Central Park & Downtown - San Mateo, CA

During a visit from Grandpa Howard, Auntie Theresa, and cousins Hannah and Austin, we decided to show them downtown San Mateo and all the lovely shops, restaurants and bakeries before heading into Central Park.

Central Park is a San Mateo landmark.  From the beautiful gazebo where hundreds of weddings have taken place to the Bianchi mini train that is a perennial favorite of anyone under five, Central Park is San Mateo’s signature park. It has lighted tennis courts, a playground and baseball field.

The Japanese Tea Garden is one of the finest tea gardens in California and was designed by landscape architect, Nagao Sakurai of the Imperial Palace of Tokyo.  It features a granite pagoda, tea house, koi pond and bamboo grove. The Japanese Tea Garden is beautiful throughout the year, but be sure to visit in the late Winter and early Spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

The Mini Train that operates in Central Park is a childhood delight. Weather permitting, it typically runs year round on weekends from 11am-3pm, and additionally on weekdays from 11am-3pm between June 15 and August 15 .

Conservatory of Flowers (Golden Gate Park) - San Francisco, CA

We tried unsuccessfully several times to find this place in Golden Gate Park and time our visit during their visitors' hours. FINALLY!

The Conservatory of Flowers is a greenhouse and botanical garden that houses a collection of rare and exotic plants in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California. With construction having been completed in 1878, it is oldest building in the park. It was one of the first municipal conservatories constructed in the United States and is the oldest remaining municipal wooden conservatory in the country. For these distinctions and for its associated historical, architectural, and engineering merits, the Conservatory of Flowers is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Places. It is a California Historical Landmark and a San Francisco Designated Landmark.

Washington Park - Burlingame, CA

BFF Gia showed us this hidden little gem within walking distance to her home, but also conveniently close to The Original Royal Donut.