With California just reopening and summer in full swing, it’s time to venture out a bit from our Monterey Bay enclave. As a parent of three under five, I am in constant search of stimulating weekend activities to expend their staggering amounts of energy. Last summer involved blow-up mini pools in the backyard and debating whether we, too, needed to buy a trampoline. This summer, luckily, is different. Here are my top three recommendations for a day trip that the entire family is bound to enjoy. Each one offers the makings for a very special day of summer fun.
1. CALIFORNIA’S GREAT AMERICA AND SOUTH BAY SHORES WATERPARK
For the first time this summer, Great America has opened a transformed waterpark. The Tide Pool Lagoon is a brand new attraction appropriate for those under five, with eight kid-sized water slides that line the perimeter of a zero-depth-entry pool. Perfect for those unsteady first steps into the water. There are oversized lounge and sun deck areas for parents to relax and perhaps enjoy wine or beer from their new outdoor bar (Sand Bar). For those who are older and looking for a bit more of a thrill (or heart attack), there is the Shark Reef Plunge. The four, six-story-tall body slides send riders, enclosed in launch chambers, on a nearly vertical free fall, when the floor drops out from under them at the top. My palms are sweating just thinking about this.
4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara • www.cagreatamerica.com
Tickets and reservations are required. Single-day admission is $38 (also includes access to Great America), and parking is $25. Pre-K Passes available online (free admission to both South Bay Shores and Great America for ages 3-5 all season).
2. GILROY GARDENS’ “BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER!”
Gilroy Gardens celebrates its 20th birthday by throwing the “Best Birthday Party Ever!” this summer (launched June 26th and running through Labor Day). This special event features character shows, Party Patios, and a giant birthday card for kids to sign for the park.
In addition, while not brand new like the first two on this list, the Gilroy Gardens Water Oasis is just graduating from toddlerhood and is perfect for those hot summer days. Geared towards littler ones (ages 2-6), the original Oasis area consists of a Lagoon, an 18” deep wading pool, along with two miniature water slides (36” height requirement). There is also the Splashpad, where children can play with dump buckets and giant spray flowers, and for the littlest ones, there is Water Journey, where they can manipulate the flow of water with paddles to learn about the river delta. For parents, there are (thankfully) shade-filled areas for lounging, a food tent to refuel those ravenous kids (and ourselves with two mixed drink options: Mai Tai and a Blue Margarita), and a safe and contained space for our children to release that bountiful summer energy (lifeguards and security on-site!).
3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy • www.gilroygardens.org/play/water-features/water-oasis
Tickets and reservations are required. Single-day admission is $38 (children under three free), and parking is $17 when purchased online ($20 at the gate).
3. LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER BAY AREA
To clarify, this is not LEGOLAND in Carlsbad (near San Diego, which is also open now). This is the Bay Area’s smaller and completely indoor playground. Discovery Center opened its doors for the first time on June 14, featuring a 4D cinema, interactive train ride (those under four require an adult), and its very own MINILAND featuring Bay Area landmarks. For the littlest ones (ages 2-5), there is the Duplo Park: a play area with a small hill and slide for climbing and soft bricks to play with, a pirate ship-themed soft play area (36” height requirement), and places for storytime and a chance to meet various LEGO characters.
870 Great Mall Drive, Milpitas • www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/bayarea • Tickets and reservations are required. Single-day admission is $23 (children under two free).
A WORD ABOUT “REOPENING ANXIETY”
With transitioning into a less masked and socially distanced world, it is understandable that many of us may continue to harbor anxieties about going into crowded places, especially those that are exclusively indoors. As a mother, I understand there remain many unknowns, and I feel the strong pull towards “playing it safe” to protect my children from illness. However, as a clinical psychologist and researcher, I also understand it is important to trust in the data and start moving towards behaviors that will improve my family’s mental and physical health. The decision to venture out with little ones this summer is an individual one, as we all have to balance the risks and benefits for ourselves.
However, when ready, these three fun options may start to make up for those underwhelming backyard blow-up pool days of Summer 2020.
Ni Sun-Suslow, Ph.D. is a mother of 3 under 5 and a neuropsychologist in private practice (www.rbneurospych.com). She enjoys arts and crafts, exploring Monterey Bay (and beyond), and energy-expending child activities.