the players and their family. Lots of parking.

We love this park! The skate park is amazing, the playgrounds ( yes, 2 playgrounds) are great and of course who doesn't love walking around the lake. I would recommend this place to anyone in the area. Parking can get a bit packed because of the water park attached to this park but worth the while!

A very good park for persons of all ages. Has defined children's play area. Has very good walk way around the lake in central park. Has wheelchair accessible parking and entrance to the park.

As a nanny i enjoy finding different parks for my clients children to play in. The young 5yr old boy i brought here today really enjoyed himself alot!! The sabercat play area is awesome. Lots of intriguing ways to climb and awesome slides he said heehee. We will be adding it to our regular stops on our daily park travels.

Nice park around the Elizabeth lake. You can walk all around the lake and it takes only about half an hour. A nice place for children and families to enjoy the evening. There's a lot of birds in the evening.

The lungs of Manhattan. I don't know a single New Yorker who has not visited this place. The best place to relax and breathe in fresh air with over a 100 acres of greenery. You will get to see a lot of very talented musicians, singers and artists along the centre. You can spend an entire day walking and rejuvenating there. A must see place for tourists.

The park was absolutely beautiful, and it provided a fantastic experience, especially in the early evening. Finding it was a breeze, and there was ample parking available. I particularly enjoyed the small dock area and the various water activities offered.The weather was delightful with sunshine and a pleasant breeze. We encountered an abundance of wildlife, including geese, birds, and even a few raccoons. Lake Elizabeth was impressively large, but we managed to walk around it a few times.The park was bustling with people, creating a lovely and lively atmosphere. I wholeheartedly recommend it to others!

It's a very big park and absolutely a beautiful place to hangout. There is kids play area and restrooms available at the park. The trial around the lake is beautiful during sunset. You can also enjoy the ducks and birds around the park and lake.

I didn’t really like to stay in the park for too long since sunset was beginning. It’s a nice and beautiful park to go to. I usually go here since I live in Fremont.The course of this park is 2 miles when going around it. Really good for walking and jogging.People usually come here especially on the weekends to picnic and host parties. You really capture good sceneries here. Also, there are times that geese swing by to this park and it’s been like this for years.I highly recommend coming to this park as early as you can, because sunset comes in too early.

Nice park for a picnic, waking around Lake Elizabeth (2 miles), relax in grass, seat in a bench and just observe the ducks in the water. View of the mountains, especially Mission Peak.

I had a wonderful time at this big park! The serene walk around the lake was truly refreshing. The natural beauty, lush greenery, and the calming presence of the lake made it a perfect escape from the city's hustle and bustle. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or just looking for a peaceful stroll, this park has it all. I can't wait to return and explore more of its scenic trails. A hidden gem in the heart of the city! 🌳🚶‍♀️🏞️

We always have a great time here at the park when I come great people from the Fremont and surrounding area

Sprawling park by the lakeside with plenty of space and amenities to relax and enjoy with family/friends.This is a definite go to place in the Bay area if you wish to spend some quality time with family and friends. Many play places with amenities for children are available in different areas of the park. Also there are playgrounds for grownups to play outdoor games like soccer, volleyball etcToilets and drinking water facilities are available at different points in the park.This place is a paradise for walkers and cyclists. A brisk walk around the perimeter of the lake takes about 40 mins , cyclists will take much less.Highly recommended!

This is a huge park where you can bike or walk around the lake. My son loves to fly his kite here too. We love doing barbecues here.

4.6

(6592)

4.5

(227)

40000 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538, USA

16 lists

Wow what a Charming and Beautiful Garden! Truly happy we get to explored this place! Definitely a Breath of Fresh Air! My first time at this Garden and I'm very excited! These Flowers smells so good!Located in the Palo Alto Area, off of Waverley Street, this Garden is well kept and surrounded by many other beautiful home in this Area.This Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden have lots of beautiful Plants, Roses, Many Flowers, even Vegetables and Herbs too! Super Nice! Quite lovely Settings!I definitely enjoyed the Cool breeze here! Plenty of Sunshines! We were like two kids in a Candy Store!😆We had too much fun walking around, taking pictures, and exploring the entire place! Great experience!I will Absolutely return in the Spring!

Lovely little garden with a good variety of flowers and vegetables. Very well maintained ground and beautiful scenery all around especially in spring time when flowers are blooming. Free entrance and free parking lots too. The historic house section of the garden may be closed for hosting events.

Cool, pristine and a welcoming place. The flowers, trees, the well manicured garden… all of it is very well maintained. When on Palo Alto, it’s a must visit. If you’re living close by, go for that therapeutic stroll or a walk everyday. Make the most of it.

Love this free admission, dog friendly garden. Our favorite time to come is end of March-beginning of April to see the two huge silvery pink cherry blossom trees, tulips and the wisteria lane. Please note they often have events on weekends which takeover half of the gardens (including the wisteria area) but still worth a visit regardless.

Small beautiful public garden with a nice little house and free parking. Highly recommend. Well kept facility, great for photography. The house has much more restrictive hours than the garden so don't confuse the two

Some of the most beautiful and healthy plants I have ever seen. Huge flowers and glossy perfectly green leaves, the volunteers clearly put a lot of effort into this garden. Entering the historical building I was impressed by how well preseved the house was. Really felt like stepping into a different time.

Made a stop here recently on a warm summer afternoon. The gardens are beautiful. I loved the various areas and carefully labeled specimens. There are some nice benches near fountains for a bit of quiet rest. There was a water fountain where I could refill my bottle which was very much appreciated.Lots of native bees are buzzing, but definitely some bees were infected with the fly parasites that are currently plaguing the bee population. It's sad but the garden staff are doing what they can to provide plenty of food, pollen, and homes for these bees.

A beautiful garden with benches to sit and enjoy your time. Great place to take photos, read, learn and even volunteer. Plenty of parking, there's no fee to enter.

What a beautifulThe flowers are in full bloom, painting the landscape with vibrant colors and filling the air with a delightful fragrance

First time visit during its festival date.Great garden with great booths showing off nice and interesting trinkets and demonstrating club members' aspiring enthusiasm and dedication.

Fabulous free garden! Heavenly for gardeners with all the themed beds. Easy-to-walk paths. Lots of folks visiting on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Several photographers were doing portraits. Beautiful even in November. The volunteers maintaining this place are doing such a good job. Fabulous visit!

I came here on Easter. It's a really beautiful garden. It's on the small side, but the variety of flowers is amazing and you can see how much work they've put into it. I loved seeing all the different kinds of spring flowers. Lots of tulips, poppies, bluebells, irises, anemones, and many other kinds of flowers. They even had a cherry blossom tree (which was just starting to bloom). It was busy, but not too busy, and there was plenty of space to walk around (many paths). I would definitely come back here when I'm in the area.

I loved my time visiting this garden!! There are a variety of plant and flower species making it fun to walk around and explore. Also the flower species are labeled with signs; I appreciated learning their names and the attention to detail.The colors of the flowers are vibrant and full of life. Each section of of the garden had its own unique charm.They have a bulletin board with different events the garden holds such as: yoga, tai chi, and succulent arrangement class.I felt grateful for my time outdoors at the Gamble Garden.

Beautiful park. Full of flowers and plants. Small area for picnic

A fun place to spend for an hour or two with your kids or friends on a free guided tour. The garden is very nice, volunteer maintained, and you can imagine what life must have been like in the 1900s. There is a gazebo, former horse stable, a former water well pumping location, everything a rich family of the 1900-1980s could have. Today is mostly decorative flowers and succulents in the garden. You can rent it for events too, like a wedding.

I love this place and can never get enough!This garden is spectacular and changes seasonally. Worth a lot more than the price of admission which Is Free! Really well thought out with flowers, shrubs, trees, annuals and perennials a great combination of native plants, and a sampling of edibles that you can grow at home. There’s a restroom facility, benches and plenty of paths to stroll through. Great photo opportunity spot !

A garden that is small but has a potential for amazing influence... Gardening and maintenance were very well done, and it was optimized for small weddings and banquets. We visited to attend a friend's small wedding and everything was dazzlingly beautiful and moving.However, since they couldn't use speakers, they hired a small wind band, but rather it became a synergy and harmonized perfectly.We hadn't imagined this garden until we arrived, but were amazed to see that it actually exists.It is recommended as a great place to spend a meaningful day for an anniversary or small event, and it is also a beautiful place to just spend a lazy afternoon.

Gorgeous garden!I saw some couple having their photoshoots there…

Love the gardening ? You ll enjoy this block full of beautiful flowers and plants. It give you names of every flower you see. I volunteered to help them maintaining their garden every week.Come and bring your camera ..it’ll be fun and very creatively!I’ll recommend to all ages to enjoy and learn more about gardens.

I like it here very much. I can enter the garden for free. There are enough parking spaces along the street. It is very quiet and safe. As soon as I entered the garden, I could see all kinds of flowers filling the whole garden at a glance, full of spring, which made me forget the cold of the abnormal weather in early spring. The garden design is very reasonable, so that you can walk comfortably in the garden path, enjoy all kinds of flowers of various colors that I can't see usually, and listen to the sound of running water and birds singing from time to time from the fountain, oh! wonderful! This is a good place to take photos and relax. We don't have time to go into the building. I'm sure it must be great, too! It is worth recommending!

My wife and I were so taken by the flowers here that we only took 444 pictures of them!If you are a flower lover, this is a beautiful and free garden to visit any time you need some inspiration and refreshing. I've been there once now and expect to visit many times again! I hope to hit all the seasons so I can see everything in bloom.

4.7

(942)

4.5

(117)

1431 Waverley St, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA

10 lists

It is great place to learn the history about Hoover Couple, their education, business and political life. You can pay $8 person to take elevator to the top of tower to take 360 degree view about the whole campus. Feel so good when you stand the high point to view the campus. Really impressed about it. Worthy to pay to do it. They also list the Watergate important inside story. Worthy to recommend friends to visit here.

The Stanford College Campus is outstanding. Stanford is a top California Bay Area College. The Stanford Campus has many free art exhibits spread out through out the landscape. Including, Hoover Tower. Unfortunately for us, when we arrived the tower was closed due to COVID restrictions.. While on campus, we did learn that the Leland Stanford Museum is free of charge. We had an amazing experience at Stanford and we recommend a visit.

Cool spot to get a Birds Eye view of the Stanford campus and surrounding neighborhoods and building structures. On a clear day you can see the mountains in the distance. The first floor also contains a small museum containing some unique artifacts about the history (Lou Henry Hoover) and some new exhibitions (election integrity) was the exhibition when I went.

Thanks for updating your holiday hours on Google, Stanford.👎It's always nice to walk through the rain and see the Hoover Tower closed when you get to the door - when your Google profile says you're open.Thought you guys might be a little more current on technology 😎

You need to pay a ticket but you don't have a place to leave your bag securely. And you cannot take it on the lift.

Great way to view the campus and Silicon Valley from above! The Stanford campus is absolutely beautiful. There is a guide that was so helpful in pointing things out to us as we viewed the area. Well worth the $5.

Nice view. Students can get on the tower for free by showing ID.

Hoover Tower at Stanford University is a tall, iconic building that offers great views of the campus and surrounding area. It houses a library and archives, making it an important place for research. Visitors can take an elevator to the observation deck to see stunning panoramic views. It's a popular spot for both students and tourists to visit.

One of male employee is very rude.We are a group of four adults, carrying a baby. He enforced us storing our bags in an open cabinet, told us it is “the policy” to leave bags behind but they are **not** responsible for them. We don’t think it is safe enough so we had to leave two persons behind to watch for the bags while other people in the group going up, while waiting in the lounge I sat down on a chair next to the cabinet, but was asked to stand up, I asked why I’m not allowed when it’s so obvious that putting a chair there is for people to sit on, he told me it is “the policy”.When I thought it is the end of the story, the male employee keeps coming back and checking on us, making us feel we’re some kind of criminals, saying stuff like “I’m not being difficult but there is a policy”. Ok i got it but why repeating it? We felt so uncomfortable at the end and returned the ticket instead.

A historical and architectural marvel! Thought-provoking, insightful, and inspirational! A destination when on the "farm".

Amazing view of a beautiful campus. Bring your coat to the top cause it gets windy up there. Be aware that you can't take any large bags to the top, and there are no lockers or anything there. So your large camera bags and such may be an issue. Staff was really cool and knowledgable. Was a bit bummed to not be allowed to take photos inside because it's really cool in there, not sure why they are like that, kind of a silly rule. Overall though I am glad we went up to the top!

Go up with the elevator and enjoy a 360° view over the Campus and far inside the land. The tower has to exhibitionhalls, one about the live of President Hoover. The visit is free. Open till 16h.

A must see when visiting the campus. The nearby fountain complements the tower nicely. The stairs in front of Stanford Memorial Auditorium building are a great spot for pictures with the tower and the fountain.

Nice view if Stanford campus

Hoover tower is a must visit if you are at stanford campus. It has an amazing view of the whole university and if the weather is clear it will be a very good idea to go anjoy the view. Bear in mind that there is an entrance fee to go to the top unless a student from Stanford can come with you; then entrance is free (One student can take 5 people with them to the top for free)

So beautiful. It's definitely worth going up the tower and taking up the view.

If you happen to visit Stanford you can get the entire campus view from here .4$. For the elevator at the towerAmazing views .Avg time spent 30-45min

Lovely area. Attended the Hoover Institution Education Summit 2022. Great work being done by HESI and CREDO to improve the lives of children by way of High Quality Education. The research they offer on K-12 Education modes & policies are great to know and use.

4.5

(888)

4.5

(284)

550 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305, USA

5 lists

Gorgeous historical church this should not be missed while visiting San Jose. Unfortunately I did not have time to visit inside only the front of the mission

Small mission compared to the others. Colorful history of mission san jose from reconstruction, to reconstruction.

The Mission San Jose otherwise known as Misión del Gloriosísimo Patriarca San José. Is a wonderful place to visit. There is a fee to pay for entering ($10 adult, $7 children) but is worth it. Beautiful archeology artifacts and has a site to see a video. The Mission San Jose has a beautiful church, garden, and cemetery.

Loved visiting this place again. Gift shop has a nice selection of beautiful rosaries, rings and bracelets. The self-guided tour was $10 per adult when I went. They also provided a pamphlet/laminated paper with information on the Mission and objects you’ll see when walking around.

I came here for my presentation, but it's a really beautiful and peaceful place to visit with your friends and family!

Staff was very friendly and we were able to still see the museum and church although closing in 30 mins. Great experience and new learning as well for the kids!

We are doing all of the missions in CA and this was our seventh one. It was lovely to view, I would say I liked the museum the best. So much history and so much fun, the gift shop was lovely as well. We did like the church, but, of course there were tours of kids in there and more visitors, so it kind of took away the magic, but it was very beautiful and we enjoyed viewing it all. The surrounding grounds are gorgeous to view as well.

This was an excellent Mission to visit. 100% recommended.

The history of the missions is incredible, both the good and the bad. This location delved into both without undue prejudice. The church is beautiful, and the museum was definitely worth the entrance cost!

Cost is 10 dollars. We didn’t walk the museum but we did have time to visit the gift shop. This mission looks really nice on the outside. We didn’t have the chance to tour it due to time travel but it’s located in sAn Jose California. One of the Missions along the Mission route. Opened at 10am the morning we visited.

Wonderful staff. Great place to visit.

Amazing place to learn about the missions. The video was informative and the church was beautiful. Our family hopes to attend mass there soon.

Entrance cost: $10 adult, $7 children (6-12)

A must see in the Bay Area, especially with kids to learn about the Mission history in the Bay Area. Expect to spend about 2-3 hours. $20 for adults and $7 for kids.Museum has nice displays of life and times of Native Americans (Ohlone) of this region and the Spanish missionaries who baptized them. There is a video viewing room at the end, the 20 minute video is a must watch - pretty much gives you the background of all the Spanish names of roads/cities/landmarks in the Bay Area.From the museum gift shop you take the door to visit the rebuilt adobe-brick old church. Walking into this church takes you back 200 years. Such beauty and peace inside. We were there for Good Friday service and it was incredible to hear the live organ playing music that filled the inside of the church! A side door in the church takes you out to the 200-year old graveyard with tombstones from that era.

Trying to decompress and chill after a long few night shifts out of town, plus wanted to read up on and see more of Fremont, CA.Staff was kind and I was the only person there when they first opened at about 09:15 or so... made for a very meditative ans serene experience to fully enjoy the mission without others interrupting the experience.I purchased a Souvenir shirt to support the mission in a small way and I belive the fee was $10 entrance, but the cashier gave a medical discount of $5 for me to pay instead (another reason why I decided to buy a shirt lol). Appreciated this gesture!Taking landscape photos that capture light and shadow or muted colors and focused foreground with unfocused background is my "happy place" I thoroughly enjoy capturing "moods" of old buildings, architectural beauties, and unique plant life... so I did a series of photos.Would definitely recommend this mission for school age tours, a family outting on a nice day, or for the individual looking to spend some time with their Maker. The garden and fountain is relaxing over a cup of coffee.Worth a road trip!

4.5

(496)

4.5

(95)

43300 Mission Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539, USA

3 lists

A short video to share with you all.https://youtu.be/Q9Q7FaMrTIc?si=K21GoDc2JIS_Lpr8A regional park with great Lake where you can swim, fishing and lots of more water activities. You can also rental boat to go around the lake in an hour. Good views along with the trails and many different routes depends on how long you want to hike. A parking fee required.

Good view with lake and grassland! There is a small parking lot with availability of more than 20. But you may park on the opposite side of the road. Multiple choices for hiking, the main route is wide enough for the stroller. Besides, it’s a perfect place for walking a dog here, and also for kids at all ages. Mobile toilet and washing facility are available next to the parking lot.

While the main entrance was closed due to washouts of trails from flooding, we found a nice open trail at the end of arroyo that landed us a piece of the lake. The trail was fairly easy, but we stayed on the main path and doubled back after reaching the lake instead of continuing on. Dogs can go off leash 200 yards from the trail head. Beautiful hike. Will definitely go back and explore a little more.

Beautiful trails and lake. I did camping too. Rest rooms are quite new and there are a lot of insects in rest room. Otherwise it's a very nice camping spot

Del Valle is a beautiful County park 🏞️. It offers day use, camping, hiking 🥾, swimming, boating, fishing and equestrian 🐎 use. There is easy access ♿ to persons with limited mobility. The marina and boat rentals are operated by a concessionaire. The marina store is well stocked. If you choose to rent a boat on their discounted offers make sure you ask and understand the convoluted prices that are not clear on the website. This park is a real gem 💎 in the east bay area.

Nice Park with friendly staff but the patrons don’t clean up after their dogs, there’s a lot of poop everywhere. The picnic areas are plentiful, restrooms are clean and I live the fact that they have lifeguards.

The park is very beautiful with the amazing lake and mountain views. There are multiple trails for walking around the lake and on the mountains. There are also a marina where you can rent a kayak or boats. Definitely a nice place to have a fun day with your family and friends.

My bike got beat up! 💓Beautiful views, multiple trails 👣Next time I return MTB I'll have a better bike! (Advanced trails, need good brakes!)For Kayaking I will touch the waters next week!Plenty of body water for fishermen.-Great spot right in between the bay and C.V*Begginers: Bring Plenty of H20 and Snacks-Hills are steep / Read the heat report the day prior of your hike 🚶‍♂️*MTB'ers: Good Brakes are a must, or you will risk crashing into a Cow 🐄😉, Trust me - It can happen!

Great place to be with the family. Nice and secluded, had never been there until this past head wave. They have great changing rooms and an arean to rinse off with fresh water. The only downside is that the water is not so clean, lots of duck poop and only certain area to swim on.

Beautiful National park right in our backyard!The drive is about 40min from San Jose and is beautiful even for just a scenic drive.Once you arrive, there is a parking fee, which was $10 when we went. There is a campground and quite a few picnic areas with bbq grills. We brought picnic blankets and chairs with a few coolers of food. If you turn left instead of right, that area has stairs to go down to the beach water area.The “beach” area is mostly gravel. You can swim there and rent kayaks as there is a camper with rentable floaties and water gear. Restrooms are upkept well.The weather has been nice so the scenery is green and beautiful. We were able to see some deers and hawks all within 100ft of us.

We opted for East Shore Trail to Venados group camp which is a 2.5mile hike. It was suitable for my toddler who loved hiking along the stream. Couple of picnic tables were also available on the way, but restrooms were not too tidy though. Plenty of parking spots were available.

Great park! Dog friendly ($2 fee extra to the $6 entry fee). There’s even section where you’re allowed to have your dog off leash.The one downside is that, if you’re meeting people there, make sure to confirm your meeting spot ahead of time since you can enter to the south and to the north of the lake, and once you’re there, there’s zero cell reception until you get to the top of one of the hills.

Beautiful park, scenic throughout with plenty of hiking trails and picnic areas. Dog friendly 👍🏼 There is a $10 fee to enter the park but well worth it

We have been using Del Valle Lake for all of our kayaking trips and also hiking the trails! It is so beautiful and serene on the lake but the trails can be hot and brutal during the summer! They do offer camping sites next to the lake but it is under construction after a bad winter, it’s closed until further notice ! It’s the best lake for kayaking and we’ve been coming here for years!

Walked the East Shore Loop to Lake Del Valle, a 4.4-mile trail with amazing views. The trail has no shade, so it's best to go in cooler months. If you visit in summer, start early to avoid the heat.

Good and decent place to visit. Especially the boating is awesome 👌🏻 kids will enjoy. Great view park too !! The restroom are clean and neat.

A wonderful family oriented place to picnic, hike, Kayak, canoe, fish, enjoy and learn about nature.It can get very hot in the summer and early Fall.Check website fir Kayak and canoe rental availability.Same w rules fir fishing and boating.Bathrooms near main entrance have changing areas.Good visitor center.Entrance gate line can be long.

The grass is beginning to turn green, which indicates that spring is coming. Most of the time, the hills here are full of hay. The more rain in winter moistens the place, a lot of water has been drained from the reservoir. It is full of life and has pleasant view, including cows, deers, wild geese, turkeys, eagles, squirrels, and many water birds like herons. Today we were lucky to see the soaring bald eagle, which is the national bird of the United States.

Beautiful breezy day to enjoy the trails - hillsides were lush and green! The reservoir is full & spectacular to view. Spotted two Golden Eagles - awesome to experience them flying low overhead and on the Eagle Crest trail, appropriately!🥾🌞

This is always a relaxing spot. Whether you want to swim, fish, or cruise around in your boat, you’ll enjoy the setting and pleasant weather.

There is a parking lot where you can leave your car and walk along the trail enjoying the beautiful scenery. I advise you to take care of a hat and sunscreen, and water (of course) because there are few trees and shade. We hiked this trail with our dog and we're glad we spent time here.

Truly spectacular place to hike - just keep an eye out for the cattle - they are generally just curious. Magnificent views overall and very peaceful walking or biking trails.

4.6

(3050)

4.5

(158)

7000 Delvalle, Livermore, CA 94550, USA

+46 other lists

I have been coming to this Lovely Municipal Rose Garden Every year for the last three years. The Garden is Absolutely beautiful filled with Delightful Fragrant and many Colorful Roses everywhere! Beginning of May is definitely perfect to visit this Garden. Everything is in full blooms!It is quite nice that this Rose Garden is free of admission so many people of all ages can visit this Garden and take plenty of Photographs for any occasions! It is definitely peaceful and very welcoming here! I truly enjoy coming to this Rose Garden.🦋🌷😍

A beautiful, scenic rose garden in San Jose. Roses in all possible colors and sizes adorn this park. It's maintained cleanly and is filled with people performing photo shoots. An absolute treat for the eyes. There's a big lawn for half the park to have picnics and play. The rest is filled with the magnificent roses. There's ample street parking and to top it off, it's free entry as well.

The San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, located in the heart of San Jose, California, is a picturesque and vibrant public garden renowned for its extensive collection of roses and breathtaking scenic beauty. Established in 1937, this 5.5-acre garden has become a beloved destination for both locals and tourists.The garden features an impressive array of rose varieties, with over 3,500 plantings representing nearly 200 different species. Visitors are greeted with a dazzling display of colors and fragrances as the roses bloom throughout the year, creating a serene and enchanting atmosphere. The well-manicured pathways and meticulously maintained flowerbeds add to the charm, making it an ideal spot for leisurely strolls and photography.Beyond its floral splendor, the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden offers vast meadows and open spaces perfect for picnics, relaxation, and recreational activities. The expansive lawns and shaded areas under the mature trees provide a tranquil setting for visitors to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty.The garden is also a popular venue for various functions and celebrations. Its picturesque surroundings make it an ideal location for weddings, family gatherings, and community events. The large, open spaces can accommodate a significant number of guests, ensuring a memorable experience for all who attend.With its blooming flowers, variety of roses, and spectacular scenic beauty, the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden stands as a testament to the city's commitment to preserving natural beauty and providing a peaceful retreat for its residents and visitors alike. Whether for a casual visit or a special occasion, the garden offers a captivating and serene environment that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

A city park worthy of five stars! It's free, clean, safe and convenient for parking. It has several doors that allow you to enter and exit easily, but pets are not allowed in. I entered from the side with wisteria. Under the corridor covered with wisteria, I smelled the faint smell of soil and flowers, and looked at the green rose fields. At this time, the roses were not in bloom, and most of them were buds. Only occasionally, you will find a few scattered blooming flowers. There is a fountain around the railing in the garden. The water from the fountain shines brightly in the sun. The water in the pool is clean and clear. Due to the epidemic, people pay attention to keeping a safe distance. Some sit around the bench next to the fountain to bask in the sun, some sit under the blooming tree to enjoy the flowers, and some enjoy the rose fields while walking. They see those blooming flowers taking photos with their mobile phones ... Everything here feels so good! A place worth coming to! I will definitely come back in the near future, when the garden will be more beautiful and better!

This place is amazing! We went on Memorial Day and every rose bush was in full bloom. Acres and acres of roses. Some taller than my mom and aunt. The breeze carried the lovely scent of roses. We loved smelling the roses. Instagram worthy photos everywhere. There were lots of people taking photos including recent graduates in their gowns. Others were having picnics on the grass. It was a lovely time and I honestly don't know why this isn't higher on visitor lists, especially because roses bloom from May to the fall. The volunteers who tend to this manicured garden must be angels. I can see why it won best rose garden.

A very beautiful neighborhood rose garden built in 1931 and is one of San Jose's historic landmarks. There is a fountain in the center with rows and rows of roses of many different colors and varieties. There are also many arches great for taking portrait pictures. In May when the roses are blooming, many people come here to take graduation pictures and even wedding pictures. There are restrooms on site. Parking is available on the streets around the park.

One of my favorite gardens to visit. It offers beautiful backgrounds for wedding and other celebratory events. Make sure you don’t have to use the restrooms as they are highly hazardous and contaminated due to lack of hygiene and cleanliness.

I am so glad and grateful to have this in San Jose for free. It’s a must-see for visitors and even a great weekly walk for locals. It’s larger than photography can capture! Plenty of free street parking around the perimeter because it’s in a residential area. Bring your own tissues/hand sanitizer because sometimes the bathrooms are out of stock.

Had a great time walking around and seeing the roses! It was super sunny so bring a hat, the entrance is free and there is free street parking. We grabbed coffees from a near by coffee shop and took a stroll around the garden. The other side of the garden was open and there were lots of people enjoying the shaded parts of the garden. There was even a couple of people painting canvases of the flowers!

Fragrant, nice for mental health! Haha, this place was great, guess it's I'm the Rose garden district or something, but once you get to one of the gates it's a wonderful world full of many different varieties of roses. I parked on the southern most entrance on the street, easy enough to find parking, there was some broken glass, so obviously make sure you don't leave stuff out, but whatever. Seemed very well maintained and it was so pleasant to walk among the pathways of roses. Some were trellised and tall other were shrubs. Nice for taking photos. Plenty of space to find your own little area and a fountain in the middle. I believe the restrooms were closed at the time so they had porta potties.

Cute and quiet spot to walk around and see many different colored roses. This place gets busy with families and photographers taking photo shoots, which takes away from the place a little bit.You won’t need to spend a lot of time here. Ten minutes max is probably fine.

Great place to walk and take pictures as well. They still have roses even at this time in summer. So lovely. 🥰🥰 There’s so many people around even doing Yoga.

This garden was so much bigger than I expected. The flowers were so pretty but some were dying or haven’t sprouted. There weren’t that many people and it smells so good. The scene was relaxing and they have public restrooms! The parking is on the street so do be careful of on coming traffic. It’s worth going here not in the rainy season. Remember to wear sun screen!

Loved spending lunch time here. I walked around and smelled the roses. Nice benches to sit on. Be aware that the bathrooms are on opposite sides of the park (meaning women's and men's are separated at each end). Dogs are not allowed.

The Municipal Rose Garden in San Jose is a serene oasis bursting with natural beauty. The vibrant colors and fragrant blooms create a mesmerizing experience for visitors. Whether you're a flower lover or simply seeking tranquility, this garden is a perfect escape. The well-maintained pathways and neatly arranged beds showcase an impressive variety of roses. It's a delightful place for a leisurely stroll or a peaceful picnic.

This beautiful garden in San Jose is at its peak in May. Lucky to have visited it during spring to see full blooms and a splendid display of large rose varieties. :) Must visit for people who love floral beds of colorful roses. Great for photography and picnicking. Grass could have been better maintained but the roses seem healthy. Place is nice and clean. Good for couples and families alike.

Not the biggest or the best but a genuinely lovely place to relax. And I wasn't there when they were in full bloom. Different roses were all labeled and that was really cool. Passed by on accident but had seen it on Google and decided to stop, well worth the detour!

This truly is the best rose garden in America. It has so many different roses so there are almost always roses in bloom after a rain until fall. But it isn't just a rose garden as there are places to sit and walk around and just talk with friends.

This is one of the best gardens I've been to. The fact that it's free just adds to its appeal. A must see place.They have so many roses of such unique colors.They have tie-dye patterned roses!!

A free, beautiful rose garden with a wide variety of roses in different colors. The fountain adds a little touch to the place. There were plenty of picnic areas, and there were ice cream vendors as well. Great place to walk around or to take pictures. There were people out doing yoga sessions as well as couples enjoying a date here.

I felt like me and my girl got catfished by the most recent review of the place. So I'll try to reverse catfish by posting my review a bit later than when I came here. Either way, they plant a lot of different types of flowers here. I think we saw an easily countable number of flowers in bloom though, like 12 flowers when we were here though.

One of the best places in South Bay. Definitely a must visit garden especially during spring & summertime. You’ll be amazed to see the collection of roses.

The most beautiful roses that I've ever seen. The space was exceptionally clean & well kept. It is a must visit if you're in the area during blooming season.

It has entrances from three roads( Emory St, Garden Dr and Naglee Ave). Bathrooms at the entrance of Naglee Ave and Emory St. It has picnic tables but not Barbecue stands ( grills). People blocked the pathways with their pop up tents. Street parking is available on all the sides of the garden. Though it's full of roses, the aroma wasn't there.

Definitely worth checking out but disappointed to see it’s not very well maintained. Gorgeous roses here, it’s a shame it almost looks abandoned. There is thousands of beautiful roses- I hope they can improve the landscaping here. Other than that very nice to walk around and smell the roses. Also next to the airport so it’s nice to watch the planes land. It is also free, a walk in park

In the midst of business trip to San Jose, I stumbled upon the Municipal Rose Garden, a sanctuary of scents and serenity. Amidst fragrant roses, families and couples reveled in the beauty, their laughter echoing through the air. The fountain, a symbol of community, stood proudly amidst the blossoms. Under the warm sun and gentle breeze, it was a moment of tranquil bliss amidst the bustling city. Great spot for an impromptu picnic from the Italian- American grocery store down the street.

We had a few hours to kill in San Jose and this was a great stop. What an amazing park. Plenty of free parking as it is nestled in a neighborhood of very nice homes. The amount and variety of roses are truly amazing! A must see if you are in the area!

Roses are in full bloom. May is the perfect time to visit-- so many beautiful varieties. It's a beautiful backdrop for some gorgeous photos. Great to picnic on the lawn.

“A Symphony of Blooms: The Enchanting Municipal Rose Garden”Nestled in the heart of San Jose, the Municipal Rose Garden is not just a garden; it’s a sanctuary where nature’s beauty is celebrated in every petal and leaf. With over 3,500 plantings and 189 varieties, this garden is a living rainbow of colors that delights the senses1.Visiting the garden, especially in the early days of May, is like stepping into a painting where the roses are the stars of the show. The fragrant, majestic roses are arguably at their most beautiful stage, creating a spectacle that’s both visually stunning and soul-soothing1.The garden’s rolling green lawns are immaculately kept, and the blooms are so vibrant they seem to dance in the sunlight. It’s a place where families come to create memories, where friends meet to share laughter, and where individuals find a moment of peace in the bustling city1.So, to all who seek a moment of tranquility or a feast for the eyes, come to the Municipal Rose Garden. Let’s cherish and support this blooming paradise, a testament to the beauty that can be found in our own backyard. Your visit promises to be a memorable one, filled with the scent of roses and the joy of nature’s simple pleasures1.Feel free to share this review to inspire others to visit and support the Municipal Rose Garden. It’s a local treasure that deserves all the admiration it gets! 🌹✨

So many beautiful roses can't wait to go back and see them all in bloom!

We visited in November, which should have been well past the prime blooming time, but we were amazed at the volume of blooms. This rose garden is huge! Anchored by a large fountain and reflecting pond, the garden offers lots of private areas for photos or just enjoying the blooms. We enjoyed comparing colors and picking our favorite fragrances. Special place!

Enchanting! free entrance to this beautiful place! I see people having picnics. Bathroom tho is not well maintained, well it’s free what do you expect! It’s a great place for photoshoot and family time. You could spend a day here to relax get those problems away!

An absolutely beautiful place to visit when the roses are in full bloom. Was a little busy due to a large amount of teenagers getting photos done before prom, but was cute to see. The grounds are very well maintained. There is no fee and street parking is free as well.

What a beautiful garden. A lot of variety of roses. Hybrid roasted also. Huge grounds and big trees. Entry is free. A very nice place to bring kids. A big are where the can play. Nice place to have picnic. Washroom available. 👩‍⚕️ making water taps are available. It also have a fountain right in the center of rose garden. Benches are placed around fountain to people to sit and enjoy.

Unbelievable!! The most beautiful place! Large garden to enjoy. Every plant is thriving and well maintained. Amazing!!

Gorgeous and larger than expected! People picnic, walk around, were just having a great time. Good vibes and beautiful flowers (April 18 2024).

Very pleasant place. Take your drinks, food, and rug before you go. The place has seats but very limited. They have bathrooms. No trucks serve food or drinks.The parking is the streets around the whole square and it is free.

Beautiful location, and there were lots of people out there to take pictures for their special occasion. Some of the people were rude and brought a sense of entitlement with them, but we didn't allow it to spoil the moment. The gardens are for EVERYONE to enjoy, and not a single person or group should feel like they have control over specific areas for photo opportunities. Please be patient and wait your turn!

Been coming here for years. I'm a local who loves & appreciates the Rose Garden. Been coming to the Rose Garden throughout my entire life and bringing family & friends, too. It's always lovely and kept up. Smells amazing and eye candy for days. If appreciate the simple pleasures and find beauty in nature, then it's a must. There is also a lovely fountain.

Pretty nice to walk through. Beautiful roses. A nice fountain. I understand the no dog rule but I would’ve liked to be able to walk through with the babies.

This place is gorgeous! The wife and I absolutely enjoyed our time in the park. There are so many different types of roses to see and smell. The water fountain is such a nice center piece to bring the whole park together. There are plenty of sitting areas to observe and / or have lunch. The grounds are extremely well kept!

Street parking only. I went there on May 19th, 2024 and the weather was nice and warm. The roses were in full bloom, and as we walked into the garden, I could immediately smell the fragrance of those roses. This is a very nice garden for a afternoon walk, highly recommended :)

The beauty around us, in all of its simplicity sometimes goes unnoticed. Today all were observed; the cheerful chirping of birds, vibrant colors of the roses, the fragrance, the softness of pedals. The beauty in this day did not go unnoticed. It was savored, appreciated and I'm grateful for another one. Thanks universe!

4.7

(6924)

4.5

(624)

1649 Naglee Ave, San Jose, CA 95126, USA

+72 other lists

Recommend to download their app and get the audio tour. Description in museums are self-explanatory. Some portions of exhibition reminds of movie The mummy. They have nice outdoor spaces as well.

I didn't know this museum was here. Anywho, this place is awesome. It is surprisingly much larger than it looks from outside the compound. Inside the museum, there are plenty of authentic artifacts and relics to look at and to read about. The tomb replica were you walk-thru was a nice touch and gave it an immersive experience. Will definitely go back since it's local.

We visited on a Sunday, and it was definitely pretty busy. They have live tours that go on every so often. They offer discounts to student and military and senior and it's not very expensive to get in even without. There is tons to see, definitely expect to spend 2-3 hours or more here if you want to go through and read every little thing, and there is a lot to read. Tons of cool artifacts to look at, audio tour guide that you can follow in order, and several unique pieces. Definitely worth the visit. Check out the outdoor garden area too, lots of beautiful plants.

Great museum with many gorgeous artifacts. It was quite busy this Sunday, but we were able to see all exhibits at our leisure. Don't miss the tour through the tomb. It's worth your time. The exterior is absolutely wonderful.

If you are in San Jose, this museum you should visit. It's a cool place for family too. If you drive to this museum, there are two free parking (on Chapman St) behind the museum. Must visit the garden, it is beautiful. The biggest hibiscus tree I have not ever seen. If it's your first time, please stop the section behind the reception. The video shows the introduction of this museum. I love the idea they have their own app. It's so interesting to learn from this app and visit every sections. My trip for this museum was around 2.5 hrs. Love it. Strong recommend!

I've been coming here off and on since I was a kid and honestly nothing has changed and that's totally okay because now I have my own kid and he was so excited to just be around somewhere that had what was to him "monsters". We explored inside first and then afterwards he got to do all the running around in the garden.

This museum is a hidden gem and houses a wealth of history. My family and I visited late in the day and we were only able to see the main building. However, we did take a quick walk around the gardens which are beautiful. We will return to see the library next time.

Very Cool! Tons to see and read. Very Large Exihbit. Make sure you have at least 2 hours or more, to really see everything.The staff were professional and friendly.I highly recommend this museum for all ages. A great place to take your family.I recommend bringing ear pods or headphones, so that you can do the audio part, through your cel phone.Parking was pretty easy in the back. We went on the weekend.Enjoy.

You could easily lose sense of time if you are here at Rosicrucian's. It is a quaint place , telling you the history of one of the oldest & very impressive civilization on earth ! They also conduct workshops to engage visitors of all ages. Fortunately, on the day of my visit they had mummification workshop, where folks were given a kit with fake organs to wear like a jacket and the experts explained the process of mummification. It was fun and very educational. The artifacts, slabs, sculptures and the overall experience is very authentic. Also enjoy their peace garden, just roam around and you would be transferred into another world.If you get tired or need to step outside for a hot beverage, there is a Starbucks just around the corner , roughly 200 ft down the road.You must plan your next visit soon.

A beautiful historical maze that you’ll be sucked in. We spent 2 hours here and still can not fully finish all. Brilliant place with real size replica to look at. The tomb tunnel was a bit creepy but the experience was awesome.

Highlight for me when visiting this museum? The Egyptian tomb beneath it. The audio gave a detailed explanation of what I saw on the walls. This museum has plenty of beautiful relics, models of archaeological sites, sarcophagus, and even an outdoor garden to enjoy. You won't regret visiting this museum of you are into Egyptian history.

The tour of a replica Egyptian burial tomb was the best part. Very old aesthetic, inside the museum. A good amount of the museum is about death, coffins, and mummies. The lighting inside is very dim. The outside garden could be kept better. There are some nice Egyptian fixtures out there. Parking is free with a lot behind the building.

Pretty nice Collection! They have a helpful guided tour too. Wish they had lunch options on site and were stroller friendly.

My husband and I visited this museum about a year ago during our vacation. It was super interesting with lots to see and read inside. Also did the fun, little guided tour through the "tomb". The garden landscape outside was neat too.

This museum is amazing. I highly recommend a visit. The gardens are so beautiful and peaceful, and the museum's exhibits are fascinating. The overall feel of the place is wonderful! The staff was really nice too. Thank you to the organization that offers this to the community. It is a thoughtful and treasured gift!

Amazing hidden gem in the heart of San Jose. I have lived in the area for years and never thought much of going to this. It looks small from the outside but like the ancient pyramids, there's more than meets the eye! There are actually several levels inside, including an underground tunnel and recreation of a tomb deep within the catacombs. The grounds are much more extensive than what can be seen from the street and are nothing short of spectacular, including sculptures, fountains and ancient Egyptian symbols hidden amongst the myriad trees and swaying Papyrus. I'm so glad I finally went with my family! It's also reasonably priced and they even offer discounts for students, veterans and more. Do yourself a favor and take a trip through ancient history to visit Egypt in your backyard!

Fantastic collection of historic items and insightful remnants. Everything from collected pieces of tools and wares, to scale models of various buildings and temples, to even some full-body preserved remains. There's lots to see here, and it's all presented really well. There's also a guided walking tour through a mock-up of an Egyptian tomb, which is absolutely worth checking out (though it can be a bit claustrophobic in some areas). Absolutely worth the visit, and it's also worth it to check out the gardens outside the main building as well.

Very nice place not to expensive$10 for adults over 18And discounts for children under 18 and college students or MilitaryWas pretty busy. But amazingALOT to see outside as well Friendship Gardens and Koi fish on the water. Very pleasant trip.

This is our second time here and it was just as fun as the first time!! The exhibits are so informative and well laid out. We always learn something new!Must go into the Tomb it is so cool but a little dark to give the effect of being underground. So many details to look at. There is a room with diagrams of different life styles, like the queen in her room, or carpenters building, a family having dinner, etc. The details in the displays are so great and well done!Entrance cost $20 for two people and we spent a whole afternoon here. There are outside grounds you have access to before paying to enter the museum part. The outside grounds are beautiful, clean and relaxing. You could take a book and sit out there for hours!We will be back. Also staff was so friendly!

Has a fun time here. Very laid back experience. Highly recommend.Pros - Handicap accessible (stair lift). Quaint garden with plenty of areas to sit. Really cool looking buildings and structures.Cons- Some of the excerpts/summaries felt a bit repetitive. Feels like it's missing a main attraction. The alchemy section could be replaced with something more interactive.

I really enjoyed the set up of this museum, it was beautiful. There are a lot of replicas which I struggle with but also totally understand. They had actual mummies here though anf it was very interesting to see the process of this and know the stories behind the remains. I loved the alchemy section of this museum very interesting.

I can say that I thoroughly recommend this museum for all groups of all ages. The curation is diverse and entertaining. There are guided and self-guided tours with a passport system to keep track of what you've done. There are interactive games for you to play and the area itself is free to browse.They maintain their grounds well, you can tell a lot goes into keeping this place looking prim and proper. There's complimentary parking on the side and ample street parking all around.

visited the museum with children on Saturday. Entrance was free (they didn’t ask for money to leave either :) ) The children and we really enjoyed the lecture! The speaker's performance was magnificent, emotional and artistic! We looked at the exhibits and even had a chance to take a photo with a mummified cat! I recommend visiting! :)

Educative museum that contains way more inside than what it seems on the outside, with an actual preserved mummy! The grounds are beautiful too with many paths through greenery. Can be quite busy on the weekends.

Great museum to visit with kids! They have a passport book and stamps for kids to collect and it was fun way to keep them engaged.The highlight for me was the rock cut tomb! It felt very realistic and an experience that I wasn't expecting to get in a museum. We went on a weekday, and there was a guided tour of the tomb that I highly recommend!

When 1st looking into visiting, google hinted at the average stay time of 2 hrs. I stayed nearly 5 hrs and really enjoyed both the grounds and the museum (I'm a bit of an art history nerd). They allow in & out privileges, too. Parking is free, easy, and nearby. The art is incredible.

Best and one of the only Egyptian museums around. Many genuine artifacts. They have a very good current exhibition on Alchemy from the ancient world. $10 bucks gets you in so it's also one of the cheapest ways to spend a few hours.

The museum is very cool. Grandkids enjoyed it. The tomb tour was fun. Two tour guides did a very good job.But they need to hire a grounds keeper. Part of the experience is enjoying the outside areas. I couldn't because it is in such poor condition and the pond is so dirty. I was very upsetting to see the 2 Koi fish in disgusting dirty water. The peaceful garden was definitely not peaceful.

Great place for an Egypt enthusiast. I didn't see a gift shop, but we may have missed it. We enjoyed the indoor displays as well as the gardens. I'd highly recommend!

Great time, the self-guided tour was easy to follow. Accessibility can be a bit challenging, but they have ramps for all the stairs. The gardens are beautiful! So many ancient artifacts. The passport book is great for kids

What a beautifully curated museum with fine attention to detail and thorough respect to all of the artifacts!There is literally so much to see and read! It took us about 3 hours to get through the in door portion of the museum.Please make sure to spend some time in the beautiful tranquil garden and relax, eat a picnic lunch or read a book. You won't regret it!

Everyone should experience this museum if you love everything Egypt. We arrived just after opening, around 11:15a Saturday morning. No line to get in. Check in was quick. Recommend doing the tomb tour. So many great artifacts. We learn a lot each time we go. Love the Peace Garden.

4.6

(3258)

4.5

(934)

1660 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95191, USA

+86 other lists

In March we took the House tour and loved it. We came back in July to take the Walk With Spirits Tour.We had a blast! We love the tours here. Staff are so knowledgeable and friendly. The house is amazing, great for those into history and spirits.We bought our tickets online prior, which made it so easy, no wait at all. Highly recommend all of the tours they offer here.

I absolutely love the house. It's cute, quirky, and inspiring. However the tickets were way overpriced, considering it wasn't even the whole house and the inside was incredibly hot (I get that AC is quite impossible but feel like some of the money on the ticket could be spent on more and better fans), and that the tour is quite short for the price (the turnaround rate is high, which again I get, but I wish we had more time to check out every room, instead of being rushed by the next tour.) Worth visiting and it was super fun, but get ready to spend.

We were in San Jose for a concert and found the Winchester Mystery House while searching for things to do during the day, and I'm glad we did. The one hour tour was great, and our tour guide gave us some great history while injecting a lot of humor as well. It was a really good time, and we enjoyed learning about and seeing the house. All of the different features meant to confuse the ghosts were fun to see.(They were set up for a Halloween event, so some of my photos have those items in there that normally aren't set up.)

Definitely a must see in San Jose, I attended a walk with the spirits tour. It lasted around 1 hour, or guide Katy was kind and very informative. The tour takes you through a lot of the house and there’s tight spots where you have to duck and wear a hard hat. So if you have mobility issues it could be a little challenging. Theres also stairs to climb. But overall a great tour. My group had a lot of fun!

It was interesting, the house was a novelty and a fun piece of history. Sarah, our guide, was nice and very knowledgeable. My other thoughts: the tour ran about 90 minutes, which was a little long for me at the end, though the most elaborate rooms are at the end so it ends on a high note. The price is very high, totalling $90 for the two of us. I've been to a lot of historic monuments, palaces, castles, etc. and that's the highest price I've ever seen. I don't think it's worth it-as a comparison, the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey is almost half the price. Interesting, but priced too high. Tickets sell out so you might want to reserve online.

Whether you appreciate craftsmanship and architecture or are just interested after watching the movie, the Winchester house is pretty cool stop. The craftsmanship, stained glass windows, and attention to detail in every room were amazing, and these pictures do no justice. And if you know the history, of course, there are doors, stairs, cabinets of odd sizes, or that go to nothing/blocked or drop offs. It's clear that nothing was spared during the nonstop building. There is a shower, car wash, and elevators. She was very intellectual, and it shows everywhere. We did both tours while there. The main difference is the standard tour you see more rooms but do to the next group you don't always get check out as much as you may like. The explore more tour you can actually walk around more and they have opened areas not seen by public in about 90 years, you also get to go in the basement. There is a flashlight tour now that I would have loved to go on, but it wasn't an option at that time I went.

We had a great time! Tours are led by knowledgeable guides and in small groups. Emily did a great job telling us all about Sarah and her beautiful mansion. There was some info about spirits and such, but mostly very interesting and factual information. The cost of the tour goes to upkeep and restoration with original materials found on site. Truly a one of a kind place and mystery is a very fitting name for this home.

This place is amazing. We were fortunate to go during the narrow window of time when they were offering an extended version of the tour to areas that are usually off limits. Very cool. The tower room with the crazy acoustics was probably my favorite part. I love the entire house and property though. Fantastic experience. I'm so grateful that this place has been preserved. It's really cool.

What a fun experience. The house is lovingly maintained and the grounds are exquisite especially the garden. It was fun to walk around after the tour. The tour guide was informative if not rehearsed but I guess that's to be expected after saying the same thing all day every day. Kind of funny to see this house and grounds smack in the middle of the city with condos and offices around but also loved the old photos of what the area looked like when it was originally purchased. Gift shop was well stocked with everything you could imagine. Fascinating story of Sarah Winchester.

We had a wonderful time at this fabulous old home! Our guide Griffin was exceptional; kind, patient and very knowledgeable. The home itself is fascinating and beautiful, and the gardens are lovely! Buy tickets in advance and for first thing in the morning during the summer months as it does get hot!

Loved our visit to this place! Me and my bestie have always wanted to see the Winchester Mystery House and it did not disappoint! Only thing disappointing was that urban sprawl has encroached upon the surrounding area and has the essence of putting this beautiful property in a little hole. My friend always imagined it as being away from the city and on its own little land high on a hill somewhere. But still, the mansion was cool and mysterious, even during the day. My friend said she felt anxiety in one of the rooms and, for some reason, the seance room was much colder than any of the other rooms. I thought a window was open, but there wasn't! Our tour guide had a dry humor, but it was appropriate for this kind of establishment. Slightly creepy, very interesting, and just the right amount of historical facts to make the tour enjoyable. Bring your walking shoes! This place was huge!

For 13 years I've been waiting for this tour and it was worth every penny. The tour guide was fantastic, the gardens were easy to navigate and the gift shop was pretty alright. The gift shop was a tad expensive but if you want memorabilia it was perfect. I love this place and I hope to return another time.

The Winchester Mystery House tour is amazing and so completely worth visiting! Our guide, Kai, was knowledgeable, captivating, and friendly. He shared facts, not fiction, while sharing the story of Sara Winchester's life. The house is a piece of fascinating, historic architecture, full of interesting tales and visuals. I would totally take this tour again, it was so fascinating I am sure I missed things because I was so enthralled! The gardens are beautiful and so peaceful to stroll through. We went on the regular tour but will definitely go back for the Candlelight tour! Oh! And the Menagerie of Oddities & Curiosities Market that was taking place was super rad with local artisans and artists, can't wait to go back!

Truly unique experience. This place is impressive just from driving by, but when you take the tour, it's even more amazing. I was a little bothered by waking through the physical manifestation of a very wealthy person's mental illness, but that aspect also became fascinating. The hour tour led us through many rooms and stories and was well organized. Our tour group of 20 barely fit in the rooms being discussed, but we didn't have to wait long after we arrived to start. Check out the grounds while you wait for your tour. The green screen photos taken at the start turn into surprisingly good monentos with nice Winchester House backgrounds to choose from.

Loved this place. The house and grounds are beyond stunning. Parking was easier than I expected and the tour guides were fun. I enjoyed learning about the history. We did both tours and felt the price for the explore more tour was not a great value, but the $ you pay helps fund the restorations needed so I'm okay with that. Also we arrived basically one minute before our scheduled tour and they were very accommodating and offered to change our time before I could even ask.

We toured on our weekend getaway. What an AWESOME experience! Very unique! Just wish there was a little more time in between rooms; not only for pictures but to allow the available presence(s) to come through more. Faces are within paintings/pictures in pictures. Definitely does not sell short of the energy in that building! Beautiful architecture! Captivating! Now, we just need a midnight tour or sleepover! ☺️

We were driving through and I wanted to stop to see it. I have heard so much about the house. My wife and just gone on the house tour and "spirits" tour several weeks before with her girlscout troop. The girls really enjoyed both tours. We walked around the grounds and gift shop, but did not go inside. It is a beautiful home. They do a great job taking care of it! It is amazing to think it used to be a working farm, surrounded by orchards. Now it is surrounded by office buildings and apartments. If you are in the area, you have to stop and see it.

Historical aspects that were beautiful to see. Great tour guide with a sense of humor. We went in August so it was hot but we still enjoyed the tour. Lots of walking, lots of stairs, some original items, but most things were brought in to recreate the home dynamic. We definitely want to go back and see the other tour options.

Have never been here before so I will review everything I did individually….Oct 6- Unhinged experience VIP 930pmThis is a fun experience for kids, but pricey and in my opinion not worth the price.Oct 7- spirit tour 150pmFun and informative. Vic was a great host with a lot of stories and experience (I believe he has been there since 2018)Answered any and all questions- great host! A+Oct 8- mansion tourAlso fun and informative! Victoria was our host this day. It was only her second day and you would have never known it! She was wonderful. Answered all questions and was so much fun. Everyone truly enjoyed her, I feel she has a long time employment here (maybe even into the afterlife 🤣)I bundled the last 2 tours which made it a great deal. Also, these 2 tours take you to different parts and rooms of the house so I highly recommend doing both! I really loved all the stained glass in the house.

A must-see experience for every fan of the eccentric or unusual or even Victorian architecture. It's difficult to convey my feelings about the Winchester Mystery House. I'm not a believer in spooks or spirits, so the exact reason why my memory of the house has lingered at the front of my consciousness for weeks after my visit is peculiar to put it mildly. My initial impression was simply how overwhelming the maintenance of the house must be on an ongoing basis. We paid for the 10:50 am "Guided Mansion Tour" on a Saturday. Tickets were $41.99 each. Our tour guide was Marissa, a lovely young lady wearing a period costume. She was professional, enthusiastic about the property (she referred to the Winchester House as a "home" throughout the tour), and a delightful host. We heard some of the other tour guides that overlapped ours due to the layout of the house, and I am pleased that we were lucky to be assigned Marissa for our tour. She was great! Highly recommended!!!

We absolutely loved this house! Our tour guide Olivia Maldonado went above and beyond for our tour. We loved the architecture, history, "haunted" part and everything else. Olivia let us rest when my Make-a-Wish kiddo needed a break and we got to use ghost hunting tools in the house. We got to hear the history behind doors that lead to nowhere, the stairs that lead to nowhere, the number 13 throughout the house and so many more fun tidbits. Their gift shop is huge and super well priced. Olivia made the tour so enjoyable! 100% worth your time to go and enjoy as there's something for everyone.

We made a detour on our camping trip on our way home from the Coast of California and visited the Winchester Mystery House. You must do this tour! You'll be telling friends forever that they should go too! After we had a really great lunch in town at an upscale Mexican Restaurant just a 5 min. Walk from there. Great day!

We did an afternoon tour on a weekday. Drove there and was able to purchase tickets for the next tour. Each tour lasted about an hour and it was packed with fun facts about the house.I highly recommend this tour. Very unique house full of mystery and history. My kids and I all enjoyed it. Our guide was awesome!

Been wanting to go here for years and finally had the opportunity. This house was amazing. It wasn’t as creepy as I was hoping for. However, I was pleasantly surprised learning about the woman who made the house. The architecture was absolutely fascinating. Very peaceful garden. Super interesting history.

My wife and I had the opportunity to attend a TAPS Paranormal investigation at the Winchester Mystery House. I have been to the Winchester house about 4 times with my first time being about 55 years ago, but never at night and in the dark. The event was top-notch with friendly staff and knowledgeable staff from TAPS West Coast. The TAPS crew were using a vast array of equipment, and each of the guests had their own K2 EMF detector. We went into areas previously unavailable to the public. If they ever offer this experience again, do it.

This is my second time to tour this house, however it's been about 20 years since my last time.The house is beautiful as always and the gardens and renovated rooms are beautiful. If you've never been, you need to go at least once to experience.My biggest issue with the experience was our tour guide Brenda and gift shop workers. Upon being greeted for my 10:25 tour, our tour guide was friendly and greeted us. However, she was wearing a cloth face mask and most of those in my group had a hard time hearing and understanding her throughout the tour. Apparently the group just 5 minutes before ours went long on every stop so we were awkwardly forced to stay in the room we were in before we could advance. Our tour guide knew her script, but had no additional knowledge or stories to pass on while we were waiting to move on. Not sure what the tour guide ahead of us was saying but was evidently a lot more than what we were getting. She would only awkwardly ask if there were any questions and then gracefully give evasive answers when she didn't appear to know the actual answer to them. There were also several times we would move from one room to another, but due to the size of our group we could not all fit in the same room. Those as the back would be stuck in a hallway and again with Brenda's quiet voice and mask, none of what she said could be heard.The tour has added some special effects like the earthquake and videos in some of the stained glass. Those were a cool update.Lastly, I generally found the staff in the gift shop were not very helpful. They seemed to be more interested in having their own non work related conversations between each other than to help customers. When trying to check out, one employee rang me up and gave me a total, told me I had to go to another register after I said I was paying with cash. At the next register my total was almost 10 dollars more. Upon bringing it to the cashiers attention, she found she made the mistake however there was no apology or any indication that she had cared she over charged me.In the gift shop there were several old vending games but every one of them was out of order. Throughout the property a lot of things seemed to be out of order.All in all, still a cool place to visit but it doesn't seem the employees are nearly as invested in giving a great customer experience as they had been in the past.

This place is awesome! It's a little costly but it's worth the hour long tour through 110 of the 160 rooms. We did the normal tour which is 110 rooms and the "Explore More" one is all 160. We had a very nice funny tour guide, his name was Will, and he was so nice. There was only one downside that would be that all of the areas we were going through had so many doors everywhere and we wanted to see them but they were usually blocked off or had a chain, and I think you can see them for $30 to $40 more dollars per person for the Explore More. So I recommend checking out the Winchester house

This was our first time visiting. For some reason I wasn’t expecting this beautiful mansion to be surrounded by large commercial type buildings and concrete but that’s exactly what it was. The mansion tour itself was interesting. I appreciate the fact that the “earthquake room” was left as it was the day Ms. Winchester was rescued. I do wish that the furniture would have been the original furniture but that’s out of the hands of the museum as all of the original contents was removed by family or sold off in an estate auction long ago.Our tour guide was Alexis. She was AMAZING! and full of energy and knowledge about the history of the mansion.

Creepy but fun! Definitely has spooky vibe, but we had a good time. We had a novice guide so she did her best. Would like to go back during October and do the nighttime tours! 👻

Impromptu visit on Saturday--reserve your tour ahead of time online. They seem to fill up fast!Wish the tours had a smaller group limit so that we could see a little more of the house and spend more time with tour guide.Overall, the home is amazing.If you enjoy Victorian design and stained glass, then this is a must see.Great way to spend some time in downtown San Jose if the weather is nice.Brenda was our guide and she was very friendly and hospitable.

This was my favorite part of our trip. The house was absolutely beautiful, if you love architecture and history this is the tour for you. I am spacing the name of our guide but she was fantastic, we had a larger group with a couple of kids and that made it harder to hear a few times and she was so patient and willing to answer any questions or repeat herself if necessary. The house has so much history and Sara's story is sad and amazing at the same time. It's sad to see how much of her land is gone to massive buildings surrounding the current grounds but happy to know it's a historical landmark now so it will be preserved. A must see for sure.

Experience: really good experience. The house is exactly how you would imagine, quirky rooms, strange staircases, lots of windows and very unique features.The tour guide was very informative and knowledgeable but he went too fast. As soon as he finished telling us about the area we were in, it was time to walk on to the next area. So there was not much time to take it all in.It would have been nice if he spoke just a tad slower and paused before moving on.In their defense though, there is ALOT of information to cover. The house has so much character.I recommend visiting if you have a spare couple of hours.

The Winchester House offers an unforgettable experience. The mansion's beauty is matched only by the quality of the guided tour. Each corner reveals intriguing stories, expertly explained by the guides. Exploring its mysteries is a true delight, making it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an enriching and captivating experience in history and architecture.

Very interesting tour. Took so many photos and the guide, Griffen(?), was great and well versed in his subject. This is a place that needs to be seen, describing it only does a disservice to the place. Highly recommend.

This was a MUST-DO experience and the only reason we booked an extra night of our trip in San Jose and I have no regrets.Arizona was a fantastic tour guide and you could tell she had a real appreciation for the house and Sarah Winchester. I love the architecture and the storytelling of the mansion and the people in it. Also thought I lost my wallet for a few minutes and the person in the gift shop was immediately on her radio, asking everyone to keep an eye out. I was very appreciative of her compassion. (I had not lost it, just misplaced)Speaking of the gift shop, it was fantastic too! I love a good gift shop.

This has been on my bucket list for decades and boy did it deliver. We went on both the Basic Mansion tour and the Explore More tours. All together it took around 3 hours for both tours and walking through the gardens. Both tours are so fun and entertaining. The tour guides tell stories and share details. Both tours are so different, that I am glad I took both. The Explore More really takes you into the bowels of the Mansion. You even wear a hard hat and do a lot of bending as you Explore the cellar and never before seen rooms. This was so fun and my 18 year old son and my wife all agree that it is in the top destinations we have ever visited. This should be on everyone's bucket list. It delivers!!

I love this place. It's been twenty plus years since I've been over here so I thought I should check it out again. It's amazing how much you forget over the years. It's just a neat old quirky house. The story behind it really does enhance the experience. We only did the house tour because it was raining. Like I already said, I loved it. The guide was great and there was plenty to see. Would recommend. Not a lot of pics because I was too busy looking with my eyes.

Beautiful house. I did enjoy my tour guide, Milo. Very quirky and fun. Gets really into it and knew a lot of other facts not mentioned. Although the introvert in me wouldn’t mind a self guided mobile tour as well. Very touristy with the gift shop but I did get a shirt and magnet. Was a nice piece of history. The cool part of history. Was eye easy to buy tickets online and go right inside to the waiting area.

We were there on March 12, 2024. Amazing house. We loved some of the woodworking details. Sarah had put a lot of thought into the details of the house. Some things weird, like stairs going up but nowhere, walls behind doors, etc. Our guide was knowledgeable. I would like to see a smaller group (about 4-5 persons less) so everyone can get into the rooms. Loved the bedroom areasIf you are in the area, you must visit. We enjoyed it.

Jennifer at the 4:50pm tour today was incredible. Super friendly, very knowledgeable and had lots of great insider tips. After 56 countries, one of the best tours I’ve done.Tip: It seems like the tours at :30 and :00 are far busier than those at the less common minute marks (since people like round numbers), so recommend booking those.

I have a mixed feeling about this place. The tour and the guide were great. She walked us through the house and showed some parts of the house and the history behind each part. It was great to see how people at the time were living. However, I have two complains about the tour: 1) It’s very expensive for what you get. 2) They didn’t manage to show the yard and some other parts of the house. They could have managed the one hour time much better.

Well worth a trip to see the kooky Winchester mansion. It's well furnished, and the Christmas decorations were fun and fitting in the house. The multiple sets of stairs on the standard tour are worth consideration if you're going with children, seniors, or mobility restricted people. The tour is about a mile of walking. They do offer ADA tours as well.

Emma. The tour guide was awesome and lovely to listen too Very outgoing and well prepared and spontaneous. Loved every minute was thrilling and exciting to learn very informative. Definitely recommend to take some time and take the tour of this beautiful home.Look forward to do the extended tour with spirits soon.

We went on the mansion tour. Jessie gave a wonderfully entertaining and educational tour of the Winchester Mystery House. The tour was a bit fast paced but he did give us 30 seconds here or there in certain rooms to take photos and ask questions. He was well informed on the history of the mansion and was able to answer all questions. He was also patient when asked duplicate or obvious questions.He was funny and quick witted with his tour and made our time at the mansion memorable.I am definitely interested in returning in the fall for a spookier nighttime tour.

A fascinating and enjoyable behind the scenes tour. The regular tour is fine, but the Explore More tour is ace. Quite a few unnatural/unexplainable incidents occurred. Oh yes, this place is haunted (cheeky wink)

We absolutely loved this visit and our tour guide was amazing and very knowledgeable. The history and facts are mind-blowing. Would love to visit again on our next trip up north. I would absolutely recommend buying your tickets in advance. While you wait for your tour you can browse the gift shop or wait in a beautiful shaded courtyard

4.5

(14398)

4.0

(3183)

525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128, USA

+23 other lists

What a beautiful building! I enjoyed my 1st hockey game here today. The weather was gorgeous. The seat tickets were cheap but extremely tight seatings. You'd have to get up for your neighbors to walk by. Other than that, the food was okay. There were plenty of drinks, alcohol and non alcohol. There were self checkout for some snack stations. There was plenty of vendors with merchandise to sell. There was even an ice cream and taco vendor. I will definitely be back with my kids.

This is Sharks territory! I love SAP Center. I have never had a bad trip. I go at least once a year to a Sharks game with my lady and we have a blast. Just the vibe of the stadium and the fans gets even her going at a game. If you have never been. Go. Look up the next game and Go! I promise you'll be happy you did.

I live just a short walk away and it’s a great venue. I’ve worked for venues for years and always feel safe here. The employees always pay attention to things around them. It’s just the right size that any seat is a good seat here. I’ve gone for a concert back in December, a hockey game, and Disney on ice. You can also pay a little less by going to the box office to buy tickets.Update: Watch out in what section you buy for. Sat in section 120 last night for Blink 182 and the leg room was worse then a spirit airline flight. I was in shock I’ve never seen a venue with leg room that bad. I don’t remember the previous event I attended having space that little. Will definitely make me think twice about coming to another show. If we’re paying the amount of money and fees we do to attend live events we should at the very least not feel like we’re sitting with our knees to our chests

The Sharks game was awesome! I loved how the arena really glowed with the lights, San Jose won 2 to 1, they played great music, and the arena itself was beautiful! Without doubt I strongly recommend going if you are in San Jose! Have a great day!🏒🥅❤️⛸️😃🦈🇺🇸

Sharks for the win!! Goals! Such a fun venue. Whether you're coming for a game or a show, you’ll have a blast.They have lots of tasty food options. Today, I chose smoking pig BBQ. Burnt ends, baked beans, and cornbread. The Kernel has the best freshly popped popcorn.

I was eating dinner at a local restaurant and noticed the Sharks were playing on TV. So after dinner I walked to the stadium, bought a ticket, and got to see the second and third periods! Good fun on a random adventure. Nice stadium too.

We came to the SAP Center for a Bellator MMA fight and it was such a good time. We sat in section 128 and our view was great. Seats are comfortable and I like that the stairs are not steep. Parking for our event was $30. Plenty of food & drink concession stands. Restrooms have many stalls and are clean. Sound is great and the temperature is perfect. There was no staff guiding us to our seats so people were getting confused but it wasn't hard to find. Overall, we had a great experience at this beautiful venue.

Watched the Jurassic World Live Tour here and it was awesome! Easy parking, clean seats and a great view.

We had a great time at the SAP center. I like that its on the smaller side. All seats have been great. Monster Jam was the best!! The food is good and the staff at the SAP center always seem to be friendly and very helpful.

I remember when it was built. I remember when the Sharks were born. I have been here for many epic hockey battles and many amazing concerts as well! And one really terrible one (Kanye West 🤮). All-in-all, though, I've had countless incredible times here. Great venue!

🎶 Luis Miguel’s concert at theSAP Centerin San Jose was anenergeticblend of versatility, passion, and timeless hits. His powerful vocals, stage presence, and visual spectacle left the crowd exhilarated. If you ever get a chance to see him live"🎉 Step into the SAP Center and get ready for a wild ride! From thrilling sports action to heart-pounding concerts, this place is buzzing with energy. Great views, tasty eats, and awesome staff make every visit unforgettable. Don't miss out – it's a must-visit spot for fun-seekers of all kinds! 🏒🎶"

Absolutely amazing venue to host a party at. I was fortunate enough to spend the evening in one of the Penthouse Suites. The food was amazing with dishes of chicken, ribs, pork slices, and pizza. They waited until all the guests arrived and brought amazing platters of Sushi. There was a huge tub of delicious popcorn to snack on all game long.I went there for a Sharks game and was grateful to see them finish with a 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. How wild is it to say I saw the Sharks battle the Jets on ice. A rather Shakespearean affair set up with a dramatic evening. All the world is truly a Stage and we are merely players as the playwright would say.I highly recommend obtaining a parking pass for the ABC lot because it made life so much easier pulling in and leaving. The people at the ticket were kind and courteous at the entrance and carried the smiles as we left as well. SAP Center really is a top notch venue for entertainment. It was my first, but it will not be my last time. Thanks for a great time.

A TIME WAS HAD!This is the second West Coast concert I've attended that features multiple artists. Whether you're sitting in the stands or on the floor, the sound is perfect. The security staff is professional, and the bathrooms were clean. The parking lot was super easy to navigate and exit from.I didn't eat this time, so I can't say anything about the food venues.I love this venue and will definitely return. 🎶 🎤 💃

We had an amazing time watching Justin Timberlake. Everything was well-organized, and we didn't have to wait in any lines. Safe.

Besides parking and food being $20 each. We always have great family fun and make important memories. They have #autismawareness and treat all kiddo wellWhere My Panthers At????

Great venue, easy parking access, lots of things to do in and around the SAP Center. There was plenty of food & beverages options to choose from, we picked pizza and beers. Had fantastic seats for the Sharks Game! Lots of fellow fans were cordial and energetic, and We Won!!! Staff was attentive and very helpful. Definitely worth a trip!!!

Really great staff here. They're fun and bounce well into any situation. The stadium has great viewing angles no matter what seats you get. The Sharks are currently tanking right now so, ya know, tickets are cheap. But they aren't tanking in the right way, so ya know, they're actually just legit bad. Either way, go here anyways, if only once.

The SAP Center is such a great place to watch the Sharks play. Every seat has a very good view of the game.

Awesome place! My son and I went to watch SJ SHARKS. Highly recommend the brisket nachos at the BBQ place for snacks!! Don't forget vote!T🇺🇸R🇺🇸U🇺🇸M🇺🇸P 2024!!!!

FANTASTIC time last night at the SAP Center (Shark Tank, for those of use from the SF East Bay) seeing Duran Duran!! Venue was great but I've been here before other events. This time tho, we paid extra for the "Jack Daniel's Lounge" before the show for a "special experience"w/food & drinks & early entry. We were celebrating our Birthdays. It was really worth it. Food was WAY better than I expected. They said "appetizers" on the ticket but what they served was more like a meal. Had a regular single bar, but also 3 "themed" drinks related to DD songs. And I have to say, our seats were EXCELLENT! (thank you, Ticketmaster 😉) As a LONG TIME DD Fan (since 1982), these were some of the best we've had in a long time. DD was EPIC & it was awesome seeing Nile Rogers & CHIC for the 1st time live.

4.6

(11481)

4.0

(726)

525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA

+42 other lists

Pretty awesome spot designed for kids but still kind of interesting for adults. There is a lot of interactive exhibits as the museum name suggests which teach a lot of real world physics and understanding of the world. The giant IMAX Dome theater is awesome for watching any of the educational films. Free street parking was easy to come by on a Sunday.

Great place for all ages to learn and experience the beauty of science and technology. Fun, interactive exhibits including a challenge to build a contraption that catapults balls as far and high as you can. Awesome place. It also has a built in IMAX theater, but it doesn't play blockbuster type movies. Had a blast here.

Great for kiddos 5 and older! Exhibits feel a little dated but there are a few cool hands-on experiments and science demos. The majority of the museum uses digital displays that are more appropriate for older kiddos (exhibits that my 5-yo loved: roller coaster simulator, giant wall-to-wall projection on the effects of human decisions on the environment). There are some large blue blocks to keep younger siblings entertained. Tickets come with a free IMAX screening And there is parking validation available.

Came down as a chaperone for a school field trip. I do love science museums and this one was no disappointment. There was quite a variety exhibits to interact with I just wish we had more time.We took part in the physics roller coaster class that the kids really enjoyed. The living colors lab was also very insightful.If you for get to bring your lunch the cafe has plenty of options.

This is definitely an ages 5-15 place. They have a lot of interesting interactive exhibits focused on science related topics. This is definitely a great place to bring your kids.

Fun and educational for both kids and adults. The IMAX movie is awesome and worth revisiting.

This is the best museum to visit with children on a rainy day. As an experiential museum, a wide variety of tech activities are possible. All-day parking in the attached parking lot is $5.

Great time here, really good for all ages. Many things for young ones to touch and play with, we particularly enjoyed the ball maze where we could create a maze with plastic tubes and schutes. The bodies exhibit was interesting, no clue of those are real people or not but they were really well put together.Of note, parking in the area is poorly explained and difficult to get to, staff did not do a good job helping.The IMAX was good and the shows were interesting, kept my kids engaged, were it not for the IMAX tickets included in the admission I would balk at the price.

If you come for a movie the parking and snack situations leave much to be desired. This is the only snack line and seats kinda gave me a headache :(

We bought tickets to see Beautifica, and the show was great. BUT, if you don't want to enjoy it, buy the normal tickets. You'll have to wait outside in a very long line to enter, and then wait even longer for people with VIP tickets to go in first. When you finally get inside, there are hardly any good seats left near the front.I understand the difference between VIP and regular tickets, but this was a terrible experience. I'll never go back. It felt very rude.

Had a great day! Lots of cool exhibits for the kids to inspire them to enjoy science. Our 8 year old grandson said that it was the best day! Parking is an adventure. There are a couple of lots that are $5 with validated with admission. The restaurant is reasonable and decent mix of food. Adults can get in free admission on the 1st weekend of the month with a Bank of America card. There are Groupon and Veteran discounts.

This was the most disappointing museum I've visited in a long time. The exhibits felt outdated like I'm 15 years ago. I was so bored. I would definitely recommend skipping this museum, don't waste your time and money. And IMAX cinema. I don't know who likes films like this? Normandy 1944, really?

Super cool with lots of hands on activities for kids

I can’t entirely imagine what demographic this really hits with, but it wasn’t my husband and I and definitely isn’t toddlers.Some may say I should have known better, but from what I saw on the website- there were enough lights and electricity to make it seem interesting. My tech-centered husband was most excited, and he too was disappointed.With a Groupon, this cost over $80 for me, my husband and our toddler. I would say it was the equivalent of an expo with lots of booths and large posters of words to read. Go to learn something, don’t go for entertainment. That was our bad.We have a planetarium in our area at home that is free and infinitely cooler than this place. Needless to say, I’m disappointed.I’m sure someone out there would like it, but like I said- don’t go for the entertainment factor

Tech Interactive indeed !It is a very fun place where not only kids can enjoy but also adults. It has technology installations and Fun workshops. You can learn a lot by visiting this place. There are workshops such as making plane with several shapes & wings given to you and making one which can go the furthest etcThere are fun installations with motion sensors so the movements done by you , a character on the screen will be doing the same thing. Lot of fun!!

Really nice museum. I think the children will get the most out of it, but adults can also have some good experiences here. I especially liked human body exhibition.We were there for free with Bank of America “Museums on Us” program. No problems at all.

There are so many different topics inside the museum, such as human skeletons, saving the earth's energy, exploring space, etc. I liked their space exploration part, where you could lean on a couch and play the game. Parking should be found by ourselves.

Amazing local museum. We went during the week (but on the local schools' winter break) so it wasn't too busy. The "Solve for Earth" exhibit that launched last year is breathtaking. It was surprisingly emotional watching my young son "fix" the Earth by turning dials on the Connections Wall. Just really beautifully done.The museum seems a bit run down, we tried a number of things that didn't work, but it's so interactive and gets so much traffic that things are bound to break I suppose. Really glad we took the day to visit.I think the museum is really more of a sweet spot for 9-12 year olds (understanding most of the exhibits requires a lot of reading and the topics are quite complex), but we still got a lot out of it, and the space is fun to explore. Had it been any more busy it would have been a bummer because queues form at the most interactive exhibits even with relatively low capacity.Appreciated the little café as well so we could grab a snack!

We thoroughly enjoyed the interactive experiences here. It covers lots of important topics that other places don't have, such as environment protection and sustainability etc. A must if you have young kids visiting San Jose.

4.4

(4033)

4.0

(967)

201 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA

+45 other lists

Great day out with grandchildren aged 2 through to 8. Very reasonable price. Plenty of ride options available albeit some with height restrictions although there is what is called a yellow zone when the child must be accompanied by an adult. (Great excuse for Papa to take the ride)Picnic areas throughout the park so bring your own Food and enjoy. Animals more visible early in the day.

My kids and I love Happy Hollow. We love the animals and the park the rides. The only thing they lose a star for is the expensive food. I mean I know prices are through the roof for everyone and businesses but c'mon. I think I saw $7 for hummus and veggie sticks. And look at this chicken sandwich. That was just gross. Other than that I enjoy it. So next time I'll remember to pack a real lunch for my kids and I.

The kids loved it and they keep asking to go back, so we will have to become members. Definitely a fun theme park and animals you can pet and feed, rides, theater with story time, plenty of good food and friendly service, there's a gift shop, and ice cream. This theme park was well thought out and put together and there's plenty of parking.

Visiting San Jose for a week.. needed places to check out for my grandkids 2 & 5 yr.old was recommended by my cousin who lives there..! "you gotta check out Happy Hallow!" cant go wrong for $18/per person..unlimited rides no lines. kids went on the roller coaster twice..we arrived at 2pm so only 3 hrs. to enjoy this magical place!!

Being that this was the first time for my family were were super excited to see how beautiful and spacious this place was in comparison to The Sacramento Zoo.Upsides : any kid 5 and under would literally have a blast here and run out so much energy. The rides are free and after paying to get in any parent can appreciate not having to pony up more money for the rides. And there is literally so much room to run and play that it’s almost impossible to not have fun especially with the huge 3 story playground located in the center.Downsides : there are literally less animals than the Sacramento zoo and I promise I didn’t even know that was possible and to still list the place as a “Zoo”.Out of the 13 animals located on the left , there were 7 missing or not in the exhibit . I brought my 7 and 17 year old and realized 20 min into this trip that it was going to be very short .With the lack of animals actually out in the public and the rides going from adventure to boring in a matter of seconds at the ages I had with me …..it was an hour and a half at 70.00 for a family of 4 + parking making it 80.00. I could have went to the mall with them and got them something 40.00 each and the experience on our vacation would have been slightly better because we have something to show for and would have been walking for 2 times longer .All in all : decent place for kids 5-9 solely based on the huge playground. (Not worth the money just to play in a park. )Not a place for a first date or for anyone single or without children. There’s not enough for adults to do period.Totally not a place for a teenager unless there working there. But it’s cute and perfect for babies.

Used to come here as a kid 50 years ago and it has upgraded for the better! Love the new bridge entrance and ticket prices are great for what you get. All the animals and all the rides are included. Plenty of grass and shady spots to relax and eat a picnic lunch. The bread basket offers sandwiches, pizza burgers and drinks. They still have the old maze and crooked house. Danny the dinosaur will take you around the park too! If you like playgrounds there are plenty around the park for all ages! The huge wooden playground will keep your little animals entertained for hours! Definitely recommend for families! Thursdays, once a month they have senior walking too!

Great place for kids. All spaces feel like they are specifically designed with children's experience in mind. The zoo has only a few animals but the enclosures and pathways are designed and maintained well. The food court and the surrounding area offers a pleasant space for families to sit and enjoy their food. Overall a pleasant and memorable day with our kid.

Nice place for kids. More than animals kids enjoyed the rides. Weekends usually gets crowded and we have to wait in line for every ride. But this time surprisingly it was not lot of waiting time. They have reopened lot of rides for kids and adults and it was fun. Definitely I will be visiting again. Now you can celebrate your Lil ones birthday too which was closed during pandemic.

Happy Hollow is a great place for the family. Lots of animals and open space. They have cute one of a kind kiddie rides. Large playground for the kids to get their energy out.My favorite animal is the ant eater, something you don’t see everyday:)Parking is $10.Unfortunately they have recently changed their hours and days of operation due to staffing shortages. Double check their hours before you go.

A wonderful zoo with tonnes of activities for the kids. All rides are included in the tickets, which is wonderful.The animals are well cared for.

Great zoo & park!! Our family spent the entire day there. We went on a Friday and there were barely any lines. It's moderately sized with plenty to do - and we were able to circle back and see our favorite animals again. The rides were fun, playgrounds were really cool, and the staff were all very nice. The park was very clean. Would highly recommend!!

I haven't been here since the 80s. Seems to still be a really good place to bring kids under ten or so. There are LOTS of trees so plenty of shade. The zoo is nice and has lots of smaller animals you might not see at bigger zoos, like turkeys, vultures, and lemurs

It’s a fun place for both adults and children. Zoo is small, but they have a lot of areas for outdoor activities and picnic. There several kids rides as well. Overall, I think it’s nice place to hangout with family.

Fun place! Great for young children. I really enjoyed the dog show, and they have some really unique animals. I particularly loved seeing the giant and eater. The jaguar enclosure is currently under construction.

Visited Happy Hollows for a friends daughters birthday party and it was a sweet place for all the kids got to hang out and explore the park together.The place is a good size for so many different activities for the kids in addition to just the zoo. They also have a petting zoo which all the kids enjoyed a lot. There are many rides that the kids thoroughly enjoyed.. it reminded us a bit of Disney’s. We got to see beautiful turkeys, ant eaters, and the goats and stuff.Definitely happy to come back anytime and it’s a great day trip with kids to do several of different activities :)

It's really a nice place to visit on small budget to see different types of macaw, turtle, lemur, some storks, sheep, goat, parrot etc. We visited that place to watch cannine show 11 AM, 1PM and 3 PM. We missed it by 11 and expected to watch the next show unfortunately it was canceled. May be available on the following days I guess.But we can still enjoy with small games for toddlers and kids. It's really a fun place to visit.

Fun experience for the family. It's small enough for kids to walk around on their own. We brought my 7 year old nephew and 9 year old niece and they had fun looking at the animals and going on the rides. Definitely check if exhibits and rides are open before you go ...when we went a lot of rides and exhibits were closed. We also went on a weekday so there were no crowds or long waits for rides.

A wonderful place to take your children, or to go on a stroll with your baby wonderful attractions , as well as a well earned walk around the zoo for rides for the kids. Park attendants are very knowledgeable where everything is at a good place to visit for the weekend or weekday !!!

Loved the zoo and park. It's a solid one day activity for young toddlers. My daughter enjoyed petting and feeding the goats. There are couple of rides for 2yr olds as well. I will definitely recommend this to other toddler parents.

I love this zoo to bring the little one to. It’s by far smaller than the Oakland and SF zoos, but it’s right in the middle of San Jose, so wasn’t expecting it to be crazy big. 😅Unlike other zoos, there are plenty of rides that children (none under 2 except with an adult) can go on and there is a large play structure within the zoo. There is also a petting zoo and throughout the day they bring out snakes, as well as other small creatures. As for the habitats, there are lemurs, meerkats, parrots, an alligator, capybaras, African tortoises, and a jaguar but the rest of the other animals are not larger than a jaguar, last time I went.I’m surprised I didn’t get an annual membership pass sooner. The membership prices are fantastic. Children under 2 are free and the adult plus membership ($100 as of 4/2024) pays itself within 4 visits because it includes a parking pass. The parking location is where the Japanese Friendship Garden is so that’s a plus with the parking included in the membership. The memberships also gives you discounts throughout the gift shops and cafe.

Small but fun spot! The highlight is definitely the two capybaras. So cuteeeee! The zoo isn’t huge, and one area is purely for kids, but it’s well maintained. Great place for families or a quick nature break, for capybaras, and for a relaxing day and some quality time with colleagues creatures

The place is great for kids with the zoo and rides. Plenty of places and activities. The zoo is not fully filled with animals. Kids like the maze, which is below ground level, so adults can watch the kids running inside. The anteater is Hugh, too big for the enclosure.

Great place to bring the kids. Interesting animals, puppet shows, keeper talks, food court area, little rides and a nice playground! Pretty affordable for a day of fun!

Excellent small zoo with lots of shade and great exhibits. If you have small children, this is the zoo for you! Lots of activity stations, a carousel, and you can even (gently) pet the sheep and goats. Very nice staff as well.

Great for little kids, the whole park takes maybe 1.5 hours to walk through. Lots of small rides with short wait times. Petting zoo, puppet show and lemur exhibit are highlights. Plenty of shady areas to sit and take break. My family loves this place!

Great place for little ones! Even babies can go on a couple of rides (Danny the Dragon) and if they can sit they can go on the toddler merry-go-round! Older kids (7+) may be aging out of the rides but they can still have a great time. The playground is really fun and my kids enjoy the puppet shows! Even on hot days there is plenty of shade. The petting zoo is super fun as well!

Should be considered a zoo only for very small children. Admission gets you free rides on small carnival rides (carousel, 2 lap roller coaster) which can have moderately long lines and 10-20 minute waits. Not many actual animals, small and somewhat overpriced for what it is; we had AZA which is the only reason I'm not mad about the prices we did pay. Again, only consider for small children, even my 9 year old had clearly aged out of this.

It is great place for play with children. There are good area. This park is zoo. I felt like there were not many animals in the zoo.

The zoo was really cool but it was smaller than I thought it would be and a lot of the displays were currently closed for renovations. Overall the park was definitely aimed at little kids which we didn't have but would be a great place to bring your own little ones and they would have a blast with all of the rides and park equipment.

4.5

(4743)

4.5

(493)

748 Story Rd, San Jose, CA 95112, USA

2 lists

I absolutely love photographing weddings at Byington Vineyard & Winery. This location is such an amazing gem of the central California coast and Santa Cruz Mountains. This vineyard and winery goes to great lengths to create an amazing and high quality wine. The estate is so serene and scenic and provides countless gorgeous backdrops for weddings. There is a perfect spot to get married called Wedding Hill and the staff is so great and helpful. I highly suggest getting married here.

We hosted our daughter's High School Graduation Ceremony at Byington. Jessica was our primary contact. From day one till the event, our experience was stellar. Excellent venue and facilities, very responsive, and easy to work with staff. Jessica was easy to work with. She was flexible in making our arrangements and taking in a long series of one-offs and last-minute requests.The wines were delicious, and now we are proud wine club members.I will highly recommend them for their wines and for hosting your events.A few gotchas:a) If your event is on the weekend, HWY 17 is almost always super crowded with an accident somewhere that creates a 30-45 additional delay over what Google Maps shows that day. Despite warning our guests about it, half arrive late, leading to significant additional charges per hour for event extension. We had been on top of our caterers about this, so they were on time.b) There is a 20% mandatory tip on all aspects of the event, a $100 cleaning fee, and a 9% sales tax. The wine club membership gave us a 20% discount.

Very nice and accessible vineyard. When you arrive, the view of the vineyard is like a picture, so beautiful. The wines are excellent and served with a short presentation of each wine. We tasted five fine wines that we all liked. We also had nice cheese and charcuteries. A walk around the vineyard is highly recommended. The view over the canyon is spectacular. Thanks a lot Byington Vineyard, we will be back.

Byington’s 100 acre Santa Cruz Mountains estate is a lush and vibrant place where all-day adventure awaits. From a private hiking trail deep into the surrounding redwood forest to exclusive guided VIP tastings next to a cozy fireplace (in cooler months) or outside on the second floor patio, there is a lot here to enjoy. The estate speciality is Pinot Noir grown organically on site, but there is also a second vineyard in Alexander Valley where Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other red varietals are grown. Byington is a local leader in the sustainable wine making scene in Silicon Valley and hosts many corporate events during the week, when it closed to the general public.

Really lovely winery and friendly hosts. The view is perfect. You can even see the ocean when it is sunny. The wines are really great as well. Personally I recommend the block 4 pinot and reserved Chardonnay. You can do a wine tasting there to try them out.

Beautiful views, delicious wine, great staff, awesome picnic areas. What not to love? It’s on the top of a mountain, fun drive from the Bay Area. Picnic places are well maintained, got shade and umbrellas. You can walk around, estate is beautiful.

Stellar view, amazing ambiance, beautiful property, and surprisingly very nice white and red wines. Liage and cab were good. Service was average, nobody explained anything about the wine. They just poured it and left. Definitely coming back! Highly underrated place

Visited for a company milestone celebration in 2014. I'm no wine expert but we all seemed to enjoy it. The grounds are gorgeous and they had lovely facilities for a meeting as well. I especially loved the drive getting here from the Valley.

Very pretty location in the Santa Cruz mountains ⛰️Had a barbecue events with meats and wine last weekend which was amazing! Very friendly staff and I would love to visit again next time they will host such events! 🍗🍇

The staff was very easy going, knowledgeable, professional and great with dogs. This place looks amazing, has hiking and great wine. Also, my dog got a pup up while I was able to enjoy the whole experience. Will definitely be back again.

4.6

(113)

4.5

(108)

21850 Bear Creek Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95033, USA

+41 other lists

Went here 10/22 with my family. We all really enjoyed ourselves! There is a bit of a steep climb up the hill, most of which is handicapped accessible. Make reservations ahead of time as they get quite busy. They are open every day of the year. The site hasn’t changed much and really emphasize the strange physics of the place. They have a cute little gift shop, some vending machine snacks, clean restrooms, and a snack bar when they are really busy. Their parking lot can handle a tour bus or RVs and they had plenty of parking.

This place was, indeed, a mystery.The ticket price isn't bad, $10 per person and $5 for parking. It's located in the forest, lots of beautiful trees, and the waiting area has a beautiful vine and flower roofed veranda. The website gives you most of the details but should probably add one; if you have motion sickness, be prepared.The building where the phenomenon happens seems to be right at the center, and the closer you get to the middle of the tour building, the stronger it gets. My daughter and I couldn't explore much because we were trying not to be sick.Overall, it wasn't a bad experience. The tour guide was a little funny with some good dad jokes. The gift shop was cute and had plenty of inventory, and the weather was great. I'm not sure if I'd go back for myself unless I took someone who hadn't experienced it before.

Overall it’s a cool experience. The earth gives us some cool tricks. But I feel the tilted house was built in purpose, giving false illusion, to attract tourists. If the house is leveled, it would be more impressive to experience the earth’s tricks of the area.You need to reserve ahead, space is limited. I came on a Wednesday and it was crowded. It has a canteen and a gift shop. I love the trail, front of the spot/house, it’s nice to walk up hill under the red wood trees. The road leads to the spot is beautiful/scenic with many switchbacks, though you can get lost

So much peace and tranquility in this place!Friendly, and enthusiastic, staff and interesting sights. It is a nice escape from life's fast pace. My little kid enjoyed it a lot.Sitting there at the table, under super high trees, with cool breeze, in a nicely designed area, you get a surreal feeling, that is rare to have in crowded California. So I guess the trip here is not so much about experiencing the "mystery unbalance" as much as it is about feeling the holistic calmness and peacefulness of the place that can be great for relieving stress.You can bring your own food or buy from their "canteen".I was supposed to get a ticket fee waiver as a military discount, but for some reason ended up only getting free parking.The hike up in the forest across from the gate was a nice one although a little steep in some parts.

The Mystery Spot is the best kind of tourist trap! You won't regret getting the full experience (twenty minute guided tour, the maze fort, zip lines, and mini golf). We felt no shame in enjoying this silly tourist experience as two grown adults. We even bought the t-shirts. The staff were super fun and friendly. They moved us through the activities pretty quickly. The wait at the zip lines went very fast. Also, their bathrooms are super clean!

Our tour guide, Nora, was wonderful! She had funny jokes, she was engaging and provided us cool information about the mystery spot. My twin daughter and my husband went on a separate tour and they didn’t have the same experience with their tour guide. This was our first time at the Mystery Spot, Nora made it a great experience. The grounds are beautiful and they even have a walking trail, cafe area, gift shop and nice shaded picnic areas. Hopefully you will have the pleasure to tour this cool place with the world class tour guide, Nora!

Came here with the family. This place is really interesting and cool. There are many weird things here that defy logic. Our your guide was fun and informative. There is an extremely steep walk up to the cabin, so beware. The only reason I did not rate 5 stars is that I think they allow too many people in each group, which makes the cabin quite crowded to try out the features and to wait longer to get photos of those in your party. Prices were good for the value received.

Definitely get tickets in advance. When we were picking up our tickets (that we purchased online the day before), people who hadn't bought in advance were being told it would be over an hour to 2 hr wait. It was very interesting. Cute, funny tour. Our tour guide was sweet, there were several young kids and she let them all be helpers with her experiments. The walk up is very steep, and you feel the gravity pulling you down. The cabin was very interesting, but it did make me and 2 other ladies pretty nauseous. Definitely worth checking out tho. I've never experienced anything like it.

Spent the day at mystery spot with my family. Guided tours only. The tour guide gives history of the the mystery spot along with different activities that are unexplainable but very interesting. I personally got a little sick in the mystery spot which stuck with me for awhile but way cool to check out. The only way I can describe my feelings here were like vertigo. I would suggest buying tickets in advance tickets get sold out quickly. No problem with parking, admission was 10$ a person 5$ for parking hiking trails, merchandise and food available on site. Out of this world experience!

First things first - book your ticket in advance to avoid the tours being sold out for another hour or two. I had no idea that a weekday would be that busy, and that you can't enter without the guide.So this place was on my list for a while and so clubbed it with our Santa Cruz trip. Reached directly at the spot and was told that the tours were booked for next 90 mins. We bought the next available tour and paid for parking immediately and left to spend an hour on a nearby beach. That's also an option if you don't want to book in advance.Coming to the spot, it's a good experience and kids would love it. Our guide was pretty entertaining. She demonstrated some visual anomalies and distributed the "Mystery Spot" stickers. We didn't see the famous banana slug. Not sure if that's seasonal.They have a cool restaurant with vegetarian options and a gift shop. Clean restrooms.Recommended 👍🏻

During my summer break, I had the chance to explore the Mystery Spot last Friday. It's conveniently located close to Santa Cruz, but I'd advise booking reservations in advance, given its popularity and the potential unavailability of tours on the day of your visit.Admission tickets are priced at $10 per person, and parking comes at an additional cost of $10. The site is encompassed by majestic redwood trees, though it's worth noting that cell reception isn't very reliable in the area.The staff provided an excellent experience, and our tour guide led us through the site while sharing captivating stories. The entire adventure lasted approximately 2-3 hours and involved a moderate uphill walk.The Mystery Spot stands out for its unparalleled optical illusions and intriguing gravitational phenomena. You'll encounter remarkable phenomena, including people appearing to tilt strangely and objects defying gravity and rolling uphill due to these unique effects.Facilities such as a gift shop, a compact snack bar, and well-maintained restrooms are available for visitors.Having personally taken my family and friends on tours around the Bay Area, I've consistently recommended the Mystery Spot as a must-see experience.

First time being here..it was fun the tour guide was excellent at what she does. Its crazy I would say it is sure a mystery a bit pricy 10 dollars for kids 3 and older plus parking is 4 bucks. But I definitely would visit again.

Mystery Spot is a must visit if you sway along Santa Cruz! It is a fun, mind boggling place that will play tricks on your mind. You can also enjoy the great natural scenery of Santa Cruz!

It was fun and interesting, but be warned, it's quite a hike to get up to the cabin. No strollers are allowed up the hill, so be prepared to carry your little ones if they aren't walking yet. It is a guided tour that takes about 45 minutes. We were completely unprepared, so I would suggest doing your research beforehand. Regardless, we still had a good time, and we're glad we came. The Redwood trees alone made the trip worth it. All of the staff and the tour guides were absolutely lovely, and the gift shop was super cute.A couple of tips. Wear good walking shoes. Bring a baby carrier if you have little ones who aren't walking yet. Depending on the time of year, wear lightweight clothing. We went in the middle of summer, and while I wouldn't say it was hot, it was definitely humid. Bring cool water and maybe a portable fan.

Fun attraction. $8 for a visit which I think it's pretty fair however It is a very short tour - too short on my opinion (I can understand that, because they don't have much to show, and yet.... We drove there for an hour and a half so at least I wish it was a little bit longer.I love how they present the anomaly. The staff is young and fun and they really play in that. Their presentation and the jokes are super fun.Definitely a unique experience, you don’t experience every day.Cons: Too short.

Interesting spot. Our tour guide was awesome 👌! It did take about 40 minutes to get in and make our way up to the cabin but that was our fault for not having a reservation. They have a nice little gift shop and the prices are reasonable.

This place is really different from other mystery houses one would have seen. Does play with your mind with gravity defying objects. Involves hiking in the woods in serene surroundings. Our guide Vanessa made it fun. Has a lot of seating to have your picnic after the visit. You can also buy snacks from there. Gets booked very quickly so online buying is better. The team was pretty flexible with rescheduling our slot for a later time. Reasonably priced@$10 per person, free for kids 3 and under. Would recommend. Pets are not allowed inside, however they have a separate hiking trail in the redwoods (~30 minutes) where the pets can accompany.

Definitely an interesting visit. Worth the $15 ($10 ticket, $5 parking). Be prepared to trek up the side of a hill (not far) and stand on the side of a hill for the tour. This is a gravitation anomaly so it may mess with your head and balance making you feel slightly nauseous. Not bad though. Still worth it. I don’t recall the website saying it’s uneven ground and up a hill, which is why I took off a star. Definitely not accessible for some or older individuals.

An absolute blast is the phrase that comes to mind for this local attraction. A somewhat indescribable experience of an anomaly, you just have to see for yourself!Their location is down a narrow road and tucked into the rolling hills surrounded by forest. There is plenty of parking and they also have a dedicated area for larger vans and busses. The gift shop has a fun assortment of items, there is a cantina (closed during visit), seating areas, and restrooms at the entrance.Maurice or "Moe" was our guide into this unique adventure and was engaging, enthusiastic, and definitely enjoying his job. He was fantastic with getting children and adults to participate during demonstrations and explaining the theories surrounding this strange place.The trail leading to the center of the spot is steep, but there are railings to help support visitors who need it. I would suggest wearing sturdy shoes because sandals or flip-flops may not have the best traction for inclines and declines.I highly recommend this location for young and old visiting the area because you will not be disappointed!

Our first time there but we had a great experience, staff is very courteous, gift shop has lots of souvenirs and prices are not to bad. Plenty of tables and benches to enjoy some snacks or food. Parking is $5, and there's a lot of it. That if people leave right after their tour ends.

A short, dizzy and fun experience among the dense woods. Beautiful scenery and pleasant experience. Parking is a bit hectic here, plan ahead in holidays. Reservation required and check for tour timings before going.

Our guide was so fun and funny. This place is crazy and the activity was so fun. We can lean forward or lean back and change heights in spots that were level and water or ball went upwards instead of down. The stuff here is like a mystery. So weird and so cool to check out.

The Mystery Spot is an absolute mind-bender! This enchanting attraction defies logic and gravity, leaving visitors puzzled and entertained. From tilted rooms and defying heights to optical illusions that challenge your perception, the Mystery Spot offers a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you're a science enthusiast or simply looking for a fun and quirky outing, this hidden gem in Santa Cruz is a must-visit.

Great place to visit to experience alternate gravity points. Guess what can create that gravity that seems to pull you in different direction: cause to lose balance. Be sure to buy the tickets online or expect some wait time; they only allow in batches per assigned time zone. Bring food and drink as this is in remote area. Cell connectivity is zero; be sure to download the map offline for navigation. Overall good place to visit.

This was so fun. Some people use the word quirky when talking about this place. It's a special spot in the woods where heights and gravity have their own way. Water seems to travel uphill. Weights that should hang straight down are drawn to a certain angle. Make your reservation before you go to ensure the tours are not sold out. Sign up where other people have signed up. A medium to large group makes it fun. It's a little walk up a path and down, so make sure your party can walk those. There is a little hike just down a hundred steps from the entrance. So beautiful! About 20 to 40 minutes depending on how fast your party wants to go. Memory making place.

Definitely worth to go if you’re in Santa Cruz area! Very interesting tour. I’m not sure if there are self guided tours, doesn’t seem like it. But the tour is definitely worth it. Our tour guide was humorous, witty, and was really fun at showing us how funky the mystery spot truly is! Parking is plenty and they also have a cool gift store!

This was such a nice experience, especially for couples & families. The place is BEAUTIFUL with amazing quality air. I wish I could take more photos, but it was a Saturday, so it was crowded EVERYWHERE. We decided to go early for an hour to beat traffic. When we arrived, there was a cute gift shop to your right and a patio with restrooms. Though, it smells extremely horrible when you sit near the restrooms. Please be mindful when you drive due to the road quality. 10/10 would recommend

Everyone at mystery spot were super cool, very accommodating and amazing. Made our first time and definitely not the last experience super memorable. The shop team played classic rock and were also Rockstars themselves. Finally but certainly not the last, special mention to our awesome tour Master Owen as he was hilarious, spontaneous and genuinely nice all through out. The crowd was laughing hysterically all throughout the tour. Thanks to everyone and Godspeed to all.

The mystery spot is a must see when coming to Santa Cruz area. You can buy tickets in advance online or show up and hangout.Thanks to Dean ?(Ruben or Owen)¿ we laughed and had fun as a crowd. It's a quick 40 or so minutes tour that was well worth the $10 per person!

Definitely worth the visit for the price you pay. A couple of interesting mysterious spots around here which the guide takes you through. Cool spot for some great photo opportunities, too. There is also a gift shop here with plenty of souvenirs.We clubbed this with the roaring camp train ride and the state park next to it. Not recommended for people with mobility issues as it is a steep climb. If you do have any elderly/mobility impaired person, there is plenty of seating in the cafe area.

A truly unique experience! Our tour guide, Electra, was fabulous. We arrived, bought our tickets at the booth and had about 30 minutes to explore the walking trail, the gift shop and use the restroom before the tour.If you have mobility issues, this tour may be a challenge as the walk up the incline feels steep and can leave oneself winded.The history of the mystery spot was our favorite highlight.

What a place! Visiting this spot is a must! Even if it's only one, as6 in my case. The feel in the cabin made me hot, dizzy, and nauseous. I love the ambiance. A big courtyard with many interests. Their food is even decently priced. It isn't the best for people with back and knee issues, but we accomplished the 40-minute, highly intriguing tour. Our guide was the best! -Regina

We had Eric as our magical guide through the enchanted forest of the mystery spot. His tour was like hugging a ball of cotton candy while majestically riding a unicorn. The disorientation was like your trip was turning bad, but then Eric pulls you back on the right guided path. 5 thumbs up. Grand experience. Would recommend. Needs better jokes though. And a pay raise!

Fun place for all ages! Must see spot while in Santa Cruz. Make sure to do a reservation online or over the phone or you might not be able to tour. I believe you can do same day but it might be full or long wait. Also you can't go to mystery spot without group tour. It's only $10 p/p. Parking was $5. So it's a super cheap and fun tourist attraction.

Real cool place. Windy road to get here but it's worth it! Nice views of the redwoods all around. We also saw a banana slug! In the wild. The spot is cool to see and feel. There is a gift shop and cafe and plenty of bathroom stalls. Overall worth the drive and wait to experience this !

Step in here for a unique mysterious experience! It’s a 45 minute guided visit and you are explained in detail with demonstrations about the uniqueness of the place and Ofcourse you experience it all through out!Do visit the hike trail within the premises to get a full view of the Red wood trees and if you are lucky, get a close up view of the Banana slug too.

Good price point for a fun experience. Big downside is that it is very rushed for taking photos and you do not get a chance to do much in each room as group size way too large. Fun for smaller kids but for my family with savvy teens very easy to demystify the mystery spot if you know much about physics. My kids explained to me exactly how the “mystery” works. Still fun with good guides but not really a phenomenon - a crooked house with jokes.

This was our first time here. Eric our tour guide, did a AMAZING JOB! From his knowledge to his humorous jokes! And even after the tour was over. We were looking at the Banana Slugs we could see that were far away. He was able to pick it up so gentle so we could see it closer and take a picture.Highly recommend to see this Mystery Spot! Thanks Eric for your great work!

an interesting place for the whole family, the program is about an hour, there is parking, it is advisable to buy tickets in advance, on weekdays you can order a couple of days in advance, on weekends there are a lot of people, there is a place to eat and an interesting souvenir shop. The tour guide tells interesting things about this place. At this point you go up into the house and immediately start to feel very dizzy, I couldn’t even walk and even felt nauseous, an unusual reaction on my body to the vestibular apparatus, in general, if you have a problem with blood vessels and you’re not ready for this, it’s better not to walk, for Children and youth will certainly be interested.

Great little tourist trap. Somewhat cheap $10 per person guided tour with good sideshow style theatrics. You get a free bumper sticker, and there is a gift shop. Nice clean bathrooms, free parking. Nice 1.2km forest trail to top it off. Buy tickets in advance to reserve your preferred time.

I didn’t know what I was getting into when we bought tickets. Definitely buy them ahead of time to get a time that works best for your group. They book up quick. I can see why too it’s so funny and just a strange overall place to be! Our tour guide (Bennett) was funny and not shy to show how the gravity there works. He also took a picture or two for us which was really nice. The tour isn’t long at all and a great price.There is a small trail too at the end of the parking lot. We went just to look at redwoods and we ended up seeing 3 banana slugs in the wild. Definitely check out the trail too.

We had a great time. I did pay for tickets in advance. I'm extremely happy about that. They were sold out most of the day. Until 8pm. I got there at 11 am. My tickets were for 12:12 pm. Parking was $9.00. Tickets were $10.00 per person. Military is free. And they also get free parking.I was a bit sad. Because I didn't know that ahead of time. We would have all got in for free. And free parking. But I did both asking for a refund. The prices are really inexpensive. I think it was all worth it.

4.5

(7827)

4.0

(1163)

465 Mystery Spot Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95065, USA

1 list

Good place for a short hike. If you do the full loop it is around 5 miles and change. To the first waterfall it is around 1 mile - good spot to turn around if you have kids. You can continue upwards- the rest of the hike is about a 4 mile loop. It is not particularly hard, about a total of a 1000 ft climb. The crowds thin out after you go past the first waterfall.

Great “creek park” for dogs and kids to play around! Nice short trails that are relatively easy, cool shades, nice picnic areas. Just make sure to purchase day pass in advance online. Oh right and they have WiFi.

It's a great local falls scene within 30 miles distance from downtown the city of San Jose.I visited right after the overnight shower. Everything there seems so clean and fresh. You will see the beautiful falls there by following the trail.However, this special county park is required to reserve in advance. You won't allow to enter without the reservation. Prior to enter the park, you will drive through a private property in unfriendly road conditions. Buy, it still worth a shot to visit.

Definitely a must if you are within an hour or two drive or visiting the area, but first a word of caution, if coming from the Monterey area, Google maps will try and route you via a private road that will not get you to the park. You must get there via 101 north. You will need a reservation to park at the park, there is no where else around to park. Reservations must be done online and usually in advanced, there is no cell service with 10 miles of the park so plan ahead. As a result of googles poor route we arrived 15 minutes after our reservation time but the girl at the gate was super friendly and understanding and didn't even bat an eye. Half of the waterfall loop is closed but you can still see all the waterfalls, we did the half of waterfall loop and then the canyon trail and it eneded up being a little over three miles. It was a great hike, very pretty and well worth it.

It is an amazing hike! Quite surreal for something in this area. We did the POST recommended one - waterfall trail, contour trail and then back on the Alec canyon trail, about 4.5 miles if you include hiking to the waterfalls for closer Vista points or touching the water. Absolutely amazing views! Kids did not complain about the distance and we completed the loop in 3 hours.There are lots of picnic tables with equally great views for lunch/snacking.Reservations are required and we noticed that we had to make the reservations by Wednesday for a weekend plan. The parking lot starts filling up fairly early. We had a reservation in the 8:00 am to 9:00 am slot and the lot was half filled by 8:30 am, when we arrived.

First time visiting Uvas Canyon. It's about 20 miles from our home in San Jose, by far the closest campground. We stayed two nights in the campground. It is a small area with 25 campsites. Sites are really close to each other, so there is little to no privacy.A central restroom building has about 6 restrooms and 4 showers...impressively clean and functional. There are recycling and garbage bins every 2-3 sites and Park Rangers/groundskeepers clear these out like every 3 hrs...again super impressive! Firewood is $13/box and includes firestarter. Beware tons of mosquitos.This is the perfect intro to car camping (or tent-only) for beginners or families...not for anyone seeking peace or tranquility :) It's literally a school playground filled with babies crying and kids having a blast from 7am to 11pm. Also, pets are allowed so be prepared for random dogs walking through your campsite. No Joke!The creek access is great for kids to play in. The Waterfall Loop Trail is also nice. I'd re-visit and just do a day trip to explore the hiking trails...the campground is just too small and populated (like the Bay Area). We were more interested/enthralled by the Svedal village that you must drive through to enter Uvas Canyon.

A decent park. We were very lucky to get in without reservation since it was not a busy day. Waterfalls are still running. The creek near entrance is nice. Camp ground looks well maintained. Hikes are short. We spent two hours here.

Beautiful family and pet friendly hiking spot, with waterfalls, tall trees and vegetation. Parking is only $6. Went without reservation and no problem. But the website says to make reservations ahead of time, maybe because the parking area is not too big.

I visited here during the last week of March while it was still raining. Just around an hour drive from South Bay you can visit many waterfalls. The hike to Upper Fall is easy and you can stop midway to view other falls with quick detours. You need to make a reservation and take a print out before going there. Overall a good experience.

Cool place for a hike and picnic, they have camping too. Waterfalls must be very nice in rain season.

Very nice place to do a easy/moderate hike. The waterfalls are nice. Just sit and enjoy the sound of the rushing water. Beautiful 😍

It is a nice little hiking trail. Perfect for a summer day. There is a loop but it is a bit confusing. Eventually it all comes in a loop. Can't really get lost unless you go off the path. Plenty of shade in the area so you don't have to bring a hat unless you want to. You can reserve a parking spot online or you can drive up and pay for a day pass. There are camp grounds you can go to as well.

Nice place to spend a day with your family. Park has few waterfalls accessible via trail. Trails are not very well maintained and not stroller friendly.Overall it’s good park to visit and spend time in nature

The campground is good, lots of shade and offering shower. Not much to see on the trails

We loved uvas. Pleasantly surprised to find the creek and waterfalls all still flowing in July... big and shaded camp spots. No ticks but man the mosquitoes were out for blood!

Stunning! Visited in January after a rain and everything was so lush. The waterfalls were running and ladybugs were everywhere.

This is a great location for a short hike. Since we've received enough rain, the creek is full and pleasantly noisy. I recommend the waterfall loop trail. Part of the loop was closed due to storm damage so you have to go up and back on the same trail but it's still a great hike for beginners. We ate lunch at the picnic table at the top of the trail. It was a great location. It was a little cool and breezy today with the forecast high being 59 degrees but still a pleasant day.

Beautiful place for a hike, play, and recharge. The restroom is clean—plenty of tables and picnic areas. Parking is limited. You must register online and arrive in the given window.

4.7

(1273)

4.5

(65)

8515 Croy Rd, Morgan Hill, CA 95037, USA

1 list

I had an incredible time at Guglielmo Winery! I came here for a tasting and ended up staying for one of their afternoon events with live music and food.Their staff was super friendly and Kimarie was the best host I have ever had! She showed us some of the popular wines in the vineyard and gave me a few tastings of their champagne.The venue itself has an outdoor and indoor tasting. The indoor is quite small but it can comfortably fit 30 people standing. The outside is a lot larger for parties, events and more.Their outdoor are is also dog friendly if you want to hang out near the vineyards. Their views are incredible near harvest season.Thanks so much for Kimarie for hosting me, I left the place buying a whole case for an upcoming event I had

We did a wedding at Guglielmo Winery and absolutely loved the winery venue. Highly recommended! The wedding guests loved the Photo Booth from What’s Up Photos

The winery never disappoints. Staff is very friendly. Venue is very clean, spacious, and perfect place to host your event. If your looking for a caterer, Fire 4 Hire is the freshest it gets.

Loved Adele (woman in the front of house) - super sweet and helpful! Top tier place for some top tier gugly! Gugglin up that delicious Guglielmo

What a beautiful venue for weddings and vow renewals! I had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful Indian vow renewal at this property and found it to be so beautiful and welcoming. Highly recommend for those planning a Bay Area wedding!

Great winery! It’s beautiful and plenty of seating. The staff is sweet, wine slushy was my favorite, and loved the snack catering they had! I will definitely be back!

Such kind sweet staff and the winery goes back 100 years and was founded by NW Italians and still keep many unique varietals! Wednesday night music and wine starting in June. Super cute tasting room and grounds. They got wine slushes if you’re not into the standard by the glass fare. EASY recommendation!

Our favorite Winery! We had to get married here! Best place to be a wine club member. From bottling your own wine, to yoga in the vineyards; and now they even have sip n paint events. This kid friendly place is the best day trip if you live in the bay area.

Excellent experience here! The people working were extra helpful and Larry was so knowledgeable about all the different grapes. We not only had a great time but learned so much too. The Bachio (kiss) after dinner wine is a must! It’s not a port but will give your taste buds such an experience even after it’s been swallowed. If I lived here we would be members and come all the time.

Located 1 hour south of SF. And just 15 min south of San Jose the Guglielmo family Winery was founded in 1925. They have been producing high quality wine for over 90 years.They have a wine club you can join that give you 2 bottles of wine 6 times a year “some are exclusive limited batches just for the members.Walking in there is a wine tasting counter to your left, to the right they have jelly’s and even a refrigerator with cheese and Italian meats.As you walk through to the back area you will find some nice arts and crafts.The outside grounds is huge enough to have private party’s and weddings. “They had a Yoga class going on when I was there today under a huge gazebo type structure.I left with a bottle of by my side and a mental note to come visit them again.

They were very knowledgeable, very friendly & professional. Their approach makes you want to come back soon.professional, and very friendly and helpful. Rages can democrat line cities more than half of bungers say t

Great winery with a lot of local history and is still family owned. Mostly red wines, but also a few whites and sparkling wines.

Thanks, Adele, for allowing us to set up lunch at this beautiful winery. Wine tasting was fun and delicious!

This winery is fantastic! The wine is great. The service is always top notch. And the new covid setup is amazing! Also love that they are having some live music. I recommend Guglielmo to everyone!

4.7

(182)

4.5

(78)

1480 E Main Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037, USA

1 list

Thankful for this small visitor center! Get some good facts and a good souvenir shop inside too. I would say this is a part of visiting this beach. Stop in!

One of the best place I traveled more then 20 times

Beautiful place! Even though it was busy My Family and I had no problem finding space to setup and enjoy the day.Highly recommended.

It’s a beautifully clean and tidy beach. Not too big in the area but good for anyone who loves the beach. If you love the beach and want a peaceful place to enjoy your beach time this is a must-visit place. Washrooms were okay, not bad not too good. But the overall experience is good and the view is just mesmerizing.

It was freezing and really windy the day my cousin and I went to visit. Because of the cold weather, we looked down onto the beach and took in the salty air and the coolness of the wind, instead of walking down to the sand.The view from up top was clear, a bit grayish, and really crisp, but it was still refreshing, just to be at a beach. It wasn't very crowded, some cars were using the upper lot as a turn out space.If I had a better camera or if the day wasn't so hazy, a better clearer picture of the two rock formation bridges would be visible.It really is a nice pleasant calm beach, the waves are low and smooth and parking was really easy, the day my cousin and I visited. We found parking really quick. There's a paid lot, a free lot with a small handful of spaces that overlook the beach, so you can stay in your warm car and still enjoy the view, and there's plenty of free street / residential parking.It's also a nice drive along the shoreline. If I still live in the Bay Area, I'd like to be able to return to the beach on a warmer sunnier day.

Nice place to walk and enjoy the peace. But the beach will close from 11am to 5pm, the parking lot was closed. But you may find a place along the street. Biking here is so fun with the different sceneries.

Very good for all ages. I personally like the time during sunset. One thing to consider here is the weather is so unpredictable you can see some myst or clouds all of a sudden in between bright sunny day. Apart of this rest all are fine. You can do bird watching and hear the so many other birds chirping.I would love to see this place more cleaner.

⛱️🌊🏄🥾🌼📷💡Here's a tip: walk off to the right of the beach, climb the ridge (it can be slippery at some points) and keep walking. You'll find a more secluded beach section down a bitPopular beach spot, with surfers and sail boats right off the shore. This beach is known for its natural stone arch. If you head towards the back you can find some nice trails with boardwalks through the park.

Beautiful formation of the rock...so photogenic...the walk along the Coastline to the lighthouse is very scenic. A good 4 mile easy walk round trip. Absolutely gorgeous coastline!

Nice location with great views and hikes by the ocean! If you are in the area, should stop by and spend few hrs. I have heard sunsets at this point are great, but haven’t been here for sunsets.You are on your own without lifesavers on duty. But this beach isn’t so much for water play, due to the waves and water flow etc.The beach is pretty clean and rock formations are interesting as you walk around the beach.Santa Cruz is popular for boardwalk etc, but this place should be on the list for visitors.

4.6

(1373)

4.5

(858)

2531 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

+81 other lists

We went on a Friday in December. The arcades are open, but none of the rides are open during the week until spring or summer. However the boardwalk is open to walk and check out. It was a very nice calm environment… A stroll down memory lane. My wife and I went here years ago when we were dating and it was fun to visit the same place without crowds and chaos.If you want a chill place to walk with lots of fun stuff to look at go mid week; if you want to enjoy the rides and crowds visit on the weekends.There is a parking lot across the street for five dollars, or you can park on the street and feed the meter.You need an app to pay parking meters with a credit card, or …. Meters still take good old American quarters.

My 7 and 10 year old had so much fun here! Our family had a great time going in the number cars, riding the iconic hand carved and painted carousel with the ring toss, riding the kids roller coaster and going the haunted house. There is the typical carnival style food but they did have a really tasty taco stand. And let’s not forget the beautiful beach! It is very family friendly with the soft sand and agreeable water to swim in. They have rinse off areas at the beach by the entrances of the Boardwalk so you can feel comfortable throughout your visit. Please be aware that is pricey to spend tickets are wristbands for the rides.

Very fun. There are rides, “state fair” food, beach, shopping and people- and dog- and bird-watching. We visited twice over the past few days. Very fun. We recommend the Sky Glider for a great view of the boardwalk and beach. In the late afternoon, ride west to east so that the sun isn’t essentially blinding you. Look for seagull gatherings on the beach and brown pelicans in the bay.

Not a ton of rides or shops but definitely a fun afternoon. Do not be fooled by the oldest roller coaster. It is an insanely fun & thrilling ride. Lines weren’t too terrible but going earlier in the day is smart. The beach is beautiful & a nice spot to have lunch.

We went on weekend with children and grandchildren and we all lost in crowd and fun. The ride Typhoon and the Haunted Castle terrifying. The Sky Gliders and the one wooden boat water ride were exiting. We enjoyed good food alongside. We played hilarious Jungle Climb and The great water race and yes the Break the Plates was rewarding and a great fun. At the beach we played to the full of our energy and also with the forming waves, it was really very good experience we ever had, than we relaxed. In the evening it was too cold for us. The Board Walk and the beach, as we felt, is safe and secured and good for full day family outing. Though a bit heavy on pocket.

The boardwalk is a bit pricey (free to enter, but $69.95 for an unlimited ride wrist band at the time of our visit), but genuinely it felt worth every penny. Each ride was better than expected. The Giant Dipper is a national historic landmark and the 5th oldest coaster in the US, but it rides like something built recently. Wipe Out is also a sneaky good time. The food fare is pretty solid, but I recommend packing a cooler to enjoy the excellent beach as well.

I’ve been dreaming to go this place since 2021 when I saw it on US (movie). My dream came true in August, 2023! It was a sunny day! Very hot btw, so please wear your best beach outfit (shorts, sandals, Sleeveless blouse or T-shirt), use sunscreen! The boardwalk is free! However, if you want to play you need buy a card or a bracelet. I do recommend to buy a card, because you can gain points in arcade and buy things with the points that you’ve gained through the day. Also, the card never expires ;)!In arcade games, you don’t need to wait. But if you want to get on the roller coaster, you need to wait. I went on a Sunday, at 10am, there was no line but after 12pm, You had to wait around 30 minutes for each game.Water and food: I recommend bring your big bottle of water and food! There’s a lot of places to buy food here but it’s not cheap and they give you a small portion. Imagine if you go with your big family, you have to buy A LOT, so it’s better if you bring sandwiches! :DParking: there’s a private parking that cost $30 a day. We parked our car in the street and it cost 2/hour but at the end of the day, they didn’t charge us anything ^-^ awesome!After all that has been said, I do recommend this place if you want to play, spend your day with your loved ones and ending the day walking around the beach or if you only want a little adrenaline and escape :)

I have to come here and spend the day. I love the boardwalk rides, the food/drinks, the beach, and the wharf. It is so spectacular and so much fun. You have got to come and experience it😁‼️

Went here with family few days ago still amazes me! Plenty of things to do besides going to the beach ⛱️. The parking plenty of room $20 whole day! Also check online for unlimited rides! The arcades super cool & clean & the staffs are attentive especially if they noticed their machine needs a check. The food is reasonable & affordable! The areas is clean & well kept! Can't wait to go back again!

I loved this place! It has good vibes. Beach and rides I like both! Boardwalk has a lot of food options too. The restrooms were clean when I visited. Long lines for some rides though (not too bad). I went in the afternoon so there were many parking spots right in front of the boardwalk. I would love to visit this place in the evening some day with lights!

Great rides! Not a lot of under 48"rides yet they have some.Amazing carnival food!!Spectacular view!!!After 5pm we got unlimited rides for $20 and the family had a blast! The moon was full and reflected of the ocean for a magical glow. Definitely recommend!

I've been going here since I was a kid. One of my favorite places. It's not cheap. Pack food and drinks to save money. Rides are around $8 each per person, but there's no entry fee. Beach is quite crowded but still doable. Free concerts in the summer. I saw Eddie Money here years ago. Family friendly and a lot of fun if you don't mind dropping $50-100 per person.

Loved it!! I visited there on my birthday 🎂 and enjoyed a lot all day.. Beautiful place, shows, rides and good food. Beach ⛱️ is beautiful but there is no cleanliness like other beaches. But overall good experience!! I like horror show and skyline. Highly recommend as it's not so far and you can explore all day... Have to go again soon 💕

Amazing experience visiting the place.The rides are decently priced as compared to famous theme & amusement parks.There is not so much waiting time for ride to enjoy.The food stalls in the area are good. However, I felt couple of addition of small souvenir shop can make it more appealing.Because of my experience, would love to get the common room area (washroom) to be more maintained

Grew up in Cali, never been to Santa Cruz till the last summer. Rode famous roller coaster, an Ariel tram. Was amazing! Would recommend getting the seasonal pass if you are going to go for more than a day. It takes more than one day to ride all the rides due to the wait times an lines. Did the freight walk.. awesome!!!!! Bought matching sweatshirts for me an my daughter. Had more fun in the 3 hrs we were there than at six flags.

🌞⛱️🎢🎠 A Day of Pure Fun at Santa Cruz Boardwalk! 🌊🍦🤩I recently spent a fantastic day at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and I can’t say enough about the incredible experience! It was a true dose of California beach magic.The moment I stepped onto the boardwalk, I was greeted with the sound of crashing waves and the scent of salty sea air. The vibrant colors of the rides and games set against the backdrop of the ocean were simply breathtaking.And let’s talk about the food! I indulged in some scrumptious cotton candy, tried a variety of delicious treats, and relished some of the best clam chowder ever.The best part was the genuine, laid-back, and friendly atmosphere. It’s a place where families, friends, and even solo adventurers can have a blast. Everyone was so cheerful, and the staff was incredibly helpful.The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a perfect blend of seaside serenity and thrilling amusements. It’s a gem on California’s coast that never loses its shine. I’m already planning my next visit because one day is just not enough to experience all the fun and beauty this place has to offer. 🌅🎡🏖️🌊🎉

If you don't like The Boardwalk something is wrong with you. I take my daughter and a friend here at least twice a years and it's always a blast. It's clean, the staff is always nice and there's tons of shops and food options. Plus, you're right on the beach and just a few minutes away from the pier. I even buy a wristband for myself so I can go in the rides with the kids.

This is a nice boardwalk to go to. It is admission free and appropriate for everybody for all ages. They have good rides, shops, food vendors, and other attractions. I don’t go on rides or play games there, but it is a good place to walk around and observe.There is also a beach next to it. Though the ocean is really cold if you ask me. People usually come here during the Summer, but obviously not during Winter since it’s not the best time. It would be better off if I do certain activities with my friends, but I went here alone. Doesn’t really stop me from coming here.I did play miniature golf here with my friends once and thought it was fun. Quite funny that we even never do anything besides that due to prices. They also have like a Haunted House, Water Slide, and other dangerous rides. Never attended to go to either of them haha

Love the boardwalk! Beach is great, gets crowded on weekends when it's hotter than average temperatures. The rides and games are fun, most of the time everything is in working condition. Restaurants are good. Lots of carnival type food selections but there are some restaurants on the wharf for a better food experience, a little pricey but worth it. Cleanest bathrooms ever at the boardwalk! Always a great experience at the boardwalk! I enjoy every visit and highly recommend.

It's a fun place to go even if you don't like the rides. There are games for winning prices, small tourist stores for shopping, photo booth for quick smile, food stops, etc. My friends and I had a great time but had to rush out since they close at 10pm on the weekends.All you really need to work out is entry.

What an amazing place to visit. We were here on our daughter's spring break and absolutely enjoyed our time at the boardwalk and beach. The boardwalk is packed with rides, shops, food, and fun. We spent the entire day soaking it all in. Plenty of restrooms, so no long walks from one end to the other looking for relief. The rides are fun and clean, and we really enjoyed taking the gondola over the crowd. If you're lucky, you can see seals in the ocean or dolphins. Parking out of the area was free and only a short walk to the boardwalk. Lots of memories were made here during our stay.

A great place to spend the day or weekend under the sun with family or friends! Definitely a hot spot for vacations and tourists. Local nearby hotels spread out throughout the area. Rides for all ages but nothing super thrill seeking. The Boardwalk is full of gift shops and tasty treats and the water is... Well, the ocean! The beach is pretty nice and clean. Pack some sun screen and bring your wallet cause you're going to need it! Skate and surf shops in and near the boardwalk, arcade and some decent entertainment next to a pier that is worth checking out as well! Redwoods are in the area as well and have become a staple for viewing along the nearby freeways.

Though extremely crowded due to public holiday it was very well maintained. Was being continuously cleaned. Security personnel were taking rounds to ensure no untoward incident happens. Had great variety of food stalls. A great place for family outing during summer. Parking was an issue. The authorities need to think of availability of more parking space.

Went with the wife and kidsAnd we had so much fun!So many cool rides, shops, and food.I had lost my wallet while riding the giant dipper roller coaster but thanks to guest services for finding it ! You guys are awesome. Thank you . We will be back 😎

Such a fun spot to spend a whole day roaming along the boardwalk, playing games or just taking in all the different activities. It’s great to see the diversity of people at all life phases who come out and enjoy it. We played a few games to try and win toys, took a ride on the chairlift that goes across and did a few other rides while visiting for a post lunch afternoon on a mostly sunny day. We’ll be back to check out the mini golf and other rides we didn’t get to try.

This one heck of a fun place but can get super loud and crowded. Definitely fun for youngsters and family’s with kids who are at an age that can enjoy rides. Also right next to the beach as well. Plenty of parking but it’s not free. There is also a real majestic train that will take you for a ride for just a little distance just for the experience of it.

Place was clean as can be. Getting on rides went fast. Food was good. Paying $20 for parking at the parking lot across the street was safe and secure. Staff was friendly and helpful. Food was good.my girls and wife and I had fun. I'm glad we came to get away from the central valley heat for afew days

Good place for a family outing by the sea. Many restaurants and entertainment options are available with rides, stalls,games and other entertainment options.A clean and well maintained place with adequate and clean rest rooms make things convenient.The sea beach is inviting and on a warm day one can wade into the water.

We came to the boardwalk for spring break and had an amazing time! The staff were helpful and kind, there was a free magician show, and the rides were super fun as well. The beach area was also super clean. We are looking forward to our next visit!

Came for a single day on July 6th. Wristband prices are high...$79 a person. Bought 3 plus 1 $100 my boardwalk card to share with my husband. The 2 of us went on the giant dipper and sea dragon. Our kids went on a bunch of other rides. We used the rest of our boardwalk card on food and drinks. I was pleasantly surprised it was not super crowded until the evening. Food here is expensive and just okay. The price for drinks is really high. Over $5 for a soda. Overall, the weather was nice and we had a great time!! In the future, we will likely come during the week to save money and pack our own food and drinks.

Recently visited after 20+ years. It is definitely still as fun as it was when I was a kid. The giant dipper is a must do. I recommend buying tickets in advance, although there are kiosks and ticket booths available. The beach can get really crowded but still plenty of room.We visited on a Friday night and next day Saturday morning. Friday night was less crowded and nicer to see with everything lit up. On Saturday, we got there right at opening and still sat in a lot of traffic just to get parking. We lucked out and found metered street parking, spent $9 vs the $30 parking lot.

What a amazing day with so much of fun and rides were amazing especially the luck games and few other rides . i liked it personally as we had fun riding . Tickets can be taken directly near the place and recharge based on the requirement .must visit place

Lots of fun activities and food trippin. Place claims to be the best boardwalk in US. I dont believe so, i have been to other boardwalks which are more fun than this place. Beach is nice. It is also a stop for the roaring camp big trees and pacific train. See images for further reference.

We have such a great time here with our toddler. Lots of shopping, delicious food, rides & an arcade area! We had a boardwalk day and then a beach day- there’s so much to do you need at least two days here.

I love visiting this place with friends! It's always fun, tasty and safe! Good weather and everything you need for a good day is here. We ride the rides, eat, enjoy the scenery and walk a lot… I always love watching the sea lions, pelicans and seagulls…

Cool place with tons to do! From an outdoor amusement park, to 3D rides, and other games, you will find yourself needing the entire day (if not another return here)! If you are done with that, put on your swimsuit and hit the beach that is just outside! Water was cold, but that's okay because the sand was so 🔥. After your sunburn, you can tour the Fisherman's Wharf along the Pier. Tons of shops and restaurants!

Haven't been to the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk in years. We were here on the weekend, so we thought we'd take a look see.I am impressed. The last time we were here, the area was very sketchy. Loitering, crime ridden, etc. The city and the owners of the boardwalk have done a tremendous job of cleaning up the area of trash, and crime.I watched families and children gather for fun times. Security was saturated as well as police patrols. I felt very safe, but was during the day. In all a very satisfying experience.

The beach is very accessible by walking from the street. Once you reach the beach, you do have to walk a bit from the beach through the boardwalk to reach the end where you can get an amazing view of the ocean and inland. But totally worth it. Give yourself an hour to stroll through the boardwalk and an hour more if you are grabbing food here.The boardwalk itself offers great options to be entertained.

Santa Cruz Baby… Fun place to beat, to take the family it’s a landmark, lots of rides, arcade and carnival type food. Also the train track scene where they shot “The Lost Boys” is at the left side of the beach on the south side. It’s safe, secure, plenty of parking, free to enter, retail stores and souvenirs to take home. Overall lots to do here.

Super great! Buy the tickets and game card online before we went and it was a great decision. The lines weren't super long and the weather was absolutely perfect. The bathrooms weren't bad. Food is pricey!! So be prepared to spend some money! The boardwalk is cashless though so keep that in mind when you visit.HIGHLY recommend the mini golf. It was 10/10 fun 😊

There's so many fun things to do here for families of all ages. There are plenty of rides that are perfect for toddlers. My little one loved all the rides. There's lot of shops and plenty of yummy treats. The only downside is that it can be very pricey.

4.6

(45282)

4.0

(3667)

400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

+45 other lists

It is a delightful experience to visit the wharf at sunset/dinner time. I love to go there and take a stroll, check out the stores, and have dinner as I watch the sunset, the seagulls, the sea lions, and the sailboats through the windows of the restaurants. Great experience that never disappoints.

It was clean and easy to walk with a stroller. Parking is limited.Lots of fishing going on.We came to see the Sea Lions and it didn’t disappoint my daughter is who is currently wild for sea mammals.Some storm damage being repaired toward the end so the last few hundred feet are blocked off for repair so you can’t get to the Sea Lion port holes but you can see there multiple other places/angles.

It was a fairly nice walk. Am glad it wasn't a busy day. There are several restaurant options and souvenir shops. My girls liked looking at the seals. Personally, would like some more shade to hangout longer, but it is a wharf.

A must visit when in the Bay area. The scenery while driving there was marvelous! Enjoyable... we had a blast just absorbing nature... majesticWhile arriving, we parked on the pier. A bit scary, wooden boards would rattle and shake... but we were okay, and it was a fun experience. There are so many great little shops for souvenirs, amazing restaurants... visit makai! .The views are great... great place for photos and walks and even jogs.The sea lions always are belching their voices.... such a surreal experience.Top marks across the board!

Santa Cruz Wharf is a beloved landmark and popular tourist destination located in Santa Cruz, California.Scenic Beauty: Santa Cruz Wharf boasts breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Cruz coastline. The sight of the expansive blue ocean, crashing waves, and coastal cliffs is truly mesmerizing. Visitors can stroll along the wharf and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze while taking in the stunning vistas.Attractions and Activities: The wharf offers a wide range of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages. From unique shops and boutiques to delicious dining options, there is something for everyone. You can browse through souvenir stores, art galleries, and specialty shops to find unique gifts and local crafts. There are also several restaurants and eateries serving fresh seafood, classic American fare, and international cuisine. It's a great place to satisfy your taste buds while enjoying the ocean views.Fishing and Wildlife: Santa Cruz Wharf is a haven for fishing enthusiasts. Many visitors enjoy casting their lines off the wharf and trying their luck at catching various fish species. The wharf is also a fantastic spot for birdwatching, as numerous seabirds and shorebirds can be seen flying and resting in the area. If you're lucky, you might even spot sea lions or seals lounging on the nearby rocks.Wharf Activities: The wharf hosts several activities and events throughout the year, adding to its vibrant atmosphere. From live music performances to art exhibitions and festivals, there's always something happening at Santa Cruz Wharf. These events create a lively and festive environment, making each visit a memorable experience.Beach Access: Adjacent to the wharf is the popular Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which offers a wide sandy beach and a variety of amusement park rides and attractions. Visitors can easily access the beach from the wharf, making it a convenient spot to enjoy a day in the sun, build sandcastles, or take a refreshing dip in the ocean.Family-Friendly Environment: Santa Cruz Wharf is a family-friendly destination with activities and attractions suitable for all ages. Children will particularly enjoy the boardwalk's amusement park rides and games, as well as the chance to spot marine life from the wharf. The friendly and welcoming atmosphere makes it an ideal place for a family outing or a relaxing day by the sea.Overall, Santa Cruz Wharf offers a delightful blend of natural beauty, seaside attractions, dining options, and entertainment. Whether you're seeking a peaceful stroll along the ocean or a fun-filled day with family and friends, the wharf provides a charming and enjoyable experience for visitors of all kinds.

I always come here to park my car. This wharf has many restaurants and shops. Most of the restaurants are seafood and stores have a bunch of souvenirs relating to Santa Cruz.When I got to the wharf, the tip of it is sealed and no one is allowed there. But that still doesn’t stop people from going to different areas of it. People usually come here to see nice views, eat at restaurants, and shop. Some restaurants share similar food varying different prices. So choose wisely.I am thinking of coming back here again next month or so. Who knows?

This would be one of my favorite place in California. Those sea lion are too adorable. They fight each other’s with their neck 🤣🤣🤣 also sleeping while there’s are sea lions fighting beside, how could they be so chill. I could just want their fight for one hour still not feeling bored.

The wharf was fascinating! They have cute shops and eateries. We just went to walk around and explore. It wasn’t super crowded but we got there about 4pm on a Sunday.It was a lovely walk on a beautiful evening and fun to see the boats and the fishermen. My favorite part was being able to see the sea lions. There are multiple spots to watch them at the end of the pier. They are loud but adorable!We didn’t go to the amusement park so I’m not sure about there. We did have to pay for parking, we were there for about an hour or so, we ended up only paying $2. So definitely go if you’re here cuz it’s lovely!!

Nice place to hangout. Has a lot of shops for souvenir, good food and has kayaking rental shops too. On a good day you will find it crowded with lots of cars and people.

Known for fishing, boat tours, viewingvarious marine life, delicious dining, nightlife and gift shops, the Santa Cruz wharf was built in 1914, the last of six built on the site, and is operated by the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Office. Composed of over 2000 70 ft. Douglas fir pilings driven 21 feet into the ocean floor, the wharf was 2,745 feet long and is revered as the longest pier on the entire West Coast. It is the crown, pride, and jewel of Santa Cruz's tourism.

Cool sea air. Mild temperature. Lots of people fishing on the wharf and swimming on the beach. Many nice seafood restaurants, fast food and souvenir shops.There are also many cycling services around the beach to take people from the parking lots to the beach and vice verse. $20 per ride (one way).We came here to get away from the hot temperature in San Jose and to see the sea lions 🦭The only minus point is that many people with similar thoughts. Hence. The route here is always jammed with traffic, even on the freeway.

Visiting Santa Cruz for the first time!Especially since I’m a skateboarder!!!I made my way around the city by foot since you are not allowed to use your bicycle roller-skate,skate board, any-wheel devices are not allowed throughout Santa Cruz. ((It’s literally illegal))Which caught me off guard as I am an avid a bicyclist, skateboarder, skate, roller skater, and so forth. Santa Cruz is known for skateboarding, and yet you cannot skateboard.I want to make that very clear that if you get caught biking skateboarding skating by the police, you will get in trouble.Walking along the wharf at Santa Cruz first you notice shops start to appear on the right hand side.The further you walk down the wharf you start to hear noises from the sea lions.As you’re walking the wharf you’ll have majority of your shopping in the center of the pier.There’s also spots to where you can look down and see the sea lions.There’s opportunities to catch fish and clean them while at the pier. There are cleaning stations on either side and on the front towards the ocean.There’s also opportunities for you to use the binoculars for some change.I definitely recommend taking a walk down the Santa Cruz wharf.It’s definitely an experience that you cannot find anywhere else.You get to have an up close and personal experience with sea lions watch dolphins in the waves and see whales making spouts!From diving seagulls to the beautiful crashing of the ocean sound. This is definitely a nice stroll on the quieter side. So if you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the every day loud noise. This is a place for you.

We had been here during the evening, right at the sun downer. It’s lovely to watch the sea loin when they go to sleep. The view is also very nice and the shops are nice if you want to buy some Santa Cruz clothes.

Nice wooden wharf. Largest on the west coast. Over a century old. Recently took a wave beating, so parts of the wharf are closed due to safety reasons.There were many people fishing from the pier all ages, but on this day the fish were not biting.Again, this is a touristy area and attraction, so food is priced accordingly. So be aware.I'll post some menus and prices here, but the food is good.

Went there to kill time with my dog on a cloudy Saturday while my hubby was on a project.Parked on the Wharf lot in front of Gilda's. Was there for about 90 minutes = $5.Cool place to stroll. We enjoyed watching the seal families so their thing. Sat on a bench for a bit to chill. Went to the beer garden and grabbed a taco from Cococ, the food truck at the moment. Super chill time enjoying my furson and the other families.Plus my boy got ALOT of love which I really appreciate. As a Rottie, it's not uncommon to get nervous looks and crossing of the way, but it was clear that this is a dog town full of dog lovers 😀That said, it took a moment for me to realize your actually not supposed to bring dogs there! But there were a handful of dogs there and it was not reinforced...with the exception of one lady who was put off when my boy had a reaction to the sound of a dragging garbage can (the one thing that sets him off). Immediately half a dozen people came over to greet and calm him and team him he was a good boy (and whispered that that lady can go kick rocks) 😉.He was so appreciative, and it nearly brought tears to my eyes. So for all that, 5 stars!

Hadn't heard anything about this wharf when we stopped by for a stroll. Imagine the fun when I saw the sea lions. They were so loud! Echoing off the underside of the wharf, they really demand your attention. Which was fine, because they were so fun to watch. The battles for perches and their playful way of swimming around the piers were entertaining to watch from the special viewing hatches at the end of the wharf.

Beautiful walk way to take a stroll in the morning or during the day. It was windy when we went so grab a jacket. There are touristy shops and food places on the wharf. And places to fish it that is your thing.

Very nice relaxing place to visit and very beautiful! Myself and my family really enjoyed our visit here and can't wait to come back! Strongly recommend if visiting Santa Cruz!

Great place to park, set up your gear and fish right by your vehicle. Bring a picnic, or eat at one of the many restaurants at the wharf.

Neat strip of tourist traps on the warf. Great candy and chocolate store, a couple nice surf shops.... well tshirt shops, no surf gear.... and the absolute best clam chowder I have ever had.

Walk on the wharf is so good to smell the ocean air and look at these incredible views. There are seals too and they are fun to watch. Nice shops and little seafood restaurants.

One of the must go to’s if visiting Santa Cruz . The wharf has everything from beach area to great food . If your looking to go kayaking or fishing those are available as well . Recommend the MaKia tiki bar, great drinks. Majority of the food on the wharf isn’t the best and would recommend the Jack O’Neil restaurant if you want something good kinda on the wharf . Humble sea has a pop up spot for great bear in the spring/summer time . All around a great time for the family and only a few steps away from the boardwalk area .

Perfect place for sea Lion 🦭 observation. Not a good place for sunset 🌅 though. The village buildings are blocking the view.

Love parking near the wharf. Great food shops and beach

So beautiful! So serene 😍 lots of stores around for souvenirs and there was a cute ice cream place too

I live in Los Altos so I take a train to San Jose and a bus that goes from San Jose to Santa Cruz. It’s called Highway 17 bus and it’s only 350 for seniors and I have a great time going to Santa Cruz on the bus and back.

4.6

(15006)

4.0

(1347)

21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

+29 other lists

4.5

(1343)

Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

18 lists

This is, without any doubt, the most beautiful theme park in America! We had a wonderful time. The rides are fun and well-maintained. The food was really good (Try the Gilroy Garlic Fries!) But, most of all, this part was stunningly gorgeous. There is so much shade and so many places to relax during your visit.

Excellent place to spend time with family especially with little kids under 7-8 years of age. There are many age appropriate rides for little kids, 2 roller coasters, banana split for adults a little lake is there inside the park which allows you to do paddle boating. A train ride which takes you around the entire park so that you can become familiar with the place, and also it’s super fun. Limited eating joints with fast food, ice creams, popcorn etc are available. Their premium membership is worth taking if you live within 50 miles of the park and plan to come again for visiting. Kids under 3 go for free. They also allow you to take some snacks/water for kids/seniors for emergency purposes. During summer it’s open all week, but before n after that it’s only open for weekends. Down side is older kids might not enjoy the park so much since there are not many exciting rides for them. Also their water park area which opens in summers is awesome for all ages to enjoy.

My only gripe with this place is the 25 dollar parking fee. And I haven't found free parking close by. This is why I give it 4 stars and not 5.This place is really awesome for kids. The rides are great, the water splashing area is fun. There is a lot of shade from the trees. And all the plants are amazing.

Big amusement park in the land of beautiful gardens. The rides are suitable for smaller kids - even an 18-month old.Bought an annual pass and got two free holiday tickets, so we essentially just went into the park with one annual pass, which is around 100 bucks. It got us to buy food in the park with 20% off.The holiday feast seems nice but we didn't go with that because we didn't want to have time constraints.It is a bit cold during the night in the park. Prepare layers as the daytime is warm.Some rides have long wait times - especially the train station one and the car ride. Prepare to be in line for 20-30 min. Other rides had no line or wait time.Overall a good experience.

We had an amazing summer fun at Gilroy Gardens. This place was perfect for families with infants, toddlers and youth. We booked the cabana at the water oasis bucket inside the park. They provided towels for each one in the party along with sunscreen and beach chairs as part of the booking. The cabana was clean and had a refrigerator full of complimentary water and juices. A fan with fast blowing air kept us cool throughout the day. The cabana menu had combos containing food and beverages both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Water was clean and didn't smell of chlorine. Lifeguards were present at each slide and were constantly ensuring the safety of the kids while they lined up. Changing rooms and lockers were available in the water oasis area. Restrooms were kept clean all day and the water play areas were wheelchair accessible. The service of the park staff was warm, comforting and commendable.

Went on a very cold day was lucky and got an igloo the rides were a bit antiquated, the gardens need a lot of clean up and work sad that I only seen a few tree that are works of art. The place looks a lot diffrent when I was young... Now it's got a carnival feel! Payed for the Dinner it was very good and well worth it.. The lights for Christmas at night were beautiful. I hope that they put more money into the park to clean up and paint a little!

I love taking my kids here. They all love going and they have so much fun. I like that the park is filled with pretty gardens and lots of shade. The lines go by pretty fast and the bigger rides often have no lines. This place is great for kids ages 13 and under. The food here is good and they also serve alcoholic drinks in the evening, which is nice if you enjoy having a refreshing drink.

This amusement park is well maintained and have a good variety of rides. Park is in general clean and there are many pretty flowers, plants and amazing trees. Staff are friendly and food is reasonably priced (of course, a little more expensive than the outside restaurants). The single day ticket is $50. Parking is $20 but $5 cheaper if purchased online. Membership is $110 for the entire year. Great America membership can get free admission for adults and kids.

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park is a beautiful place. There is something for everyone. There are rides for small kids and some rides can be enjoyed by 10yrs+ or adults too. I recommend to do the paddle boat first as later in the day waiting time may be more around 20-25 minutes or more for this ride. Timber twister & quick silver coaster can be enjoyed by adults who are happy with little thrill 😀.Food is bit pricey-.Garlic French fries are worth to try.Nice gardens, rides. Plenty of area to sit and relax. Overall a good place to enjoy with your family. Will plan to visit again.

What a heavenly place! It was so nice, shady and green, we just loved it. There was a small queue for almost all the rides, but most of the areas are in shade, it was bearable. There are lots of rides for kids of all ages. Train ride and boat ride is a must! Waterfalls and oasis/ splash pad was such a relief in the hot summer weather. Kids aged 2 and 3 enjoyed a lot. Food inside the park is fine. I really liked the garlic-parsley fries. One can take snacks and water bottles inside. Do check their FAQ, beforehand. Bring your strollers/ wagen. Getting a membership is better if u are a bigger family with kids above 3 years old. Whole garden is well maintained and engaging. Staff is friendly and helpful. Definitely coming back again soon.

I wouldn't recommend buying tickets or season passes this year.We've been going to Gilroy Gardens since my son was 2; he's 12 now. We've always loved this place!Now that he's on summer break, my son wanted to go back to Gilroy Gardens. However, this time was much different. We quickly discovered that Gilroy Gardens hasn't been properly maintaining their rides in the off-season.Four major attractions broke down or were closed today: the banana ride -- for part of our visit, and my son's first stop and disappointment; the spinning swings, which a park employee said had been down for months; both sections of the old classic car ride -- for the entire time we were there; and the Water Oasis Bucket and slides -- for the entire time we were there (one of their flagship attractions) (picture attached; employees just stood around waiting all day to tell people over and over it wasn't usable and they had no ETA on when it would be back up).When we asked park attendants why the Water Oasis Bucket area was closed, they said that too much chlorine had been added (which implies negligence).Of the few rides that were open that we rode, the majority had other operational issues. Even the tram made such load noises from scaping against the track through sections that the kids on it were covering their ears with looks of discomfort on their faces. We even got hit in our tram car by multiple branches of overgrown trees throughout multiple sections of the ride.People that work there should ride each ride each morning before the park opens and guests come to ride the rides to ensure they're safe; had they been, I think they'd quickly see parts of the trees are coming into the tram in multiple areas.For a visit that took us over 2 hours to get there; and over 3 hours to get home (through Gilroy 5 pm traffic); and cost a ton -- what a disappointment.I'd recommend steering clear this summer. There are lots of other great water parks and amazement parks throughout California that are much better maintained. They should be reinvesting some of their revenue back into each of their rides each off season; especially if they're going to be open 7 days a week. Guests expect to come and find what they paid for available.We also checked the website before coming to plan our visit. There was no mention anywhere that any of the attractions were down. We checked again when we got home, still no mention that any attractions were down today.I'm really disappointed Gilroy Gardens. There were a lot of places I could have spent the day with my son; but we chose your family theme park. The least you could do was ensure that your rides were fully operational, safe, and well-maintained for all of your guests today.

the cutest little amusement park ever, as an adult I enjoyed it so much! This place is so clean, green, and food and beverages are amazing! Lots of things to do and explore, the rides are so cute! Will be taking my little nieces soon.

Such a fantastic theme park! Perfect rides for children, and great meal options. Service was amazing. The design was so good that the theme was so convincing; it felt like I was on another planet. Some trees look very interesting and unique in shapes and could be found nowhere else. No wait times!

I’m not a big fan of family tehme parks because usually they are loud, crowded and anything but relaxing. Gilroy Garden was the opposite! Located in the forest, it features the river and waterfalls and a lot of green and shade! The rides and water fun were a blast for young kids. I’d estimate, it’s a perfect place for kids ages 1-9!

Fun for the whole family. Beautiful trees and plants rides were perfect for our 6 year old grandson and 3 year old granddaughter. A bit expensive for parking $25 and adult ticket. Suggest getting a great America year pass!

Kiddie Park, if you are coming for the Circus trees, good luck. The trees seem to be an afterthought with them. They are not listed on the map, but they are drawn on the map if u look really close. 6/8 of the minor ones are located before the entrance,

Update : Reduced from 5 stars to 3 stars.Great place for kids, but operations are too slow. It takes them 6 minutes to unload/load 20 folks for a 1 minute roller coaster ride. The wait times can be easily 45 minutes to an hour on a moderately busy day.

Our first time there and we were very impressed. It is great for kids and adults as well. The splash zone was super awesome. We had plenty of fun and plenty to do.. highly recommended

Absolutely fantastic! My only complaint is the food- not a lot of vegetarian options and overpriced for non-quality food. Cold fries, pre made salad and stale "nachos" at their "mexican" restaurant. Everything else was FABULOUS. I'd love to return but hope for better food options next time.

It should be a fun park for little kids. The parking lot is large enough for visitors. It has some water playing activities which should be nice in hot summer. The cons are that waiting time for each ride is too long. Overall, it is a nice little theme park. Pay attention to those strange trees.

Our babies, 1 and 2 years old, really liked the rides they could go on. The park is beautiful and Gilroy should be proud of their little oasis near the bay.On a Monday the park was not crowded at all. Most of the rides are perfect for the small kids. The parks website/app said almost all attractions were open but they were not staffed until later in the afternoon -1☆.The food prices are typical of amusement parks and an adult beverage runs about $15. The souvenir shop was fairly reasonable and we got our babies little ranger vest for $15.99 each.No outside food or drink, but there is a somewhat hidden shaded bench area available outside the main gate & parking lot near the "Box" circus tree that is perfect for a packed lunch.

I cannot tell you how much fun this park is for families. It is the best! Perfect! It is especially good for families with kids under 12 with some rides geared for 10 and up. Especially to roller coaster. My first impression was simply great! Every employee was over the top happy to meet us, helpful, and cheerful. I was so surprised. Just the way you would want it. The park is beautiful. Not a piece of trash to be found and the abundant and convenient restrooms were spotless. Catch the train first to see the wonderful gardens, woods, and rides then make your plan for the days adventures. Be sure to bring a change of clothes for the kids to enjoy the water. The water park is simply amazing. It even offers adult coolant for those days when the kids are exuberant and we need a bit of something to ease our weary feet and minds. Simply the best!

This place is a must! So cute and the scale is perfect for families who don't want the big disney experience. Lines were not too much of wait. Several little water parks included in your ticket price, unlike Legoland. Perfect for hot weather. Their small convenient stands were not too expensive either, which was great. When we went they had a memorial day sale with all u can drink soda wristbands and $2 popcorn. Absolutely will be back!

It’s a wonderful place with all fun slides and water park. They also have camp nights that include movie, camping and three meals. Food was also good. My kids enjoyed a lot and boating is bonus.Highly recommend this place.

Definitely recommend this place. Is so beautiful and there is so many flowers and trees around it. The birds sounds are amazing and the river is beautiful. Rides are mostly for kids, but as an adult you will get to relax and enjoy the scenery and fresh air. There is some rides adults can enjoy and train rides that show you the park. Kids under 4 will also enjoy some of the rides. The park was not too crowded and lines were so small. All workers were kind and friendly. Food however is not good and is overpriced. It needs to improve. I recommend eating outside before going in. There is also a water park that is super cute. Place is awesome. We will be going back for halloween and Christmas.

Truly a hidden gem among theme parks. It has variety of attractions for all the ages, a garden, water play area, rides and at an affordable price. You can definitely think of getting an annual pass here. There were some comments on being not well maintained etc but it is not that bad either. While the fast pass was not recommended here, the crowds during Labor Day were so huge, the wait times were more than 1.5hours for certain rides; so do buy it for long weekends. So the park is highly recommended for ages less than 10-11. They have clean restrooms, lockers, strollers for rentals and plenty of restaurants. Buying ticket online saves you much.

The new water park has 3 slides but not that great but on a hot day it was fun to be in the water park. We love banana rides, quicksilver the most.One thing I don't like about this place is their closing hour. They close at 6 Pm that too in summer vacation weekend on a hot day. The park expects everyone to hangout in the sun all day during peak afternoon hours, they do not provide an option to enjoy the evening in the park although it doesn't get dark till 8:30 pm.

We went in July so the temperature was high 70s. It was HOT BUT lots of shades and trees and benches to sit on and a breeze. The park is accommodating and puts an umbrella on some of the lines. They even put a pergola with Fava beans so it was nice and super naturey. The park employees are friendly - even though they must have done or said it 2000x a day. There is a metal detector when you first come in and someone checks your bag...I feel safe doing so. There are lockers in case you don't want to lug everything - small, medium, and large locker sizes.. Different rate of course. The rate is for the day - don't forget your pin and locker #. Restrooms are nice and many stalls at one throughout the park. Some of the toilet seats are low enough for the toddler age which is super nice. There is a big changing room at the first restroom/locker by the entrance. I recommend to bring ice water and sunscreen so you can re-apply if needed. Wagons or strollers are a must - especially if you have little ones/toddler and pre-schooler. Bring "light" snacky/fruits and cold beverages. Food can be pricey at the park but sometimes needed to buy. Check out the website for your first time visit - lots of good info. The water park area can be busy and "dense* so plan ahead. The pass is recommended if planning on visiting at least twice a year - and not have to pay for parking each visit. I highly recommend it. Bring food in case you have a restricted diet or allergies. Hats for the kiddos are recommended. Must try and hopefully you'll love it as much as we did. Hopefully on hot summer days, they will add mister - that would be nice. Or sell personal mister?? Our favorite was the monarch and green train

4.5

(5423)

4.5

(466)

3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020, USA

6 lists

Good outlet mall near Morgan Hill. There are a variety of high end store with eateries in between. Some of the store are expensive but there are some good offers on.Plenty of parking and there are 2 sections to the mall.

modesto representin! wish they didn't tear all the stores down, but can you blame them with this incredible view. snagged this photo at sunset yesterday! #modestoarch

This outlet mall has quite many stores, scattered in 4 sections. Within each section the stores surround the parking lot in the middle. So the design is very car centric and not quite pedestrian friendly.

The Gilroy Premium Outlets offer a diverse shopping experience with a wide range of brand-name stores. Shoppers appreciate the variety of discounted high-end and popular brands available. The layout is generally well-organized, making it easy to navigate through the numerous stores. Bargain hunters often find great deals, making it a worthwhile destination for those seeking quality products at discounted prices.

You would have more choices compared to the ones in the city center, worth driving 30 min. Prices are also somewhat better. The only thing I didn't like is the absence of a direct passage between the two wings of the mall.

Overall a pretty decent outlet mall. Our highlight was the Nike store. The deals are very good with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Call out to Yvonne, she has good product knowledge on the shoes.

This is good place for shopping, only downside is that there are four blocks around the crossing.Many good outlets(Wilson leather) have been closed after covid

The outlets are pretty busy, the stores are good, but the facilities and nonexistent security staff are less to be desired.Just so I am not totally negative, you can find some great deals, and the individual stores are well kept and clean. Lots of variety and quality items.

Great range of stores in close proximity. I visited for the Tommy Hilfiger outlet store and stop by whenever I am visiting California from the UK . Feeling peckish Erik's Deli is right next door to the Tommy shop. It's a great place for a coffee and a sandwich . Public toilets also on close proximity ....

Great selection of stores and outlets for Gilroy. I loved the Calvin Klein store and adidas as well for my favorites but they also have Kate spade, coach, and more. Lucky Brand also has amazing deals for quality denim.

I visited the bath and body store. It has a lot of the new stuff but you can find some discounts on past releases. It is not as discounted on the new items (since supposedly an outlet store,)

Great place for shopping. One day isn’t enough!

I like the variety of store brand choices. Not all stores have good specials, but there are those few that you can find reasonably priced. New Dickies brand store and few other ones have relocated across shopping centers.

We went for the day very hot,kids enjoyed the water park. Great place for the family

I have to admit that I was underwhelmed by these outlets, considering that I've been hearing so many good things about this spot. First, the stores don't seem very lively even on a Friday night, and there seem to be some empty spots.Also, there was this peculiar smell in the air that reminded me of fresh vomit. Nope, not a good thing.

Easy to assess from Santa Clara if you have a car. Good afternoon of shopping!Lots of stores and options. Some did not have outlet prices but full price that you see in regular store.

As soon as my friend and I walked in we got the stink eye. We were so excited because the clothes were super cute but the girls that worked there were low key rude and were giving dirty looks the entire time. Not to mention the attitude when we finished trying an outfit on. She snatched the clothes from my hands and didn’t even ask if we wanted to buy anything. In the words of Tyra banks “I would give it a zero but since that’s not possible I give you a one”

All the outlets in one place offering a wide array of discounts. Arranged as three sections with huge parking lot, eateries, restrooms etc makes this a family outing. There are benches and sofas for those who do not want to enter the stores while the family members shop.

Its been qukte awhile since I've been here its changed alittle not much still a good selection of stores for womenn and men.Dress clothes and business attire as well as casual. Quite a few shoes stores as well to compliment your wardrobe. Fold wise great..in and out burger 🍔Just yummy 😋Mc Donald's for the kids and there is a taco truck on the north side of the outside didn't try but it smelt good.Most of the stores had some pretty good deals too being as we are changing from winter to spring

Definitely a place to visit when around. It easily takes a day to Rome around.There are 145 Brand outlets spread across this area.Lookout for a deal over there portal so you can avoid so much walking but then miss the deal in the next brand.They have huge parking space spread across the premises so just look for around if you even don't find instantly.They have public toilet, look for the Guide board for one nearest to you.

All the major brands are in one place. There's ample parking. Few restaurants are also nearby. Charging points for EVs are also a plus point. Since the stores are scattered, it's difficult to walk around in summer.

Branded stores that have clearance sales and bargains depending on the period visited. Huge carpark.

This is a great area to check out. The outlet is located on 4 corners. I was shocked when I realized this. The restrooms are very clean and there are plenty of stalls. The food court (the restrooms are in the same building as the food court) is not open, I'm sure due to Covid.

4.3

(9970)

4.0

(464)

681 Leavesley Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020, USA

One of my best days was spotting humpback whales multiple times and seeing otters along the way. The weather changed quickly from sunny and hot to foggy and cold within minutes, but it didn't stop us from sailing out to meet the whales! Unfortunately, we didn't spot any dolphins or other types of whales besides humpback whales, but it was still wonderful to see wildlife, especially birds, otters, and the ocean in their natural habitat. I truly feel this is a therapeutic experience, absolutely loving nature, and learning more about life while protecting what we have on Earth. Definitely worth it!

We had a wonderful experience! We purchased the VIP tickets for the upper deck which was worth it so we didn't need to compete with as many people for moving to one side of the boat or the other for viewing. Shirts hats and glasses are available for purchase at the Sea Goddess in case you forget yours. Thanks to the entire crew!

I took my mom to pacific grove for mother's day and wanted to take her to do different activities. Whale watching was one of them. After reading the great reviews...I decided to book with this company.When you show up there is a parking lot which cost 10.00 in cash. You must fill out a slip and put it in an envelope. There is free street parking but it is scarce and you must make sure you can park there.The sea Goddess has a trailer in the parking lot where you check in. Inside you can buy hats...sweatshirts..ect if you want. You will get your boarding pass here.Then behind you is a green boarding sign..thats where you will wait to board.The boat us pretty big with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.When you leave the dock your first introduced to wonderful sea lions playing...otters...birds...its so cute watching them play.Then you go out to the open waters and they were very diligent taking you to see whales. We were blessed to see many.It was a wonderful trip and would definitely do it again.I recommend getting the front of the boat.

What a fantastic experience on Sea Goddess! Our guide, Juliette, was a wealth of knowledge. She shared amazing facts about Humpback whales during the cruise. I appreciated that all the local whale watching tours work together to share details where whales are. We saw two majestic whales during the tour, along with many otters and sea lions. It was a once in a lifetime experience! Dress in warm layers (even in July), and have fun!One word of advice- we made sure to take Dramamine before departing, but several on our tour did not- and many people became sea sick. Remember you are sailing on open water, so take precautions!

Absolutely amazing trip, guided by a marine biology grad student! We saw dolphins, sharks, murres, pigeon guillemots, sea lions, sea otters, and of course… WHALES! The crew was incredibly friendly, and the captain even extended our tour a little bit to make sure we saw whales breaching (jumping out of the water). Only $20 to upgrade to VIP and hang out at the top of the boat, which is much less crowded and offers a better view. Highly recommend! Will take this tour every time I’m in Monterey!

The crew was great. Nice, ample boat and the price is right. We went out for a few hours and saw much more than we bargained for; a huge leatherback turtle, a blue shark, some otters and more than a few whales. Definitely would recommend.

Overall, it was pretty good. The whale-watching experience was fantastic; the crew was friendly, check-in was smooth, and there was plenty of space with excellent viewing platforms for everyone. Parking wasn't as difficult to find as expected; there were actually quite a few free parking spots available. The only thing I found lacking was that the guide's reminders about whale sightings weren't always timely; I ended up having to rely more on my own observations. It's a bit disappointing that we didn't get to see any orcas this time, but overall, it was a good experience.

We had a great day and our grandson was impressed as well..he also enjoyed the knowledge shared by the marine biologist on board.

Tolle Tour mit nettem Guides.Haben Orcas, Buckelwale und natürlich die Seelöwen gesehen. Boot blieb immer im guten Abstand zu den Meeresbewohnern.(Translated by Google)Great tour with nice guides.Saw orcas, humpback whales and of course the sea lions. Boat always stayed a good distance from the sea creatures.

We accidentally went to a different whale watching tour and missed our departure! The staff went above and beyond to help us reschedule for the next day! Unfortunately, it was canceled because of rough waters! We highly recommend any business that tries to work with you in the event of any issue that may arise! We appreciate the Sea Goddess for their kindness and professionalism, and we can't wait to set sail with them in the future!

A wonderful boat & crew! Not crowded, gentle easy cruise, and quickly found multiple whales to watch!

This was my first whale watching experience, and wow, it did not disappoint. I had so much fun, we saw 4 humpback whales! The boat was very clean and nice with a huge indoor area to get out of the cold sea air. The crew on board were very nice as well. I will definitely book another whale watching trip with Sea Goddess!

The captain of the vessel was very good. Well season and good at piloting the vessel. The crew was very helpful and informed when answering questions and talking about the sea life and whales. The vessel was also not very crowded and the other guests were respectful and polite. The experience was fun and I would highly recommend it.

We had an amazing time! Staff was very personable and knowledgeable. We saw a huge group of humpback whales and sea lions feeding. It was one of the most breathtaking things I have ever seen. Paid for the upper deck and it was worth it, less crowded and could see further away.Also appreciated the restrooms on board!

We had booked a VIP tour. However due to the vessel used the package didn't apply. Staff quickly refunded extra we paid.Saw over 20 whales. Deck hand on the boat has ocean mammal degree and was very knowledgeable and informative.

Saw many humpback whales and orcas feeding a little surprising since I'm fond of sea lions. It was a bit disturbing, but that is nature. Great crew. If you tend to get sea sick, take something before you come on many carrying blue bags. It was a beautiful, calm day aside from some swells. Highly recommend.

Took the 9 am tour at the end of MAY. (Update- Yes May, it was freezing & sooooo gray in May!!!)Everyone at Sea Goddess is helpful, knowledgeable & friendly. Please be aware it's COLD on the boat. Like freezing and you will get wet. When we went a lot of people were getting sick, just take the Dramamine so you can enjoy it. My husband and I both took Dramamine and felt great. We saw a humpback whale, seals, otters, sea lions & orcas! Must really love whales to endure the cold. Haha

Sea Goddess Whale Watching in Monterey Bay delivered a thrilling adventure with a few minor kinks, earning a solid 4-star rating from your friendly neighborhood ocean enthusiast.Highlights that had me breaching for joy:Experienced crew: The captain and marine biologist were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about the whales and their conservation. Their enthusiasm was contagious, making the learning experience as fun as it was informative.It took us a while to get out far enough to see a whale, but we spotted grey whales in the distance. It was truly awe-inspiring to witness these gentle giants in their natural habitat.Comfortable & spacious vessel: The boat was clean, stable, and offered plenty of viewing space for everyone.Snack situation: The provided snacks were basic and a bit underwhelming. Consider offering more substantial options, especially for longer tours.Seating limitations: While there was ample space to stand and move around, finding a comfortable seat, especially for larger groups, could be tricky.Overall, Sea Goddess Whale Watching provided an unforgettable experience. The knowledgeable crew, close encounters with marine life, and comfortable vessel made it a fantastic day at sea. Just pack some extra snacks for the ride, and you're in for a whale of a time!Rating: 4 out of 5 starsTips:Book your tour in advance, especially during peak season.Dress in layers, as it can get chilly on the water.Bring binoculars for a closer look at the whales.Pack some snacks if you need more than the basic offerings.

We had a great time! The crew was friendly, helpful and great at sharing safety information. In addition, Chris and John had excellent biological information about the whales and other marine life. We were also happy to see the captain spotting trash in the ocean and stopping to pick it up! We really enjoyed following the whales we saw and learning more about their life and journeys.

Went with my family on 8/3/24and had a blast. So plenty of breaching whales and the staff were great.

Amazing Morning !!! So much activity on the water. Loved it all.Great experience thanks also to our guides they were great. We came out to Monterey for 1yr anniversary.

The best whale watching experience I could have asked for!! We saw over 20 humpback whales. Tons of seals, jellyfish, pelicans and other birds. Skip the aquarium and go straight to the source with Sea Goddess. Will be back to try their Great White Shark excursion!!

It was a nice trip. I do recommend paying the $20 extra for the top deck, the view is much better and less people.Would have like to see a little bit more, instead we stayed with the same mother and calf the whole time.Other ships stayed got good views, then left to go see others.Still was a nice outing.

Great experience. Staff was nice and knowledgeable. The only issue was a poor PA system on the boat so it was difficult to hear the Captain.

4.6

(596)

4.5

(269)

7881 Sandholdt Rd, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA

3 lists

It started off great and ended phenomenally. From start to finish it was the most enjoyable whale watching cruise I have been on. Captain Kate is awesome. I can’t even describe how awesome these creatures are and how it was just an experience. I’ll never be able to replicate.

What a amazing day to see several pairs of whales. The crew, who is most knowledgeable, made the experience even better. This is a small company that pays attention to their customers. From the minute you step on board you feel comfortable and you’re in for an enjoyable journey.

Probably the best whale watching agency in Moss Landing!What we saw: A lot of humpbacks, about 8 blue whales and a massive Mola fish.Me and my friends went whale watching last weekend with Blue Ocean Whale Watch and I am very happy I chose them out of the many options.Blue Ocean Whale Watch had a smaller boat AND a reduced capacity, so that there was always enough space on deck to walk around and get a good view of a whale when it pops up. There were two marine biologists on board who would give fun facts or answer questions. Additionally the captain was very knowledgeable and she was very passionate about showing us the whales. She would always try to get a good view of the whales while not disturbing them.One of my friends went with Sanctuary Cruises and we saw another agency while on the water and both had bigger ships and were way more packed. According to my knowledge their prices are even about the same as Blue Ocean.I can definitively recommend them to anyone who wants to maximize their chance of seeing these beautiful creatures!

I wasn't sure this was for me, but I had a great time. We saw a humpback whale nicknamed "Gulper" who came up to the surface repeatedly near our boat.What really set the experience apart for me was the excitement and interaction with Captain Kate (sp?) and the other crew members. Their mood really brought me into the experience and made it special. They were very knowledgeable and answered all my questions. I would highly recommend this company.

Brilliant 3 hours Whale, Dolphin and sea lion watching. Weather was perfect and great cruise around Monterey Bay. Crew were very engaging and worked hard to make sure we saw multiple whales.Would recommend

Awesome experience! Not over crowded at all and the boat is quite so you can hear all the whale sounds. The crew and captain are super friendly an knowledgeable. We were on whales instantly!! So awesome!!

Our whale watching experience was amazing. The day was extremely well planned and executed and the crew was outstanding. We saw TONS of humpback whales and Captain Kate was determined to show us something epic - and she delivered. Brian was the other crew member and he was incredibly knowledgeable, energetic and passionate. Definitely pack warm clothes as you’ll want to be outside for the entire time. Highly recommend!

Loved our morning whale watching with BOWW. We chose to go with them instead of larger company out of Monterey so we could have a more personal experience with a smaller crowd. We also liked that no dogs were allowed on board. The driving and parking directions provided were very clear and easy to follow. Boarding the boat was quick and smooth. The space indoor and outdoor was ample for the number on board and made us appreciate choosing a smaller group that was less crowded. Friendly and knowledgeable guides. We were downstairs so I’m not sure if the upstairs is worth the up charge or not. We followed the recommendation to take Dramamine the night before and morning of, and nobody in our group felt sea sick. Didn’t seem like anyone else on board did either. We brought snacks and water with us, and it wasn’t a problem having a tote bag with us to hold our food and extra layers of clothing. Captain Kate was able to locate humpbacks for our viewing pleasure. Unfortunately, we didn’t encounter any dolphins or other species of whale on our trip, but we would love to go again if we are in the area to see what else we could find! Highly recommend!

We’ve been on quite a few whale watching tours and BOWW’s is one of the best. Their boat is well-maintained and just spacious enough, with a nice variety of inside and outside spaces to see wildlife. You can pay a bit extra to be on the upper deck, but the views are great regardless of where you are. The crew was friendly and the guide/narrator was an actual marine biologist with some great insights into whale, dolphin and seal behavior. We got a very close view of humpbacks feeding and cruised along with a huge pod of Common Dolphins! Highly recommend this tour.

Great couple of days whale watching with Captain Kate and Eric, marine biologist and her great crew. We had lots of whales to choose from! Captain Kate took us out to see a different variety of wildlife and different behaviors, ie. whale tail slapping, spy-hopping. The smaller boat experience was great from both the top deck and below! I look forward to going whale watching with her again!

Great experience! We saw six whales and even caught a whale breaching. It was absolutely spectacular. The captain was extremely knowledgeable and super happy to answer all of my idiotic questions.10/10 would recommend.

We highly recommend Blue Ocean. Captain Kate, the naturalist and photographer, Doug were amazing. Most impressive was when we saw a pod of 7 Orcas, she kept a 100 foot respectful distance, close enough to take photos and observe while another tour operator was way too close. They also stopped to retrieve a balloon out of the ocean which we highly respect. We would go again with this crew next time we visit the area!

We had a fabulous time with Blue Ocean. The crew (we had Kate and Brian) were so knowledgeable and made the experience fun. We saw sea lions, otters, a humpback whale, a grey whale, killer whales and 3 types of dolphins. The upper deck felt like the VIP section, and it wasn’t too cold for mid-March to be up there. The bathroom was much bigger than expected too. Much appreciated!!

What a great experience! Everytime I go out of moss landing it's great. Blue Ocean was great. It was like a private charter. ( only 8 plus crew) We started seeing Humpbacks within 30 minutes of leaving the dock. In all we saw more than 20 Humpbacks, 2 different types of dolphins. Sea lion, seals ( which we got to see them schooling fish) multiple times and what seemed to be a thousand birds and 1 sea otter. The crew was laid back and informative. Great excursion!

Team was incredible. Lots of fun and saw TONS of dolphins and a huge feeding with hundreds of seals and what looked like a dozen whales. Manageable amount of people on the boat and well worth the difference in cost. Would highly recommend!!!

A very enjoyable trip. We got to see everything whales, dolphins, even a white dolphin. Excellent service, excellent training. recommended.

Captain Kate and her crew are amazing, knowledgeable, friendly guides who gave us an unforgettable experience out on the water. Our tour was “full” but there was plenty of room to move around on the vessel and we all felt like we had front row seats to enjoy the spectacle of humpbacks, porpoises, sea lions, and many more amazing creatures! Bring your binoculars!!

Captain Kate was excellent. Crew was extremely friendly and knowledgeable.Whales weren't very cooperative, unfortunately. We saw 3 humpbacks, loads of sea lions, and some otters. Will definitely be back.

This is a belated review since I did my whale watch with Captain Kate and her crew in late April, but I certainly recommend Blue Ocean if you’re looking to go on a whale watch in Monterey Bay. Captain Kate and her crew were all very friendly, approachable, and knowledgeable. Plus, even though they must go out on whale watches quite regularly through this service, it was fantastic to see how excited the crew got with each whale sighting. It made it feel like they truly enjoyed being out there and this was more than just a business they’re running.On a similar note, I really liked their reduced-capacity format. While other whale watching boats I saw during the watch had decks lined with people standing shoulder-to-shoulder, being out with the Blue Ocean service really felt like I was just out on an excursion with this crew and some of their friends.Plus, Captain Kate’s ‘whale sense’ truly is great! During the watch, she stopped in one spot because, in her words, it felt ‘whaley’. Not five seconds later, a couple of humpbacks surfaced for air not far from the boat!Even though this was my first whale watch to go on, I could tell there was something special about Blue Ocean Whale Watch. Highly recommend!

4.8

(383)

5.0

(1019)

7881 Sandholdt Rd, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA

4 lists

We took a private cruise to take our daughter's ashes to spread on the ocean with Sanctuary Cruises. Brian Sack was responsive to our questions and made it clear and easy to arrange for everything we needed. We all arrived on time and were escorted to the boat. I could see the boat was well maintained and clean. They made us all comfortable, offering snacks and drinks, and went over the itinerary.The children found comfort in seeing the wildlife on the smooth ride out. Once at our destination, they stayed forward in the boat while we said prayers and spread her ashes. The crew did a good job at holding the boat steady when the current made things a little wavy. It was peaceful just the way we needed it to be. After returning, the crew wished us all well and escorted us back to the parking lot.I can't say enough about Sanctuary Cruises, their staff, and their crew.

Chase Dekker (naturalist)/photographer) and Jackson (captain) are hands down the absolute best whale watching crew around. I would give them more stars if Google allowed it. I can say they are the best, without a doubt, because I have been on many others in the Moss Landing and Monterey Bay Area. I honestly think I have lost count as to how many trips my boyfriend and I have been on with this specific crew, that's how much we love it. We've gone on the morning trips, afternoon trips, and even were lucky enough to go on one of Chase Dekker's photo workshops and spent literally all day out on the water. This crew ALWAYS goes above and beyond in making sure that if something exciting is happening out in the water, Sanctuary is right there to witness and experience it. For example, last weekend we went out and there was "chatter" about a mega pod of dolphins several miles out West of where we were, captain Jackson booked it so that we would be able to witness this firsthand (even meaning we were 30 minutes past our scheduled tour time).Sanctuary Cruises is great for families and is great for beginners and experienced whale watching enthusiasts. You get to see so much wildlife, it's incredible. We've seen humpback whales, risso dolphins, northern right whale dolphins, pacific white sided dolphins, ocean sunfish (mola), sea otters, white footed albatross', fur seals, sea lions, seals, by-the-wind sailors, and so much more.Cool things specifically about Sanctuary Cruises:* Smaller boat, lowest railing of any whale watching boat (that I'm aware of) so you have the best views and are essentially as close as you can get to the whales without physically being in the water with them.* Intimate setting, they never book over 25 people even with a capacity to take about 40 people. They prioritize wanting to make sure everybody has prime viewing capability.* Chase Dekker is the boat's naturalist and a professional photographer, he has been published in National Geographic, ABC, BBC, Lonely Planet, Nature's Best Photography, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. One of his photos was even featured in the Smithsonian and another one of his photos went viral (humpback "swallowing" a seal).* Chase and Captain Jackson are the only born and raised crew out of Monterey, they have decades of experience and I feel like they know all there is to know.Important to know:1. Bathroom and sink are available on the boat (cannot flush toilet paper, has to be thrown away in the trash)2. Venmo QR code available for easy paymentsMost important things to bring (in my opinion):1. Dramamine & water2. Warm clothes (beanie, gloves, scarf, windbreaker/jacket)3. Waterproof shoes (I like to wear my rain boots)4. Sunglasses & sunscreen5. Binoculars6. Camera and/or phone7. Extra battery pack/power bank with cord to charge your phoneThings available for purchase prior to and on the boat:- Motion sickness vibrating bracelet - $7.00- Snacks (candy, chips, granola bars, etc.) - $2.00- Photos taken by Sanctuary's very own professional protographer- $20.00 + (dependent on size)The one thing that my boyfriend and I wish was different would be the cost (although you do get what you pay for). We absolutely love going out on these trips, but the cost limits our ability to go out as much as we would like to. It would be amazing if different discounts were offered, for example: $___ off when you refer a friend, book 3 trips and get the 4th free/discounted, or even some sort of annual pass would be absolutely amazing.

I had an amazing journey with Sanctuary Cruise! Just minutes after leaving the harbor, we were close to the canyon where we got to see numerous whales. It was a breathtaking sight to watch them jump out of the water and show off their magnificent tails. We even witnessed one whale slapping the water with its tail for a few minutes, which was a spectacular display of their natural behavior. The proximity of the canyon meant we didn’t have to travel far to see these incredible creatures. Highly recommend for anyone looking to experience the majesty of whales up close!

My daughter and I had a lot of fun today on Sanctuary Cruise. Wasn’t long when heading out in the Bay when first whale showed up. Amazing experience! We saw three types of whales, humpback, gray whale, and dolphins. Gray-spotted dolphins and saw Casper the albino dolphin. The crew was amazing, friendly and knowledgeable of the marine animals. Chase is a marine scientist on board and was willing to answer all kinds of questions. I recommend Sanctuary Cruise. We’ll do it again with them definitely, maybe when the great whites start showing up.

I can't believe I never went on a Whale Watching cruise before. It was a small boat with a great crew and small group. I had plenty of space on the boat and some stunning views of whales, otters, and birds.

Fantastic group! Before we went out they said we might not see a whale because none had been around and offered another trip. We risked it and saw a beautiful humpback!

We had the best whale watching experience with Brian and Captain Joey! We took the morning tour and saw a humpback whale during a truly unforgettable experience. Brian was amazing and very knowledgeable and passionate, he is happy to answer questions and is so do kind. Captain Joey was also amazing, best captain and best eyes of the bay!Listen to the other reviews about taking Dramamine if you aren’t used to deep sea boat tours! I followed the recommendations of exactly when to take Dramamine for it to be most effective because I am very prone to seasickness but I took regular Dramamine the night before the tour and non-drowsy Dramamine with breakfast before the tour and I was completely fine!

A fantastic trip to whale watch! We saw Orcas and Humpback whales as well as hundreds of sea lions. 🦭. The boat was a little smaller than the typical whale watching cruise ships. The maximum people per cruise is 25 so there is no overcrowding and always great views. The staff is very friendly and from the area and super knowledgeable, one member a marine biologist 🧫. Highly recommend!

This cruise was very lovely. We came from New Orleans for vacation and wanted to go whale watching and this company had really good reviews. Chase and John Carlo were friendly and very informative just wonderful! We got to see lots of whales and they even came pretty close to us! it was a once in a lifetime experience! Highly recommend!

Great tour with Chase and Jackson. They stayed out longer since we kept encountering more animals on our way back. We saw grey whales, humpback whales, a huge pod of dolphins, sea otters, sea lions, and lots of birds. The crew was virtuous and knowledgeable. The boat is medium sized and the water was choppy so it was motion sickness inducing. I appreciated their tips and the ginger ale available. We didn't try the sea sickness bracelets because other measures were sufficient. Overall, great cruise.

Absolutely amazing Tour! Our boat captain was awesome and so was the marine biologist. Also, it was simply awesome luck that we so a humpback whale breach so much on our tour.

We had an amazing experience with Sanctuary Cruises! We got to see a couple of whales, otters, and sea lions. We went on the 3-4 hour tour and at the 2.5 hour mark the water was getting too choppy and we needed to head back. Despite the fact we saw whales and were out for almost 3 hours, they still offered a 2 hour voucher for having to head back early. We did not feel the need to use it but that is the level of customer care they put into their tours. Awesome guys! We'll be back for sure.

What an absolutely incredible experience! Our whale watching tour with Sanctuary Cruises in Monterey Bay was nothing short of spectacular. Captain Mike and Chase, the marine biologist, were exceptional guides who truly made the trip unforgettable. We were thrilled to see numerous humpback whales, playful seals, adorable sea otters, and even a majestic Minke whale! Their knowledge and passion for marine life were evident and added so much to our adventure. This was hands down one of the best tours we've ever been on. If you're looking for a thrilling and educational outing on the bay, Sanctuary Cruises is the way to go. Thank you, Captain Mike and Chase, for an unforgettable day!

We had an exceptional experience during the whale watching cruise. Our sightings included grey whales, sea otters, sea lions and a variety of birds. It was a delightful day for a cruise. We were in the ocean for about 4 hours and Mike explained whales behavior, migration, and lifestyle changes pretty well. Recommend this cruise. Would love to go again in summer to see some more.

We booked a whale tour for the morning of 4/2/24. Crew was friendly and informative. There were otters and sea lions on the way out of the harbor, and Humpback whales within 20 minutes of motoring out into the bay.We were extremely fortunate to witness Orcas hunting a Minke Whale. The boat stayed out an extra 2 hours so everyone could view the once in a lifetime show.The trip exceeded my expectations and I'd definitely go with Sanctuary again.

Plenty of room on the boat for perfect view of whales and other wildlife. I have been 2 times and it was a great experience each time. Chase, the onboard biologist and photographer is super knowledgeable and the captain was great too! Easy (pay) parking and meet up spot. Always come on the water so bring layers and be ready to have a great time!

A most amazing experience. Plenty of whale sightings. Both Chase and GC were extremely knowledgeable and gave us great information. Would definitely book again and recommend to everyone.

Moss Landing is a great spot to leave from! Don’t be fooled by the busy boats elsewhere.Sanctuary got us out into the Bay quickly, and we saw so many whales on the 8am tour. Chase and Joey were fun and informative. Amazing experience overall!

I can't say enough good things about Sanctuary Cruises! I've had the pleasure of going on their whale watch tours multiple times, and each trip has been an absolute blast.The proximity to Santa Cruz makes it the ideal day trip — you can have lunch at 11 and watch whales feed by noon. Chase Dekker is a talented naturalist and photographer who knows how to position the boat to help you capture great images.The variety of marine life you can encounter in the Monterey Bay is exceptional. I've been fortunate to witness humpbacks, orcas, dolphins, gray whales, and more. Each trip is a new adventure, I highly recommend going out multiple times in a season to see it all. Don't miss out – book your tour with them today!

Crew and captain greeted us, 10 folks on boat. Headed out and found the pod of orcas! Followed and had the area to ourselves for over an hour. Watched and followed the pod. Then on to humpback whales with some dolphins on the way. Sun came out- awesome 4 hours. Best whale watching trip I’ve taken. Very knowledgeable crew explaining who and what we were seeing.I agree with others— more stars are appropriate.

Definitely worth the trip. We came for Thanksgiving weekend trip, and saw huge pod of humpback whales including the 6-7 smaller “party” pod who showed us a good time. Our crew Chase was really nice too, helpful and super informational.

I’ve been on A LOT of whale watches, and Sanctuary Cruises was one of the top boats I’ve been on! The size of the boat is wonderful. It’s small enough to give you the feeling of being right on the water, but big enough to have comfortable deck space. The small bathroom was also really nice which is a big plus.Chase, the naturalist, and the captain on our trip were phenomenal. They definitely knew the whales and put us in the right spots to see almost 20 humpbacks and sea lions feeding together! They stayed a respectful distance from the whales (though the whales came close on their own which was an added bonus)!I would absolutely go back out with Sanctuary Cruises if I’m back in the Monterey area! They gave me the best part of my trip!

Incredible experience from start to finish! Brian, who booked us, was extremely nice- then Brian, the marine biologist on the boat, and Captain Joey were both informative, helpful and excited to guide us. We saw amazing whales during feeding time! Sanctuary cruises will definitely be a company I recommend to family and friends!

In the last two weeks, I have had the most incredible whale watching experiences with Sanctuary Cruises based in Moss Landing. Both Captain Mike and Captain Joey literally went the extra mile to give us the very best experience while being extremely respectful of the wildlife.On Thanksgiving, we spent the feast with a lovely family of Orcas. Naturalist John Carlo Thomae and Captain Joey shared information with us as we observed a true wonder of nature. The Orcas were teaching their youngest member of the pod hunting strategies. Incredible!A week later Captain Mike skillfully navigated by a group of humpback whales that were cooperatively feeding. Naturalist and professional photographer Chase Decker, skillfully predicted where to point our cameras as the whales lunged out of the water, fish flying and mouths wide open.The crew on Sanctuary Cruises Whale Watching are always professional, informative and safety conscious. They are fun too!Why do I love this particular vessel?When a humpback whale approaches us spy hopping along side us, there is nothing more profound......we are a mere 43 feet in length, totally sea worthy but slightly smaller than an adult humpback whale. From our platform, we are eye to eye with a sentient being who has chosen to approach us for a closer look. On a larger vessel such experiences are just not the same.Thank you

This was my first whale watching tour and I'm so happy we chose Sanctuary Cruises. So awesome that this sustainable charter boat uses biodiesel! The captain and Brian (marine biologist) were so nice and accommodating and expert with their info and their ability to locate the best spots for finding marine wildlife.We embarked for our 3-4 hour afternoon tour. Just after leaving the harbor we encountered our first Humpback whales!All in all we saw numerous sea lions, an otter cracking open a clam with it's favorite rock (a tool they keep with them in a flap under their arm), 20+ Humpback whale sightings which included feedings on bait balls of sardines and a few breaches, an enormous pod of common dolphins which swam along with the boat near the bow, the fin and tail of a blue shark, and we must've been hundreds of marine birds.We really lucked out. There was so much activity (mid-October) during our tour the hours felt like they flew by. There was no wind. The ocean was calm. The day was absolutely gorgeous. The crew really provided a great guest experience. My two kids were even given a chance to drive the boat!Thank you so much for a phenomenal day! I highly recommend Sanctuary Cruises and I definitely plan to return for another tour in the future!

What an amazing trip we had! Lots of action out there. We saw lots of very active friendly humpback whales. A blue whale, a fin whale and even a rare sighting of a sperm whale. Captain Joey’s was very knowledgeable of the bay, knew exactly where to go for action. Our Naturalist Chase was so informative, knowledgeable, and humorous. He told us stories of his whale encounters, being a native of Monterey Bay, his stories were fascinating. Over all the crew was very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Boat was roomy and not crowded, very pleasant. I have been going out with them for over 10 years every summer, and would have it no other way! Highly recommended!

Amazing sunny day out at the bay. We saw one young humpback whale, quite a few dolphins and several pods of Gray whales. Lucky enough to have seen and caught a humpback whale breach. It was seamless with these folks. Chase was amazing giving detailed info about these mammals.The check in was easy. I arrived 30 mins before the scheduled slot. The instructions in the confirmation email are good enough and very detailed. The tour started promptly at the scheduled time. There were snacks on board. It was pretty cold. Not too much swells in the sea. We arrived 30 mins late. But it was okay because we got to see them.Parking is available. 12$ for the day in this lot. But you can park a little away and walk down also. There were a few from the group who did that.

4.8

(280)

5.0

(745)

A Dock, 7881 Sandholdt Rd, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA

4 lists

LOVED this experience! Very chill and we saw a bunch of different birds, seals, sea lions, and sea otters. Erica and Isabella were wonderful! They were super kind and knowledgeable about the slough and all the cool creatures.

What a great way to spend a couple of hours! Friendly and knowledgeable staff helped us learn about the surrounding geography, the birds and - the highlight of course - the Sea Otters! Thoroughly recommend this if you have any interest in nature.

This is a can’t miss experience! We really enjoyed a nearly two hour tour of the Elkhorn Slough. Learned so much, saw so many sea otters, sea lions, and so many different bird species. The communication before the tour was excellent and the naturalist and boat captain were informative. We would love to come back when the new zero emissions boat launches.

Had a great time visiting the slough with the family! The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and it really made this experience great for our kids. We were able to see so many animals. Highly recommend!

The water gets rough in the afternoon when it’s windy, and People on front row will enjoy a wet ride. They should provide some raincoats. I noticed that cookies are no longer on the menu. The seat is a little too hard so bring your cushions. Over all its not too bad, but not kid friendly.There are Thai and Mex. restaurant on the same road.

I feel like this is one of those hidden gems in the Monterey coastal area (Moss Landing to be exact), a chance to view wildlife of close. You'll never see so many sea otters up close anywhere else! The captain and the guide were very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. I highly recommend this excursion. Worth every penny!

A great tour! We had a smooth ride thanks to Captain Erica. Our on board naturalist, Jake, had excellent facts, anecdotes, and dad jokes to share with us. He was also pleasant to listen to and gave knowledgeable answers to a wide variety of questions generated from those on our tour. On our mid-April tour we were delighted by lots of Harbor Seal pups as well as a few Otter pups. I was delighted that they had binoculars to use on board, so no need to bring your own!

Such a great little adventure. Smooth sailing on a 27ft pontoon boat. Great naturist and captain, both very knowledgeable and wonderful. Got to see and learn a lot about the marine life and the area. We will definitely go again!

This was such a great tour! We really learned a lot and saw a ton of sea lions, harbor seals, assorted birds, a million pelicans and a lot of darling otters and pups. Really informative. Would like to bring some friends and so it again. Thank you!

Wonderful experience with great guides in beautiful surroundings. Saw lots of animals and really enjoyed the relaxing yet entertaining ride.

Wow, we had so much fun! It was so nice to see all the pups in the spring time. There were hundreds of animals and our captain Erica and our naturalist Judy were very kind and knowledgeable. My son (6) was nervous but quickly began loving the trip. They have children's binoculars and patiently answered my little ones questions. We can't wait to go back!

I took a tour on 2/18/23. The Captain and Naturalist were friendly and knowledgeable. The day was sunny and warm so everyone was out to play. We saw otters, seals, and seal lions. There were tons of birds, herons, grebes, sandpipers and many more. Great tour!

4.9

(117)

5.0

(264)

7981 Moss Landing Rd # E, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA

San jaun bautista is a wonderful Historic little Town I visited 10 days ago mainly because of "Alfred Hitchcocks" film Vertigo, I stumbled upon a Spanish/ American Festival with Street foods and many other goods, there was a band playing such a wonderful atmosphere, the people were so happy and welcoming. I spoke with Linda in her little Store "Vintage Curosity" she was very interesting to talk to and informed me where in town I could sleep in my car as I was touring the States on the cheap. Next morning after a piecefull night I went for breakfast at the little dinner with red & white chequered floor the lady was great, wonderful Coffee & tasty toast and marmalade, next I visited "Windmill Market" this was the best little Supermarket I stopped at whilst in the States for 3 weeks highly recommend. I was sad to leave many folk said come back and see us again, fantastic slice of old traditional America i loved it. 👌❤️

Beautiful Park. Incredible artifacts starting with the buildings themselves. Then chock full of history of what was a very busy town just across from a beautiful mission. Each building is pretty much its own seperate museum, but they are connected in time and location. Real nice grounds with multiple gardens, and auxillary buildings. Had a great day. $3 entry fee - sold! The ranger up front was real cool, knew his stuff, the history and gave solid tips when I wanted to go eat after :) Great place.

A must to visit for those interested in history. Great historic park, very well maintained and super friendly volunteers. First Saturday of the month "Living history days".

San Juan Bautista Plaza is a National Historic Landmark and a California State Historic Park.San Juan Bautista, founded in 1797, is the most striking architectural example in the United States of a 19th century village built on the traditional Spanish-Mexican Colonial plaza plan.Grouped around the original plaza, which was first used as a parade ground by the Spanish soldiers guarding the mission, are five historic structures: Plaza Hall, Plaza Stable, Castro House, Plaza Hotel and San Juan Mission Church and Convent.When we visited the plaza in 2011, a crew was setting up a mobile theater to screen Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo.As you recall, near the end of the movie, Scottie and Judy (Madeleine) visited a mission at some distance from San Francisco. Dreadful things happened in the bell tower. The mission they visited was Mission San Juan Bautista, but there is no bell tower here.There once was a bell tower, but it was demolished after a fire. Hitchcock added a post-production bell tower at the Paramount studio in Los Angeles using scale models and matte paintings. The interior staircase shots were filmed on a studio set.

One of my favorite places to go, you can walk and breathe clean air. Walking distance to restaurants.

Beautiful place to walk. It was chilly but my son's loves to hear the birds. No one was out so parking was pretty easy to find.

It is my first time at this place, which I never knew existed. The mission has a cool church and it was partially turned into an awesome museum. There is a decent size onsite free parking as well as free street parking

It’s a historical place so if you have someone from native town, you will love knowing about the region. There are some interesting stories about here. I had one of my friends who has been living here since very long and she gave me a guided tour to the town.1) I saw the church and got to know that it is never closed since it was open2) I saw the old original 101 fwy3) the museum/ BotanicalGarden4) historic square architecture5) a lot of dry fruits trees around5) Red peppers treeAnd a lot.I actually loved know the history associated with it.Thank you to my friend and her husband for being kind and giving a lot of information about the town and the park.

S/o to the state park officer Jarrod (I hope I got his name right!) Extremely friendly and helpful. The park itself it worthwhile to visit as well if you’re in town.

Well maintained state park that preserves the artifacts linked to the Mission San Juan Bautista. The entrance fee is $3 per person.Part of the exhibits were the horse carriages, a historic residence, an Adobe, Hotel Plaza. We did witness blacksmith and fur-trade demonstrations.Worth visiting!

In a compact space, this museum covers a lot of early California history - from the late 1700s as the capital of Mexican California through to about 1900. Stage coaches, wars, the gold rush, even the Donner Party played a role. You'll learn about individuals with amazing life stories!The setting is peaceful, with a pretty view and opportunities to walk nearby. I'm sadly docking a star for the obvious lack of funding to properly maintain some of the old buildings (especially the pink Zanetta house, rotting quietly). Outside of the main museum in the old hotel, signage is minimal.But for a mere $3 entry fee, it's well worth a visit. And it's less than an hour south of San Jose.

We stopped in for a quick visit. With the Mission being still active and promptly closing at 430pm recommend getting there early before the school crowds. In the same area is the state park as well. Had a great experience and would recommend taking the tour of both.

Very nice mission like most of the missions I visited before, good condition of conservation

4.6

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4.5

(88)

19 Franklin St, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045, USA

19 lists

This museum is SO well done! It is so thoughtfully curated and has tons of interesting and inspiring information about Steinbeck’s life and influences, the Salinas valley, and the surrounding area. It’s engaging and interactive, with tons of activities, including a giant crossword puzzle and a typewriter to try out. We don’t have kids, but it is definitely kid-friendly. It would be amazing for a field trip for students. There are thought-provoking questions, quizzes, scavenger hunts, and puzzles scattered throughout the museum that seem perfect for this. If we weren’t traveling all the way from Georgia I’d be organizing a field trip for my students right now. A tip- they offer a teacher discount.

An absolutely delightful museum for people of all ages. Very "hands-on". I have read most of Steinbeck's writings and was thrilled to see a page of his handwriting. I learned a lot about him and his family and friend Doc Ricketts from the too-short visit and plan to go back soon.

So glad I got to come here! Steinbeck is my all time favorite author and “East of Eden” is my favorite book! They have an amazing exhibit with the movie playing on a loop! I could stay for hours. I hope more people come to visit! His house is 2 blocks away! Learned a lot more about the great man!

A great museum to learn about one of our greatest writers, as well as the time and places he lived, worked and played. Maybe someday I will stop confusing aspects of his life with F Scott Fitzgerald's. Nice little continuous loop video starts it off, and then you can walk through the interactive museum. Not necessary to get a spot on the street, look for the municipal lots that are short walks.

What a great tribute to a great writer. Each of Steinbeck's writings and the detail of his life from boyhood onwards is imaginatively displayed using all manner of resources from paper to video, movies, information technology and everything in between. We were enthralled with the museum which takes about 2.5-3hrs to do justice to the creative portrayal of the man. Worth the small $investment. Very helpful Associates....they will make the lunch reservations at the Restaurant which is a different location close by! Enjoy...

So meticulously assembled, clearly a lot of love was put into every display. Very cool to see the original Rocinante. I don't have any kids, but if I did I would definitely take them here. So many interactive exhibits that are engaging and educational. The books in the gift shop were fairly priced.

At Steinbeck center with my beautiful sister & her husband oh and of course my TT with us ....🍡🍉🫑🧀🍢 . 😎

Our group of Red Hat ladies had a wonderful time learning so much more about Steinbeck's early years growing up in Salinas. The displays were very informative and our guided tour gave us a quick overview which encouraged us to go through again to read more of the exhibits and details.

It was very informative and lots of interesting pics of Stienbeck's life.

Everything around Steinbeck. About his life, his books, his travels and more. See a short film and enjoy this lovingly compiled historically collection. It is more than a museum, it is a living reserch center. All his books and more is availible in the gift shop. Even the mainstreet is framed like it was. Parking beneth the museum, rather inexpensive, under 2 Dollar the hour.

Unfortunately, I came down with a cold the day that my group was to visit the center and the Steinbeck house on 6/12/24. However talking with the Center and the Steinbeck house for a month or so before the event. I felt assured that everything was taken care of and that my group of senior ladies would be well taken care of. And they were!!!

Beautiful, detailed museum chronicling John Steinbeck's life.This museum is a short walk away from the Salinas Amtrak station and Greyhound stop. There are restrooms and a theatre. The exhibits include VR headsets, models, and plenty of photos. If you're interested in John Steinbeck's life, this is the place for you. Admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for students, teachers, military, county residents, and seniors, $7 for ages 6 to 17, and it's free for kids 5 and under and members.

Very inspiring and informative. Welcoming staff. I parked at a public garage next door, $.25 per hour

Loved and cried when the screen read out a part of “Tortilla Flat” that I had not heard for 15 years… it’s meaning shot into my very being and I knew xx that is one thing a great novel gifts xx thank you xx

What a wonderful curation and storytelling!I felt like I was a “walk-on” in all of Steinbeck’s books as I strolled through the quote lanes, background information and the visuals presented.I particularly liked the enormous maps; the first one that welcomes the visitors by putting all the locations of the author’s works on map, the second one being the map of ‘Travels with Charlie, In Search of America”.This center really gives any Steinbeck reader a wholistic Steinbeck experience by filling in any missing information about a story or clarifying question marks that might have been lingering. I genuinely believe that this center does a great service not only to the reader but also to the Salinas region as well.2 hours of visiting time would not do justice to this center.If only the sound of the video next to the Tortilla Flat corner did not interfere with the reading experience nearby…

I was pleasantly surprised by how interactive and detailed the museum was! Lots of information on his major works and their relevance to history. There were screens throughout the exhibit showing film adaptations or readings of his works, but some of them were not working when I was there. However, even without, there was plenty to do and see. Probably great for students who are reading his works for the first time.

Got a membership as an early birthday present to myself. It was a good decision. Had a small hiccup with getting my membership card but the nice lady and gentleman at the desk assured me I was taken care of.For the museum I went with a friend and walked around for 2 hours. That still wasn't enough time to read everything in the exhibits, which is a good thing. Awesome learning experience and a place you'll definitely want to visit more than once. Got 2 books and a key chain from the gift shop. Looking forward to coming back soon.

The Steinbeck Center is a great place for my California Literature class to see Steinbeck come to life. They loved the learning about each of his books and his life. The staff was friendly, professional and helped make some additional recommendations. Can't wait to visit again.

The story flowed well. All the captions were well written. I have never read Steinbeck however after the docent led tour and 2 more hours of solo touring I am interested.

This is an amazing museum, much larger than I expected. It covers the entirety of Steinbeck's life and helps us to understand the influences shaping his writing. Some of the exhibits are interactive and quite fun. There are video displays showing segments of his works that ended up being filmed.A word or two about the staff. We got lost twice getting to the museum. We called the museum and staff patiently gave us directions to get us back on track. They were cheerful and friendly, and greeted us warmly once our group got to the museum.Signage is confusing. The museum is part of a college campus. Signage for the campus is much more prominent than signage for the museum.There is a large, low-cost public parking garage in close proximity to the museum and many restaurants close by.

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4.5

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1 Main St, Salinas, CA 93901, USA