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Where to play miniature golf in Northern California

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Nothing says summer like a round of putt-putt golf! Both Monterey and Santa Cruz each have one indoor course. San Jose offers several options including one with water slides. There are several courses in San Francisco including “Urban Putt” a very cool, high-tech experience.  If you’re heading south to the Paso Robles area, you’ll find a center in Atascadero with mini-golf and something intriguing called “gemstone sluicing.”

Wherever you end up, mini-golf is great fun and an activity that all ages can enjoy together. Don’t let the summer go by without at least one round of miniature golf!

Be sure to check the mini-golf course website before your outing. Most of the centers require reservations and COVID precautions are still in place. The operating hours are also still in flux and may be different from the hours listed at press time. Most of the websites also have the current pricing.

ATASCADERO

Mr. Putters

Mr. Putters’ Putt-Putt is San Luis Obispo County’s premier full 18 hole miniature golf course. Located in downtown Atascadero. Mr. Putters is the setting for birthday parties, fun family evenings, group events, and team building. You can also pan for precious gems or dig for fossils in the Sluice Box. Each participant gets a bag of pay dirt which they sluice. As the pay dirt washes away the participant sees the gemstones that are left behind. They then collect the gemstones in their souvenir bag and use the identification card to see which ones they discovered.

5625 EL CAMINO REAL, ATASCADERO, 93422, (805) 466-7888 • WWW.MRPUTTERS.COM

MONTEREY

Highway One Golf

The only mini-golf on the Monterey Peninsula, this creative course has you traveling from a Redwood Tree in Northern California to the completion at the Santa Monica Pier. During your adventure, you’ll make stops in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur. Use 3D glasses to make the obstacles come to life. The course features interactive obstacles and iconic images in black light that adorn the walls of the 9-hole mini-golf course. Pro tip: join the E-Mail Club online and receive a free do-it-all ticket when you visit on your birthday.

751 CANNERY ROW, MONTEREY, 93940 • (831) 649-6293 • MONTEREYFAMILYFUNADVENTURE.COM/HIGHWAY-1-GOLF/

SAN FRANCISCO

Golden Tee Golfland

Golden Tee Golfland features two unique mini golf courses in a beautifully landscaped environment. Golfland also features an arcade with all the latest games.

2533 CASTRO VALLEY BLVD. CASTRO VALLEY, 94546, (510) 537-2168 • WWW.GOLFLAND.COM/CASTROVALLEY

Subpar

Families can enjoy a round of 18 holes and get a free sample of chocolate (or better yet an ice cream sundae) in the Ghiradelli store. Subpar also offers an arcade and several packages for upcoming events.

900 NORTH POINT, SAN FRANCISCO, COST: ADULTS: $12, KIDS UNDER 18: $8 • SUBPARMINIGOLF.COM

Urban Putt

Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission district, Urban Putt is the city’s first indoor miniature golf course. Urban Putt offers guests a fun, only-in-San Francisco experience with a fantastical, high-tech 14-hole mini-golf course. The venue features mini San Francisco landmarks and a family-friendly menu with a full restaurant and bar. FYI, it’s all adults after 8 p.m.

1096 SOUTH VAN NESS AVENUE, SAN FRANCISCO, 94110, (415) 341-1080 • WWW.URBANPUTT.COM

San Jose Area Emerald Hills Golfland

Experience a whole new level of fun at Emerald Hills Golfland as you play your way through your choice of challenging miniature golf courses. The park also features a huge video game arcade and a full snack bar, plus three waterslides. Golfland has some of the newest games in its arcade. Tickets can be redeemed for prizes at our redemption counter. All-inclusive tickets offer waterslide rides all day plus miniature golf.

976 BLOSSOM HILL RD SAN JOSE, 95123 • (408) 225-1533 • WWW.GOLFLAND.COM/SANJOSE

Milpitas Golfland

Two challenging miniature golf courses plus a huge video game arcade, and snack bar. The Milpitas Golfland also has Laser Tag and a Lazer Maze.

855 E. EL CAMINO REAL, SUNNYVALE, 94087 • (408) 245-8434 • WWW.GOLFLAND.COM/MILPITAS

Sunnyvale Golfland

You get your choice of two miniature golf courses plus a video game arcade and a full snack bar.

855 E. EL CAMINO REAL, SUNNYVALE, 94087 • (408) 245-8434 • WWW.GOLFLAND.COM/SUNNYVALE

Santa Cruz Buccaneer Bay Mini Golf

This two-story, 18-hole course has a playful pirate theme with an adventurous black light cave. It is located inside Neptune’s Kingdom at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. .

SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK, 400 BEACH STREET, SANTA CRUZ, 95060, (831) 423‑5590 • HTTPS://BEACHBOARDWALK.COM

A Weekend Getaway to Solvang

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You made it through the holidays, a rainy January, a busy February, and now you’re ready for a break. If you’re thinking about a quick weekend away that is genuinely relaxing, we have a suggestion for you: Solvang.  Just a little over 200 miles from Monterey, Solvang is an easy drive south on 101.

Solvang is Danish for “sunny field” and is located in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County. The city was founded in 1911 by a group of Danes who traveled west to establish a Danish community.  Initially, most of Solvang was built like any other western town with commercial buildings sporting false fronts. After World War II, interest grew in the concept of a Danish Village, and facades in the Danish Provincial style were added. The first of Solvang’s four windmills were built in the 1940s.

Visitors to Solvang are drawn to the windmills, the statue of Hans Christian Anderson, The Little Mermaid replica, the half-timbered houses, and the restaurants and pastry shops serving Danish specialties. Wine tasting rooms are a relatively recent addition.

We spent a warm February weekend in Solvang and found the little town to be thoroughly charming. It’s a great place to spend one or two nights. It’s not an action-packed destination: think boutique shopping, plenty of delicious food and wine, and strolling the town’s downtown. Solvang is a place where the sidewalks roll up when the sun goes down. And, sometimes, that’s precisely what the doctor ordered!

Our one-night visit was a stop along the way back from a business meeting in LA. We arrived on a Friday at 5 pm and checked into the Corque Hotel on Alisal Street. The Corque is a medium-priced hotel with large rooms that would comfortably accommodate a family of four.  There are no name-brand hotel chains in Solvang, but there are quite a few boutique options. We took note of the Solvang Alisal Cottages across the street from our hotel. These adorable cottages come complete with a front yard with rope swing, picket fence, and full kitchen and would be great for a larger family.

We took a quick stroll after arriving to orient ourselves to the town and realized that almost everything closes at 6:00 pm. Some of the restaurants are open for dinner, but many are breakfast and lunch only. We were in town for “restaurant week,” so we took advantage of that and had a pre-fixe dinner at Root 246 on Alisal Street For just $22, we had a 3-course meal that included a choice of appetizers, entrée, and a dessert. With a glass of wine, dinner for two was less than $70. There are no fast food options in Solvang, so if you’re looking for something quick and cheap, you’re going to need to drive a few miles to Buellton.

Saturday morning, we were up early to be first in line at Paula’s Pancakes. A short 10-minute walk from the hotel, Paula’s is legendary and for a good reason. We ordered the Danish pancakes, thin, plate-sized buttermilk pancakes served with fruit, and sprinkled with powder sugar.  The pancakes were heavenly: light, and slightly sweet. Breakfast perfection! By the time we left the restaurant around 9:00 am, there was a long line forming.

The rest of the morning was spent strolling around the Solvang downtown. There are plenty of souvenir shops, as well as a handful of stores selling specialty food items. Candy shops are everywhere, including The Swedish Candy Factory, where you can watch Polkagris (a type of Swedish taffy) being made entirely by hand. Ingeborg’s Chocolate Shop is another “must stop” where you’ll find mouthwatering handmade chocolates that are produced in the little kitchen behind the shop.

We found time for a visit to the Elverhoj Museum. The Elverhoj, the former residence of one of Solvang’s artistic families is now a community museum dedicated to the history of the town, Danish-American heritage, and the arts. Inside there is a photo exhibition with the town history and a recreation of a period Danish home. It’s more geared for adults, but little ones might enjoy seeing the wooden shoes and “old-time” furniture and rooms. There is also a sweet dollhouse complete with furniture.

The highlight of our morning was a visit to The Book Loft on Mission Street. The first floor is a lovely independent bookstore with a nicely curated selection of current books, including popular Danish exports. The real treat is on the second floor, where the Hans Christian Andersen Museum is housed.  A variety of exhibits highlight Andersen’s life and work. We were lucky enough to meet Kathy Mullins, the lovely woman who has owned the bookstore and museum for over 50 years. She’s still at her desk on the second floor almost every day and is a wealth of information about Solvang.

Leaving The Book Loft we headed to the Old Mission Santa Ines. The Mission was founded in 1804 and was the first European settlement in the area. The mission grounds afford beautiful views of Santa Ynez River Valley and walking tours of the buildings and grounds are available.

Leaving Solvang for Monterey mid-afternoon, we had one final stop:  Industrial Eats in Buellton. The restaurant had come highly recommended, and after scouting it out online, we knew it was a must stop. It’s located in an industrial park just outside of town, and it was packed when we arrived at 3:00 pm. Things moved quickly, and the food was so delicious (the Pan Bagnat is easily the best sandwich we’ve ever tasted!), and the servers so friendly that we didn’t mind the wait.

We left Solvang carrying a bag of spices, chocolate, and Polkagris. Solvang is a perfect weekend destination because nothing cures stress like pancakes, a glass of wine or two, friendly people, and a book of Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales.

Celebrate Your Besties With a Girls’ Getaway

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February is the perfect month to make plans for a girls’ getaway. You may be surprised to hear a girls’ trip will have significant benefits for your mind and body. The purpose of your trip likely depends on your life stage. If you are a young mom, you may be looking for some adventure out of your ordinary routine. Middle-aged women seek breaks from the commitments of work and family life. Even grandmas may be looking for an escape to prove they are still confident and independent. You probably have some girlfriends that were there for your wedding, pregnancy and maybe even there to support you when you sent your adolescent off to college. What better way to thank them for their gift of friendship over the years than to strengthen your bond even further in a brand new and exciting territory? We are fortunate to have three great options close to Monterey, so you do not have to go far to experience the joy a getaway with your girls brings. 

1. Las Vegas. Everything you want will be right before your eyes whether it is eating, drinking, shopping, seeing live shows, going clubbing or testing your lady luck at the casino. The Palazzo, The Venetian, and the action-packed Cosmopolitan are top hotel picks. 

Once you have checked in you will be ready to get glam and hit the town. Drybar at Miracle Mile is a fabulous time where you can sit down with a stylist as you are among a full bar, DJ and even photo booth to capture the memories. 

Vegas offers restaurants galore. Lago at Bellagio has a fountain show and plates big enough to share so you will be able to get a sample of everything your heart desires. If you are looking for a more feminine vibe, check out the Italian eatery Giada at the Cromwell which is run by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentis. 

If you have been bogged down with households tasks and work obligations and want to see what it is like living in the fast lane, stop by SPEEDVegas. It is one of a kind attraction and probably the most thrilling thing you will do on your trip. Get your gals together to race one another around the track in a dream Ferrari or Lamborghini and try to beat one another’s speed.

History buffs can get to know the background of this wild city at Neon Museum where you can see signs from old casinos and other quirky Vegas memorabilia.  

2. Healdsburg. In 3 hours you can find yourself in this charming small town with big offerings. You can take in the breathtaking scenery of Sonoma County while sipping your favorite wine. 

Accommodations range from quaint bed and breakfast Haydon Street Inn to echo-friendly H2 Hotel to Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites. All are conveniently located near the downtown plaza which is filled with shopping, boutiques, restaurants and art galleries. 

Healdsburg has become a dining mecca over the past few years and there are plenty of great restaurants to choose from. For a big splurge, have one dinner at Valette. You can’t go wrong with any entree choice but be sure to leave room for Bread, Butter and Jam–toasted brioche with homemade jan and salted brown butter ice cream

You do not need to travel to Italy to treat your palette to the finest wines and visit the vineyards. Some favoritenot to be missed wineries are Reeve Wines, Davero Farms, and Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves where tastings are performed in a cave. If you’re going to put together your own winery list, plan on a stop at Dry Creek General Store for lunch. You can eat there or take it to go and have a picnic at one of your winery stops. You can also do a guided wine tour to make life easier–there are plenty of options available. 

The Healdsburg area is a biking paradise so you will want to rent a bike and hit the trails. 

3. San Francisco. Whether you are a first-time or seasoned visitor, the Golden City is sure to have something for every girl in your pack. Shoppers, foodies and art gurus may find themselves busy from morning until night. 

For all the pampering your heart desires the InterContinental, the Four Seasons or the W San Francisco would be great picks for accommodations. 

You can begin by walking or biking across the Golden Gate Bridge and snapping photos of the incredible views. For shopping, dining and street performers, stop by Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square and Ghirardelli Square for a chocolate sensation. For the artsy at heart, a walking tour of Mission Streets colorful murals or taking in a movie at the classic Castro Theater should be on your itinerary. 

For the ultimate tourist experience, you can hop on and off a cable car and check out all of the attractions at your own pace. You can even take a ferry to historic Alcatraz. When you are looking to kick back and relax, try afternoon tea at the Palace Hotel, a float spa or Thai massage. 

You’ll find awesome restaurants in every neighborhood ranging from the inexpensive (La Taqueria on Mission Street, the perfect late evening stop) to the decadent (Restaurant Gary Danko).

When you are ready to put your party shoes on there is no shortage of places to go. Some local favorites include Harry Denton Starlight Room and Top of The Mark at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. There is so much to do here that you will likely be planning next winter’s girls trip back once again. 

Jamie Lober, author of Pink Power (www.getpinkpower.com), is dedicated to providing information on women’s and pediatric health topics (and the occasional travel article). She can be reached at jamie@getpinkpower.com.

Paso Robles For Family Fun

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If you are looking to escape the gloom and fog of the Peninsula, Paso Robles is the place to go. Located less than 2 hours from Monterey, Paso Robles offers warmer temps, sun, and fun for the whole family. 

The Ravine Waterpark. Your kids will love the opportunity to wear their swimsuits and splash around at this fantastic water park. Located right off Highway 46, it is easily accessed from downtown Paso Robles and many hotels. The park has a lazy river, wave pool, several slides and a tadpole, perfect for little ones. Daily admission tickets are less than $30 per person and children under 2 are free. The park is open from May-September. Visit their website, www.ravinewaterpark.com for a daily schedule, discounts and to purchase tickets. 

Family Friendly Wineries. Yes, you read that correctly. Paso Robles has several family-friendly wineries. Sculpterra Winery offers a beautiful backdrop for your tasting experience, with amazing gardens and beautiful sculptures. They also have a game area that your kids can enjoy free of charge including chess, foosball, table tennis and bocce ball. Pistachios are also grown on site. Tooth and Nail Winery is another great option. Your kids will feel like prince and princesses at this winery, as the main building for tastings is a castle, complete with a moat around the outside. Tooth and Nail has a great outdoor patio with corn hole boards. They even have french fries on their menu. Eberle Winery is located on 38 acres and in addition to a complimentary wine tasting, you can also tour their caves as well. They have bocce ball and corn hole, too. At Castoro Cellars, your kids will have the opportunity to have their own complimentary grape juice tasting. They also provide coloring books and have a large grassy area for the kids to play in. 

Paso Robles Children’s Museum at the Volunteer Firehouse. Don’t come to Paso Robles without a stop at this museum, which is a non-profit organization that encourages learning through play and honors the heritage of the volunteer firefighters. There are several interactive exhibits, with kid favorites being El Mercado, where kids can shop and check out in the grocery store while learning Spanish and the Grape Stomp with its fun ball pit. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for children (1-13) and $5 for grandparents (65+). The museum is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Visit www.pasokids.org for more information.

Breweries. There are two local brew houses to visit in Paso Robles. The first is Firestone Walker Brewing Company, famous for their “805” beer. The Brewhouse Tour is for kids 12 and up, but the Barrel Room and Evening Tour is strictly 21 and up. The Taproom Restaurant, located across the street from the brewery, is family friendly and has an excellent kid’s menu. Menu favorites include the Tator Tots, Buffalo Cauliflower and the Crispy Brussels and Spinach Salad. Visit  www.firestonebeer.com for more information. Barrelhouse Brewing Co. is another brewhouse, complete with a half-acre beer garden, live music, and food trucks. Visit their website for their live music and food truck schedule at www.barrelhousebrewing.com. 

Jack Creek Farms. This fifth-generation family farm is a must see on your visit to Paso Robles. The farm features cider and honey tasting, a seasonal u-pick garden complete with sweet onions, garlic, blackberries, olallieberry, lavender, apples, pumpkins, peach and plums, farm animals with goats, rabbits, chicken, and ducks, too. The farm also has a wooden train play structure, tractor tire garden and old water pump for your kids to play with. Visit www.jackcreekfarms.com for a current harvest listing. 

Hearst Castle. If you are up for short drive to San Simeon, Hearst Castle is a must-see and an excellent opportunity to share a piece of history with your children. You may even see zebras on your drive in. Tours book up quickly, so be sure to check out their website and book yours in advance. A tour reservation is required to get on the bus for the 5-mile ride up to the castle. Strollers are not permitted, but carriers are great, and the castle provides them on a first come, first served basis. For more information and tickets visit www.hearstcastle.org.

Allison Chance is a military spouse and mom to Charlotte, 4, and Hux, 4 months. She is a Realtor and has been lucky to call Florida, Hawaii, and now California home during her family’s military adventure.

Five San Jose Attractions You’ll Want To Visit

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San Jose, located 70 miles North of Monterey is the largest City in Northern California. When I was in my twenties and early thirties, I would drive up to San Jose with friends and visit Santana Row, downtown nightclubs, concert halls and other “adult” hot spots. Now that I have a family, it’s time to do some research on the kid-friendly venues offered in this popular city. Here are five to add to your “must visit” list.

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose

  • 180 Woz Way, San Jose

  • www.cdm.org


This Children’s Museum had been on my list of places to visit for a few years, but I wanted to make sure my son would be able to enjoy all they had to offer. Since he is entering Kindergarten in the Fall, I knew it was time to visit.

The Museum is open on Mondays until Labor Day from 10-5pm, Tuesday-Saturday 10-5pm, and Sundays 12-5pm. (Member-only 11-12pm). General admission for ages 1-59 is $15, 60+ is $14 and infants under one year old are free. 

Be prepared to spend hours in this interactive, hands-on museum filled with activities for every type of child.  My son was instantly drawn to the water, gardening and fossils exhibits.  Some activities engage children in art, technology, archeology, architecture, farming and so much more.

Make sure to check out the newest exhibit, based on Disney Junior’s award-winning series, Doc McStuffins.  This exhibit, full of active participation will be at the museum until September 17th. 

At lunchtime, we decided to try their Food Shed and was pleasantly surprised. The Food Shed offers healthy Kid’s Bento Boxes filled with your choice of items like chicken tenders, pasta, or grilled cheese, and one fruit or vegetable on the side.  I ordered a Chicken Tikka Tart, a delicious Indian dish and loved it. 

Our final stop after hours of playing was The Shop. My son enjoyed browsing the many interactive games, art activities, maker kits and science experiments. We received a free Children’s Museum tote bag. It was a fun-filled day and we will definitely return.

The Tech Museum of Innovation

  • 201 S. Market Street, San Jose

  • www.thetech.org


The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose has always been one of my favorite indoor spots to explore. They offer many hands-on activities that help us explore how technological advances are changing our way of living. 

General admission to the Galleries is $24, Student/Seniors (65+) $19, Child (9-13) $19 for the Museum Galleries, the Educational IMAX Film alone is General admission is $11, Students/Seniors (65+) $9, Child (9-13) $9 & the combo of both IMAX and Galleries is General Admission $29, Student/Seniors (65+) $23 & Child (9-13) $23.

The Museums hours are 10-5pm daily. They are closed September 4-September 14, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

The Tech Museum features many exciting and intriguing exhibits including my favorite, Body Metrics, which allows museum visitors a window into their physical and emotional selves of today as well as the most promising health care techniques of tomorrow. Have a pre-teen or teenager? Make sure to pay a visit to the Cyber Detectives exhibit to learn how to become empowered to protect your own digital life. 

My son’s pick of our visit was the build a robot activity. Wanna-be engineers of all ages can design, construct, and program a real robot using sensors, controllers, and actuators. Another favorite for the younger crowd is the Tech Studio.  In this hands-on exhibit, people can explore their problem-solving potential with guided experiences in STEAM: science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. We enjoyed designing a windmill and learning about physics by building a better ice skate.  

Feeling adventurous? My husband took a flight in a bird simulator. Equipped with a VR headset, you will experience the closest thing to bird flight possible with modern technology. It was definitely worth the $8 for a 2-minute ride ($5 for members).

Emma Prusch Farm Park

  • 647 King Road, San Jose

  • https://www.sanjose.gov/Facilities/Details/131


I had no idea that Emma Prusch Farm Park in East San Jose even existed until one of my son’s teachers recommended a trip. Native San Josean Emma Prusch bequeathed 87 acres to the City of San Jose in 1962 with the intention of it being a place of relaxation, recreation, and enjoyment for the people of the City of San Jose. The fertile agricultural land was once a working dairy farm located in the heart of the Valley of Hearts Delight at the intersection of King and Story Roads. The park consists of the remaining 47 acres from the original gift.

The Emma Prusch Farm Park is open daily from 8 am to 30 minutes before sunset. The original Prusch family farmhouse, along with other historic structures are located within the park, which has one of the most substantial free-standing wooden barns in California. The barn is home to large 4H animals including beef cattle, sheep, and swine. There are also many agricultural displays and educational events held at the farm.

Emma Prusch Farm Park includes heritage, high density, and rare fruit orchards, a Plant Science Center, two community gardens, pollinator, and butterfly gardens, as well as acres of lush green lawns for picnics and playing. The Park also has a Friendship Forest planted with trees from all around the world. The Santa Clara Home Composting Program maintains a demonstration site here as well. The small farm animal enclosure is home to many typical farm animals including chickens, pigs, and rabbits. Chickens, guineas, ducks, geese, and peafowl can be found roaming the park. 

The barn is a central attraction at the park and my son loved it. Local 4H youth use the barn to raise their market and breeding animals. The barn serves as a residence to steers, goats, sheep, and pigs. The barn is open to the public during certain park hours.

Every first Sunday of October is the Prusch Farm Park Mountain Music Festival. This year’s event will include all-day live entertainment, hay wagon rides, farm animal displays by 4H, tours of the Park, historical farmhouse, barn, orchards and “Emma’s Heirloom German Kitchen Garden.” 

Winchester Mystery House

  • 525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose

  • www.winchestermysteryhouse.com


The spookiest and most intriguing place that I have ever visited is the Winchester Mystery House. I am waiting to bring my five-year-old until he is older, but I have visited several times in the past. Sarah Winchester was a real woman of independence, drive, and courage who lives on in legend as a grieving widow. 

Today you can tour 110 of the 160 rooms of the Winchester Mystery House mansion and see the bizarre architecture such as windows built into the floors, stairs leading to ceilings, doors that open onto blank walls, and an obsession with the number “13” and spider web motifs.  

Some of the highlights of the 65-minute Mansion tour include the “25,000 Room”, hayloft, Sarah’s bedroom, Séance room, Grand Ballroom, Venetian dining room, “Hall of Fires” and much more. The Mansion Tour includes admission to the Victorian Gardens, Historic Firearms Museum, and Specialty Gifts and Antique Products Museum. The price ranges from $20.00 to $39.00.

For a limited time, you can add on the Explore More Tour–a new experience that takes guests to never-before open to the public areas in the mansion. Guests will gradually make their way deeper and deeper into the mansion’s unsettling corridors and dark hideaways. Children 10 and under are not permitted to go on the Explore More Tour. Tour Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes (combined with the Mansion Tour).  Prices range from $20.00 to $49.00. 

The most popular time for people to venture to the mansion (besides the summer months) is in October. As autumn leaves start to fall, the Halloween Candlelight Tour begins. The Winchester Mystery House’s Gothic vibe will chill you to the bone while you are guided through the 160-room Victorian mansion.  Check the website for more details.

Besides enjoying the Mansion Tour, I have had the opportunity to attend the Friday the 13th Flashlight Tour. On this spooky tour for adults only, visitors will be guided through the darkness with nothing but a flashlight.  The final date is Friday, July 13th so check now to see if tickets are still available. Tickets: $49 Adults

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

  • 748 Story Road, San Jose

  • www.hhpz.org


Have a little one who wants to go to the zoo?  Don’t want to drive to San Francisco or Oakland? You are in luck. The perfect place to meet and greet animals and enjoy age-appropriate rides is only an hour away in south San Jose. Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is home to a wide variety of animals such as the Black & White Ruffed Lemur, Capybara, Giant Anteater, Jaguar, Monkeys, Tortoises, many different species of birds and much more.

General admission to Happy Hollow (ages 2-59) is $14.25, $11.25 for ages 60+ and babies under two are free. The park is open daily from 10-5pm, except for major holidays. Parking is $10 per vehicle. 

My son was so excited to visit Happy Hollow, so we planned a visit before the weather became too warm. The first activity on our agenda was an animal meet and greet. We visited many different mammals, reptiles, birds and even saw some honey bees. We caught part of a cute puppet show featuring an imaginative little fox. I was so delighted to learn that the American Alligator Exhibit had just opened. The public can view the alligator training sessions during the week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2:30 pm.

After enjoying a tasty picnic lunch in the Picnic Basket Restaurant, it was time to try the rides. My son enjoyed the Carousel, Frog Hopper, and Mini Putt Putt Ride to name a few. My favorite was the somewhat more thrilling Pacific Fruit Express Family Roller Coaster. 

We all enjoyed looking at The Crooked House and exploring The Animal Barn. We spent the last part of our adventure playing at the Redwood Lookout. It’s nestled in the Redwoods complete with ropes, swings, slides, and climbing areas.  

Happy Hollow organizes many events and classes throughout the year. On Saturday, July 14 there is a Beekeeping & Beyond Workshop planned for 9 am, occasional guest storytelling from Kristi Yamaguchi and ½ price admission days each month throughout the year. Check their Facebook page for many more fun events and updates. 

Family Day Trip: Destination Big Sur!

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Pristine beaches, towering sea cliffs, roaring rivers and thundering waterfalls await you in Big Sur, a California gem spanning more than 90 miles of coastline and featuring several state parks. It’s the perfect destination for your next day trip.

Big Sur has many family-friendly activities, ranging from short hiking trails to nature reserves spotted with tide pools. Whether you’re looking for an adventure in the Redwoods or a relaxing place to spot migrating whales, Big Sur possesses limitless prospects. Here are five kid-friendly places you can’t miss while exploring Big Sur.

1. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Called the “crown jewel of the State Park systems,” Point Lobos is a prime place for sightseeing, photography, painting, nature study, picnicking, SCUBA diving and jogging. There are rare plant species, endangered archeological sites, unique geological formations, and incredibly rich flora and fauna in both the sea and on land. 

Point Lobos is made up of headlands, coves, and rolling meadows. The offshore area is a popular spot for diving and is home for sea lions, seals, sea otters and migrating whales (December-May). Hiking trails follow the shoreline and lead to hidden coves. This area was home to the turn-of-the-century whaling and abalone industry.  A cultural history museum (open 9-5pm) remains at Whalers Cove, a small cabin built by Chinese fishermen from that era. 

  • Cost: $10 per car for day use only

  • Hours: 8am-7pm (last entry at 6:30pm)


2. Julia Pfieffer BurnsState Park 

Near mile marker 35.8 on Highway 1, the park is 37 miles south of Carmel

Are you looking for a short hike that it extremely worthwhile? The ½ mile round trip Waterfall Outlook Trail located at Julia Pfieffer Burns State Park is just that. The almost flat stroll ends an oceanfront overlook with immaculate views of McWay Falls, which was a favorite spot of Big Sur pioneer woman Julia Pfeiffer Burns, for whom the park is named. The column of waterfalls 80 feet from the top of a granite cliff to a sandy inlet below. This beach isn’t open to the public, but the sight is completely worth checking out.

A panoramic view of the ocean and miles of rugged coastline is available from the higher elevations along the trails east of Highway 1. 

  • Cost: $10 per car, per day. Your entrance fee allows you access to all California State Parks until sundown.

  • Hours: The park is open to day use visitors a half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset.

  • Camping: Two environmental campsites are located on the west side of Highway 1 south of McWay Cove. Both sites are hike-in only, and no vehicle access is permitted. Reservations should be made six months in advance. 1-800-444-7275 or book online https://www.reservecalifornia.com/CaliforniaWebHome/


3. Limekiln State Park 

The park is 56 miles south of Carmel, off Highway One; two miles south of Lucia.

Limekiln features breathtaking views of the Big Sur Coast, the beauty of the redwoods,  the rugged coast and the cultural history of limekilns. The park has 24 campsites.  An exceptional and fairly level hike through redwoods and along several lush creeks, with both a waterfall and the historic limekilns, is among the sights.  The Limekiln Trails are well-maintained and short with modest elevation gain and a series of creek crossings to keep things interesting. There is also a short walk to the coast!

After finishing the trails on the inland side of the park, head west across the parking lot to a road that goes under Highway 1 and out to the beach. There may be a chance for you to spy some dolphins frolicking in the waves 100 yards offshore, especially during the Winter months. 

  • Cost: $8 per car

  • Hours: 8am-sunset unless camping

  • Camping: The park has 24 campsites. Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date-based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules. Book online at www.reservecalifornia.com/CaliforniaWebHome/


4. Andrew Molera State Park

Near mile marker 51.2 on Highway 1, the park is located 21 miles south of Carmel

In the spectacular Big Sur area, this park is still relatively undeveloped and offers visitors great hiking and beachcombing. Miles of trails wind through meadows, bluffs, beaches and, hilltops. Lesser known than Julia Pfeifer Burns State Park, Andrew Molera offers a great trail along the Big Sur River to vegetated bluffs and a sandy beach. 

To reach Molera Point, follow the Headlands Trail for the picnic area. To get to the beach, you might need to get your feet wet unless you can hop across the seasonal footbridge over the river by the picnic area. At the beach, watch the tide and sleeper waves! The beach is well worth the adventure.

  • Cost: $10 per car for day use only

  • Hours: Open ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset


5. Big Sur River Inn

46800 California 1, Big Sur

The Big Sur River Inn first opened 80 years ago as the Apple Pie Inn.  Its history parallels the history of Big Sur pioneering families. It was built beside the Big Sur River and guests can lounge on chairs in the river and tangle their feet in the cool water while reading a book or hanging out with friends and family. 

The River Inn has a restaurant (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), gift shop, store, gas station and 20 motel rooms. The general store offers everything from camping supplies to a great selection of local wines, made-to-order pizzas, and a burrito bar.  They even make smoothies, perfect for the hot summer months! The lodge and restaurant have a rustic log cabin feel, and you can dine indoors or outdoors with a view of the river. Come on a Sunday, and you will catch some outside entertainment and a BBQ! 

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