Destination: Santa Teresa County Park

Santa Teresa County Park is located at the Southern End of the Santa Teresa Hills in South San Jose.  The parks offers a variety of activites - from golf to archery to historical landmarks.  Here are my top picks for your junior explorers.

Bernal-Gulac-Joice Ranch
Originally part of Rancho Santa Teresa, the Ranch site features a historic ranch house, gardens, and a barn. The Ranch site is open daily from 8am to sunset, although the Ranch House and Barn exhibits are only open on Fridays and Saturdays. Visit the Ranch to immerse yourself in the reality of living on a working farm over 100 years ago.

Geocaching Along The Ridge Trail
Geocaching is a fun activity and a great way to get your kids involved in exploring the outdoors. There are many geocaches in Santa Teresa, but you can find several caches close together along the Ridge Trail.  Find more information about Geocaching at Geocaching.com.

Creek Splashing on the Fortini Trail

Santa Teresa Creek off the Fortini Trail

Start at the Stiles Entrance off of San Vincente Ave (no parking fee).  Hike .75 miles along the Fortini Trail and on the right side of the trail, you'll find a nice shady spot for splashing in Santa Teresa Creek.  When you are done, you can walk back to the car along the Fortini Trail, or if you are up for a challenge, make a loop by continuing on the Fortini Trail to the Mine Trail turnoff.  From there, turn back along the Stile Ranch Trail.  The total on the loop is 2.7 miles with about 450 feet of elevation gain.

Coyote Peak
At 1,155 feet high, Coyote Peak offers a great view of the Santa Clara Valley from the top, but you have to put in some work to get there!  You can start from the Archery Range Parking Lot (no parking fee), for a 4.4 mile loop (1100 feet elevation gain).  Or you can follow the suggestion in the Healthy Trails Guidebook and start from the Hidden Springs Parking Lot (Parking Fee $6.00) for a shorter, and less steep hike (3.0 miles, 555 ft. elevation gain).

Cooking While Camping: Heat Sources

When planning your food for a camping trip, it is important to consider what heat source and cooking methods you will be using.  Here's a quick review of different heat sources and some pros and cons of each.

Propane Camp Stove
The first thing I think of what I think of a camp stove is the classic green Coleman Stove.  They are available in different sizes and power-outputs but that green case will always be iconic. They are durable and dependable and work well for many different situations.  They require very little maintenance or work to start - just like a gas bbq at you, you just light it and go.



Pros:
Inexpensive
Durable
Reliable
Fuel Canisters are easily available at outdoor or sporting goods stores
For longer camping trips, you can get a hose adapter to use a propane tank

Cons:
Fuel Canisters are not refillable
Bulky and heavy
Don't work well in very cold or very windy conditions

Butane Stove

The butane stove works very similar to the propane stove, but they use aerosolized butane canisters instead of propane.  Many families have one of these at home already for cooking stir-fry or bananas foster, so it's a great option if you are just getting into camping and don't want to spend a lot of money.


Pros:
Inexpensive
Durable
Reliable
Light-weight

Cons:
Fuel canisters not refillable
Don't work well in very cold or very windy conditions

Backpacking Stoves

There have been huge improvements to small, light-weight backpacking stoves over the last few years.  They have gotten lighter, quieter, and with the advent of JetBoil and the all-in-one cooking systems, they are much easier to prime and operate now.



Pros:
Very lightweight, the only option for backpacking
Very efficient for small quantities of water
Some have refillable white-gas (fuel) canisters (JetBoil does not)

Cons:
Inefficient for large quantities of water
Single-burner limits cooking options

Fire-Pits

Nothing says camping like cooking over a fire pit.  But despite the nostalgia, they aren't the cleanest option for our lungs or our environment.  Be sure the fire regulations for your camping area BEFORE you plan to rely on fire-pits as your heat source.  Many don't allow fires at all, or some areas limit fires during times of high fire-risk.  If your campground does allow fires, nothing beats warming your face around a campfire while you cook up hobo packs or s'mores!



Please note:  If your campground allows wood fires, DO NOT bring wood from home.  Transporting wood to non-native environments can spread foreign bugs and disease. Purchase wood at the campground kiosk or store instead.

Pros:
The true 'outdoorsy' experience

Cons:
Smoke
Fire Danger
Need a Fuel Source like Wood (not always allowed) or Charcoal

I found this tutorial from Sunset Magazine very helpful on how to use your Dutch Oven with wood or charcoal in a firepit:

"How to Use a Dutch Oven
1. Prepare the fire. If you have a campfire going, move any large pieces of still-burning wood to the side and level out your hot coals to fit the size of the dutch oven. If the campground doesn't allow wood fires, burn 50 charcoal briquets till they're mostly gray, 10 to 15 minutes, and spread into an even layer the size of the dutch oven.
2. Set up the oven. For many recipes, you just set the dutch oven on top of the hot coals ("bottom heat cooking"). But there are times when you'll need to heat both the top and bottom of the oven. Just scrape about half the coals to the side and arrange the rest in a circle the size of the dutch oven's outer edge. Set the oven on top of the circle of coals, then pile the rest of the coals on top of the lid.
3. Start cooking. Lift the dutch-oven lid occasionally to check the food and temperature. To decrease the heat, scrape away some fuel. To increase the heat, or to cook longer than 45 minutes, add 6 to 10 new briquets or more wood embers (from that still-burning wood you moved to the side of your firepit) every 30 minutes."

Cooking While Camping: Sausage and Bean Dutch-Oven Stew

Once you start to feel comfortable with your camping routine, it can be fun to start trying more adventurous recipes or outdoor cooking techniques.  Certain recipes are better suited for outdoor cooking so I'll be sharing some of my tried and true favorites.

I originally saw the recipe for Sausage and Bean Dutch-Oven Stew in Sunset magazine in an article that featured outdoor cooking recipes.

The recipe is delicious, and very kid-friendly, but I do have a few suggestions to make it a bit easier.

Ingredients

2 cans each cannellini beans and chickpeas (garbanzos), drained and rinsed

1/3 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves or 1/2 tbsp dried rosemary leaves

1 bell pepper, sliced

1 poblano chile, sliced

4 medium garlic cloves, chopped

1 1/2 pounds cooked Italian sausages, such as Saag's or Aidells, cut into 1-in. chunks (I use 1 package which is usually about 12 oz. but that is plenty for our family of 3)

1/4 cup fresh oregano leaves or 2 tbsp. dried oregano leaves

Preparation

At Home:

Prep and mix all ingredients in a 1-gallon ziploc bag. This only takes about 10 minutes and makes cooking at the campsite so much easier.

At The Campsite:

1.Prepare your heat source, either a fire with a grate or a campstove.  

2. Dump the contents of your ziploc bag into a dutch oven or large soup pot.  Add 3/4 cup water and cover.  Add to heat source.

2. Check the pot and stir every 10 to 15 minutes, and adding more water if stew gets dry, until peppers soften and sausages swell, 30 to 45 minutes. 

Dish up and bon appetit!

Nature 101 - Gardens

Are you looking to spend more time in nature but feel intimidated by trail maps, poison oak warnings, and no cell service?

Many people feel more comfortable exploring nature with some of the creature comforts of civilization nearby.  Luckily, even in urban environments, there are plenty of opportunities to interact with the local flora and fauna and get a healthy dose of nature.

For example, in the Bay Area, we have several wild spaces and cultivated gardens that are great options to explore as a family.

Villa Montalvo - Saratoga, CA

As many of my readers know, Villa Montalvo is one of my favorite places in the Bay Area.  The combination of wild trails, sweeping vistas, cultivated gardens, art sculpture, and historical landmarks is hard to beat.

Villa Montalvo is free to the public and open 7 days a week.













Japanese Friendship Garden - San Jose, CA



Located in Kelley Park, near Happy Hollow, the Japanese Friendship Garden is a living symbol of the “Sister City” relationship between Okayama, Japan and San Jose.  The Gardens feature picturesque Japanese bridges, waterfalls and golden Koi fish. A year-round brook flows the length of the garden, pausing now and again to calm itself in one of several lovely ponds.










There is no entrance fee for the Japanese Friendship Garden, but I recommend bringing some quarters for buying geese/duck food.  Parking is $6 per vehicle in the lot south of the Gardens.  If you park north of the Gardens, in the Happy Hollow lot, parking is $10.










Overfelt Gardens Park/Chinese Cultural Gardens - San Jose, CA

A 32-acre park in the middle of San Jose, Overfelt Gardens park features a native garden, ponds, historical buidlings, and most importantly - The Chinese Cultural Garden.  The Chinese Cultural Garden was inspired in 1971 by Frank and Pauline Lowe and is composed of several pagodas and pavillions through t

A fence surrounds one of the once-lovely buildings
in the Chinese Cultural Garden.

Updated 1/31/16 - We visited Overfelt Gardens and were very disappointed by their state of disrepair.  The ponds and fountains were all bone-dry.  There were fences around some of the pagodas and buildings in the Chinese Cultural Garden.  There was a locked gate blocking the path to the amphitheater.   That's not to say that the Gardens are not worth visiting at all.  The wide, paved paths that meander around the park would make for an excellent stroller walk or run.  I would just recommend doing it during in a group in broad daylight as there seems to be a crime element that loiters in the park.  It's close proximity (shared parking lot) with the Educational Branch of the San Jose Library does make for a fun afternoon outing of walking the Gardens then enjoying the relaxing atmosphere (and bathrooms) at the Library.


Ulistac Natural Area - Santa Clara, CA



Lil' H found another favorite spot in the Bay Area - Ulistac Natural Area in Santa Clara. Ulistac Natural Area is the only dedicated natural open space in the City of Santa Clara, and a regional and cultural resource for all of us. People from all over the region come to enjoy the diverse California native plant habitats and the ecosystems they support while walking, jogging, taking photographs, bicycling, bird watching, and just finding a serene respite from their busy lives.

Admission is free and in addition to the trails, there is a Butterfly Garden featuring many native species of plants, trees, and of course, butterflies. Our favorite was the California Coffee Berry tree - it smells better than Starbucks!

Note: There are no bathrooms in the Natural Area, but there are some just across the street.


Municipal Rose Garden - San Jose, CA

more information coming soon

Hakone Estates - Saratoga, CA

more information coming soon

Lake Tahoe's Natural History

Lake Tahoe (Wikipedia)

Lake Tahoe is a popular destination for travelers all over the world.  When you visit Lake Tahoe, use this helpful reference to teach your little explorers about the natural history of the area.

Lake Tahoe is only 2 million years old, so what did the area look like before that?  The valley that would become the Tahoe Basin sank into the Earth's crust, but the mountains around the area continued to rise.  Then volcanos erupted and blocked the water's outlet, causing water to fill in with water.  

At 1,645 feet deep, Lake Tahoe is the 2nd deepest lake in the United States (Crater Lake in Oregon being the first).  The Lake currently holds approximately 39 TRILLION gallons of water, and if it were emptied, it would cover the entire surface of the state of California in 15 inches of water.

Lake Tahoe from Space (Wikipedia)

A lot of people wonder why Tahoe is so blue and so clear compared to other lakes.  The surrounding mountains are comprised of mostly granite with hardly any topsoil.  When it rains, there isn't a lot of organic matter on the granite so the watershed doesn't bring nutrients to the lake over the course of it's runoff.  This means that algae and other organisms that normally make water murky don't have any food to survive.  As a result, the water is some of the clearest in the world.  When UC Davis first started taking measurements of the water clarity in 1968, it was clear to 102.4 feet deep.  It currently stands at 77.8 feet.

You can learn more about how the water clarity is measured and tracked at the Tahoe Science Center at Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village.  There are hands-on exhibits aimed at kids of elementary school age, but on our recent visit, our whole family (age range 2-70) had a great time.  If you visit, I highly recommend a stroll around the campus. There's a nature trail meandering through a grove of Jeffrey Pines that is inspiring, peaceful, and smells amazing (hug one of the trees and take a whiff of the bark and you'll see what I mean).  

Tahoe Science Center at Sierra Nevada College (UC Davis)

With an average annual snowfall of 409 inches, it's no surprise that the snow melting into Lake Tahoe leaves the water pretty chilly!  The average water temperature is 42.1F (brr!) but the average at the surface is a brisk 51.9F.

One of my favorite facts about Lake Tahoe isn't so much about the natural history of the area, but an important part of it's history nevertheless.  In 1928, Ms. Lora Josephine Knight had a stone building built and transported by boat to Fannette Island in the middle of Emerald Bay.  The only island in Lake Tahoe, Fannette Island juts 150 feet into the sky above the surface of the lake.  Ms. Knight would entertain friends and serve tea in the building, earning it the name of the "Tea House."  Not much of the building remains today, but you can travel to the island by boat, canoe, or kayak and climb up the rocks to the Tea House.

Fannette Island and the Tea House (Wikipedia)

Sources:
Tahoe Environmental Research Center - UC Davis, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service, Wikipedia

Destination: San Simeon

San Simeon, located in California's Central Coast, is a fantastic family getaway with so many opportunities for natural education.  Located just north of Cambria and San Luis Obispo, the area is a great choice whether you are looking for a camping trip or a laid-back tourist experience.

Lodging:
Hearst San Simeon State Park offers two different camping areas.  The San Simeon Creek Campground has established sites for tent and RV camping.  Each campsite features a picnic table and a fire ring.  There are spigots for water around the campground.  Flush toilets are available, and showers are also available (coin-operated).    One mile inland, you'll find the Washburn Primitive Campground.  Sites here still have a picnic table and fire ring, but the toilets are chemical-flush.

There are also plenty of non-camping options in the area as well, since it is a busy tourist destination.  Cambria, just a few miles south on Highway 1, has plenty of beach-side hotels.  In San Simeon, we recommend The Morgan Hotel, which pays tribute the Julia Morgan, the architect of the famous Hearst Castle.  You can also check Airbnb listings, condos run $100-$200 per night in the area.

Activities:

The Elephant Seal Rookery at Piedras Blancas

Elephant Seal Rookery - Just four miles north of Hearst Castle, you can visit the home of more than 17,000 elephant seals.  The Rookery is open year-round and there is no cost for admission.  The trails along the rookery are all wheelchair and stroller accessible.  While elephant seals visit the rookery year round, the Friends of the Elephant Seal website has a calendar that shows their annual patterns.

Zebras roam the area around San Simeon, they are descendants from Hearst's private zoo.

Hearst Castle - The main tourist attraction in the area, the Hearst Castle attracts millions of visitors per year to tour the grand estate built between 1919-1947 for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst.  While Mr. Hearst was still alive, he had a private zoo on the grounds.  There were deer, camels, antelopes, and many other exotic animals living on the ranch at different periods of time.  Faced with financial difficulties, Mr. Hearts was forced to disperse many of the animals living on the ranch, however by the time of his death, many animals remained on the property and were allowed to roam free.  Herds of zebras can be found wandering around the property and the area of San Simeon.  The picture above was taken from the balcony of a condo we rented on our last visit there.

Piedras Blancas Lighthouse - Tours are offered year round at this lighthouse, built in 1875.  Check their website for tour schedules.  The tour is approximately 2 hours, with 1/2 mile of easy walking.  There is no charge for kids under 5.

Coastal Discovery Museum - Park of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the Center offers interactive exhibits and education programs which highlight the cultural and natural history of San Simeon, California State Parks and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The interface of land and sea is unique here, drawing people for its rich bounty, economic opportunity, recreation and inspiration. Protecting these special places preserves them for use and enjoyment for generations to come.  Admission is free, although hours are limited, so check the schedule before you visit

Mr. H and Lil' H enjoying a beautiful sunset at San Simeon State Park

Beach Access - There are plenty of spots to  pull over along Highway 1 and enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean.  There is a parking area directly across from San Simeon State Park that offers gorgeous views at Sunset.  If you are staying in San Simeon, you can take a short walk down Vista Del Mar Avenue. At the end of the road, it turns into a dirt path where you can walk along the cliffs or venture out towards the waves.  Pay close attention to the changing tidal patterns - we were walking far from the water line (we thought!) when the tide rushed in and soaked our shoes and pants!

Walking along the cliffs, off the Vista Del Mar path

If you venture south from San Simeon to the San Luis Obispo area, make time to visit the San Luis Obispo Children's Museum.  This was my favorite place to visit when I was a kid

If you are visiting San Simeon from the Bay Area, I recommend taking 101 South to get there, but driving home through Big Sur.  The elegant winding ribbon of road from San Simeon to Carmel is one of the most beautiful drives in the United States.  There are also many State Parks along the way if you need to stop and stretch your legs:

• Limekiln State Park
• Pfieffer Big Sur State Park
• Andrew Molera State Park

Unfortunately dogs are not allowed on trails in most California State Parks, so if you are traveling with a dog, check out Pine Ridge Trailhead at Big Sur Station instead.  

Selecting A Trail: Reading Trail Maps

Did you know that you can actually determine how steep a trail is BEFORE you head out from the trail head, and find out the hard way that it's way too steep for your little hiker?

Allow me to introduce the idea of the topographic map.  You've probably noticed the slender, squiggly lines on your trail maps.  "Topos," as they are called, use detail lines to show the elevation change of any given area.

Last weekend, Lil' H and I enjoyed a nice hike in Sanborn County Park.  We wanted to check out Lake Ranch Reservoir, and a quick check of the Park Map showed two trails to access the Reservoir.

Two trails to Lake Ranch Reservoir

The trail in the northwest corner, leaving from Sanborn Rd, is the short and direct Lake Ranch Trail, listed at .6 miles.  Starting in the southeast corner of the map, with the trailhead off of Black Road, is the John Nicholas Trail, listed at 1.4 miles.  The shorter trail seems like the better option, right?  But let's look at what the topo lines show us.

Each bold line represents a major elevation delineation.  All maps are different, so you want to read the legend on a new map, but on this map, each bold line represents 200 feet in elevation change.  In between each bold line are four slender lines.  These represent 40 feet in elevation change.   The closer together the lines are, the steeper the terrain.  Let's use this information and apply it to our map.

The Lake Ranch Trail to the Reservoir

We'll start with our shorter trail - the Lake Ranch trail to the Reservoir. I have marked the bold topo lines in green.  The trail (in yellow) starts three slender lines below the 1600' bold line.  This means the trail starts at approximately 1480'.  Remember, each slender line represents 40' feet. The end of the trail, at the reservoir, ends right at the 1800' bold line.  This means an elevation gain of 320 feet over .6 miles, an incline of 10%.  Another way to think about it is for every 100 feet you walk forward, you gain 10 feet in elevation, or one flight of stairs.  If this is starting to sound a lot like algebra, you are correct.  You calculate incline by dividing "rise over run," sound familiar?

The John Nicholas Trail to Lake Ranch Reservoir

Now, let's see how that compares to our longer trail, the John Nicholas Trail.  The trail starts two slender lines above the 1800' bold line, at approximately 1880 feet.  The trail stays mostly between the lines.  In map lingo, this is known as hugging the contour.  Right where the map says "1.4", the trail actually dips below the bold line, meaning that you lose some elevation, so we've actually gone downhill by about 120' .  The trail ends right at the 1800' bold line, so we do have to regain that altitude.  The trail will have gentle ups and downs, but overall, your elevation gain, and the incline, will be negligible.

So, in this case, a 1.4 mile gently rolling trail may be longer, but is going to be easier on young hikers or parents carrying kids in Keltys than a steep .6 mile climb. Hopefully you can use this information to help you evaluate trails for your future hiking plans. Knowing how to read the topos can help you determine whether a trail is appropriate for your family.  Which trail did we choose, you might wonder?  We actually opted for the short and steep Lake Ranch Trail because I'm training for Mt. Whitney and need as much uphill climbing as I can get!

Mrs. H and Lil' H setting off for Lake Ranch Reservoir as part of the Parks For Life Challenge

If you are interested in viewing more topo maps, the USGS website allows you to search for and download maps for the entire country.  You can also purchase paper versions on durable, water-resistant paper.  Download and print the Half Dome map (just click on the preview image for a free high-res download) and practice tracing the trail and calculating the elevation for a fun activity with your kids.

Destination: Pinnacles National Park

There are several days each year that all National Parks are free to enter. We took advantage of a free entrance day recently and checked out Pinnacles National Park.  Opened as a National Park in 2013, Pinnacles features miles of hiking trails, talus caves, and a campground.  It's a short drive from California's Bay Area and the 30 miles of trails offer lots of family friendly hiking opportunities.

Our first view of the Balconies Cliffs from the trail

My overall impression:
Positive:  Lots of easy/flat trails for family hiking, cave exploration, great Bay Area day trip option
Negative:  Sunny/exposed campground, would be too hot to visit in summer

On the trail between Balconies Cave and Old Pinnacles

There are two entrances to Pinnacles National Park, and it is important to note that there are no thru roads that cross the park.  Check out the map ahead of time, or read the hiking trail suggestions, and that will help you determine which entrance to use.  There is no water available in the park, so make sure to bring enough water for all members of your hiking party.  Leashed dogs are allowed in the park in picnic areas and campgrounds, but they are not allowed on any trails.  Please do not leave them in cars while you hike, if you are going to hike on the trails, leave Fido at home.

Lil' H is a Daddy's Girl

We were especially intrigued by the talus caves that you can explore, so we checked the cave status page and discovered that the Bear Gulch caves were momentarily closed for bat roosting season. That narrowed our choice down to the Balconies Cave.

Depending on how many miles you want to hike, there are several ways to access the Balconies Cave.  The shortest route is from the West Entrance, hiking 2.4 miles round trip from the Chaparral Trailhead to the cave and back.  We wanted to hike further, so we actually started from the East Entrance at the Old Pinnacles trailhead.  The loop from the trailhead, over the Balconies Cliffs trail, and down through the Balconies Caves was 6.15 miles and took us 2 hours, 45 minutes, plus a lunch break on the highpoint of the Balconies Cliffs trail.  You can make this shorter by bypassing the Balconies Cliffs part of the trail, then it would be 5.3 flat miles roundtrip.

The trail out of Old Pinnacles was wide and flat and followed the West Fork Cholone Creek.  The trail alternates between sunny and shady sections, and would be even prettier if there were any water in the creek (darn drought!).  We still saw lots of wildflowers and some wildlife, including lizards, butterflies, and woodpeckers.  It is 2 easy miles from the trailhead to the Balconies Cliffs trail junction, where you can choose to go directly to the cave (you would be climbing up through the caves in this direction), or you can take a detour on the Balconies Cliffs trail.  This section of the trail is steep but the view is worth it. Lil' H especially liked watching the rock climbers who were roped up on the cliffs. If you take the Balconies Cliffs trail, you loop around to the far side of the cave, and you climb down through the cave.

Starting to wonder if this trail was a good idea, a tight fit!

About the cave itself - if you plan to hike through the caves, make sure you have sturdy footwear and a flashlight.  Do not plan to carry or wear a child for this section of the trail.  Lil' H was in a Kelty kid carrier for the first part of the hike, but it became clear after the 2nd or 3rd boulder that she was going to have to walk herself through the caves.  It quickly turns into a hands-and-feet rock scramble.  I was glad we had headlamps as carrying a flashlight in my hand would have made it harder to balance and help Lil' H at the same time.  Lil' H is an experienced and adventurous kid at 2.5 years old, but I'd say 4 and up is a better age for this trail.  If you take younger children, be prepared to assist them as you move up and down the large boulders.  This is not a good hike for kids (or adults!) who are claustrophobic or afraid of the dark.

Mr. H ducks under a rock as we enter the cave, Lil' H had to walk on her own from here.

Lil' H dons a headlamp as we enter the cave. 

Mr. H helps Lil' H into the Balconies Cave

Deep in the cave, there is a spring-fed waterfall running down the rocks.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, I mean, cave!

As we were leaving Pinnacles, we stopped at the Visitor Center to buy a snack.  The store is well-stocked and the prices are surprisingly affordable.  They have a large selection of Junior Ranger products that were so cute for a budding naturalist (good thing Lil' H was in the car with Mr. H or I'm sure I would have had to buy one of everything!).  Directly behind the Visitor Center, there is a pool so if you plan to camp, bring a bathing suit!

There is a campground at the East Entrance of Pinnacles.  There is no camping available on the West side.  We were disappointed before our visit that the campground was already sold out, but honestly, after driving through the park, the campground did not look appealing to me.  Each campsite had a fire ring (check the current fire danger status, fires were not allowed during our visit due to the drought) and a picnic table, but there was no shade to be found anywhere. We are lucky that Pinnacles is close enough to make a day trip out of it, and I think we'll keep it that way instead of camping.

I definitely plan to visit again.  We had so much fun climbing through the Balconies Cave that we are already looking forward to visiting the Bear Gulch Cave when it reopens.  Spring and Fall are the best times to visit Pinnacles, as the lower elevations in the park would be very hot and exposed in the summer months.

Destination: Villa Montalvo County Park and Montalvo Arts Center

"Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees" -- John Muir

I stumbled across this quote on a bench as Lil' H and I explored Villa Montalvo County Park and Montalvo Arts Center and found it right on point.  Our day had been rough so far - my patience had worn thin and she was acting like, well, like a two-year old.  But as soon as we stepped foot in the grounds of Villa Montalvo and took a deep breath of fresh, piney, mountain air, we were renewed!

The Historic Villa as viewed from the Italianate Garden

While Villa Montalvo was once the home of former United States Senator James D. Phelan, you may be more familiar with Villa Montalvo and the Montalvo Arts Center as a prime wedding destination.  In addition to art exhibits, theatre performances, and other events, it also has 175 acres of green space and hiking trails to be explored.  With sculptures, ponds, gardens, and more there is something for everyone here!

A new piece of art to admire around every twist and turn in the trail

There is no fee to enter the park and no fee for parking.  The park is open seven days a week, but occasionally closed for special events.  It was our first time at Montalvo, and we wanted to see everything! We started at Parking Lot #2 (you can download a map on the Montalvo Arts website).  From there, we meandered across the Great Lawn and headed towards the Mermaid Pond.  Lil' H was disappointed that we didn't find Ariel, but she did enjoy learning a new word: "statue."

An installation of birdhouses near the Mermaid Pond

Next, we toured the Italianate Garden which is filled with lovely marble statues, the Phelan Cactus Garden, and the Love Temple.

The Love Temple in the Italianate Garden

After our tour of the Italianate Gardens, we set off in search of hiking trails.  You can pick up the trails from Parking Lot 3 or 4.  Lot 4 is nice because it has restrooms.  Lot 3 connects with the trail a little higher up so you can skip the initial steep part of the hike.  Where the trail connects at Lot 3, you'll also find the beautiful Belvedere Temple, an art installation that captures the beautiful light in the area.

The Belvedere Temple

Inside the Belvedere Temple

One of the great things about Villa Montalvo is that all of the trails connect and intersect together in frequent, short intervals.  This means that you can easily make your hike shorter or longer depending on how your kiddos are doing.  I let Lil' H lead the way; whenever we came to a trail junction, I just asked if she wanted to go right or left.  We ended up doing about a half-mile on the Lookout and Nature Trails before we headed down to the Garden Theatre and Poet's Walk.

Lil' H is searching for interesting leaves and sticks on the Nature Trail

The paths near the Villa are mostly paved and accessible.  The trails in the County Park are dirt, but groomed enough that a jogging stroller could handle them (though be warned of steep stairs on the Poet's Walk).    You can download a more detailed trail map from the Santa Clara County Parks website. 

Stairs on the Poet Walk are fun for kids, but not stroller friendly

Overall, I would highly recommend Villa Montalvo for it's low commitment in terms of driving time, hiking distances, and lots of interesting artwork to hold your little hiker's attention.  We had a wonderful visit, and I can't wait to take Mr. H next time to the top of Lookout Point.

"Mama, am I in the circus?"

Note: Dogs are allowed on the upper trails in the park, but not by the Villa or gardens.  If you do bring your dog(s), please make sure to keep them leashed at all times to protect them from poison oak and mountain lions. 

Destination: Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge

There is a natural treasure tucked into the landscape of Silicon Valley.  In the shadow of Levi's Stadium and the NASA Ames hangers, lies the country's first urban national wildlife refuge.  The Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge is a great stop for families interested in the flora and fauna of the San Francisco Bay.

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Yung

There are two ways to access the NWR.  If you are coming up from the South Bay, you can start at the Environmental Education Center, in Alviso.  From the East Bay, you can start from the Visitor Center in Fremont.  The two areas of the refuge do not currently connect via any trail, but from new trail construction, it looks like that is the future plan.

The extensive trail network was what drew us to the refuge on a beautiful spring morning.  We started our visit from the Alviso side, at the Environmental Education Center.  We were traveling by bike, with kid trailers in tow, so we were quite surprised to find that all of the bike-accessible trails are actually dirt.  However, they were wide and flat so we fared well.  If you plan to travel around the refuge by bicycle, I recommend a mountain or trail bike, a true road bike might not fare too well.  It is also important to check the weather - the trails are impassable in wet conditions.  We did a long loop around the Mallard Slough Trail and the Alviso Slough Trail.  Here were our highlights:

• Views of Levi's Stadium and NASA Ames hangers
• Wildlife sightings including Canada geese, mallard ducks, and black-necked stilts
• Wildflowers in bloom along the levees 

Our kid-passengers were also very excited to see the Amtrak train roll by us on the trail - TWICE!  Lil' H told me to "catch the train" so she could wave at the "captain."

Photo Credit: Ambarish Goswami

On our next visit, I plan to explore on foot/stroller.  I would start at the parking lot just outside the Refuge gate, and walk up the Marsh View Trail to the Environmental Education Center.  From there, you can wander through the Butterfly Garden, or visit the Center.  The Center is open seven days a week, excluding federal holidays.  Then take the New Chicago Marsh Trail for a kid-friendly half-mile walk.  The Trail is mostly wooden boardwalks over the marsh and there is plenty of educational signage to help identify the flora and fauna.

We plan to do a visit to the Fremont side in the near future as well.  In fact, I look forward to many visits in the future!

Please note that pets are not allowed in any part of the refuge.  Even though it is nice to walk with our animals, they scare off the birds in their natural habitat so please leave them at home on your next visit to Don Edwards.

Everybody's Free ... To Wear Sunscreen

The 90's taught us all one important thing - wear sunscreen (thank you Baz Luhrmann).  With so many options on the market, how do we know what is best for us and our kids?  Here are some tips.

Avoid Aerosol/Spray Sunscreens

In 2013, the FDA officially warned that some aerosol sunscreens are flammable and can cause serious injury.  They are also very ineffective - we tend to miss large areas of skin when we use spray-on sunscreens.

As an aquatics director, I have really come to despise aerosol sunscreens over the years.  Parents tend to think that "spray on" means that you don't have to rub it in at all (which is how large sections get missed).  They spray their kids, don't rub it in, and let their kids jump in the pool.  Without time to absorb into the skin, the chemicals bond with hypoclorous acid (used to disinfect pools) and form a smelly gas that hovers just above the surface of the water.  This gas bonds to the skin of all swimmers and causes eye, skin, and lung irritation for anyone breathing it.

So the next time you leave a pool with scratchy eyes and smelling like "pool", blame spray-on sunscreen!

Chemical vs. Physical Sunscreen

There are two main types of sunscreen.

• Chemical Sunscreens (oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, etc.) absorb the sun's rays.  They offer more coverage against UVA and UVB rays, but can sometimes cause skin irritation.  It is important to wait 20 minutes after applying the sunscreen before sun exposure for maximum protection.

• Physical Sunscreens (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) work by deflecting the sun's rays from your skin.  It is effective immediately after application, but it is generally thick and harder to rub in.  It also needs to be reapplied more frequently.

Understanding SPF

SPF, or sun protection factor, indicates a sunscreen's effectiveness at preventing sunburn.  Although widely misunderstood, it's actually a simple formula.  You take your natural skin protection (low for individuals with light skin, higher for individuals with darker skin) and multiply it by the sunscreen's SPF and you get your total period of protection before you need to reapply.

Lil' H inherited my fair skin, so let's say her natural skin protection is 10 minutes.  If I use SPF 15 sunscreen on her, her period of protection is 150 minutes (this would be shortened if she was swimming).

It's not necessary to spend extra money on sunscreens with an SPF higher than 30.  SPF 30 is rated to block 97% of UVA/UVB rays, while 50+ (the FDA maximum) is only rated to block 98%.  Additionally, new research shows that too much SPF interferes with the body's ability to convert Vitamin D into calcium for bone growth and development.

Protecting Itty Bitty Baby Skin

For kiddos under six months old, it is best to skip the chemicals in sunscreens.  Use blankets, long-sleeves, hats, etc. to minimize sun exposure.

For kids over six months, it is still a good idea to limit sun exposure but if you do use sunscreen, stick to physical sunscreens instead of chemical.  The main ingredient (usually zinc oxide) is the same as diaper cream, so you know it's safe!

A lot of parents like the Badger Baby Sunscreen, but personally, I find it VERY difficult to rub in and it has a funny smell.



I prefer the Babyganics Mineral-Based Baby Sunsceren.  It has a light, fresh, smell and it is easy to apply.