This unique wind sculpure, created by Saori Ide & Jonathan Russell, can be found at the Morgan Hill…read moreCivic Center, surrounded by lovely trees, greenery, and a few tables with seating. The artwork is made up of nine stainless steel branches with fruit baskets at the ends of each, filled with items representing the growth of the local community. This includes bells, butterflies, musical notes, even bicycles. I was lucky to have come on a breezy evening to see all of the parts spinning, not just the branches, but the symbolic objects displayed in each of the baskets, illuminated at sunset with color changing LED lights. It was a joy to view on a peaceful Sunday in June, one of several interesting art pieces in the plaza celebrating the city of Morgan Hill.

Almaden Valley is a small part of San Jose. it's almost the outermost edge n if u keep driving away…read morefrom San Jose, u will most likely be driving into Morgan Hill. the small patch known as Almaden Valley is a quiet town, great for families n the like. (Leland High School is a highly rated, very competitive school.) to me, best part of Almaden isn't where all the noise, shops, n restaurants r. it's where the homes on the rolling hills r situated cuz the scenery is great at night n there's plenty of hiking even behind the homes where there's still grass n trees. (where modernization hasn't yet touched.) that also includes the Almaden Lake Park. it's such a pretty place for picnics n doing some paddle boating, especially in the Summer months. the main things attractions in Almaden Valley r probably the Oakridge Mall. it has a couple of reasonable prices stores i.e. Target, Macy's, Old Navy, n H&M. there's also some popular restaurants there including P.F.Chang's, Cheesecake Factory, BJ's, n CPK. if u r in the mood for a movie, there's a Cinemark theatre there also. there's also The Plant plaza where there's a couple of restaurants, a Home Depot, a Target, n a Best Buy. if u r looking for more restaurants around the area, it's probably best to either drive to Little Saigon for some really good Vietnamese food n drinks or drive a couple more miles to Santa Clara for even more options. I would totally give Almaden Valley 5 stars if not for the low amount of good authentic Asian restaurants. the best sushi restaurant (in my opinion) isn't even here. it's in Willow Glen. (talking about u Yuki Sushi! : )) oops, I tried to make this short n I still blabbed on. : )

Highway 85! My favorite way to go from I-280 South to Hwy 101…read more A highway is for moving traffic quickly and smoothly, with less intersections or junctions along the way. Hwy 85 is actually a freeway. A highway has junctions, and a freeway has on and off ramps. Hwy 85 can get congested during the commute because everyone has the same idea. Be alert in the right lane, because there will be constant merging traffic. And of course, those drivers who wait until the last minute to merge. But OMG, at night when no one is on it ......Highway 85 is empty and a pleasure to drive on! From South San Jose to I-280 to the Stanford area, it's an easy high speed ride. One of the best and most useful roads they built in the SF Bay Area.

Before Hwy 85 was ever built, the only way to get around was using City street. Hwy 85 was built…read morein two phases. First phase was built in the 1960's from Steven's Creek to Mountain View. The rest of hwy 85 was built in the second phase and opened in 1994. The construction of Hwy 85 was much needed and today serves as a major corridor for many commuters. Hwy 85 consists of three lane each direction including a carpool lane. The carpool lane does get jam packed with all the electrical vehicles. The hwy is well constructed, no potholes, or dips in the roadroad unlike hwy 87. The grooves in the roadway suppose to help with reducing road noise. Over the years, theres been talks about adding a fourth lane. Theres been alot of opposition to this due too increase in noise in the surrounding area. Even adding a fourth lane would not relieve the traffic congestion.

I visited this museum, in December of 2025. And it is almost Valentine's Day, 2026 so I am late to…read morerecord my experience, I understand that. But I rather take down the Christmas on Super Bowl weekend than wait to take the lights down near the 4th of July. I went to this place on my first trip to Santa Cruz. And I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this place, and its focus on Santa Cruz Culture. Thorough out my life, I have heard that Santa Cruz is known for crystals, and forest green. But on my trip here, I learned that Santa Cruz is also famous for surfer culture, As some of the pictures, demonstrate surf boards, like cups, hair styles, and volcanoes, come in a variety of lengths, shapes, colors and purpose. I also learned that surfing has its origins from Hawaii, and even though I did not know that, it totally makes sense. I will never be on a surf board, catching a big wave, while the breeze hits my face, and pelicans fly above, but by visiting this museum I learned the historical value of the surf movement that waved hello, initially, in Santa Cruz by way of Hawaii. My favorite room was that one that reflected the beach and ocean vibe of Santa Cruz in place. The room was colored in a deep blue that did not resemble clear waters, more like the deep blue that is found when the ocean seems to be infinite. I am not sure the exact shade of blue that the room was painted in, but I will call it calming serenity blue, which is a close cousin to royal blue. If popcorn yellow and burnt cocoa brown are colors than mine can be colored too, I do not need Crayola level authority to christen colors. The pictures in the room continued my trance into serenity. The paintings showed these peaceful seascapes, where sky and sea became partners in a waltz, not interwoven as one, but paired into slow movement that induces stillness upon the viewer. Other pictures showed a calm beach, where the shore water had white froth as it met the sand. In the background, there was a rock formation and behind the rock formation was a tranquil sky brighten by subtle hues of a descending sun. Even as I reviewed the pictures for this yelp, I found the paintings to be, in a phrase: rest in ocean and pastel candy colored strokes. The room also had a speaker that played the sounds of the ocean, quietly about a chair. I allowed myself to transport myself to a beach shore, to experience the colors of the sea breeze. The museum also tried to educate others on its place in USA farm produce history. One of the pictures discusses the migration pattern by stating, "Today Mexican men, women and children cross the border voluntarily- but at great risk of violence and rape." This is just my opinion, but this sentence, is too broad yet to specific at the same time to accurately paint a picture of the migration experience of many Mexicans and by extension other people who seek to come to America to fulfill their version of the American dream. The way it is written, again from my interpretation, implies that the choice to come to America is one that is a "voluntary" decision like skipping or going to the gym, or using a credit card for a jacket when it does not fit your means. Meaning, that the word voluntary may ignore the vast conditions that push others to migrate, other than personal choice. But this is just one Yelper's opinion, if that makes sense. In another, poster, which I clipped, explains how Santa Cruz goes alternative. The poster explains that "Santa Cruz became a cauldron of cultural experimentation, neighborhood activism, intellectual exploration and environmental protection in the 1960s and 1970s." I think that the word cauldron here is not the right choice because a cauldron most often then not, holds a witches brew. And, most witches brews that are mixed in a cauldron, are meant to produce a potion that results in some type of calamity or curse. I know I may be nitpicking, but if a museum is going to report history, they should be prepared for a response, as history should be reported with objective caution, not editorial perspective. A better word, again in my opinion, would be site, like Santa Cruz became a site of.... this gives objective reporting, as a posed to imagery that a word like cauldron produces. I think, and thus I write. Angela Davis, said, according to a poster, I also clipped, " I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change, I am changing the things I cannot accept." I also really enjoyed playing with Christmas train models for about 10 to 15 minutes. I was not transported into the Polar Express, but, it was fun to turn on cabooses and view their speed and stops through the tracks. It was a zen kind of moment. The museum also had a sculpture garden and a picture of a man in front of a giant redwood that made me want to find a giant tree and walk inside its tunnel. I guess, what I am trying to say is that this museum has a lot to see and ponder about. I was stirred, and calmed, by it.

What a great find while visiting downtown Santa Cruz with my girlfriend! Such a relaxing experience…read morevisiting this museum, it wasn't busy and the exhibits are very simple. You really get to learn about the history of Santa Cruz and the surrounding cities. It was three floors and wasn't a crazy big museum. I enjoyed it a lot and it was affordable to enjoy. Definitely can be a cool add to your itinerary for Santa Cruz. Bathrooms are a bit spooky though haha, they are super dim and is very ominous! Could barely go anymore once I walked in.

Ignore the fact that I have motion sickness....go to this place if you planned to do a road trip to…read morethe mountains. Don't let the winding roads distract you from the scenic spots surrounded by redwood trees and the occasional spotting of a wild deer while you're driving. Going here you would pass by several camping or retreat venues great for groups and company's next staff development activities. YMCA and Easter Seals have camping sites ready to be rented. There are also a couple family owned wineries that you can visit and sample. Envision flourishing grapes vines cascading on the mountainside as these are systematically planted that way. On highway 9 you would find the quaint town-ish ambiance of the place. It has that same feel like you're on-location in the movie, Dante's Peak - IMHO. Unfortunately we didn't stay that long because of time constrains....trying to make it down the mountain before sun down. I like it and will visit it again.

this city is more like a town as it is very small and most of the residents live a couple miles…read moreaway from "town" where shoppes, restaurants, goods and services are located. i was here to hike big basin and have dinner afterward and was able to see more of this quaint city while driving along some of the curvy, yet scenic local roads. houses are definitely bigger, in general, and i'm sure that prices are lower as well since this city is not that close to the major freeways, and a bit of a hike to san jose. the "town" area has several restaurants, a couple of bars, an organic grocery store, a bank, a post office, and various doctor's offices. i'd say the main strip is probably 3-4 blocks wide, and beyond that, it is either all residential or forest/wooded area. definitely a quiet city that offers some reprieve from the noisy, big city life!

The Santa Cruz Saturday Market in San Lorenzo Park offers much more variety than a typical farmers…read moremarket. In addition to hosting a certified farmers market and customary food booths, there are many vendors offering locally made products and art that reflect the unusual level of talent and creativity in Santa Cruz. There are also various holistic services, entertainment, and a kids village surrounding a large tepee. If you are looking for a nonprofit farmers market in a green setting that also offers various locally made products, art and services it's well worth a visit. The market is held in San Lorenzo Park every Saturday from early May through November from 10am to 6pm. Parking is free at the large county building parking lot or you can park on River Street and walk across the pedestrian bridge.

So I have been going here since I was a child. And The Water…read moreFountain Had Issues. And They Decided To Turn It Off. So Then They Turned It To A Plant Fountain. And When I Saw It... I Loved It!!! I Will Always Go There To Chill And Love Enjoying Looking At It. It Is So Beautiful. You Should See It For Your Self! You Will Love It!

The Great Blue Heron Walkway is a work of art at Jose Avenue County Park, featuring two beautiful…read moregreat blue heron mosaic sculptures, created by Barbara Abbott and Sandra Whiting, made up of diverse pieces of random objects submitted by community members when it was built in 1999, including toy cars and seashells. Brief trails of oversized blue heron footprints are etched into the cement along the walkways inside the park, matching the sculptures on site, adding a nice touch to the artwork even if minimally noticeable and not as eye-catching as the great blue heron sculptures standing in the grass. I enjoyed checking it all out this past Friday, while spending the day in Santa Cruz.