My parents are visiting next week and I'm looking for ideas of a few things we can do outside in nature with them. They have some mobility limitations so I'm wanting something that they can do along with my two-year-old. Last year, we enjoyed going to Muir Woods together (this is the type of "hiking" they can do -- smooth and flat). My mom especially loves to go birding. Do any of you have ideas of places we could go? Thanks so much!
My parents are visiting in June, and I have been thinking about the same thing. I am considering Filoli Gardens in Woodside: 86 Cañada Road, Woodside. ###-###-####.
off the top of my head, a few places I can think of that are flat and have lots of things that would interest adults *and* toddlers:
The Crab Cove nature center in Alameda - there's a visitor center and then the shoreline area is nice and flat and a good place to see a variety of shore birds. http://www.ebparks.org/parks/vc/crab_cove
The Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center near the San Mateo bridge http://www.ebparks.org/parks/hayward
Ardenwood Historic Farm http://www.ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood
If you came over to the Walnut Creek area you could visit Bancroft garden (stunning!) and Lindsay Wildlife Museum. LWM is a museum with live animals who can not be released into the wild after an injury. Lots of hawks, owls, and other birds. They also have a bobcat, fox, opossum, dessert cottontail rabbit. Also a playroom for kids 5 and under.
My first thought is Little Farm in Tilden Park (Oakland/Berkeley hills). This time of year, you may see pregnant animals or brand new babies :). You can bring celery and lettuce and feed the animals by hand (they are all in enclosures). There is a little playground next to the parking lot too. Lots of grass across the parking lot from the playground if you want to fly kites or toss a ball or frisbee. We've enjoyed many hours there with toddlers, and it's flat too.
How about a day trip to Point Reyes National Seashore? You can make Abbott's Lagoon your end point. Abbott's Lagoon has a very flat walking trail (it's not paved but it is very flat), excellent birding and wonderful wildflowers at this time of year, plus the trail ends at a beach with lots of white sand that your toddler will love. Pack a picnic lunch and on the way to the Lagoon you can stop at the Bear Valley Visitor's Center at the park headquarters in Olema. Your toddler and parents should both love the museum, and you can take your parents on the paved flat earthquake trail. On the way home stop in Pt. Reyes Station for dinner at one of the great local restaurants (Casa Reyes might be a good choice for you). Hope this proposed agenda helps. Have fun!
Hi B.,
The Golden Gate park is a wonderful place to visit-it has a little bit of something for everyone. A fantastic playground and a beautiful old fashioned carousel, a lovely botanical garden, japanese tea garden, and of course all the museums. You can spend any where from half hour to all day there. I'd steer away from the academy of sciences unless you don't mind the crowd. Have fun!
Hi B.,
We recently went to the Discovery Museum in Sausalito and it was fabulous. My 1 1/2 year old was completely engaged for 4 hours (it's a tie for who had more fun, him or me)!
Anyway, it's RIGHT on the other side of the Golden Gate bridge and it's fun for the kids with plenty of stops for your parents plus is right next to the ocean so it might be fun to walk around when you are done with the Museum. Good luck and have fun!
xoxo,
T.
Drive or the train to redding and walk the brige and gardens-over the river it is beautyous-and the museums dinner-then walk the bridge at night quite amazing-L
The U.C. Botanical Garden is an excellent place for birding and 'hiking' on well-maintained paths. The California section of the garden is particularly nice at this time of year.
