Painted Star Equestrian

(8 reviews)

3.3 mi

I got to know Bright Ranch and the Bright family. They are all caring. I have known them from when…read moreI was 8 years to when I was 19. I did weekly lessons and learned a lot about the horse and riding. I learned how to ride all kinds of horses from green (not fully trained) horses to the competition horses. It was one of the reasons why I became so into horseback riding. I loved Dennis's deep knowledge on horses and how he worked and partnered with the amazing horses he has in the stable. I also learned to work with cows and learned to do advanced techniques over the years. Dennis teaches you that patience helps you a lot around horses. He teaches you to be safe on the ground and in the saddle. Yes, it takes years to learn to horseback ride. It is the same for all sports and even learning instruments. You gotta understand that things take time. I describe horseback riding is like a tree. You learn the basics or the standard skill. Each basic technique you learn branches off to more advanced skills. Also, repetitions are key! Anyway, I recommend Dennis Bright as a caring and acknowledgeable horseback riding mentor. He has the safest horses to ride compared to the other stables I visited. The biggest thing he makes sure is that you the student is safe. Not many horseback riding teachers do this! - Kathryn K.

My 8 year old daughter did a week long summer camp here and I cannot recommend it highly enough!…read moreShe got a horse riding lesson every day, got to brush the horses and help take care of the other animals on the farm, learned about the garden and helped harvest the vegetables... basically every 8 year old's dream! The camp counselors were all so friendly and the owners were so helpful and seemed to genuinely care about the kids learning and having a good summer camp experience. We will definitely be back next summer! I wish we lived close enough to do riding lessons here on a regular basis!

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Windsor Family Farm

(25 reviews)

1.0 mi

Had a great time at Windsor Family Farm! Came here for my…read morenieces birthday and it was a perfect way to spend a day with kids and adults! The kids were able to run around and have fun with the animals! They got to feed the goats, pet the rabbits, hold the chickens and play on the trampolines! Coming here definitely beats a kids party at a stuffy indoor play place. This family farm definitely deserves its flowers!

What a perfect place for a birthday party! Just had my daughter's 5th birthday party and it was…read morehands down the best party ever. Kim makes the experience relaxing and fun for you and your guests.

Plenty of parking on pasture in back

Picnic Tables / Play Area with Toys / Garden

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Chicken Barn

Lynda Bassett Art Studio

(4 reviews)

1.5 mi

Lynda is a great art teacher, who also teaches at my sons school. He took her art class this…read moresummer, and had a wonderful time. Came home with some lovely pieces of art! Will definitely be doing this again next summer! Reasonable pricing, and great location in San Martin.

Lynda is a skilled art teacher, attentive creative coach and valued member of our community. My…read moreson has been taking classes with Lynda for five years, starting in kindergarten. She has provided him a safe forum where he combines his natural talent with her instruction and he creates true pieces of art. Our family participates in Project Cornerstone and two themes from PC are alive in my son's relationship with Lynda--she allows him to hone his *SPARK* & Lynda has become one of my boy's "caring adults." Lessons/Skills: Lynda teaches the elements of art (traditional) along with stimulating her students' personal creativity (exploration.) Because she can meld these two dtyles, her students end up loving art, both the creation of and the final product. Value: As parents we must consider our budgets when looking for lessons and extracurricular activities for our kids. The time she takes with each child mixed with the time spent on task and the product that is crafted, LBArt must be the best value we have found.

California Sports Center - Morgan Hill

We LOVE CSC! The coaches are so friendly and genuinely care about the kids. Both my 9 year old and…read more4 year old attend classes and look forward to it every week. It's amazing to see how far they have come...in both their confidence and skill level. They are also great for camps and birthday parties! They do all of the work for you and make it so easy and memorable.

My grandson started attending California Sports Center a few weeks ago. He's 3 and not real…read morecoordinated. He was behind the rest of his class in skills. His teacher, Tori, made him feel comfortable and she gave him special attention. This place is very professional in every aspect.

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Apollo Youth Sports Camps

(1 review)

4.0 mi

My son had a BLAST at the Apollo Sports Camp in Gilroy! I found the coaches to be professional,…read moreorganized and great with the kids. My son actually came home from the first day wanting to talk to me about the food pyramid and what it means to be a leader. My son loves sports and this was such a great fit for him! I would greatly recommend this camp and the coaches and we cannot wait till they come back next summer!

From the owner: We believe that success in life starts with a few key core values: Respect, hard work, creating a…read morevision and execution. Statistics show that boys with positive role models outside their immediate families tend to stay out of trouble and find success earlier in life. At Apollo, we look forward to being that added resource for your son. In today's world, you have to run just to stand still. At Apollo, we equip your boys with life skills through sports and mentorship to MAXIMIZE their potential as they grow into young men and beyond. Imagine us as the foundation as you work with your son to write the story of his life.

Great camp location in Gilroy CA

Game plan development

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Work as a team and get it done!

Sam and Socks

(8 reviews)

5.0 mi

My girls absolutely love Sam and Socks Summer Camp! They had so much fun with the trail riding,…read morehiking, and arts and crafts. One of my favorite things is that Ms. Susan takes photos throughout the camp, giving us memories that we truly cherish. We are so grateful for all the care and effort she puts into making camp such a special experience. We can't thank her enough for offering such a fun, engaging, and memorable summer program. Highly recommend!

Amazing teachers, amazing horses! During Covid I decided I wanted to finally learn how to ride and…read morebasic horsemanship. Susan and Sam are so patient and really tailor the training to the student no matter the age or ability. Even better they rescue horses and rehab them to be lesson horses - a gigantic win win. Their love and passion for horses is incredible. I can't recommend them enough

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Johnny 6 Stables

(39 reviews)

313.0 mi

We've had such a wonderful experience with this barn! My son is taking horseback riding lessons…read morewith Johnny, and she is absolutely amazing. She's incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and clearly passionate about what she does. She has such a special gift for teaching children--making them feel confident, safe, and excited to learn. My son looks forward to every lesson, and we've seen so much growth in his skills and confidence. Highly recommend to any families looking for a positive and supportive environment for their kids!

We love riding horses, and this experience meant so much to us. My daughter has special needs, and…read moreJohnny and Amanda treated her with genuine respect, patience, and kindness from the very beginning. Johnny took the time to understand her riding ability and encouraged her in just the right way, pushing her enough to grow while making her feel safe and supported. Because of that, she not only excelled but continues to build confidence every time she rides. We're incredibly grateful for such a thoughtful and inclusive experience. We look forward to our next session. We Highly recommend Johnny 6 Stables!

Johnny loves what she does.

Gentle horses.

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Rose

Diane Wallace Art Studio

(14 reviews)

7.1 mi

If you are a willing student Diane has a wealth of knowledge to share with you. She also was…read morewonderful with my husband who has Alzheimer's. She helped him focus on art which stimulated his right brain from which he derived many health benefits. I highly recommend her classes. She believes that anyone can paint. The first thing I needed to do was to began to believe that myself! Now I paint and find myself applying many of Diane's wonderful techniques! Sincerely! Gerry Rodriguez Ph.d.

I took watercolor from Diane for many years and learned SO much. I have moved from the area, but…read morewould sign up again if I could. Painting outdoors at her studio was a joy.

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STAR Arts Education

(1 review)

4.8 mi

This was the single most important social outlet for me growing up as an eccentric kid with not a…read morelot of enthusiasm for sports. I really believe that there is no other summer program for kids that rivals the acceptance and nurturing nature of the staff and piers I am so grateful to have grown close with. To this day, the friends I made here are close to my heart and always in my thoughts. If you have a child who doesnt quite know what to be a part of or who to confide in or simply have a very creative and outgoing kid, you cannot go wrong with having them be a part of STAR. I joined the staff after becoming to old to enroll and I hope to return for another season someday. I LOVE S.T.A.R!!! ‍‍‍‍‍

From the owner: Hands on Acting! Kids on Stage and Screen Since 1985!…read more STAR Arts Education [aka The STAR Program] is one of the best summer programs available for young people interested in theatre and video arts, with multi-week, full-day sessions held at Brownell Middle School in Gilroy and at the historic El Teatro Campesino Playhouse in San Juan Bautista. STAR has been a safe place for creative expression. Since 1985, STAR has transformed hundreds of children's lives by helping to boost their confidence and poise; encouraging their creative spirits; and teaching them collaboration, teamwork, and respect. The STAR season includes two theatre performing arts programs and one video arts program in the summer, with Saturday workshops in the Fall and Spring. Join our email list to receive updates with information on how to get involved; to purchase tickets to a performance; or to enroll or sponsor a child in a STAR program. Sign up on our website or join us on Facebook! Check out videos by STAR VIdeo Kids and STAR Staff on our YouTube channels: starartseducation and GavilanCollegeSTAR!

Kids on Stage! Pirates of Penzance Jr. STAR 2010

STAR Staff dress up for a Clue themed scavenger hunt day

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Kids on Stage! Guys & Dolls Jr STAR 2014

Blue Banner Stables

4.6

(5 reviews)

0.0 mi

For my daughters bday, they did a wonderful job of last minute accommodation! No doubt about the…read morefantastic service when it comes to making a great impression there BUT the instructor didn't seem to pleased to be very sociable. I mentioned it was my daughters bday many times. Not much conversation to my daughter to make her feel very welcome. For example, "hows your bday going so far? Or, Glad we were able to squeeze you in today to make a dream come true, or thanks for choosing is hope to see you back have a nice rest of your bday" Nope. Still gave her a nice tip though, even if her vibe was not happy to have us there ‍

I love this place! The people I met there all went out of their way to be friendly and kind, the…read moregiant arena has great footing that is groomed every day, the spaces for the horses are big and comfortable. There is a lovely covered arena, a big round pen, mini trails, tons of turnouts, exceptional quality hay even my draft cross kept weight on. There is a picnic area and even a kids playground. This barn is both kid and dog friendly which is incredibly rare these days. They have jumps and barrels and sometimes in barn events. They are constantly improving and keeping things in tip top shape. There are comfy lounges and every thing is always tidy and neat. The owner Karla is a truly good human who is dedicated, professional and at the same time down to earth and kind. If you are looking for a place for your horse and there is an opening snatch it up quickly because this place is heavenly.

Sandy Loom footing in our large paddocks

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Premium grass

Manresa State Beach

(120 reviews)

19.4 mi

$10 entrance fee to relax on the beach with a clean bathroom. Bring blankets, chairs, and cooler to…read morespread out, this beach is not crowded. We listened to the quiet of the ocean waves and enjoyed lunch and drinks.

Beach was great and they had lifeguards out while we were visiting. It was way less crowded…read morecompared to the Boardwalk beach, and others closer to Santa Cruz. Only leave a star out because they charge $10 day fee and there's no water to rinse off after getting sandy.

Manresa State Beach

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Manresa State Beach

Morgan Hill Aquatics Center

3.4

(101 reviews)

4.9 mi

It's such a fun place to take the little kids aka toddlers. My kids had a lot of fun here. The…read morepools are accessible and parking is a plenty. I did take pictures but the kids face are in them so I won't be posting it. I would definitely make out the drive here again since I don't live in this town. I think they're pricing is fair too.

We had a really fun time here at the aquatic center!…read more Some tips: Purchase tickets ahead of time online, you get to jump the line! You can rent a standard life jacket at the front, they just hold onto your ID if you don't return the jacket it's a 25$ charge. Cabanas get cheaper the longer you're there I believe we waiting until 2pm and got the last cabana rental for 30$ There's tons of lifeguards doing an excellent job watching There's 4 areas at the center, one that's about 3 ft deep and has lots of fun water spouts and toys/ mini slides next to the bigger water slides One that's is more of a splash pad Two pools, one smaller one larger The water did get a little murky after 3/4 hours we were there I saw a bandaid and some hair got stuck on me but that's to be expected since the pool was pretty full for a Monday! Looks like they have a cute mini golf course there too!

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Christopher High School Aquatics Center

4.3

(22 reviews)

3.6 mi

Absolutely love this place! My daughter started coming here in 2022, and my son joined her in 2024…read moreand all of our swim instructors have been phenomenal!! My son really enjoyed having swim instructors Josh and Cash who were so patient and kind with him. All of the guards, swim instructors are amazing, professional, and so attentive. Can't wait to come back next summer!

Very clean, fun swimming place for the whole family! I took my 5-year-old grandson and we had a…read moreblast. There are ample tables and chairs around the pool. . The water gradually gets deeper as you enter main swim area which is maybe 3 feet deep. There is a roped off section that is maybe 4-5 feet. I was impressed with the young people who work at this facility. Friendly and nice. Young lifeguards are attentive and plentiful. Such a jewel for summer pool fun for families.

Must be taller than 4 feet

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Mount Madonna County Park

4.6

(150 reviews)

9.2 mi

Back in the mid-80's, my younger brother and I had a bit of cabin fever, and decided to walk from…read moreour grandparents' central Watsonville home, up to Mount Madonna park. We made it about 2/3rds of the way up the winding, two lane road before a passing motorist stopped for us. The driver told us to pile into the bed of his pickup truck, then shortly after dropped us off at the park. My brother and I briefly explored the park, but dusk was approaching. Back in the days when there were public pay phones aplenty, we used a dime (or perhaps a quarter) to telephone our grandparents to ask for a car ride back down the mountain. In our youthful minds, it was just a little adventure, but our grandparents spoke of it for years afterwards.

On a warm Sat at the end of Feb, I hiked with 2 friends on an 8 miles, 700 ft elevation gain,…read moreSprig, Merry-Go-Round, and Tan Oak Loop. Paid $6, parked at the Amphitheater at 9am. Headed over to the ruins of Miller's Mansion. The forest grove sure was pretty and tranquil. The lake was nice but far away. Saw some benches carved out of huge logs, very cute. Too bad we missed the white deer pen. We completed the hike exactly at noon, 3 hours hike.

Mount Madonna County Park

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Mount Madonna County Park

Harvey Bear County Park

4.4

(31 reviews)

1.7 mi

I love this park. Especially in the spring time, when things are green and the wildlife is out and…read moreabout feasting on new growth. It is peaceful here and not a far drive from residential areas. A nice escape for a day or even an hour.

This is a great 2 mile loop walk. There is plenty of FREE parking…read more The trail has a tiny bit of incline for those walking with strollers or wheelchairs. The trail has minimal shade so make sure to wear a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. There are portable toilets. If you are a hiker, there are different trails to choose from. The popular one is the steep one that leads you to the top and has a beautiful view. The hike has no shade so definitely wear sunscreen and a hat. Dogs, horses, carriers, strollers, wheelchairs, bikes are all welcome. There's a sign at the entrance that lets you know what time they are closing.