Destination: Lake Vasona, Los Gatos
Explore Lake Vasona, visit Oak Meadow Park, and hike Los Gatos Creek Trail
This is part of a series of family-oriented day trip outings around the San Francisco Bay Area I look forward to enjoying with my kids once social distancing and shelter in place isn’t the norm any longer.
By Don DeBold from San Jose, CA, USA — Billy Jones Railroad in Vasona Lake Park, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49958737
Social Isolation — Day 38
Ambivert
a person whose personality has a balance of extrovert and introvert features.
That’s me, and I’ve been struggling to find my balance. I love my kids, but some days I reach my tipping point and just want to crawl into a hole. I feel like I have to be on (extrovert) all the time.
Usually, I can head out for a trip and do something with them, some outing, a hike, an activity, and I can recharge. This constant staying at home / staying close to home, it’s taking a toll. I’m glad to have a few days “off” and hope I can recharge my batteries. What I wouldn’t give for a paddle around Lake Vasona right about now…
Destination: Lake Vasona
Explore Lake Vasona
Visit Oak Meadow Park
Hike the Los Gatos Creek Trail
Explore Lake Vasona
By Ramkmeno — Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72979438
Picnic areas, paddle boats, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, Youth Science Institute, Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, playground, hiking, biking, and running — there is something for everyone here. This far south down the peninsula, the weather is often good, so head down for some time in the sun! v
Visit Oak Meadow Park
The Lockheed T33-A Shooting Star jet trainer plane at the Oak Meadow Park playground by Cody Tolmasoff
On my first visit here, I had no idea the T33 was here; I had come to ride the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad with my kids. This immediately reminded me of the Jet Playground at 19th & Vicente in San Francisco. There might have been some embarrassment for my kids when I climbed up as well to play. It's a great playground beyond this too.
Once you are done at the playground, head on back to the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad for a loop around the park.
Hike the Los Gatos Creek Trail
By Elf — Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3775910
I’ve yet to hike down here, but it’s on my to-visit list. It looks like a great hike though.
Cody Tolmasoff is an author and publisher for Adventuring.in. He is a recovering programmer and a San Francisco native, raising two daughters, and regularly finding new adventures around the SF Bay Area. This article is an excerpt from an upcoming book, 52 San Francisco Bay Area Weekend Adventures, Day Trips With Your Kids!
Find him on Twitter @codyo, and read his most recent title Adventures in Getting Out on Amazon, filled with advice on successfully getting your family out for day trip adventures.
Originally published on Medium on 20 April 2020