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Tag: <span>Nearby</span>

Train Rides in Northern California

Trains nearby to just ride for dinner and the scenery. Some historic trains take you back in time. Some still require masking, so be sure to have yours along with you.

Niles Canyon Railway

Dinner Trains

Napa Valley Wine Train
The Napa Valley Wine Train takes you on a 36-mile round-trip discovery to St. Helena and back, stopping at celebrated wineries along the way. But it’s more than a train. It’s a luxuriously vintage setting. A lush, mesmerizing landscape. A divine four-course meal. Exclusive insider winery tours. An intimate shared experience.

River Fox Train
A local, family-owned business dedicated to preserving a piece of Northern California history, and providing a wide variety of unique things to do for our community. Our rail line spans 14 miles from West Sacramento to Woodland, and at a leisurely 10 to 15 miles per hour, there’s plenty of time for a cozy dinner, social wine or beer tasting event, or even an entertaining show.

Historic Trains

California Railroad & Trolley Corporation
Trolley rides available at the San Jose Historical Museum.

California State Railroad Museum
Open daily 10am-5pm every weekend April-September, ride behind a steam locomotive on the Museum’s Sacramento Southern Railroad.

Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad
Now open Saturdays, 10am-4pm. Began operations 1876 to link the rich mining districts of western Nevada County, California, with the Central Pacific’s trans-continental railroad in Colfax.

Portola RR Museum
Reopen to the public July 1, 2021 at noon. Open Thursdays-Sundays. See link for times. You get to actually be the engineer and drive a real locomotive (under the close supervision of an instructor).

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
This park unit is open at limited capacity. Please take the time to read the information contained on this webpage to find out what is open and closed, and what COVID-19 guidelines are in place. – (June 24, 2021). Located in Jamestown. Known as The Movie Railroad, Railtown 1897, its historic locomotives and cars have starred in hundreds of film and TV productions, including High Noon, Back to the Future 3, and Petticoat Junction.

Western Railway Museum
The Western Railway Museum is now open! Please book your tickets in advance. Ride or view over 100 interurban, streetcar, rapid transit, electric, steam and diesel locomotives, workcars, and classic heavyweight mainline passenger cars. In Suisun, on Hwy 12, east of I-80.

Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is a fun-filled excursion for the entire family, located only 10 minutes from the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park off of Highway 41. The historic railroad offers train rides, gold panning, an on-site rail museum, and a fun gifts and collectibles store. Our mission is to inspire learning and fun while experiencing our passion for local history! Open April through November. Fish Camp.

Scenic Train Rides

Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad
Roaring Camp is open and using Covid-19 protocols. Take a open car train ride through giant redwoods, stop for a picnic and catch the next train back. Take a train from Felton to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Participate in historical reenactments. Located in Felton.

Niles Canyon Railway
We are thrilled to be back for 2021 and offer a new set of special trips with new opportunities to ride through October 2021 on both Saturday and Sundays. Take a scenic ride on the historic steam locomotive trains and route along Niles Canyon, located between Sunol and Fremont.

San Francisco Cable Cars
Probably the steepest rail rides and in city traffic, too! This site tells you everything from the history to the routes and fares. Try operating the interactive cable car. Cable cars run seven days a week with special schedules on weekends. For a complete updated listing of all cable car stops and time tables, visit www.sfmta.com.

Skunk Train
Step back in time for a magical ride through the redwoods on the world-famous Skunk Train. Since 1885 the historic Skunk has made its way through old-growth redwood groves, over scenic trestle bridges, through spectacular tunnels, and into the heart of the Noyo River canyon. Today’s riders enjoy the same pristine views that have remained largely unchanged for well over a century.
100 West Laurel Street Fort Bragg, California 95437 or 299 East Commercial Street Willits, California 95490

See also: Kiddie Train Rides

Ancient & Medieval History in the South Bay Area

You can find out more about ancient and medieval times right here in the South Bay Area. Learn about the mysterious rock wall formations, too.

Paleontological

Boy Paleontologists
In the Irvington gravel pits, known as Bell Quarry, located off of Osgood Road from 1944 to 1960, the Boy Paleontologists of Hayward unearthed plant and animal fossils including mammoths, saber cats, horses, camels, and even rodents. A new species named Tetrameryx irvingtonensis, a four-pronged antelope, was the most significant find. Presently Freeway 680, between Washington Boulevard and Durham Road, covers this fossil field.

Children’s Natural History Museum
Including “Irvingtonian Fossils”, the “Boy Paleontologist” Room, “Bones of Vertebrates,” and “Environments through Time” exhibits. View the fossils from Irvington and Warm Springs District that provide clues for a changing landscape in the East Bay.
4074 Eggers Drive, Fremont, California
Open Tues and Thurs 2-5, first and third Saturdays (1-5).

Fossils of Fremont
Geology maps help to show where fossils may be located along the Mission Fault line.

Fossil treasure trove discovered at Silicon Valley construction site
The discoveries are revealing what Silicon Valley looked like 20 million years ago during the Miocene Epoch, when the ocean extended as far inland as Bakersfield. Since 2011, when work on the project began, crews have found nine whale skulls, to be exact. They have inventoried 529 types of fossils altogether. Of those, 168 are vertebrates, such as sharks; 267 are invertebrates, such as scallops — some as big as dinner plates. Thirty-nine 39 are plants, such as fossilized pine cones; and 55 are other ancient items, from animal tracks to burrows.

Columbian Mammoth

Mammoth Discovered in San Jose
On Saturday, July 9, 2011, Roger Castillo, a San Jose truck mechanic, was walking his dog along a levee next to the Guadalupe River, just north of West Trimble Road and the Mineta San Jose Airport. The bones may belong to a Columbian mammoth, Mammuthus columbi, a species known to have lived in the San Francisco Bay Area during the Late Pleistocene.

Trove of ancient marine fossils surprises Bay Area dam builders
Crews had no clue when work started on a Bay Area dam in 2011 that they would stumble onto a trove of marine fossils many millions of years old. Hundreds of specimens have been found at the Calaveras Dam site near Milpitas, Calif. Among the 529 specimens inventoried are scallops as big as dinner plates, a hippo-like mammal called a Desmostylus, megalodon sharks, and whales with and without teeth. Most of the fossils are believed to be about 20 million years old.

Ancient History

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium
Temporarily Closed. While not exactly Milpitas history, you’ve never seen so many mummies and ancient artifacts in one place! Located in San Jose.

Medieval

Medieval-SCASociety for Creative Anachronism
The International Headquarters of this organization is in Milpitas! This is a link to the first page of their Heraldry section. Want a Coat of Arms?

The Principality of The Mists
Greater San Francisco Bay Area and Monterey Area SCA groups.

Roads & Highways

Find out about road construction plans and delays. Learn what government agencies control these highways. And to relax, enjoy these scenic drives starting in Milpitas, and wandering through our hillsides on backroads.

What is Milpitas known for?
Milpitas is often called the “Crossroads of Silicon Valley” with most of its 13.63 square miles of land situated between two major freeways (I-880 and I-680), State Route 237, and a County expressway.

How far is Milpitas from San Francisco?
The distance between Milpitas and San Francisco is 37 miles. The road distance is 45.9 miles, unless you have a boat to sail between Alviso and San Francisco.

Construction
Governmental Agencies
Scenic Drives

Construction

Calaveras Overpass
The Calaveras Overpass is built to meet the present and growing traffic loads of a progressive city. [They thought!]

Montague Expressway Widening
This project widened Montague Expressway to provide for eight through lanes (three through plus one HOV lane in each direction), with bike use shoulders and improved pedestrian sidewalks from Falcon Drive to Pecten Court (approximately 0.8 miles) including replacement of the double-box culvert crossing of Berryessa Creek with a bridge structure.


VTA Montague Expressway Pedestrian Overcrossing
An incredible project RockViewVideo filmed in Milpitas to chronicle the lift & placement of a huge pedestrian overcrossing above Montague Expressway adjacent to the Milpitas BART Station, July 10-12, 2020.

Transportation Information
As a prominent gateway to the Silicon Valley, the City of Milpitas’ Traffic Engineering section has an integral role in maintaining the City’s economic vitality and creating safe and livable neighborhoods that are pedestrian and multi-modal friendly.

Filing a claim against Caltrans
Did you get a nail in your tire in a highway construction zone? Here’s information and the form for filing a claim.

Governmental Agencies

CalTrans
California Department of Transportations, District 4 (includes Santa Clara County). Lots of local information and pictures about Bay Area Bridges.

Metropolitan Transportation Commission
Regional planning group for our highways here in Silicon Valley and around the Bay.

Scenic Drives

Bay Area Backroads
Go “day tripping” to places near and far. KRON TV offers hundreds of ideas in the South Bay Area and further away.


Calaveras Road to Sunol
Calaveras Road varies from 2 lanes in Milpitas and the 84/680 end in Fremont down to 1 lane in the middle. The south half was recently repaved from Milpitas to the Alameda County line, about 2/3 of the entire ride.

Calaveras – Sierra Rd Loop
Scenic drive in the snowy mountains east of Milpitas and San Jose, California.

California Roadside Rest Areas
Plan your rest stops in rural areas.

Main Street History Tour
Joann Souza narrates a tour of Main Street telling about the historic buildings and sites along the way.

Mt. Hamilton Road
Take this mountain road between Alum Rock and Patterson. Do fill up your thirsty steed because if you decide to continue east down the other side of the mountain, it will be another 70 miles to the next gas station. Very windy and steep. Not for the faint-hearted.


Santa Cruz Mountains Roads
A lovely drive is the one through the redwoods from Woodside, over to the coast, down to Santa Cruz, and back over Rt. 9 through Boulder Creek and Big Basin State Park to Saratoga.

Amusement Parks Near Milpitas

Amusement parks to spend the day riding roller coasters, merry-go-rounds, getting dizzy, all close enough to Milpitas for a day trip.

Roller Coaster

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
Opening May 22, 2021. Unique theme park centered around trees and horticulture in a mid-20th century Silicon Valley historical setting. Family fun including amusement rides and attractions.
3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy CA
408-840-7100

Golfland
Amusement chain featuring mini golf courses & arcades, some branches with water slides & laser tag.
1199 Jacklin Rd.
408-263-6855

Great America
Fifteen minutes from Milpitas, in Santa Clara, an amusement park where the young and young at heart play. Opening May 22, 2021. Tickets and reservations now available.
4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054

Happy Hollow Park and Zoo
A favorite with the littlest children, for they’ll find small animals to pet, puppet shows, and pint-sized amusement rides. Located in San Jose. $1.00 Admission 2nd Tuesday of each month.
748 Story Rd, San Jose, CA 95112

K1 Speed
Go Cart racing. No Reservation Required. Adults and Juniors 48″ and Up. Map of the track.
2925 Mead Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95051
408-338-0579 – Front Desk

Legoland Discovery Center
Enjoy the ultimate indoor LEGO® playground and builds the BEST DAY EVER! Opening May 25th!
870 Great Mall Drive

Santa Clara County Fair
First week in August. Back to summer! Yeh! Exciting stage acts, new thrill rides, nightly concerts, draft horse competition, monster truck show, wild west show, Chinese acrobats, racing pigs … who could ask for more?
344 Tully Rd, San Jose, CA 95111
408-494-3100

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
OK, so it’s not strictly in Silicon Valley, but it’s where the geeks change into surfer dudes to cool off on the coast. Check here for group discounts.
400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-423-5590

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Interact with dolphins in the new Ocean Discovery, a tropical getaway where you can get up close and personal with sea lions, penguins, stingrays and dolphins.
1001 Fairgrounds Dr, Vallejo, CA 94589
707-644-4000

Kiddie Train Rides

Take the kids on fun pint-sized train rides near Milpitas, in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

Bianchi Train
Beloved tiny train gives rides in San Mateo’s Central Park. According to the sign, it runs weekends only except from Jun 15-Aug 15, when it runs weekdays from 10 to noon, otherwise Sat and Sun from 11 to 1. Also, the train does not run in bad weather (cloudy/raining). The city park website does not list the correct hours, but does list a number to call in advance to confirm hours of operation: 650-340-1520

Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad
Vasona Park, Los Gatos. There are two locomotives, the primary one, Number 2, is a 1905 vintage steam engine of the 2-6-2 prairie type, weighing approximately four tons. Runs year ’round, unless it’s raining too hard. 233 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032.

Casa de Choo Choo
Casa de Fruta’s Narrow Gauge Railroad is fun for children of all ages. The two-mile long track meanders through the complex, passing along scenic Pacheco Creek, past the zoo and the enclosure that is home to peacocks and rare white deer that originated from William Randolph Hearst’s San Simeon menagerie. For the train rides’ schedule, call 408-842-9316.

Confusion Hill
The 30-minute train ride (more or less… it seems to depend on how actively the passengers interact with the engineer!) starts at the “station” atop a couple flights of stairs behind the gift-shop/ticket office. Piercy, Mendocino County, 75001 N. Hwy. 101.

Golden Gate Live Steamers
Located in Tilden Park in the hills above Berkeley, California, the Golden Gate Live Steamers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit museum whose mission is to operate a miniature live steam railroad, to teach, inform & promote model engineering craftsmanship for the benefit of our members and to educate the public on what live steaming & model engineering is all about.

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo Rides
Ride the “Danny the Dragon” train. Happy Hollow has new rides that will be sure to delight all ages. Please be aware of the height requirements and other restrictions for each ride. In some case an adult will be required to ride with a child that doesn’t meet the minimum height requirements.

Little Puffer
Little Puffer

Little Puffer
This 22-gauge Class “E” Cagney miniature train has given California children rides for about a century. It currently operates at the San Francisco Zoo. Come take a ride!

Outback Express Adventure Train
Like the Little Puffer, this train is located at the zoo—the Oakland Zoo, in fact. But, you can access it without buying zoo admission. You will still get a little glimpse of the wildlife: the train travels through the Australian exhibit (hence the name) and emus occasionally try to make a break for it when the gates open to let the train through. The ride is affordable at $3/person over the age of 2, however, you will still have to pay to park at the zoo. 9777 Golf Links Rd. Oakland, CA 510-632-9525.

Redwood Valley Railway
Train rides along a scenic ridge on a scaled-down steam train. For information, including hours and ticket prices, call (510) 548-6100. 2501 Grizzly Peak Blvd & Lomas Cantadas, Orinda, CA 94563

Sonoma Train Town
Train Town is located on 10 acres with one and a quarter miles of track. Scale is 3″ to a foot. Upon arrival at Lakeview you can stretch your legs and visit the petting zoo.

SPCRR Train Rides & Museum at Ardenwood
The Railroad Museum operates scheduled train rides on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays from April 1st until the weekend before Thanksgiving. 34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont, CA 94555

See also:

Guides to Silicon Valley Civic Networks

Before Google Local, small cities relied on such guides to Silicon Valley and else where. The project was called civic networking, and GoMilpitas was one of these very early civic network sites. Many civic networks still exist, each giving a unique view of their local scene in a way Google cannot.

Civic Networking
Civic Networks: Building Community on the Net
By Scott London

About Civic Networking

Zeise’s site is a one-woman operation that’s truly a grass-roots effort. Zeise, who believes a community guide can’t be done properly unless its creator lives in the town it covers, attends Chamber of Commerce meetings and watches city council meetings on television. by Deborah Kong, Mercury News. Read whole article.

The primary aim of this site, GoMilpitas.com, is not to make a significant profit, just enough to pay its bills. The ads pay the bills…just. The whole point of this site is to encourage all of us to work with each other, to connect to make purchases or exchange ideas with each other, and to make Milpitas a truly great small city. No local concern is ever charged for a link on this site, but some businesses may wish to appear on multiple pages, and we are set up to place their ads at a reasonable price.

GoMilpitas.com is under extreme competition from search engines like Google Local and review sites like Yelp, both of which have done their best to kill community networks where locals can determine what the most useful resources are in their towns. This is why I encourage you all to use the links you find on this site to explore resources that interest you in Milpitas. Use this page to look for things in other nearby cities. Support community networks everywhere rather than Google or Yelp. Tell the businesses you connect to that you found their resource on GoMilpitas.com, and drop a plug to advertise on the site so it can stay vibrant.

The Community Network Movement
Realizing that communication and information are increasingly dependent on networked digital information, community activists all over the world ­ often in collaboration with government agencies, non-profits, or businesses ­ are developing community computer network systems.

Central Silicon Valley Civic Networks

Campbell
City site has many features of a good community website.

Cupertino
Mayor Sandra James says the entire community works together to provide the kind of community everyone desires. “Partnerships are what we [in Cupertino] are all about.”

Discover Milpitas
An attempt to rebuild GoMilpitas.com from scratch. Has a lot of things labeled as being in Brea. Looks pretty, but lacks content.

East Palo Alto
For most of its history, East Palo Alto was part of unincorporated San Mateo County. As such, it did not have an official boundary until it incorporated in 1983.

Los Gatos, California, USA
Helpful information for travelers and visitors is available, including maps of the area, pictures of the town, and lists of businesses with contact information. Interesting facts have been collected to provide you with “inside information.” You can even check the weather!

Palo Alto Online
Things to do and places to go in lovely Palo Alto.

San José
City government’s website.

San Jose Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is the largest business organization serving the Silicon Valley.

San Jose.com
San Jose retains the small town heart of its orchard days when, it has been said, the only chips contemplated were left behind by wandering cattle. Metro’s website.

San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau
Complete information on attractions, visitor travel and upcoming events in San Jose, California.

San Jose Downtown Association
The heart of Silicon Valley is experiencing a renaissance of culture and commerce. The 11th largest city in the United States has a world-class downtown. Come see for yourself.

Saratoga
A compendium of resources, – including wineries – news, events and weather presented by Dave Delgado.

Santa Clara
Whether you are new to Santa Clara, or a long time resident or business, our Web site is designed to help you learn about services provided by the City, and where you can obtain additional details.

Sunnyvale
Known as the “Heart of Silicon Valley,” Sunnyvale combines the advantages of an attractive suburban setting, a diverse population, metropolitan cultural opportunities, and a dynamic high-technology industrial foundation.

The Penninsula (San Mateo County)

Coastside Live
Half Moon Bay Coastside’s directory including El Granada, Moss Beach, Montara, San Gregorio, La Honda & Pescadero.

Los Altos
Tree lined streets and a small village atmosphere characterize Los Altos which is located in the heart of world famous Silicon Valley. Just 40 miles south of San Francisco, Los Altos is a residential community served by seven small retail areas. The seven square mile city is developed with small businesses, schools, libraries and churches.

Los Altos Hills
The Town of Los Altos Hills is located in the Northern portion of California’s Santa Clara County, situated between San Francisco and San Jose, just Southwest of Stanford University (Palo Alto, California).

Millbrae
The City of Millbrae is located on the Peninsula, 15 miles south of San Francisco. Chamber Site.

Montara
Surfers’ paradise located just north of Half Moon Bay on the coast just south of San Francisco.

Portola Valley
Home to 4400 people living in 1500 households, Portola Valley, California sits in a green and golden valley, astride one of the most dangerous earthquake faults in the world.

San Mateo
City services and events. Official city site.

San Mateo County
Our purpose in County government is to protect and enhance the health, safety, welfare and natural resources of the community.

San Mateo County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Gorgeous natural scenery, attractions, showplace homes and colorful fields and gardens offer a feast for the eyes. All this, plus fine dining, entertainment, shopping and accommodations to fit every budget, make San Mateo County the place for a memorable California meeting or vacation.

South Skyline Association
The purpose of the South Skyline Association is to foster a sense of community spirit, to keep residents and property owners informed of public agency actions or other items of concern in the South Skyline sphere of influence.

South End

Gilroy Visitors Site
Gilroy, California is famous as the Garlic Capital of the World, hosting the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival. Gilroy gives visitors a friendly, small town character with affordable places to stay, great restaurants, wineries, breweries, world-class shopping at Gilroy Premium Outlets factory stores, attractions and recreational opportunities for the whole family.

Hollister
Somethings almost always shaking in Hollister, but this lively community site makes you want to move in anyways. San Benito County.

Morgan Hill
With a population of 33,000, Morgan Hill is located just south of Silicon Valley. Combining great country living with well-known manufacturing and research firms, Morgan Hill prides itself as the “Small town that’s big on business”. Here is the Chamber Site.

South Alameda County

Livermore / Pleasanton & Tri-Valley
eLivermore.com / ePleasanton.org is a community service of Holy Cross Lutheran Church providing information and links to the Livermore and Tri-Valley areas.

Newark
Newark is located in Silicon Valley on the east side of San Francisco Bay. Part of one of the most dynamic urban areas in the world, Newark has maintained a strong and proud spirit rooted in community values.

Sunol.net
Disclamer: This web site is non-commercial and the sole property of Derek Johnson. Nobody pays me to put anything in it. I’ll add what I want, whenever I feel like it (or get around to it, whichever comes last). I disclaim any knowlege of what I am talking about.

Monterey Bay Area

Monterey – Explore
Once a hub of industry, the centerpiece of Monterey–Cannery Row–has been famously revitalized into a complex of world-class restaurants, hip boutiques, and trendy bars.

Pelican Civic Network
A civic network of community groups and people who care about natural and cultural history. Covers from Davenport to Morro Bay.

Santa Cruz City
Located on the sunny side of the beautiful Monterey Bay, 74 miles south of San Francisco. On this site, you will find information about City government, City departments, services, and programs.

Santa Cruz County
Many members of the Santa Cruz area have their own websites as part of “cruzio.com.”

Santa Cruz County
Official county website. Explore our majestic redwood forests and vibrant cityscapes. Taste our fresh cuisine and fine wines. Experience our rich history, acclaimed arts, and year-round events for everyone. In Santa Cruz County, our beaches are just the beginning!

California Community Websites

Berkeley Parents Civic Network
This web site contains thousands of pages of recommendations and advice from the Berkeley Parents Network, a parent-to-parent advice newsletter for the community of parents in the Berkeley, California area. Not limited to just Berkeley.

Davis Community Civic Network
Community resources for this college town in the Sacramento Valley.

East County Live
Civic network that serves Antioch, Pittsburg, Oakley, Brentwood, Byron and Discovery Bay.

Los Banos
Now a Facebook group with regular postings.

Napa Valley
Visit wine country. Covers Calistoga, St.Helena, Oakville/Rutherford, Yountville, Napa and Outlying Areas.

Petaluma Visitors
Locate things to do, and particpate in their many discussion boards. Vote on hot topics!

Point Richmond Online
Neighborhood site to bring a community together.

California Community Networks

There are a good number of free and low cost community networks in California.

KCBXnet formerly SLO Net
SLONET Regional Information Network – San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties in California. Site has excellent internet use training course materials available.

Mendocino Community Network
A civic network owned and operated by the Mendocino Unified School District for the purpose of supporting our District’s Internet Node and to benefit our local and global communities. MCN price for residential basic DSL service is now just $14.99 for the first six months. Service now available in the Sacramento, Monterey, Salinas, Chico, Chowchilla, Stockton and LA areas! In the fall DSL is coming to the Kelseyville/Upperlake area.

Napa Net
Offers internet services to residents of Napa, California, including DSL services and virus-free email.

Silicon Valley Public Access Link
A non-profit computer network which makes on-line information accessible to people living in the Silicon Valley regardless of financial status and educational level.

Silicon Valley Unwired
Ten years ago, Milpitas’ free municipal wireless Internet system was a novel idea involving state-of-the-art technology that sought to provide greater web access to the community. A decade later, Milpitas’ citywide Wi-Fi system and its attendant equipment is still in place but now sits mostly unused.

SonicNet
A low-cost ISP as well as a comunity information website for those in Sonoma, California.

Bay Area and Silicon Valley Magazines

Magazines
Bay Area and Silicon Valley Magazines to keep you informed about business, technology, travel, garden, entertainment, and other trends.

Bay Area Family Travel
We will focus on a specific Bay Area locale for our monthly cover story. And in the How-to with Kidsdepartment, writers provide the essentials on how to ski with kids, camp with kids, visit museums with kids…you get the idea.

Bay Area Parent
Has great ideas of what is open for kids and what is not. Events calendar, articles of interest to parents. Childcare resources, plays, museums, field trip ideas.

Bay Nature
A quarterly magazine dedicated to the intelligent and joyful exploration of the natural places of the San Francisco Bay Area and the species that inhabit them.

Content Magazine
A bimonthly magazine promoting the people, events, and businesses of the South Bay. With headquarters in San Jose, Content Magazine articulates the innovative and creative culture that is unique to Silicon Valley.

Dr. Dobb’s
Software tools for the professional programmer. The premier geek magazine for Silicon Valley. Includes source code. Published in San Mateo. Now archived. No new content since 2014.

Metro
Silicon Valley’s weekly news magazine emphasizes arts, contemporary culture and politics.

SiliconBeat
Inside news, big ideas and small nuggets of info about technology innovation in Silicon Valley and the money that drives it. Now part of the Mercury News.

SiLiCoN vAlLeY dE-bUg
A collective of writers, artists, organizers, and workers based in San Jose, California. As we grew as a collective we began exploring all of the issues of our community – in the workplace, schools, streets, relationships, and everything else.

Wired News
The business, culture, technology and politics of the wired, Silicon Valley culture.

…more Bay Area-based Magazines.

Air Travel

How to get to Milpitas and how to leave it via air travel. Most use SJC out of San Jose, as the closest airport to Milpitas.
SJC Hands

Airlines

Airlines at the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Airport
Page with the links to each airline, where you can find flight information.

Airplane Manufacturers

RnR Products
Our all composite miniature aircraft have flown the world including the first UAV to cross the Atlantic non-stop! 1120 Wrigley Way, 408-946-4751.

Airports

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport
Located five miles southwest of Milpitas, San Jose International Airport (SJC) is the closest air service for visitors to travel to and from Milpitas.

Airlines and Flights
This section contains a listing of all airlines servicing San Jose International Airport, their terminal locations, toll-free numbers and Web addresses. Reference our on-line Flight Guide to help you plan your air travel. If you’re checking on an arriving flight, you’ll find a link to Real-Time information with TheTrip.com’s Real-Time Flight Tracker.

To & From SJC
Come and go as you please. This section provides information on maps and directions, parking, meeting passengers, rental cars, taxis, rideshares, public transitdoor-to-door shuttles, hotel shuttles, limousines, scheduled buses, and bicycles and pedestrians.

Passenger Services
Here you’ll find a listing of all the maps of the Airport. These maps will help you locate all the services the Airport has to offer, including: restaurants services and amenities, shops, things to do, public art, and accessible services.

Cargo and Freight
Need information on shipping? This section contains names, toll-free numbers and Web addresses of all cargo carriers servicing San Jose International Airport.

About SJC
There’s more to the Airport than you might have imagined. This section is a compendium of news and information, including employment opportunities, and news releases.

Community and Environment
San Jose International Airport is involved with the community on many levels. This section provides links to the various areas of involvement such as the Noise Abatement, Curfew Monitoring, and Flight Tracking Program with a 10-minute delay.

Oakland International Airport
North of Milpitas about 30 miles. 2nd preferred airport, should you not be able to fly into San Jose.

San Francisco International Airport
The Airport is known as the Gateway to the Pacific for its premier position as a point of departure to many destinations in the Pacific Rim. Find airline flight schedules to and from SFO; ground transportation services; airport terminal guide; and airport parking. Kiss and Fly drop off area.

Planning

Airport Expansion Plans
How might airport expansion affect quality of life in the area. Metro story.

CAAPSO
CAAPSO is a collaboration of interested parties that want to maintain Reid-Hillview (RHV) airport as a vibrant resource for the general aviation community and a benefit to the local community. CAAPSO stands for what we believe in: a Community And Airport Partnership for Safe Operations.

How to stop commercial air hijackings without inconveniencing air travelers
I’ve listed many suggestions below for both increasing security and making the plane a less attractive with minimal passenger air travel inconvenience. Many can be implemented immediately, at virtually no cost. Steve Kirsch

Shuttle Service

Airport Parking Reservations
We’ve done the shopping and negotiated great parking rates for you. We offer you a selection of safe and secure parking operators within 5 minutes of the airport.

Public Transportation to San Jose-Mineta Airport
The Route#60 service schedule has temporarily reduced frequency, running every 20-minutes between the hours of 5:30 AM and end service after 9 PM, 7 days a week. Route #60 will continue to offer free rides from the airport, with a minimal fee to ride into the airport, or free with a transfer pass to the Milpitas Bart Transit Center and the Winchester Transit Center.

Shuttle companies
All over the Bay Area offer airport-to-door service to SJC. Discounts are offered for groups of 2 or more being picked up at the same location. List with phone numbers.

Travelers’ Information

City Hall will now accept Passport Applications
A benefit to residents, the move will also provide additional and much needed revenue. The City of Milpitas will be receive $30 for each processed passport. Applications will be accepted Monday-Thursday, 9a – 3p, and Fridays by appointment. Call the City Clerk’s Office for more information: 586-3001.

Applying For Passports
You may apply for passports at the County of Santa Clara, Office of the Recorder, mornings between 8 a.m. and noon.

Flight Aware
Live current status of any flights between major cities within the United States.

International Travel Information
Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid air travel to a certain country.

Security Procedures
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) manages airport security. Visit the TSA website to find up to the minute security procedures and how to best prepare for your next flight.

See also Flying (Recreational Flying)

Roller Coasters

Milpitas is near enough to four theme parks for day trips to the best roller coasters in the country! All 4 parks are 20 minutes to an hour away during commute hours, faster on weekends and holidays.

Roller Coasters Nearby

From nearest to furthest…

Great America
Information about the nine roller coasters at Great America in Santa Clara: Demon, Flight Deck, Gold Striker, Lucy’s Crabbie Cabbies, Patriot, Psycho Mouse, Railblazer, The Grizzly, and Woodstock Express. Includes how tall you have to be to ride each.
Driving time from Milpitas town center: about 20 minutes. 6 miles away.
4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054

Gilroy Gardens Quicksilver Express Mine Coaster
This thrilling mine coaster speeds you through dips and turns surrounded by nearly 600 trees! The fact that it is one of the first of its kind made by the manufacturer makes it unique.
Driving time from Milpitas town center: about 45 minutes. 40 miles away.
3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020


Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Your grandparents can probably remember riding the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster when they were kids. More than 60 million visitors have experienced the Giant Dipper since it first opened in 1924. The classic wooden coaster can be seen in several movies including “Sudden Impact,” “The Lost Boys,” and “Dangerous Minds.” More history. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is located at 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For general information, call (831) 423-5590, email guest.services@beachboardwalk.com or visit www.beachboardwalk.com
Driving time from Milpitas town center: about 58 minutes over mountain. 38 miles away.
400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Looking for thrills? Well, you’ve found them. In fact, you’ve found some of the fastest, tallest, wildest, most gut-wrenching rides in the country-including a few record-breakers. Coaster rides include Boomerang Coast to Coaster – not only forwards, but also backwards; Cobra – it hisses; and Dare Devil Coaster – soaring and inverting coaster. Find out about more thrill rides here.
Driving time from Milpitas town center: about 1 hour 4 minutes. 62 miles away.
1001 Fairgrounds Dr, Vallejo, CA 94589

About Roller Coasters

Amusement Park Physics — Roller Coaster
The conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy is what drives the roller coaster, and all of the kinetic energy you need for the ride is present once the coaster descends the first hill.

History of Roller Coasters
From its beginnings as a modified ice slide with wheels, to the looping wonders powered by high voltage electro magnets, roller coasters have had a very colorful history.

Roller Coaster and Amusement Park History
Welcome to the Ultimate Rollercoaster, an extensive web site covering the topics of roller coasters, theme parks and thrill rides.

Career Advice – Jobs in Milpitas

careers

Milpitas has a significant workforce, including many careers working in the latest technical advancements in Silicon Valley, such as self-driving cars and medical advancements.

About Working Here

Jobs, Employment in Milpitas
Indeed’s latest listings of employment opportunities in Milpitas.

Jobs, Employment in Silicon Valley
Indeed’s latest listings of employment opportunities in the Silicon Valley area.

The Silicon ValleyCultures Project
A ten year ethnographic study of the cultures living and working in the hi-tech communities of Silicon Valley.

Career Development

Career Closet
A volunteer-based, nonprofit organization that provides business attire and job counseling to economically disadvantaged women to help them gain and retain employment, advance their careers and improve family stability.

NovaWorks
A federally funded employment and training agency, administered by the City of Sunnyvale. It is directed by the NOVA Workforce Board which works on behalf of a seven-city consortium composed of Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, and Milpitas.

Santa Clara County
Community Job Search & Career Centers. A list with links to a wide variety of career counseling and placement resources.

Youth@Work
A free, online service that links job seeking youth with hiring employers throughout Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties.

Databases

BAJobs.com
Established in 1997, BAJobs.com has become a staple for Bay Area employers and job seekers.

Dice.com
Dice is the best place to accelerate your career. We have the latest information on everything from salaries to trending skills, and can put you in front of the opportunities that make the most sense at every stage of your career.

Employment Connection, County of Santa Clara
Sections for employers, those looking for work, and those wishing to affiliate with the County Services.

Job Star SF Bay Area
Offers you a high tech jump start on finding a job in Silicon Valley. Other parts of site help with San Francisco Bay Area job hunting, too.

Net-Temps
Post your resumé, and look for consulting or full time positions. Recruiters also have their own forum here. On the day I created this link, they had 263 positions listed in Milpitas. Be sure to look in their Career Development section for advice about your resumé, cover letter and interview.

ZipRecruiter Jobs in Milpitas, CA
Entry level jobs in Milpitas and nearby.

Interview and Job-Seeking Advice

Do You Suffer From Premature Negotiation?
Through good intentions, and lack of awareness, many people cooperatively give information, giving up significant power and flexibility in the real negotiation at the time of the job offer. By Steven Brown, Effetti, Inc., Santa Clara.

The Job-Seeker’s Tool Kit: 25 Essentials
Getting ready to start a job hunt? Here are 25 essential elements you’ll need in your Job-Seeker’s Toolkit!