frugal sightseeing Archives - Page 31 of 32

Give the Founding Father the Finger, Junipero Serra Sculpture

July 16, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

By now you might know I have a thing for giant sculptures. This figure of Junipero Serra is something between landmark and kitsch and can be seen from the 280 going north right after the 92. If you feel ready for a close up, get off the visitor center exit at Hillsborough. Here right of the restrooms is a small path going up to the pointing monk.

But watch out for snakes! While we were walking up to the padre we saw a snake and a few lizards.

Junipero established nine missions in (Alta) California. In spite of protests that he mistreated the native Indians, he became a saint in 2015.

More information on Junipero Serra:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jun%C3%ADpero_Serra

www.californiafrontier.net/who-was-junipero-serra/

www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/23/pope-francis-junipero-serra-sainthood-washington-california

What is your relationship with the founding father?

Repository of Fun, Playland not-at-the-beach

June 25, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Playland not-at-the-beach was founded out of fond memories from the Playland near Ocean Beach in San Francisco that closed down in 1972.

We started our visit with the magic show. A 20 min show with great tricks and fun jokes. Down the hall are memorabilia from the Cliff House and the Sutro Bath with posters explaining their history.

But of course we came here to play! There are several rooms with pinball machines. Sadly our favorite pinball the Addams Family had a flipper brocken. Not one of the major two flippers (I saw a machine where that was the case) but still it took away from the fun. Besides pinball, there are a lots of arcade games, some our grandparents might remember.

A few rooms are dedicated for miniature houses that light up when you press a button and some things move.

One cabinet I saw with a lot of curious things.

There is a lot to discover and fun for a large group to enjoy themselves.
Do you remember the amusement park at the ocean?

Lace it Up, Lace Museum

June 18, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

When I saw that there is a Lace Museum in Sunnyvale, I put that on my list on things to explore.

I hesitated to go in at first because it said on the front door to call (408-730-4695) if you like a tour. But, since I was there I might as well check it out, right?

(It turns out I misread it, you only need to call if you are six or more, they will give you a tour if you are a smaller group, or even by yourself.)

I got greeted with the words: “Welcome to the Lace Museum. Would you like a tour?” Perfect!

I have to say, I learned so much! Thank you. I still have a hard time picturing how people make these delicate laces by hand. They do classes and I will definitely check out their Christmas fundraiser, where they sell ornaments made with old lace.

They have one exhibit piece that uses hair and silk as the lace material. And on another piece there are scarab beetles incorporated into it. I had no idea they are so shiny!

Currently they have an exhibit about wedding dresses. But, these special exhibits change.

This museum is an all volunteer base, so please come by, get the inside scoop on lace and donate, because they do a mighty great job.

Have you done lacing before?

Where the Giant Buddhas are, Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple

June 3, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Stockton might not be on everyone’s radar for a short day trip. (If you are from Stockton, I welcome comments below. )

We came from Davis and had time for a short sightseeing stop. This one was a bit hard to find but impressive nonetheless.

The Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple allows visitors to view their giant sculptures. I do not know the stories they depict but they made me surely curious. (Actually their website summarizes some of the stories.)

And they are truly giant!

One little girl said to a statue: “Bye. I won’t see you again.” I turned around and saw a slaughtered figure on the ground. I smiled to myself at such carefreeness.

Everyone here was smiling and waving. Truly an enchanted place.

My son even saw the soccer goddess. 🙂

Have you seen giant Buddha statues?

Big white birds

May 27, 2016January 17, 2022Silvia

The other day I saw a big white bird landing on a tree. “Is this a stork?” I asked amazed. Where I am from the big white birds are called storks. “No, an egret. “ someone from my group replied. “They are nesting right now where I work.”

Oh yeah, I knew exactly where she works! Google closes off Shorebird Way from April to October for the egrets to nest.

I went there to see and boy what a spectacle! Some are building a nest, some trying to find a mate, some appeared annoyed finding me looking at them! Their gobble is too cute. I think it is a mixture of what would come out of a chicken paired with turkey.

And then I DID see a stork!

Have you ever heard the gobble of egrets?

Do you know of any other breeding spots for egrets?

It’s all Digital History to you, Intel Museum

May 20, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

You probably heard about the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. A lot of memories, from punch cards to the old mac computer.

This is definitely the place to take your in-laws – they’ll remember all the times they used to program with the punch cards and every time they made a mistake they had to do all over again. This is impressive, but if you have a 11 year old with you, not too much.

Also, there is the Intel Museum, a free museum about what gave Silicon Valley it’s name. Here are the most enthusiastic people working I have ever met in a museum. I tagged along for a bit while the guide explained everything about semi conductors to a bunch of 5th graders. Believe me, everyone learned something cool.

You have to call to make sure they are not booked for some event, and yes the recording starts with the well known jingle: (408-765-5050).

If you and your 11 year old are lucky, the Digital Game Museum will have an exhibit somewhere near you. Right now they are only open Saturday’s from 10 to 4 in their Santa Clara location. Here, your parents might recall how they played pong and then moved up to more innovative and challenging games.

This weekend you can make your own forthcoming. Go to the Maker Faire May 20 – 22 in San Mateo to get some ideas. This is great fun for all ages.

Will you go to the Maker Faire? What is your favorite digital recollection?

Art in the Park, Lincoln Park in Los Altos

May 13, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

When you drive by Foothill Expressway in Los Altos I urge you to take a break and see the public art in Lincoln Park. This is a long strip of grass with multiple sculptures.

My favorite are the three doors. I am not sure what their official name is, I think it should be three doors. They open up, so I am sure if you have little kids this can entertain them for quite some time.

I also liked the Musical Gambol, a vibrant display that unfortunately does not make any noise.

This weekend, May 14 & 15 Lincoln Park will be the location for Fine Arts in the Park, from 10 to 5:30. The Rotary Club will present over 170 artists. Proceedings go to various socially significant projects.

Do you have a favorite public art piece?

For a list of all public art in Los Alto you can visit this web page: http://www.losaltosca.gov/publicartscommission/page/public-sculpture

Transport Yourself to Arizona, Stanford’s Arizona Garden

May 6, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Why Stanford’s Arizona Garden is also called Cactus Garden is quite obvious when you come closer. Here are more than 500 species of cacti and succulent. In fact, these species are from around the world, not just local to Arizona.

I was there when some of them were in bloom; what a spectacular site!

While lizards are native they tend to be rare to find, but here you have a great chance to see them. We saw at least three on our little excursion.

You can find this free garden between Campus Drive and Arboretum Road. It is a bit of a hidden treasure; when I asked about this in the visitor center, the students had to ask around to find out where it was.

Have you ever been to this garden? What did you think?

Do you have another favorite public garden?

When it rains – enlighten yourself

April 29, 2016April 30, 2024Silvia

The day I explored Los Gatos it was raining. So, the cute upscale outdoor shopping district wasn’t too much fun.

But what is the cultivated person supposed to do when it rains? Right, go to a museum. The NUMU is a little gem. (Not only on rainy days!)

The high school exhibition Social Matters blew me away with the depth of the pieces. High schoolers from around the area painted, photographed, sculpted and wrote a piece about the art and the social matter that they were depicting.

Take for example Adi Lahav’s Fetal Position, a piece that speaks for itself.

Next was the hat exhibit, different hats with tools to make them. Although just a one room collection a very interesting look at the history of different headgear and tops.

The More Than Your Selfie exhibit has, amongst other pieces of various techniques a very emotional video from Christina Nunez.

She tells her life story and how she used selfies as a therapeutic device.

As a special treat you can buy yourself some little art from the art-o-mat. I did not have $5 in coins, but sure will bring some next time! Have you ever used an art-o-mat?

You can visit the NUMU on 106 E. Main Street, Los Gatos, CA. Opening hours are Friday to Sunday from 10 am until 4 pm.

What is your favorite museum?

Redwoods in Redwood Grove Nature Preserve in Los Altos

Where the Secret Giants are, Redwood Grove Nature Preserve

April 23, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

One of the must-sees for every visitor coming to the Bay Area are those “really big trees”. If you can, head over to Muir Woods and enjoy the short to medium hikes among the redwoods. If you like to park your car nearby you have to get there really early. Due to the micro climate it might even be a little damp.

Here in Silicon Valley there are a few patches of redwoods spread out. Notable is the walk at Redwood Grove Nature Preserve in Los Altos. This is only a short drive away, but it sure does transport you into the woods. Since this is a well kept secret you probably have the place to yourself. It is not much of a hike, just for show and tell. If you like you could have a picnic at next doors Shoup Park

Happy Earth Day! Now go hug a tree!

Do you know a good spot to see redwoods?

The difference between a Redwood and a giant Sequoia

The trees you find around here are the redwoods. A redwood is the tallest of trees and can reach heights of more than 350 feet / 107 meters. The giant sequoia is the world’s largest tree. It can grow to about 30 feet / 9 meters in diameter. To see the giant sequoia you have to go near the Sierra Nevada, as it grows only at elevations of 4,000 to 8,000 feet.