Looking for kid-friendly and easy outdoor adventures to enjoy this winter? I’ve rounded up 10 great activities for Bay Area families that promise fun and lasting memories. From snow play to tide pooling, there’s something for every family to enjoy this season.
Snow Play for Bay Area Families
Whether you want to ski, snowboard, snow tube, or just play in the snow and build a snow person, here are some spots to check out. I've put together a list of favorites in all the major snowcation spots including Tahoe, Truckee, Calaveras County, and Tuolumne County. Read more here.
Tide Pooling:
Explore spots like Natural Bridges and Fitzgerald Marine Reserve during low tide. Read more here for when the next King Tide is happening and more info on tide pooling adventures.
Hike to Ladybugs:
Huckleberry Botanic Preserve in Oakland, Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park or Uvas Canyon are perfect options. I've got the details for you on each of those hikes right here.
Farm Animals:
Feed animals at Tilden’s Little Farm (for free!) or visit animals at many other locations around the Bay Area. Check them out here.
Elephant Seals:
Plan a visit to Ano Nuevo State Park to see elephant seals during their pupping season. Must have a Guided tour to view seals from December to March. You can also view them from some of the observation decks on the trails.
Whale Watching:
Spot migrating whales from these land-based viewing spots: Point Reyes National Seashore, Bodega Head, Pigeon Point Lighthouse (Pescadero), Montara State Beach, and Muir Beach Overlook
New Playgrounds:
Discover a new local playground with your little ones. There are too many amazing ones to list but here are two that we have recently visited:
Magical Bridge Playground (locations in Redwood City, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Santa Clara)
Outpost Playground at Presidio Tunnel Tops in San Francisco
Bay Area Gardens:
Magnolias are blooming! Wander through beautiful spaces and enjoy the natural beauty at any of these Bay Area Gardens-
San Francisco Botanical Garden (San Francisco)
Located in Golden Gate Park, this expansive garden features plants from around the world and open green spaces where kids can play. Highlights include the Children’s Garden and the Redwood Grove.
UC Berkeley Botanical Garden (Berkeley)
This garden is home to a diverse collection of plants from all over the world. Its stroller-friendly paths and peaceful atmosphere make it a favorite for families.
Hakone Gardens (Saratoga)
One of the oldest Japanese gardens in the Western Hemisphere, Hakone offers koi ponds, bamboo groves, and beautiful architecture. Kids will love exploring the tranquil grounds.
Filoli Gardens (Woodside)
This historic estate features formal gardens, a nature preserve, and seasonal events. Kids can explore the gardens and enjoy walking trails in the surrounding woodlands.
The Gardens at Heather Farm (Walnut Creek)
Known for its colorful flowers and open spaces, this garden is great for kids who love to explore. There’s even a playground nearby to add to the fun.
Ruth Bancroft Garden (Walnut Creek)
A stunning collection of drought-tolerant plants and succulents, this garden is an educational and visually engaging spot for families.
Gamble Garden (Palo Alto)
This free public garden is perfect for a quick outing with kids. The small size makes it manageable for younger children, and the seasonal blooms are always a delight.
Quarryhill Botanical Garden (Glen Ellen)
Situated in Sonoma County, this garden focuses on rare and endangered plants from Asia. It’s a bit farther out, but the peaceful setting is worth the trip.
Would you like me to include a brief description of these gardens in your guide?
National Parks:
Winter is a magical time to visit these nearby National Parks:
Yosemite National Park: Experience snow-covered vistas and ice skating at Curry Village.
Sequoia National Park: Perfect for a snowy adventure hiking amongst giant sequoia trees
Lassen Volcanic National Park: Enjoy snowshoeing and sledding.
Sequoia National Park
Monarch Butterflies:
Visit Natural Bridges or Pacific Grove to marvel at their migration. It's a bit late in the season at the time that I'm publishing this post and most of the butterflies may have gone by now, but save this for a winter adventure next year.
Happy Adventuring!!
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