One question many families with children consider before buying a home in a new area is whether there are a lot of kid-friendly activities nearby. Luckily, those looking to become homeowners in the South Bay have plenty of options around the peninsula that are the perfect option for a day of family fun. We’ve rounded up some of the best kid-friendly day trips in San Jose.

Happy Hollow Park and Zoo

 

This small zoo and amusement park in the Alum Rock neighborhood packs tons of fun into its 16-acre space. In the zoo side of the park, the kids will have a blast checking out the lemurs, anteaters, jaguars, and more. As for the amusement park, your children can spend hours learning new things at the Education Center, coasting down the slides, and petting barn animals. 

Gilroy Gardens - Gilroy

Photo by Jeremy Thompson / CC BY

Can’t make it down to Disney? Check out the park in Gilroy, which is arguably the next best thing. Gilroy Gardens offers plenty of easy-going rides that youngsters will love, including a couple of mild roller coasters. The grounds are landscaped so beautifully that you won’t even miss Disneyland. Don’t forget to stop by one of the park’s most unique attractions, the famous “Circus Trees,” created using special grafting techniques. 

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose - Downtown

Photo by LPS.1 / CC0

For a day of fun that’s also packed with learning, take your kids to this special museum in Downtown San Jose that lets them tinker, touch, and play with the exhibits. The museum offers plenty of hands-on, interactive exhibits that will keep your children entertained. Kids love the water play area, the dinosaur bone dig, and the ever-popular bubble room.

The Tech Museum of Innovation - Downtown

 

Got a kid who wants to be the next Mark Zuckerberg or Steve Jobs? There’s no better place than the Silicon Valley to get involved in tech. For cool exhibits that showcase interesting technology, check out the Tech Museum of Innovation in Downtown San Jose. You’ll be able to design robots, experience an earthquake simulator, learn about energy efficiency, and a whole lot more.

Winchester Mystery House - West San Jose

Legend has it that the Winchester Mystery House is haunted by ghosts. But whether or not you believe that, it’s still a spooky and unique mansion, with tours offered daily. Youngsters will be fascinated by the novelty of the home, with doors that lead to nowhere, windows designed to look like spider webs, and even a seance room.

Mission Peak Regional Preserve - Fremont

 

For athletically inclined families, there’s no hike more beloved in the San Jose area than Mission Peak. Due to how sparse the vegetation is, you can see stunning views of the Bay Area the entire way up the mountain. Note that Mission Peak is heavily trafficked, especially on holidays, but this could be a plus for hikers who like to feel a sense of community as they trek to the top. At Christmas time, you’ll even find a lit Christmas tree waiting for you at the peak.