The Elizabeth Gamble Garden is a 2.5-acre (one hectare) property that includes a historic Victorian home, carriage house, tea house, a gazebo, and formal and demonstration gardens. The garden is home to fruit trees, a herb garden, several varieties of irises, perennials, roses, wisterias and a Mediterranean garden. If you come at just the right time of year, you may even see the garden at the peak of its cherry blossom season! Home gardening classes taught by master gardeners are offered throughout the year, and tours are available for groups of eight or more who call in advance; the property is also a popular site for weddings and wedding receptions. Admission is free to the public every day during daylight hours, though the office is only open during weekdays.
Founded in 1990 from the private collection of Frank Livermore, the Museum of American Heritage is housed in the historic Williams House, a 1907 Craftsman-style home right across from scenic Heritage Park. The museum's exhibits display technology and inventions from the 19th and 20th Centuries in an era-appropriate setting. Special exhibits rotate through the gallery several times a year highlighting certain historical artifacts, from toasters to toys. The museum also offers children's summer camps and several special events throughout the year. Another plus: admission is free, though donations are welcome and appreciated. For your tiny tots the Lego Exhibit is worth a watch, there is also a pretty garden at the back of the museum. A visit to Museum of American Heritage will make you ponder over how life used to be 100 years ago.
This beautiful mansion built in 1899 is an outstanding example of the neo-classical revival style significant enough to have been designated as a National Historic Site by the United States Department of the Interior. The 37-room estate features a Tiffany-style dome, ten fireplaces and lovely parquet floors in its 16,224 square-feet. During the winter holiday season, the house features magnificent decorations and hosts a number of special festive events.
The EcoCenter is managed by the Environmental Volunteers, a non-profit institution that spreads awareness about science and nature among the general public. Acting as the headquarters of this organization, the EcoCenter has been constructed using non-toxic and recycled material, green design principles and eco-friendly practices. This center has interactive exhibits and touchscreen displays through which visitors can learn about climate change, the sky and earth. It conducts tours of the building to educate visitors about sustainable methods of construction and maintenance and also conducts numerous summer camps, classroom and school programs. Boasting of some of the best educational activities in Palo Alto for kids and adults alike, the themes covered include bird watching, hiking, programs and lectures on nature art and natural sciences as well as research training in which visitors generate data that actually helps scientists. Nature lovers can also volunteer at this center or donate money to support its endeavors.
You have to pass through Printers Cafe on California Avenue to visit the Gallery House in Old Palo Alto. Established in 1958, this gallery features the best works of contemporary art by local artists. Featuring permanent and temporary exhibitions of paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures and much more, all year round, Gallery House is operated by a tight community of artists from different parts of the Bay Area. All art-pieces displayed here are for sale, many of them are also available on rent. Check their website for more details on exhibitions hosted.
The Hewlett-Packard Garage at 367 Addison Avenue is California Historical Landmark No. 976 and was dedicated as "the birthplace of Silicon Valley" in 1989. The garage was the workshop of Stanford classmates Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, who rented the garage, shed and adjacent house as the site of their new business, which was founded in 1939. The business was started with a capital of USD538, including their used Sears Craftsman drill press. The audio oscillator was Hewlett-Packard's first product and was developed in this garage. The company soon outgrew the garage and moved to a larger location, but the garage remains an inspiration for inventors everywhere. It was restored to its original condition in 2005 by Hewlett-Packard, and though no public tours of the garage's interiors are offered, visitors can see the exterior of this garage and look at its historical landmark plaque.
Spearheaded by Building REsources, the Reclaimed Room is an exhibition space with a difference. In keeping with Building REsources' dedication to the use of environmentally-conscious building materials, the art gallery showcases environmental media, arts and crafts, as well as educational projects and other programming. The Reclaimed Room is located just off the Islais Creek Channel, where few would expect to find art of any kind, bringing to life this oft neglected corner of the San Francisco Bay. For a preview of all that the gallery has to offer, visit the Reclaimed Room blog for photographs, videos and details regarding the fabulous artwork on display.
The EcoCenter is managed by the Environmental Volunteers, a non-profit institution that spreads awareness about science and nature among the general public. Acting as the headquarters of this organization, the EcoCenter has been constructed using non-toxic and recycled material, green design principles and eco-friendly practices. This center has interactive exhibits and touchscreen displays through which visitors can learn about climate change, the sky and earth. It conducts tours of the building to educate visitors about sustainable methods of construction and maintenance and also conducts numerous summer camps, classroom and school programs. Boasting of some of the best educational activities in Palo Alto for kids and adults alike, the themes covered include bird watching, hiking, programs and lectures on nature art and natural sciences as well as research training in which visitors generate data that actually helps scientists. Nature lovers can also volunteer at this center or donate money to support its endeavors.
Pinball machines, although they look like cheery little things, have a troubled past. From their rise to fame during the depression to their ban in 1940s, they've seen a few ups and downs. The Pacific Pinball Museum, established in 2004 by Michael Schiess, commemorates their story. Featuring some 400 pinball machines, some of them dating back to 1879, this museum traces their history quite interestingly. If you are the regular pinball enthusiast, this place should fill you with wonder.
Like the other locations across the nation, ComedySportz San Jose offers a clean good time that is never the same. Interactive audience participation, storytelling and laughs for days are all in store at this wonderful venue that will leave you in splits. The affordable ticket rates ensure that have a mighty laugh without making your pocket significantly lighter. The place also offers improv comedy lessons from time to time.
Made Up Theatre, as the name suggests, is an improv theater located in Fremont, California. The theater is a good place to head to for some laughs, with most vouching that the shows are downright hilarious. The chemistry on-stage is infectious, with the spontaneity of it all being a novel experience. The theater group also gives improv lessons, while the theater premises are also available for private hire.
You have to pass through Printers Cafe on California Avenue to visit the Gallery House in Old Palo Alto. Established in 1958, this gallery features the best works of contemporary art by local artists. Featuring permanent and temporary exhibitions of paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures and much more, all year round, Gallery House is operated by a tight community of artists from different parts of the Bay Area. All art-pieces displayed here are for sale, many of them are also available on rent. Check their website for more details on exhibitions hosted.