Meet Your Newborn & Family Photographer in San Jose or the surrounding Bay Area, including Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Campbell
If you're looking for a way to get outside and enjoy the fresh air with your kids, consider going on a family hike! San Jose is fortunate to be situated in Silicon Valley near some of the most beautiful trails and outdoor areas in California! We are lucky to be near redwoods, beautiful gardens, and great hiking trails! I'm a mom to a kid who likes to hike and I used to be a hiking instructor so I love hiking! Here I'm going to share 5 hikes and outdoor spaces near San Jose that are great for families with kids. Most of these hiking locations also include a kid-friendly special amenity, such as a playground, garden, or farm. So lace up your hiking boots, grab a snack for the kids, and get ready for an adventure near San Jose!
The 5 Best Hikes For Kids Near San Jose
1) Rose Garden in San Jose
With a big fountain in the middle, and more than 5 acres filled with 100+ different types of roses, the Rose Garden in San Jose attracts thousands of visitors each year. For a fun and short outdoor outing with young children, the Rose Garden provides room to wander amongst the rows of beautiful roses and a big lawn nearby for playing, plus some redwood trees nearby for shade. This location also makes a nice background for photos. Note: the garden is free but be sure kids know not to pick the beautiful roses!
2) Los Gatos Creek Trail through Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos
The Los Gatos Creek Trail is paved and mostly flat, running for about ten miles along the creek from downtown Los Gatos through Vasona Park to Campbell and onto San Jose. The trail runs through Oak Meadow Park and Vasona Park, both of which have nice playgrounds for kids. There are also picnic tables and restrooms. For small children and train enthusiasts, the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad also runs through these parks and is a favorite of preschoolers and elementary aged children. Vasona Lake has a variety of ducks and birds, as well as boating in the summer through LGS Recreation. These paved trails are great when it rains, my son loves jumping in the puddles on the paved path!
3) Villa Montalvo in Saratoga
Villa Montalvo is located near downtown Saratoga and is a 166-acre park with both hiking trails (behind the main house) as well as formal gardens. When my son was a toddler, we spent most of our time walking in the gardens, which is mostly flat and great for toddlers to explore (be sure to check out the cactus garden at the end of the gardens!). We now spend most of our time hiking the trails, which meander through the redwood forests behind the main house, and are managed by Santa Clara County Parks. There is a nice lookout with two benches at the top with views of Silicon Valley (you can even see the Apple Spaceship from this viewpoint). Hikers are requested to park in parking lot #4. Note: Parking is free, but Villa Montalvo occasionally closes early for concerts or other events, so be sure to check their webpage before going.
4) Cactus Garden in Palo Alto
Officially known as the Arizona Garden, located on Stanford University's campus, this historical garden was created in the late 1800s. It has 500+ cacti and succulents, such that you feel temporarily transported to the desert. This garden makes for a fun outing for littles, as it does not require much walking and has many interesting plants. It also makes a beautiful location for family photos. Note: the Cactus Garden is free and open to the public, but parking is often difficult.
5) Rancho San Antonio County Park in Cupertino
Rancho San Antonio is perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and those young at heart with an 160-year-old historical working farm in Silicon Valley. You can hike (or take a stroller) there via a one-mile flat paved trail from the main parking area to Deer Hollow Farm, which has goats, sheep, chickens, and pigs. This hike is a favorite among the pre-school set! Note: dogs are not permitted in this park.
HAPPY TRAILS!
I hope this post inspires you to try out some new hiking locations with your kids! These locations are beautiful and fun, and several of them also make great spots for a family photo session! If you are a fun and laid back family who enjoys the outdoors and wants a great experience in a beautiful outdoor setting for your next family photo session, I'd love to be your photographer!
