We recently visited Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve twice, and it became a new weekend favorite for us. 

Ipiwa Trail to Alpine Pond 

This hike can be challenging for children, but with breaks and a visit to the nature center, it's pretty great.

When entering the park, turn right to the main parking lot. The hike is about 1.3 miles from one parking lot to another, or 2.6 miles loop, and offer gentle slopes, good combination of shade and open trails, great views and spectacular nature.

Start from the Skyline parking lot and follow the Ipiwa trail. After about half-mile slope, the hike become easier for little feet. 

After 1.2 miles you'll get to the Alpine Pond. Take time to explore! We saw newts, turtle and crayfish in the water.

After exploring the pond, check out the David C. Daniels Nature Center. 
It seems like a small room, but lots to explore! Kids will enjoy the "Please Touch" approach of the center: wildlife skulls and skins, feathers, bones and more. 

The "Build a Pond" wall was a huge success with Daniel! He learned about the pond animals, the food chain and more. 

If you want to get to the pond and nature center, but don't think your children will enjoy the hike - you can park in the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve parking lot located on the corner of the Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Page Mill/Alpine Road intersection (across Skyline Boulevard on the right) and walk through the pedestrian tunnel to the Nature Center.

Horseshoe Lake
If you'll turn left to the other parking lot, you'll reach a 1.3 mile trail around the Horseshoe lake.

This is one of the nicest easy hikes in the area. It is great for any ability, and it's stroller friendly. 
The walk is very easy and the trail is flat and well maintained. 

This is a loop trail, which will circle the lake and eventually return you to where you started.

Happy trails!

4th of July Celebrations Around The Bay Area 2019

Looking for a big fireworks celebration, a parade or kids activities this Fourth of July?

I put together this list of Independence Day activities around the Bay Area. No matter how you'd like to celebrate America's birthday, you can find something below.

🇺🇸 Alameda - Parade and coast guard festival.

http://www.alamedaparade.com

🇺🇸 Berkeley - Live entertainment and family friendly activities, followed by fireworks after sundown.

https://www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com/4th-of-july/

🇺🇸 Cupertino - Pancake breakfast, children's carnival and parade, concert, free swim at Blackberry farm, and fireworks show.

https://www.cupertino.org/our-city/departments/parks-recreation/community-events/fourth-of-july-july

🇺🇸 Danville - Parade.

https://www.srvkiwanis.org/parade/

🇺🇸 Foster City - All-day event at Leo Ryan Park - games, food, entertainment, family and dog parade, and a grand fireworks display.

https://www.fostercity.org/parksrec/page/foster-city-fourth-july-celebration

🇺🇸 Fremont - Parade: https://fremont4th.org/

Celebration at the farm: https://www.ebparks.org/activities/default.htm

🇺🇸 Half Moon Bay - Old-fashioned parade

https://www.miramarevents.com/4th-of-july-parade

🇺🇸 Livermore - Fireworks celebration

https://www.livermoredowntown.com/do/4th-of-july-family-fun-fireworks

🇺🇸 Menlo Park - Parade and celebration

https://www.menlopark.org/241/Special-events

🇺🇸 Milpitas - Pool party, concert, and fireworks.

http://www.milpitaschamber.com/calendar/06-2014/4th-july-celebration

🇺🇸 Mountain View - SF symphony concert and fireworks.

http://www.mountainviewamphitheater.com/events/san-francisco-symphony-4th-of-july-fireworks-spectacular

🇺🇸 Oakland - Fireworks.

https://www.mlb.com/athletics/tickets/promotions/themes/fireworks/

🇺🇸 Palo Alto - Annual Chili Cook-off.
http://www.paloaltochilicookoff.com/

🇺🇸 Redwood City - Downtown parade, festival & fireworks at the port!

https://www.redwoodcity.org/residents/redwood-city-events/festivals-holiday-events/july-4th-celebration

🇺🇸 SF - Celebration at the pier and fireworks.

https://fishermanswharf.org/events/annual-events/4th-of-july/

🇺🇸 San Jose - Red, white & Blue parade, and fireworks.

https://www.rwbsj.org/

http://www.rotaryfireworks.org/

🇺🇸 Santa Clara - All-city picnic & fireworks extravaganza.

http://santaclaraca.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation/parks-recreation-special-events/4th-of-july

Beach, Please! Best Bay Area Swimming Beaches for families

There is nothing like a day at the beach for summer memories!


Lake Anza
Tilden Regional Park offers lots of family-friendly activities (read about our visit here), but Lake Anza really stands out.
Lake Anza is scenic, affordable, and feels like you are miles away from the city even though it's just up over the hill.
2019 Swim season: Weekends & Holidays Apr 27-Sep 15, and Monday - Friday May 27-Sep 6
Hours: 11am-6pm
Cost: $3.5/Adult, $2.5/child, free parking.
Address: Lake Anza Road, Berkeley

Cull Canyon
It is ideal for families with young children, who will enjoy splashing in the shallow waters and building snow castles on the white, sandy beach. Older kids who pass a quick swim test will love the diving platform!
2019 Swim season: Weekends & Holidays Apr 27-Sep 2, and Monday - Friday May 27-Aug 16
Hours: 11am-6pm
Cost: $3.5/Adult, $2.5/child, free parking
Address: 18627 Cull Canyon Road, Castro Valley 

Del Valle Regional Park
Del Valle offers two swimming beaches, picnic facilities, boat rental and visitor center.
2019 Swim season: Weekends & Holidays Apr 27-Sep 15, and Monday - Friday June 10-Aug 16
Hours: 11am-6pm
Cost: Free, parking fee $6
Address: 7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore

Parkside Aquatic Beach
This San Mateo sandy saltwater swimming beach comes with a bonus - a playground!
2019 Swim season: Year-round 
Cost: Free
Address: 1595 Seal Street, San Mateo

Santa Cruz Beaches
While other beaches on the coast are likely to be chilly and foggy, the Santa Cruz beaches are more likely to be sunny. The most popular beach comes with a huge bonus - the boardwalk. Other beaches we enjoyed are Natural Bridges beach, Harbor beach, and Seabright State Beach (we like starting at the small museum outside, and head to the beach after. Read about it here). But really, most beaches will be just as great.
2019 Swim season: Year-round
Cost: Free
Address: Santa Cruz 

County Fairs 2019

Get into the spirit of summer and visit one (or all!) of the county fairs in the bay area!
Corn dogs and carnival rides, fireworks and farm animals - there is something fun for everyone!

San Mateo County Fair (June 8-16, 2019
)
www.sanmateocountyfair.com
Stroll the sprawling grounds, snack on various classic fair cuisines including BBQ, pizza, corn dogs, and funnel cakes, visit a petting zoo, go on the carnival rides, get dazzled by the acrobats, and more.

Santa Clara County Fair (August 1-4, 2019)
www.thefair.org
Carnival rides, classical fair food, a petting zoo, Captain Jack Spareribs and the pirate show, sea lion encounters, hands-on learning, live music and more. Read about our visit here.

Santa Clara County Fair 2016

Alameda County Fair (June 14 - July 7, 2019)
annual.alamedacountyfair.com
Carnival rides, family friendly entertainment, and hands-on learning.Live music, sports arena where you can catch a rodeo, a monster-truck rally, a demolition derby, and horse races. On July 4th, watch spectacular fireworks.

Marin County Fair (July 3-7, 2019)
www.marinfair.org
Be entertained by the spectacular grounds entertainment, carnival rides, carnival food and more.The fireworks take place every day of the Fair, at 9:30pm, shot from three barges over the lagoon in a low-level, safely choreographed extravaganza of music, rockets, Roman candles, comets, meteoric showers and spectacular bursting cascades – all beautifully reflected in the water below.

Monterey County Fair (August 29-September 2, 2019)
www.montereycountyfair.com
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.

Santa Cruz County Fair (September 11-15, 2019)
www.santacruzcountyfair.com
Carnival rides, classical fair food, a petting zoo, Captain Jack Spareribs and the pirate show, monster trucks, live music and more!

Sonoma Marin Fair (June 19-23, 2019)
www.sonoma-marinfair.org/sonomamarinfair
Featuring the hugely popular “Ugliest Dog” contest, pig races, a safari adventure, a culinary pavilion and wine tasting.

Napa County Fair (July 4, 2019)
www.napacountyfair.org
Carnival rides, attractions, live music and entertainment, chef showcases, displays and demonstrations, and firework.

Sonoma County Fair (August 1-11, 2019)
www.sonomacountyfair.com
Visit Sonoma County Fair and feel the excitement with a giant carnival, floral show, incredible display of livestock and agricultural education, live entertainment, carnival food, fun contests and more during its 80th celebration.

Solano County Fair (June 27-June 30, 2019)
www.scfair.com
Livestock auctions, talent show, blue ribbon competitions and a family-friendly, traditional county fair-vibe. Don't miss the concerts and fireworks every night!

Napa Town and County Fair (August 7-11, 2019)
www.napavalleyexpo.com
Located inside the Napa Valley Expo, the Napa Town and County Fair will have a great fair-vibe and summer-spirit! Delicious food, competitive exhibits, dance & party all summer night to live music.