Family activities near Sunnyvale (San Jose, San Francisco: 2014, amusement parks, to buy)

[sfcambridge]

My brother's family (one 8 year old child + wife) live in Sunnyvale. I live out of state. I wanted to buy them something for Christmas that they can enjoy as a family. For example, in past years I bought them things like membership to the San Francisco zoo, Exploratorium tickets, and tix to family concerts by the SF Symphony. I don't know the South Bay area as well as SF, but was hoping you guys could suggest some things closer to them (they think SF is far...) that I could give them this year?

She's a pretty normal, bright 2nd grader who loves Harry Potter. Her parents are techie types.

Thanks for your help.

[ccm123]

Buy them tickets to Great America Park (won't reopen until spring though) which is close by in Santa Clara.

[tilz]

Happy Hollow Zoo, its a great day out and not far from Sunnyvale

Or

Day passes to Monterey Aquarium, she wont see Harry Potter but will see Hairy Otter

[spicydreamt]

Gilroy Gardens - way more pleasant than Great America and they're expanding again in 2014.

[sfcambridge]

Thanks for all of these great suggestions!

I had actually forgotten about amusement parks, and had never heard of this zoo. Monterey is also a wonderful idea.

[ccm123]

For a great zoo experience, try Oakland Zoo. It is definitely "kid friendly". I went a few weeks ago and was pretty impressed.

[sfcambridge]

Originally Posted by spicydreamt

Gilroy Gardens - way more pleasant than Great America and they're expanding again in 2014.

I was just reading about this park, which got many great reviews. Do you think it is ok for an 8 year old? Is it more for younger kids? Forgive me if that was a foolish question, but several good reviews talked about how it was a nice place for their 2-3 year old.

Her parents are a little over-protective, so this kind of park might be more up their alley then Great America. But I wanted to make sure it keeps her interest.

[spicydreamt]

Originally Posted by sfcambridge

I was just reading about this park, which got many great reviews. Do you think it is ok for an 8 year old? Is it more for younger kids? Forgive me if that was a foolish question, but several good reviews talked about how it was a nice place for their 2-3 year old.

Her parents are a little over-protective, so this kind of park might be more up their alley then Great America. But I wanted to make sure it keeps her interest.

We've been going every year since our kid's been two, and this past Halloween (he just turned six) for the first time could ride a teenager-grade roller coaster. There's another attraction that he cannot attend yet, where you're sitting alone in chairs that spin around in the air. The petting zoo (you're actually petting peacocks, a boa, sheep, and even lift chicken with your hands) was a highlight, so was the Ferris wheel and the Halloween-zombie-filled maze (avoid if you cannot stand the sight of blood!). His mom loves the fifties car ride and so does he (he wanted to ride alone). If we had more time we'd have strolled around the several manicured gardens or ridden on a duck-boat on the center lake. Next year they're augmenting it with a water-park section.
It's true it's a perfect place for a 2-3 year old, as several attractions' thrill is adjusted to that age level. But there's enough diversity that an 8 year old and his parents can enjoy a few hours of fun, at least 2-3 times over the year. And not having to wait 2 hours for each ride is priceless, really. Plus if you subscribe to Travelzoo and bid your time, you can get a pretty good discount on the entrance fee. We paid $72 for three plus parking for a one-day visit.

[otterprods]

The children's discovery museum in San Jose is a good place to have a membership to as long as the 8-year-old doesn't think it's just for 'little kids' by now. Also, if the other choices are Great America, Gilroy Gardens and the Monterey Aquarium, the children's museum may seem a bit lackluster by comparison. Or you get them passes + movie tickets to the tech museum/imax theater in downtown SJ.

Otherwise just by them a state/county parks pass and encourage them to get out into nature instead of just fake manmade stuff. (at the risk of becoming the 'boring uncle'). Zoos are good because they're kind of the best of both worlds, but it sounds like you already did that.

[Wintermomma]

My kids love Gilroy gardens and they are 8 and up. I think it's very age-appropriate. Plus they do something special for the holidays (I've never gone since our passes always expire just before!).