Aquariums
A visit to a local aquarium is a great enjoyable and educating way for kids to explore the sea life, underwater environment, touch sea animals, and more. 

Monterey Bay Aquarium (886 Cannery Row, Monterey)

www.montereybayaquarium.org 
Monterey Bay Aquarium is an educational and fun window to the wonders of the ocean.
Check out the newest exhibit, ¡Viva Baja! Life on the Edge featuring animals from Baja’s deserts, mangrove forests and coral reefs.
The Kelp forest is a 28 foot tall underwater forest where you can watch sharks, sea turtles, tuna, sardines, octopus, eels and other fish. Watch the divers feed the animals and clean the aquarium, and learn about the forest.
Children will enjoy the Rocky Shore and Sandy Shore & Aviary exhibits which offers hands-on learning activities where you can touch sea animals, and learn about their natural habitat.
Visit the giant pacific octopus, sharks, penguins, sea turtles, jelly fish, octopuses, squid and cuttlefishes, watch the daily shows and feedings, and don’t miss the ocean-view decks, where you can often see seals, dolphins, otters, whales and sharks!
If you want even closer encounters, or a special experience, check the website for special tours for families, diving experiences, and sleepovers.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Aquarium of the Bay (PIER 39, 2 Beach St, San Francisco) 
www.aquariumofthebay.org 
Explore below San Francisco Bay by getting up close and personal with more than 20,000 local marine animals. The interpretative naturalists are always nearby to answer questions and guide through hands-on animal encounters. Check out the website for daily schedule of feedings, encounters, talks and more. 

Aquarium of the Bay

Seymour Marine Discovery (100 Shaffer Rd, Santa Cruz) 
http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu 
This marine museum is on the smaller side, but it is fun and educational for a short visit with little children.
At the aquarium, you can explore the fascinating world of marine science and conservation, touch a friendly shark, see how marine scientists work, and visit the dolphins.  

Seymour Marine Center Santa Cruz

Zoos 
A visit to the zoo is always a great family outing. See the animals first hand and learn about what they eat, their habits, environment, and more. Zoos in the bay area offer petting zoo or children zoo included in the admission price.

San Francisco Zoo (1 Zoo Rd, SF)

http://www.sfzoo.org/

Nestled against the Pacific Ocean, the San Francisco Zoo is an urban oasis. It is home to over 1,000 exotic, endangered and rescued animals representing more than 250 species and lovely peaceful gardens full of native and foreign plants. 

Farm animals for feeding and petting can be found in the popular Fisher Family Children’s Zoo. Visit the Family Farm, the little pond and duck, feed the goats by hand, chase the chickens, and much more! 

SF Zoo

Oakland Zoo (9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland)

http://www.oaklandzoo.org/

This is a wonderful zoo, with children’s ride area, train and sky ride, and more. Terrain is quite hilly (good workout for parents walking with kids or pushing strollers).

The petting Zoo is big and fun for children at all ages, brush and feed the goats, chase the chicken, pet the animals and more! 

Oakland Zoo

Happy Hollow (1300 Senter Rd, San Jose)

http://www.hhpz.org/

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is a small 16-acre zoo and amusement park in San Jose featuring a petting zoo where kids can feed and brush goats, sheep, cows and more, animal barn, animal hospital with indoor and outdoor quarantine, and education center with year-round classes for ages 12-months to adult. They also have Puppet Theater, Rides and structures for toddlers and children featuring slides, swings, ropes and climbing areas, carousel and roller coaster.

Happy Hollow Park and Zoo

Fall 2016 Bucket List

Since our Summer Bucket List was a great success, and after counting the days to our favorite season, we've complied a list of fun activities that will ensure the best fall yet!

1) Apple Picking - we have a list of local orchards here, and we cannot wait to make it a new family tradition!
We had a great time picking apples at Gizdich Ranch!

2) Craft with fallen leaves - we have a board ready on Pinterest, we just need to start crafting!
Already started crafting!

3) Decorate Pumpkins.
Decorating pumpkins with stickers and paint? Yes, please! Our park craft & play are our favorite!

4) Go to a Fall Festival and Celebrate the Season.  

5) Get lost in a Corn Maze.
Check out this cool corn maze at Jacobs Farm!
6) Go on a Hayride.

7) Visit a Pumpkin Patch.

8) Go Trick-or-Treating.

9) Roast S'mores.

10) Buy/Find/Make Halloween Costumes - I'm still trying to think about a family costume, and I really hope to make some/all of it! 

Weekly Picks - August 29-September 5, 2016

Check out our weekly picks for August 29 - September 5. We included Labor Day activities in this post, so it is easy for you to plan. Lots of music, festivals, nature, creativity and family fun awaits! 

Our weekly picks are published on Sunday, just in time for you to get ready for the week. Want to get all this info via email every Sunday evening? Sign up for our newsletter here.

Want more options or plan ahead? check out our calendar for more activities, as we update it daily! http://relomomblog.blogspot.com/p/calendar.html

Monday, August 29, 2016:

• Enjoy Momdays (dads too) at Bay Meadows (San Mateo).
• Family storytime in Los Altos - Stories, songs, and activities designed for families with children ages 3 and up. Pajama-clad participants welcome!

 Tuesday, August 30, 2016: 

• Kidding Around Yoga for Tots at Wund3rKid - Adrienne Johnson is a former school teacher turned kids yoga teacher! She combined her two passions, teaching and yoga, and discovered Kidding Around Yoga. A kids yoga class is full of songs, games, and activities to help children focus their minds while stretching their bodies... all while having loads of fun!
• Family Storytime in Campbell - Stories, songs and activities for families with children of all ages. 
• Family Storytime in Saratoga -  Come enjoy stories, songs, and films for the whole family. 

Wednesday, August 31, 2016:

• Today is the opening day to the Monterey County Fair - In addition to rousing family entertainment, carnival rides, games, and fun Fair-food, the fair provides an opportunity to celebrate Monterey County's unique history and heritage, from the aquaculture of Monterey's coast to the abundant produce and wines from its agriculture, and the wonderful home art exhibits to the excitement of the livestock competitions.
• Summer Music Series in Sunnyvale 
• Dance Class in Los Altos 
• Open Cockpit Day in San Carlos - A unique opportunity to gain a pilot’s eye perspective on many of the Hiller Aviation Museum’s aircraft. The McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, Boeing 747 and Hiller H-12 cockpits are always open, but on Open Cockpit Days the doors and canopies of many additional aircraft in the Museum’s collection swing open to allow visitors a special chance to sit inside and explore the controls and instruments needed to fly these aircraft. 
• Bring the tots out for an exciting morning at the Ardenwood Historic Farm. Hear a story, do some chores, and meet some farm friends. Little ones will enjoy a variety of activities at their own pace. We’ll meet rain or shine! (1-4 yrs.)

Thursday, September 1, 2016: 

• Visit Monterey County Fair - In addition to rousing family entertainment, carnival rides, games, and fun Fair-food, the fair provides an opportunity to celebrate Monterey County's unique history and heritage, from the aquaculture of Monterey's coast to the abundant produce and wines from its agriculture, and the wonderful home art exhibits to the excitement of the livestock competitions. 
• The Pescadero Flowery grows 75 varieties of dahlias using organic practices.  Visit the farm from July through October to pick your own. 
• Baby & Me Play in Sunnyvale is a free group activity that is tailored just for infants and their parents/caregivers. Each session is geared towards stimulating a baby's senses in a fun and engaging way, and babies and their caregivers play and sing together.  Baby & Me provides babies with opportunities for group interaction, developing pre-listening skills, and social-emotional growth.
• Visit Los Altos Farmers' Market

Friday, September 2, 2016:

• Music lovers will enjoy the Magical Bridge Summer Concert Series in Palo Alto.
• Visit Monterey County Fair - In addition to rousing family entertainment, carnival rides, games, and fun Fair-food, the fair provides an opportunity to celebrate Monterey County's unique history and heritage, from the aquaculture of Monterey's coast to the abundant produce and wines from its agriculture, and the wonderful home art exhibits to the excitement of the livestock competitions. 
• The Pescadero Flowery grows 75 varieties of dahlias using organic practices.  Visit the farm from July through October to pick your own. 
• Each $5 First Friday at Chabot is an exciting and immersive experience for all ages! Hands-on activities and live demonstrations that are fun for the whole family. Each month there will be new things to explore! This Month will feature The Big Quiz Thing’s Buzzertastic Science Game Show!  

Saturday, September 3, 2016:

• Visit Monterey County Fair - In addition to rousing family entertainment, carnival rides, games, and fun Fair-food, the fair provides an opportunity to celebrate Monterey County's unique history and heritage, from the aquaculture of Monterey's coast to the abundant produce and wines from its agriculture, and the wonderful home art exhibits to the excitement of the livestock competitions.
• The Pescadero Flowery grows 75 varieties of dahlias using organic practices.  Visit the farm from July through October to pick your own.  
• If you have an account with Bank of America, enjoy a free admission weekend in many museums in the bay area. Check out the participating museums here: Bank of America Free Museum Weekend.  
• Bring the whole family to the Rail Fair at Ardenwood featuring two operating historic steam locomotives: the 1890 "Ann Marie" (Cortez Mining Co #1) and the 1889 Antelope and Western #1. Enjoy steam train rides, hand car rides, displays of garden railroads, model railroads, rail yard equipment displays, early day gas engine and tractor displays, food for sale, the Children’s Hobo game, music and much more.
• Get your groove on at the Los Gatos Music in the Park.
• Marina's Labor Day Pararde featuring military color guard, marching bands, horses, classic cars and dancers. Immediately following the Parade, the Festival will swing into action featuring music, food, and fun.  
• Be Greek for a weekend! Every Labor Day weekend, Monterey becomes a part of the Mediterranean as the Monterey Bay Greek Festival takes over Custom House Plaza, Monterey State Historic Park in downtown Monterey. You won't be able to resist the mouthwatering smell of traditional Greek food. While you're munching on dolmades, you can watch traditional dance, listen to music, and even learn a little at a cultural lecture. Sip a cup of Greek coffee while you order that ever-popular dessert, baklava. Then step up to the stage yourself for a lesson in Greek dance! A traditional taverna will open in the evening, serving Greek and American beer, wine and ouzo. 
• Fall family music workshops for children ages 0-5 at the Greenmeadow Community Center - It's a great space with easy parking, near a park, and a convenient location.
• Come meet the Lizard Lady Reptiles and her menagerie of scaled friends at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito. 
• Visit Sunnyvale's Farmers' Market 

Sunday, September 4, 2016:

• Visit Monterey County Fair - In addition to rousing family entertainment, carnival rides, games, and fun Fair-food, the fair provides an opportunity to celebrate Monterey County's unique history and heritage, from the aquaculture of Monterey's coast to the abundant produce and wines from its agriculture, and the wonderful home art exhibits to the excitement of the livestock competitions.
• The Pescadero Flowery grows 75 varieties of dahlias using organic practices.  Visit the farm from July through October to pick your own.  
• If you have an account with Bank of America, enjoy a free admission weekend in many museums in the bay area. Check out the participating museums here: Bank of America Free Museum Weekend.   
• Bring the whole family to the Rail Fair at Ardenwood featuring two operating historic steam locomotives: the 1890 "Ann Marie" (Cortez Mining Co #1) and the 1889 Antelope and Western #1. Enjoy steam train rides, hand car rides, displays of garden railroads, model railroads, rail yard equipment displays, early day gas engine and tractor displays, food for sale, the Children’s Hobo game, music and much more. 
• Be Greek for a weekend! Every Labor Day weekend, Monterey becomes a part of the Mediterranean as the Monterey Bay Greek Festival takes over Custom House Plaza, Monterey State Historic Park in downtown Monterey. You won't be able to resist the mouthwatering smell of traditional Greek food. While you're munching on dolmades, you can watch traditional dance, listen to music, and even learn a little at a cultural lecture. Sip a cup of Greek coffee while you order that ever-popular dessert, baklava. Then step up to the stage yourself for a lesson in Greek dance! A traditional taverna will open in the evening, serving Greek and American beer, wine and ouzo.   
• Children's Program at Muir Woods - The beginning of the lecture is especially for children. After this short talk, children leave the zendo to participate in their own program. Activities include seasonal farm projects, mindfulness, yoga, contemplative handwork and ritual. Participating families are invited to stay for tea, juice, muffins and the farmer's market outside the zendo. 
• San Jose Mini Maker Faire is a History San José organized event that is part of the global Maker Faire network created by MAKE Magazine. This event is a family-friendly affair that will celebrate and showcase makers, inventors, tinkerers, artists, builders, crafters, and many more creative individuals! 
• Visit one of the nation's best farmers' market in Mountain View

Monday, September 5, 2016 - LABOR DAY:

• Visit Monterey County Fair - In addition to rousing family entertainment, carnival rides, games, and fun Fair-food, the fair provides an opportunity to celebrate Monterey County's unique history and heritage, from the aquaculture of Monterey's coast to the abundant produce and wines from its agriculture, and the wonderful home art exhibits to the excitement of the livestock competitions.
• Bring the whole family to the Rail Fair at Ardenwood featuring two operating historic steam locomotives: the 1890 "Ann Marie" (Cortez Mining Co #1) and the 1889 Antelope and Western #1. Enjoy steam train rides, hand car rides, displays of garden railroads, model railroads, rail yard equipment displays, early day gas engine and tractor displays, food for sale, the Children’s Hobo game, music and much more.
• Be Greek for a weekend! Every Labor Day weekend, Monterey becomes a part of the Mediterranean as the Monterey Bay Greek Festival takes over Custom House Plaza, Monterey State Historic Park in downtown Monterey. You won't be able to resist the mouthwatering smell of traditional Greek food. While you're munching on dolmades, you can watch traditional dance, listen to music, and even learn a little at a cultural lecture. Sip a cup of Greek coffee while you order that ever-popular dessert, baklava. Then step up to the stage yourself for a lesson in Greek dance! A traditional taverna will open in the evening, serving Greek and American beer, wine and ouzo.   

Farmers' Markets in the Bay Area

Taking your child to the farmers' market is a great opportunity to teach your child the values of local food and community building. 
Develop healthy eating habits by letting your child choose fruit and vegetables, as they tend to eat it if they chose it themselves. 
Talk with the farmers! Let your child ask questions, learn about how to choose the produce, or just about the farms life. Emotional connection is impotent! 
After the visit, cook together and eat a family meal, discussing your adventure. 

Here are two books about a visit to the farmers' market, to get your child engaged:
A Day at the Market
Farmers' Market Day 

Enjoy!

Wednesday

Almaden Valley Champ Farmers' Market

Wednesday, 10am-3pm (Year-round)

Champ Farmers Market is a small Farmers' Market with about 35 vendors offering fruits and vegetables, honey, eggs, condiments, bakery products, flowers, homemade crafts, and more. There is a seating area in the food court, snow-cones for children, free coffee for adults, and music for customers' listening pleasure.

Cambrian Park Farmers’ Market (Corner of Camden and Union Avenue in Cambrian Park Plaza)

Wednesday, 4-8pm (May to September)

Small Farmers' Market featuring fresh organic fruit and vegetables, a few food stands, flowers, homemade crafts and live music.

Thursday

Los Altos Farmers’ Market (2^nd Street, Los Altos)

Thursday, 4-8pm (May to September)

A popular family evening out event with local farmers, food trucks and gourmet take-out choices, bakeries and more.The market includes a special annual kid's day at the market and regular children’s crafts area reaching out about nutrition.

Friday

Kaiser San Jose (270 International Cir., San Jose)

Friday, 10am-2pm (Year-round)

This farmer's market provide real California grown, fresh, seasonal and organic produce sold by the farmers who produced the crops. Farm fresh fruits and vegetables,fresh picked flowers, artisan breads and other baked goods and locally produced specialty items are available year-round. 

San Jose Downtown Farmers' Market (San Pedro Square)

Friday, 10am-2pm (May to November)

The cozy outdoor market takes place along a charming block of San Pedro Street between Santa Clara and St. John streets. The market features the fresh produce of more than 30 California-based growers.

Pick up a frequent shopper card at the SJDA info table and earn rewards.

Saturday

Facebook Farmers’ Market (1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park)

Saturday, 2-5pm (Year-round)

A weekly public market featuring local farmers, artisans, live music, beer & wine garden, community organizations and more.

It is probably the best one to attend with little children, as they offer fun weekly themes, kid’s zone with complimentary face painting, jump houses, arts and crafts and more. 

Sunnyvale Farmers' Market (Murphy Avenue at Washington, Sunnyvale)

Saturday, 9am-1pm (Year-round) 

Enjoy fresh fruits, vegetables and arts and crafts from from local growers and artisans. Live music and great atmosphere.

Santa Clara (Jackson Street at Homestead Road, Santa Clara)

Saturday, 9am-1pm (Year-round) 

Small farmers' market, but there are just enough vendors to provide variety and to make for competitive pricing. Shop for locally grown fruit, vegetables, flowers, food, and more.

Willow Glen Farmers' Market (1165 Lincoln, San Jose)

Saturday, 9am-1pm (June-October) 

The Willow Glen Farmers' Market is a certified farmers' market located in the heart of downtown Willow Glen at the Garden Theater. This community market has been in existence for over 15 years and is a favorite of those looking to connect with local growers and vendors while sampling a variety of prepared foods.

Santa Teresa Farmers' Market (6232 Santa Teresa Blvd, San Jose)

Saturday, 10am-2pm (Year-round) 

At your Santa Teresa Farmers’ Market, the produce is always fresh, always seasonal, and always provided by your local farmers and ranchers. 

Saratoga Farmer's Market (14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga)

Saturday, 9am-1pm (Year-round)  

Held at West Valley Community College, the Saratoga Certified Farmers’ Market offers seasonal fruits and vegetables from Santa Clara County year-round in the parking lot.

Sunday

Almaden Valley Champ Farmers' Market

Sunday, 9am-3pm (Year-round)

Champ Farmers Market is a small Farmers' Market with about 35 vendors offering fruits and vegetables, honey, eggs, condiments, bakery products, flowers, homemade crafts, and more. There is a seating area in the food court, snow-cones for children, free coffee for adults, and music for customers' listening pleasure. 

Campbell Farmers' Market (Campbell Avenue & Central Avenue, Campbell)

Sunday, 9am-1pm (Year-round)

This is one of the best year-round Farmers' Markets in the bay area. Enjoy the community atmosphere and fresh produce grown locally by California farmers as well as the crafts vendors, live music, coffee or breakfast at one of our restaurants, and the casual shopping atmosphere of Downtown Campbell.

Los Gatos Farmers' Market (Town Park Plaza on Main Street & N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos)

Sunday, 9am-1pm (Year-round)

Held in Downtown Los Gatos, this farmers’ market offers local seasonal fruits and vegetables year-round. With over 40 local farmers and food producers, the market features Asian vegetables, honey, mushrooms, eggs, food, and more.

Mountain View (Califonia & Bryant St. Mountain View)
Sunday, 9am-1pm (Year-round)

This Farmers' Market is in the top 10 of the nation! Showcasing over 80 farmers and food purveyors and offering an extensive selection of organic produce, baked goods and fresh flowers.

San Jose Japantown (Jackson Street between Sixth and Seventh Streets, San Jose)

Sunday, 8:30am-12pm (Year-round)

Local vendors offer fruit and vegetables, flowers, food, homemade crafts, and more.  

Cupertino Oaks Farmers' Market (21275 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino)

Sunday, 9am-1pm (Year-round)

high quality and reasonably priced California-grown, farm fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods and gourmet foods.