North Bay (Marin County)

Slide Ranch
2025 Shoreline Highway
Muir Beach, CA 94965

This working farm uses a hands-on approach to learning and is a great place for both toddlers and school-aged children!   Enjoy the animals and the organic gardens that occupy this getaway.

San Francisco

Julius Kahn Park
West Pacific Avenue
San Francisco

Hands down the largest playground in the city and well suited for children of all ages.  There are two separate, fenced, sand-surfaced play areas: one for babies and toddlers and one for school-aged children. Both have climbing structures, slides, and swings.
        

Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA  

Golden Gate Park offers something for children and adults of all ages. It has tennis courts, a beautiful rose garden, casting ponds, a Buffalo Paddock, and is home to the Conservatory of Flowers.  You can also go boating at Stow Lake and take in the Japanese Tea Garden, Strybing Arboretum, Botanical Gardens, and California Academy of Sciences.

East Bay

The East Bay Vivarium
1827-C 5th Street in Berkeley, CA
(510) 841-1400

Visit the largest reptile specialty store which houses hundreds of snakes, lizards, tortoises and other reptilian friends.  School-aged children will enjoy the educational shows put on for their entertainment!

Tilden Regional Park Botanic Garden, Nature Study Area & Little Farm
Berkeley

The park is set in the Berkeley Hills among miles of hiking trails, Redwood Groves, and various streams and lakes.  Toddlers and school-aged children alike will stay busy riding the steam train, visiting the Little Farm, and taking a spin on the merry-go-round. 

Peninsula

Tide Pools at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve 
(650) 728-3584
Moss Beach, take California Street off Hwy 1.

The tide pools offer a day of enjoying sea life and beautiful weather with children of all ages.  In addition to searching for starfish and hermit crabs you may even see a harbor seal or gray whale.  The trail to the bluff tops takes you back to the parking lot and offer a great view of the coastside.

Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo
1451 Middlefield Road
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2111 

The zoo features roughly 50 animals including bobcats and various reptiles.  There is an indoor play area for children up to the age of five and a range of hands-on exhibits on topics including geography and ecology for school-aged children.  All of that plus all of the amenities at Rinconada Park – community swimming pool, special toddler playground and a big kid play area with an exciting adventure ship.  Also included are a sand play area, which features water play, and a large open space turf area.

Hidden Villa
26870 Moody Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

Offering farm and wilderness experience for elementary-aged children, Hidden Villa utilizes its natural setting as a teaching platform for ecological and environmental concepts. 

South Bay

Hidden Beach Park
End of Cliff Drive in Aptos

A tot play area, lawn, picnic table, and beach access can be found at this 1.5 acre neighborhood park. Restrooms are available.

Why use an agency?
Common questions
Browse our candidates
Begin your search
Helpful Resources