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Outdoor Adventures

πŸ§— Outdoor Adventures for Kids in Redwood City, CA

6 hiking, farms, nature centers, and outdoor adventure spots rated and reviewed by families.

Activities & Venues in Redwood City

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Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden garden in Palo Alto, CA⭐ Activity
Photo: Lee Tourist
β˜…4.7(1,152)$6 mi Β· Palo Alto

Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden offers a peaceful escape in the heart of Palo Alto where kids can explore winding pathways through colorful seasonal flower displays, fragrant herb gardens, and beautiful botanical collections. The free admission and historic setting make this a perfect low-key outing for families wanting to introduce little ones to gardening, nature observation, or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll through stunning grounds.

πŸ•‘ 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
Martial Cottle Park park in Redwood City, CA🌳 Park
Photo: Jacqueline Bogard
β˜…4.7(671)Free

Martial Cottle Park is a sprawling regional park that combines the best of farmland heritage with modern recreational facilities. Kids can explore working farm areas, burn energy on playgrounds, cycle along dedicated paths, and enjoy wide-open spaces perfect for kite flying, frisbee, and nature exploration,all within this beautifully maintained green oasis.

πŸ•‘ 2-4 hours
Baylands Nature Preserve nature preserve in Palo Alto, CA🌿 Nature
Photo: Robin Granse
β˜…4.7(646)Free7 mi Β· Palo Alto

Baylands Nature Preserve offers families an incredible outdoor classroom where kids can spot herons, egrets, and other bay wildlife from easy-to-navigate boardwalk trails. The elevated wooden walkways make exploring the wetlands accessible even for strollers, while the interpretive center provides hands-on learning about the bay ecosystem that brings the outdoor experience to life.

πŸ•‘ 1.5-2.5 hours
Garden Sense, Inc. general contractor in Menlo Park, CA⭐ Activity
Photo: Art Scott
β˜…5.0(1)$2 mi Β· Menlo Park

Located at the historic Sunset Magazine headquarters, these demonstration gardens offer kids a hands-on nature experience with winding pathways, diverse plant collections, and changing seasonal displays. It's a peaceful outdoor classroom where children can explore different garden styles, spot pollinators, and learn about sustainable gardening practices in a stroller-friendly setting.

πŸ•‘ 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
Bay Trail route in Redwood City, CAπŸ§— Adventure
Photo: Kiran Kapadia

The Bay Trail in Redwood City offers families a perfect blend of outdoor exercise and nature exploration along the San Francisco Bay shoreline. With its flat, paved paths that accommodate strollers, bikes, and scooters, it's an ideal spot for families with children of all ages to enjoy fresh air, spot shorebirds, and take in stunning water views without the challenge of steep hills.

πŸ•‘ 1-3 hours depending on how far you walk or bike
Sawyer Camp Trail route in San Mateo, CAπŸ§— Adventure
Photo: RenΓ©e (MonterenΓ©e)
Free10 mi Β· San Mateo

Sawyer Camp Trail offers families a gorgeous 6-mile paved path alongside the sparkling Crystal Springs Reservoir, perfect for biking, walking, or pushing a stroller. This car-free trail provides a safe environment for kids to ride bikes freely while spotting deer, squirrels, and various birds along the way, making it an ideal outdoor adventure for families looking to combine exercise with nature exploration.

πŸ•‘ 1.5-3 hours depending on how far you go (most families with young kids do 2-4 miles round trip rather than the full 12-mile out-and-back)

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