Luna Dance Studio

(2 reviews)

1.9 mi

I can't say enough positive things about Studio650. The instructors, the owner and the entire staff…read moreare incredible. My daughter has been dancing here since she was two and we have seen so much growth both in her dance abilities and her as a person. The entire team is wonderful, so supportive and kind. I'm so grateful for all the studio has done for my daughter... highly recommend!!!

When we moved to MP, we were looking for a dance community for my daughters that was inviting,…read morenurturing, put kids first, was skills-based and provided a foundation to build confidence and a pure love for dance. We tried a few places but nothing compared to the warmth and talent of the awesome teachers and company coaches of Studio650 (formerly CDBN). Six years later, I would never change our decision and my girls are thriving and happy on their company teams and have made the best friends. Most of all, we feel blessed that the girls have so many teammates to look up to and who look out for one another. The team and parent-coach camaraderie is amazing. A true gem in the cut-throat Menlo Park/Palo Alto area.

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Zohar Dance Company

4.9

(17 reviews)

Excellent dance classes for my advanced dancer daughter who has no time for comp teams at teen…read morestudios but lives to dance for fitness!

I've taken one ballet class from Kristine and hundreds of contemporary classes from Adrienne…read more This is the best place to take an adult contemporary class in the peninsula. Okay, as far as I know, it's the only place that offers adult contemporary. Luckily, it's a great class. Adrienne Foley is a beautiful, relevant, and attentive instructor. I am thrilled to have found her class at Zohar. Kristine Elliott's ballet class was challenging and fun. Unfortunately, I'm usually unavailable during her classes. After Adrienne's class on Mondays, a group of flamencos wait to start their class. It's so great to have a studio nearby with several options of dance styles. The studio is down the long drive off of Middlefield and left, once you get to the parking lot. Parking can get hairy at 6pm (parents picking up their kiddos), but if the large lot fills up, there's plenty of street parking.

Jazz dancers in photo shoot by Kelly Hsieh for Zohar

Ballet Class

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Jazz, Ballet, and Modern Dance Classes

Victoria Ballet Palo Alto

4.5

(47 reviews)

1.0 mi

My daughter really loves the camp here. She enjoyed the teacher Sophie and looks forward to camp.read more

My daughter has been studying both ballet and art at Victoria Studio for years and I've been always…read moreamazed by their solid curriculums and supportive environments. The ballet program is very organized and their art program provides such a creative and unique activities (Especially, their summer camp program is worth the money) as well. I've been keeping all of my daughter's art works since each of them is just absolutely precious. I drive from San Jose just so she can get the highest quality training and experience. I drop off my daughter at the art studio and pick her up at the ballet studio in 2 hours. My daughter was always excited to go there and came back with full of joy. I can tell the teachers there are true educators and wonderful artists. My daughter respects them and I can see how they care about their students and help them to foster love of art. Strongly recommend!

Beautiful Ballet beginners in the Miracle Morning class!!! We hope that their beautiful life will become more beautiful with ballet.

Universial Ballet Competition - March 24-26,2023 (Irvine Barclay Theatre, Irvine, CA)

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Universial Ballet Competition

West Valley Dance Company - Mountain View

(6 reviews)

3.3 mi

The adult theater jazz dance class on Saturday morning with Becky is super fun! First class is…read morefree if you want to sample it. The music is from Broadway musicals. There is a warm up to a medley of songs and then a dance routine. The dance changes every six weeks or so.

WVDC offers a really good dance class for adults. Easy to learn steps and patient teacher.read more

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Dance Connection

4.2

(17 reviews)

2 daughters have danced here since age 3. One danced more recreationally and focused on sports and…read moreone joined the dance company. What I have loved is that Dance Connection supports kids and families at whatever level they are in their dance journey. The studio has been part of Palo Alto for 40 years. I know parents of dancers who danced here! My dancer has tuned her area of deepest interest but loves all genres - tap, musical theatre, lyrical, jazz and hip hop. While she does not focus on ballet, the studio has an amazing program for ballerinas at the most senior level. My daughter builds a strong foundation and body through ballet classes, which supports all of her dancing. She has grown in confidence, discipline, and teamwork.

A terrible first dance class experience for my child, and a waste of time / money for us…read more We signed up for a trial class for the 3-5 combination dance. First of all, we weren't told the regular teacher would be replaced by a substitute. The substitute was inexperienced and didn't engage my child, who was attending for the first time. We walked up to the teacher before the class and told her that we are here for a trial so she knew that we are new. Yet, the teacher ignored my child the entire time, even when it was clear that my child was struggling to understand what was going on. She made 0 efforts to help her fit in; my child was left alone standing at the corner the entire time. Zero teaching, zero caring. Will definitely not come back.

DCPC 2018 Willy Wonka Production

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2018 Ballet Company on University Avenue!

Groovitude Dance

(9 reviews)

Lisa is so helpful and welcoming…read more In this dance class, there are people of all ages, body types, and genders. Everyone feels welcomed and the class is both fun and challenging. If you want an opportunity to exercise in a supportive, playful and welcoming environment Groovitude Dance is worth your time.

Delightful, joyful, and inclusive vibes radiate from Lisa, Mandy, and all class participants! I…read morehave so much fun dancing my heart out as I learn, surrounded by a friendly and welcoming dance community.

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DanceVisions

4.9

(9 reviews)

Offers a wide variety of classes plus serves as rehearsal space for multiple dance group. I have…read morebeen rehearsing here since 2017. Performances take place next door at Zohar or at Cubberley Theater. Sprung floor was covered with fresh marley a couple years ago. Both the studio and attached yoga studio are available for rent. Has heater, fans, and opening windows.

Groovitude (Lisa Navarro and Mandy Bell) run their hiphop, tap and lyrical jazz classes out of…read moreDancevisions, and they're currently having an AMAZING promotion--try one month of unlimited classes for only $60!!! I jumped at this chance, and am not regretting it. The classes are definitely a bit challenging for someone without any dance background, but the atmosphere is very welcoming: When I was struggling with the choreo, my fellow classmates were very quick to help out and answer questions. The choreos tend to carry over multiple classes, so going consistently is definitely ideal if you're a slower learner. Classes start with a nice warmup, guaranteed to get your blood pumping! There's some emphasis on technique but nothing too crazy or intimidating. I'd strongly recommend these classes as a way to get in shape, whether you're easing back into dance or just beginning. From what I've seen in the daytime classes, the students do tend to be somewhat older (no teens or young adults for the most part, as it's during school/work hours), but there's zero judgment or pressure--I saw a wide range of dance ability in every class and everyone seems to enjoy themselves.

Lisa Navarro

Hip hop

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Lisa and Mandy's Hip Hop

Luna Del Soul

(10 reviews)

6.3 mi

Che was a great instructor, really easy to work with and super enthusiastic and creative for our…read morewedding first dance practices! We felt way more confident and coordinated on our big day, so we really appreciated the time and lessons here. Thanks to Che and the whole team at Luna Del Soul!

I had never taken dance lessons before going to Luna Del Soul, and deciding to try it out has been…read moreone of the best choices I've made. I wanted to learn something new and meet people, and after four months of salsa classes, it's been a tremendous experience. The studio itself is cozy, welcoming, and has a nice, spacious wooden dance floor that makes learning comfortable and fun. The instructors are highly skilled, great communicators, and genuinely fun to learn from. Every class is engaging and well-paced, and there's always a few good laughs! I've also met a lot of friendly and encouraging classmates, which has made the studio feel like a real community. It's a very comfortable environment. I really appreciate how the classes are structured. We start with a quick icebreaker, move into learning a routine (often with shines), and end with social dancing. Rotating partners throughout class is a huge plus as it gives you experience dancing with different styles and skill levels and helps you grow faster. Beyond classes, the studio hosts fun events like weekly Saturday social dancing, with styles rotating throughout the month (for example, salsa on the second Saturday). I also attended their Winter Gala earlier this month and was blown away by the performances. It truly felt like watching a live episode of Dancing with the Stars. Whether you're a complete beginner looking to try something new and meet great people, or an advanced dancer wanting to level up, I highly recommend checking out Luna Del Soul.

Biggest support!

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Friday Night Waltz

4.5

(28 reviews)

1.8 mi

As a newbie who has always been clumsy, I felt it was time to get out of my comfort zone and give…read moreballroom dancing a try despite past traumas of being teased and humiliated for being kinesthetically-challenged. The instructors are very kind and clear! It's very beginner-friendly, and you get a lot of practice with rotating partners to get the hang of the footwork. Some dance classes go super-fast and aren't clear and they low-key shame you if you can't keep up. Not FNW! I really appreciate that this is a very affordable way for people to learn different types of social dances, and after the lessons, there's also open dance time when people can dance with each other. People are very respectful, and the music selection is a tasteful eclectic mix of modern, vintage, and classic. If I lived in the Peninsula, I would would more of an effort to attend more often. What a gem of social dancing!

This is the most wonderful weekly dance event in all of the Bay Area! Friday Night Waltz is…read moreorganized every Friday at a very convenient location in downtown Palo Alto, close to the Caltrain station and with plenty of free parking nearby. The event features two hours of classes and a three-hour dance party that is DJed by amazing local dancers. It's always a great time! The community at Friday Night Waltz is very welcoming and builds a sense of belonging among all attendees: from high schoolers to retirees. It truly shines the diversity of the Bay Area. To cater to the interests of its audience, the organization also hosts themed nights such as: Anime night, Halloween night, Bastille night, Pride night, etc. Highly recommend checking one of these special dances! No previous dance experience or a partner is needed. This is an amazing fun Friday night out whether alone, with friends and family, or with a significant other. Despite the name, the dances at Friday Night Waltz are not all waltzes: plenty of west coast swing, salsa, bachata, etc. All of it set to popular music. Hope to see you there soon!

Read more at https://joydanceblog.wordpress.com/2016/07/13/dance-spot-friday-night-waltz/

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Vicky Dance Visions

My daughter has taken ballet with Vicky for several years now, and she has just started on pointe…read more Vicky has been a wonderful teacher for her -- supportive and disciplined. We do both regular classes during the school year, and intensive camps during the summer. The performances are lovely! I highly recommend.

I've been in Vicky's adult ballet class for almost 2 months. Vicky is very knowledgeable, patient…read moreand welcoming. I'd definitely recommend Vicky to anymore who wants to learn ballet.

Our beautiful 7 year old with their teacher

Our young adult love to perform at our studio

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Our sweet 9-10 year old ballet students learn excellence in ballet technique

Rinconada Pool

3.9

(103 reviews)

0.9 mi

The Rinconada pool for the little children is fantastic especially on a hot summer day. Today, we…read morevisited this pool and it was wonderful and beyond our expectations! The unique feature about this pool is that once in a while there's a water feature where the sprinklers go on in the students get drizzled with water in the pool, which is a lot of fun! In addition, little kids can slide down the little frog structure for extra excitement!

I can't speak for the main pool, but the children's pool was perfect for our little one who is…read morelearning to swim. It is an X shaped design with shallow entries on all arms of the pool and no spot deeper than two feet throughout. The fountain can be turned on which also made for a fun experience for the kids and adults. Highly recommend giving this place a shot if you are looking for a summer swim for kids under five years old.

Big pool with 2 diving boards

View to the right

View to the left

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The Dish - Stanford Foothills

4.2

(523 reviews)

2.2 mi

Not much more to say that wasn't already written. This is a great place to hike. Note that no bikes…read moreare allowed which makes for a safe and comfortable hiking environment (coming from someone who enjoys cycling). They do have a lot of bike rack parking at the base of the hill, and there is often a ranger or someone at the booth, which is nice as this means someone can keep an eye on your bicycle. I really like that it's paved in a nice circular path, with ample room for people to pass each other on the path. Also, the hike has a nice mix of undulating hills and incredible views, so there's a variety along your hike. I always spot wildlife when I'm hiding, so just keep your eyes open. There is one large portable bathroom at the base of the hill, but otherwise, no other facilities (I believe no access to drinking water on the path either). As other reviewers have mentioned, parking can be quite difficult to find, even if you're willing to walk. The best thing is to get there early!

Nice place to get a decent workout in with gorgeous views of Palo Alto…read more Have to park but of a ways down from the entrance which could be street parking if you're lucky or parking at the high school. Can take various trails around the dish. It's not a very shaded hike, so should have hats/visors/sunnies ready. If you're lucky, may even see some adorable wildlife. Good majority is paved.

The Stanford Dish

The famous Stanford Dish

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Monte Bello Open Space Preserve

4.4

(56 reviews)

5.2 mi

"Beautiful Mountain" Yes, indeed!…read more PSA: No dogs allowed - I had to leave mine at home. It's ok, you can enjoy this one alone! Take the drive! Yes, the road is windy and please slow for cyclists on your way up. Come along, sing a song. Dancing feet, magical retreat. Bring a friend or brave alone, it'll be worthwhile - 2, 4, or 7 miles! Our small group hiked the 7 mile loop, and had many photos stops along the way. Our leisure hike took approximately 4.5 hours. We spotted a tarantula early on the trail, other hiking groups, a backpacking group, bikers in groups and a few solo peeps. Shaded Hike & Open Space Sunny Hike: If you're wanting a shaded hike, start on the White Oak Trail located to the right of the Monte Bello parking. If you begin your hike on Bella Vista Trail, it's more of an open space with direct sunlight. Start early and enjoy! =)

Monte Bello is a hidden treasure for the Mid-Peninsula area…read more Funny thing, though. For being hidden, it's sure well known. To get there, you drive seven miles up a narrow, windy road. You're wondering if there's anything here besides big houses on tree-filled hills. Make a sharp left at Foothills Park - oops, never mind, you don't live in PA, you can't drive in here. More driving, more driving . . . and you finally get there, only to find a spacious parking lot crammed with cars. Here's why I gave it five stars: At first, it looks like typical landscape on this part of the Peninsula. But then I went down the narrow Stevens Creek Nature Trail. And ended up in a deep, dark forest with a babbling brook, pretty wildflowers, romantic bridges, and interpretive signs to explain what you're gazing at. If you felt like you got away from it all by driving up Page Mill Road, now you *really* feel like you're away from it all. Monte Bello also has a few peaks to climb up, and a backpacking camp. I'm itching to come back to try these out. I was not here long enough to really appreciate Monte Bello, but I saw enough to appreciate it a LOT. I had written about Russian Ridge that it's part of a conglomerate of Mid-Peninsula Open Space Preserves that gives you a few days of outback hiking. Monte Bello is part of that conglomerate, which combines with Los Trancos (and Foothills Park, but don't tell anyone, shhhh) to give you even more wandering. And bring a lunch, because you'll be so mesmerized that you may forget to leave and get food.

Ahhhhh, sweet tranquility

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Come along

Camp Unalayee

4.5

(17 reviews)

1.5 mi

I realize it's unexpected that I would give 2 stars as my experience at Camo Unalayee was traumatic…read morehowever I do recognize that the vast majority of people have a wonderful experience and I think most everyone involved in the camp have great passion for their good work. however, years and years ago, I was molested by a camp counselor at this camp- at the time, I told my other co-lead what had happened. At the time, it was suggested multiple times that I was "confused," there was no further exploration as to what happened, and my parents were never told. I myself did not tell them as I was so ashamed after speaking up and having it dismissed. years later, I wrote the adult woman I had told about my experience trying to understand why nothing was done- she told me that she had brought up the issue with the director (and I think founder?) as well as other staff and it never went further than that. I wrote the director, and he said he has no knowledge of it? As a woman and mother now, I recognize the counselor who molested me was practiced and I do fear there were other campers who went through what I did :( I really, really just wish they had spoke to my family about what had happened so that there would have been accountability and hopefully it would have never happened to someone else at the least if it had, we (I) wouldn't have felt so alone. it took my years to enjoy backpacking and the outdoors again- it was so very hard to have such an experience in the most beautiful of places

Camp Unalayee is the most amazing summer camp EVER to exist!…read more The summer program at Unalayee is so amazing, not only because of the location (which is absolutely breathtaking) but also because the staff, returning and new campers each year create an amazing community. My parents brought me up to Camp Unalayee when I was six years old and from then on I was hooked. I've made life long friends and skills. I highly recommend this camp to any person young and mature.