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Teenagers in Silicon Valley & Milpitas

What’s there to do for teenagers in this town? How do Milpitas and other Silicon Valley cities treat their teenagers?

Commentary

Kids of the Silicon Valley Housing Crisis
Gabriel’s parents paid $1,200 a month for close to two decades. But with the Silicon Valley housing explosion, rents are rapidly rising and the family is now priced out of their neighborhood.

The Most Interesting Teenager In Silicon Valley
During his first semester at USC, Lavingia was contacted by Pinterest’s founders. He dropped out of school to become a founding member of the site.

Pressure to Succeed: Silicon Valley Teens Face Culture of High Expectations
“Having that sort of constant weight of, ‘Oh, I really have to succeed sometimes,’ that can really wear you down.”

The Real Teens of Silicon Valley
Inside the almost-adult lives of the industry’s newest recruits. There’s no official tally of the number of teens who work in tech, but Fontenot estimates that there are as many as a hundred recent high school dropouts working on startups in the city. Some were too distracted by programming projects and weekend hackathons to go to class.

Navigating the High Stakes: Teen Life in Silicon Valley
Everywhere you look, there’s a story about a new teen building the next hot startup. Lists like the Forbes 30 Under 30 (which I was shamelessly on) encourage it. It’s part of the culture. This is where I’m torn.

Teenage Wasteland
Most of the attention given to teenagers in Santa Clara County comes in the form of restrictions driven by law enforcement, instead of what kids really need. Can society ever learn to love its teens? By Traci Hukill.

Civic Groups

Azen Seagulls
The Azen Seagulls strive to share our love for arts and crafts with others. We provide engaging and interactive videos for young kids and teens that will enhance or begin their experience with arts and crafts. Especially with quarantine, we believe it’s the perfect time to explore new things, and we believe that art can take you places! We Upload Videos Every Monday! YouTube Channel.

FLY – Fresh Lifelines for Youth
Since 1998, FLY, a nonprofit organization designed by troubled teens themselves, has been providing programs for more than 1,000 at-risk and disadvantaged youth, their parents and guardians, and community members.
568 Valley Way, Building 4
408-263-2630

Public Allies
Public Allies identifies talented young adults from diverse backgrounds and advances their leadership through full-time, paid apprenticeships in nonprofit organizations, weekly leadership trainings and team service projects. Contact Holly Lim by email.
600 Valley Way, Suite C
408-586-7633

Teen Advisory Board at Milpitas Library
If you’re interested in advocating for Milpitas teens, creating and planning events, and working on a team with like-minded teens, consider sending in an application and email it to rleo@sccl.org. Requirements are that you are in grades 9-12, able to attend a monthly meeting during the school year, and actively go to Milpitas Library.

Youth Advisory Commission
Established to advise the Council on matters pertaining to youth and teens in Milpitas. Commissioners must be in grades 7 through 12 and live in Milpitas. Members and alternates are appointed to one-year terms.

Employment

Milpitas Youth Force (MYF)
Preparing Milpitas teens, ages 15-18, to successfully and confidently enter the workforce by providing new opportunities, goal setting, hands on exposure, breaking down barriers and career soft skill building. Apply in early spring for work over the summer.

Indeed Jobs for Teens within 10 miles of City Center
Teen jobs in Milpitas, CA

Snag a Teen Job in Milpitas, CA
If you’re looking for part time jobs in Milpitas, California or even student jobs and jobs for teens in Milpitas, California, you’ve come to the right place!

Teens: summer jobs to avoid
Many teens are working in unsafe conditions without the proper training or supervision. Too many are injured or killed on the job because they were performing tasks prohibited by federal or state labor laws.

High Schools

Calaveras Hills High School
Our mini-high school serves 220 9-12 students. 1331 East Calaveras Blvd., 408-945-2398.

Milpitas High School
Milpitas High School has a web site to keep teens and their parents abreast with events and activities at the school.

News

The MHS Union Blog
Blog has more up-to-date news than the newspaper below about what is going on in Milpitas High. Also easier to read.

The Union ~ Student Voice of Milpitas High School
Online version of the Milpitas High School Newspaper.

Of Interest

Drivers Ed
A GO MILPITAS RESOURCE
For teens and others new to driving in California here are links for driving schools, driving test practice sites and safety tips.

Silicon Valley De-Bug
A collective of young workers, writers, and artists organizing to improve Silicon Valley.

Recreation

Best fun things for teens near Milpitas
Room escapes, K1 speed, Sky High sports, Golfland, dance studios, and more.

Fun Inside
A GO MILPITAS RESOURCE
Quiet and active things to do inside. Teen Club information.

India Community Center Main Youth Center
From preschool programs to classes for teens. Learn Bollywood dancing.

India Community Center Table Tennis Center
The ICC Table Tennis program has been growing exponentially since its launch in 2005. In 11 years it has opened North America’s largest dedicated table tennis center and has produced 2012 USA Olympic team members Timothy Wang, Ariel Hsing & Lily Zhang. Team ICC playerLily Zhang and Jiaqi Zheng will also represent USA at 2016 Rio Olympics.

Skatepark at Milpitas Sports Center
A beautiful 20,000-square foot, all-wheel skate experience, with a combination of transition and street terrain.

Teen Center
Temporarily on hold due to Covid restrictions. The Milpitas Teen Center is a safe space that provides services and programs for teens. There will be drop-in activities and classes from 3:30p.m. to 6:30p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, with classes, trips and events on evenings and weekends. See site for calendar. Check Facebook page for news. Teen Center rules.
40 N. Milpitas Blvd. – inside Senior Center.
408-586-3210

Youth Sports
A GO MILPITAS RESOURCE
This site’s section for public and private sports opportunities for community youth.

Youth Groups

DECA
An association of marketing students. The students run a ship-shaped cart called the TIE-TANIC in the Great Mall. Contact is Tonette Rancadore, at 408-941-9603.

Kids’ Clubs
A GO MILPITAS RESOURCE
From scouting to sport teams, Milpitas has lots of groups for kids and teens.

Fishing in Milpitas Lakes

We’ve got some of the best fishing spots around! No activity can be as rewarding as relaxing near a crystal clear waterway with fishing pole in hand and line in one of Milpitas’ lakes.

Department of Fish and Game plants larger fish.
To enhance anglers abilities to enjoy lakes close to home, the Fishing in the City program provides supplemental stocking of 1 pound rainbow trout and 1 to 2 pound catfish at lakes around the Bay Area, including Sandy Wool Lake and Spring Valley Lake in Milpitas.

CDFW Wildlife Area Operational Changes due to COVID-19
The Department plans to operate wildlife areas to provide recreational opportunities while keeping the public and Department staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to check the Department’s Closure Page for updates.

State Fisheries Biologists Continue Efforts To Eradicate Deadly Fish Bacteria
January 28, 2021. Not affecting Milpitas lakes and ponds or their stocking. Read about affected areas on this site.

Information on purchasing licenses, permits, tags and other entitlements, can be found on CDFW’s Online License Site.

The following Santa Clara County lakes will be planted with 1-pound rainbow trout in the spring. In the summer the lakes are stocked with catfish. Fishing is a favorite activity at Ed R. Levin Park. Sandy Wool Lake is stocked from November through May. Swimming is prohibited.

Latest fish plants at Sandy Wool Lake
Reports by date and species of fish

All you need to know about fishing in Santa Clara County Parks but were afraid to ask
No activity can be as rewarding as relaxing near a crystal clear waterway with fishing pole in hand and line in the water. We’ve got some of the best fishing spots around! Feeling a little rusty with your casting? Take advantage of our practice fly casting ponds, usually a dedicated enthusiast will be on hand to give you a tip or two.

Department of Fish and Game
Yes, children 15 and younger can fish at Sandy Wool Lake without a license. In the summer the lake is stocked with catfish, and in the cooler months with trout.

Ed Levin County Park
Fishing is another favorite activity at Ed R. Levin Park. Sandy Wool Lake is stocked from November through May. Swimming is prohibited.

Flycasters of San Jose
A large and active fly fishing club with a diverse set of offerings catering to fly fishers of all backgrounds and skill levels.

Free Fishing Days
If you’re new to the sport of fishing, and not sure if you will enjoy it, we have a great deal for you. The Department of Fish and Game offers two “Free Fishing Days” each year. Free Fishing Days for 2022 are Saturday, July 2 and Saturday, September 3.

Fishing in the City
Fishing in the City Clinics gives city dwellers an opportunity to learn how to fish, and to fish close to home. Valid fishing licenses are required of anglers 16 years or older. Anglers 16 years of age and older need to have a fishing license except on Free Fishing Days. (See above dates.)

Salmon in Silicon Valley
Salmon in Silicon Valley? The Valley is not known for its salmon but they are here in very small numbers. Their numbers are so low, that most people don’t know they exist, and if river health and function are not drastically improved, we may loose these salmon for good. Urban Wildlife Research Project of Silicon Valley has been monitoring salmon since 2011 along side other conservation groups Salmon and Stealhead Restoration Group, and Friends of Los Gatos Creek.

Trails & Bike Paths

Within Milpitas City Limits

Bay Trail through Milpitas
Map of the Bay Trail where it passes near and through Milpitas. Might be possible to hike or bike it. Catch it at the McCarthy Ranch shopping center.

Best Paved Bike Trails near Milpitas
Yelp reviews of the best bike trails in and near Milpitas.

Calaveras, The Wall
For me, “the wall” is the final section on Calaveras Road going east from Milpitas. It’s difficult and made more so by the effort reaching it from Piedmont. Someone had spray-painted “the wall” on the pavement near the start.

City of Milpitas Bike Map 2022
Maps of roads with bike lanes in Milpitas. Avoid the commute altogether! color coded according to difficulty.

City of Milpitas Bicycle/Pedestrian & Trails Plan
The City of Milpitas is in the process of updating its Trails and Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plans. These plans will provide the City with a vision and action plan to make it safer and more convenient to walk, bike, and roll in Milpitas. Visit MilpitasPhase2.altaplanning.cloud to provide feedback! Visit the interactive map at the link above to comment on proposed recommendations for bicycling and walking in Milpitas. Your feedback will inform recommended improvements around the city and help prioritize future investments. SHARE YOUR COMMENTS BY MARCH 31, 2021.

Milpitas Cycling Trails
Join over 20 million people getting fit on MapMyRide. Your workout, your devices, anywhere, anytime. Plan, analyze and share your journey.

Santa Clara Valley Bikeways Map
This PDF map allows you to zoom into an area of Santa Clara County to see the bikeways routes.

Mysterious Stone Walls — **Mysterious Rock Walls**
The East Bay Mysterious Rock Walls are accessible in several area parks, including Ed R. Levin County Park and on Mission Peak.

Routes
Find routes to popular entertainment venues, major employment centers, college campuses, and shopping areas. You’ll also find a library of routes used for social rides.
Ever been stuck in traffic while a bike commuter breezes past you with a big smile on her face? Or maybe you’ve seen someone merrily riding along, with groceries in his bike bags? If you’d like to try biking to work, school, or the store but haven’t found a bike-friendly route, Virtual Bike Route Scouts may be the answer!

Within Fremont City Limits

Best Trails in Mission Peak Regional Preserve, Fremont, CA
Here is a map of the trails on Mission Peak, a popular hiking spot in Fremont, CA. You can start the hike at Ed Levin Park in the Milpitas hills or take the easy way up from Stanford Ave. in Fremont.

Mission Peak Trails
Map shows the Mission Peak Loop, the Hidden Valley Trail, and the Peak Meadow Trail. On weekends, the Mission Peak trails can see some pretty heavy foot traffic. Dogs must be on leash as there are cattle grazing right along side the trail, between the cattle crossings. Be careful about checking out rock formations: there are rattle snakes! Spectacular views of the whole Bay Area and often all the way to the Sierras award those who make it to the top.

Within San Jose City Limits

Alum Rock Park Trail Map
This is a great hot summer day hike, as this trail provides plenty of shade relief. Check out the remnants of the mineral spring spa. The trail starts paved, then turns to dirt pack. The trails of Alum Rock Park are now back open to the public after closures prompted by mountain lion sightings and then a large wildland fire in the vicinity.

Alviso Slough Trail Loop Description and Views
The trail around the salt ponds is officially part of the Bay Trail. You can take the trail clockwise starting at the Marina, following along the levee above the Alviso Slough, with the salt ponds on your right.

Coyote Hills Regional Park
Bike riders may take the 3.5-mile paved Bayview Trail within the park. Bayview connects with 12 additional miles of trail along the south levee of the Alameda Creek Trail, and to the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Guadalupe River Trail
The northern reaches of the Guadalupe River Trail is open from Alviso at Gold Street to Grant Street near Highway 280. The portion through Guadalupe River Park and Gardens provides many opportunities for recreation and entertainment. Review:”Terrifying to accidentally find yourself amongst homeless encampments and then somehow onto railroad tracks. Uh. nope.” Follow San Jose Trails on Twitter, and Instagram

Trails Further Away

Bay Area Hiker
Click here for South Bay and Peninsula hiking spots. Click here for hiking in Map of Bay Area hiking trails. Wonderful descriptions of hikes and what to expect. Section on trails where you can hike with your dog.

Bay Area Ridge Trail
“Imagine a 400-mile ridgeline trail connecting the Bay Area’s precious greenbelt of parks and open space, linking hundreds of communities region-wide.” Hikes almost every Saturday all summer.

Del Valle
Deep in a valley framed by oak-covered hills, with sailboats and sailboards skimming over its waters, Del Valle is like an alpine resort only 10 miles south of Livermore.

East Bay Regional Park District
Explore this site to learn where you can picnic, hike, camp, fish, ride a bike, ride a horse, and explore nature in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Ravenswood Slough to Alviso
Cooley Landing to Sunnyvale Baylands Park
Pedal nearly 15 miles on mostly natural surface trail and experience the outer edges of the bay connected by shoreline park jewels in East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, Mountain View and Sunnyvale.

Rose Peak, Ohlone Wilderness Trail
Located in the wildest and most remote land remaining in the East Bay hills, the Ohlone Wilderness Trail climbs 3,427 feet over the course of 10 miles to reach Rose Peak (3,817 feet).

Santa Clara County Open Space Reserves Trails
The Open Space Authority maintains multi-use trails for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians and is committed to opening new lands to visitors as funding allows. The trails are open every day of the year and are free to the public.

Art Clubs and Associations in Milpitas

Join Milpitas art clubs to share tips. Come to a gallery to view our art. Take a class to learn or improve your favorite art form.

Arts Commission-Civic Art
Art Clubs and Associations
Art Clubs, Classes, Studios and Galleries
Ceramics
Grants for the Arts

Arts Commission
Serves as an advisory body to the City Council on matters pertaining to the Arts, performance or visual in the City of Milpitas. The Commission reviews Phantom Art Gallery artist applicants, and reviews the Cultural Arts Support Program.

The Arts Commission meets at the Milpitas City Hall, Committee Conference Room, 455 East Calaveras Boulevard. It holds regular meetings on the fourth Monday at 7:00 p.m. on alternating months of January, March, May, July, September and November. If a scheduled meeting occurs on a holiday, the meeting will be deferred to the same day of the following week.

Art Clubs and Associations

Camera Club
Photographer Kaz has organized local photography enthusiasts interested in meeting monthly or more often to share photography tips and occasionally go on photographic field trips. Meetings held either on Zoom or at the Milpitas Police Station, located at 1275 N. Milpitas Blvd. 7 PM, second Tuesday each month.

Golden Hills Art Association
This art club holds its monthly meetings on the first Thursday of each month at the Community Room of the Milpitas Police Station, located at 1275 N. Milpitas Blvd., at 7:30 PM. For more information, please call 408-263-7929.

SV Creates
We are a network of art club leaders who care about the cultural and aesthetic quality of life in Silicon Valley. Our mission is to ignite investment and engagement in our creative culture.

Art Clubs, Classes, Studios and Galleries

Artistic Art Studio
Come and learn art from artist Erric Yang. He is an alumni of Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He was the head art instructor at San Jose Art Academy for 7 years.
1209 S. Park Victoria Drive
408-400-7780

Bayshore Art Studio 七棵松藝術工作室
We keep our art classes no more than 6 student per class. Expert one-on-one art instruction is tailor-made just for your child.
1613A S Main St.
510-449-1638

Dove Art Gallery
Art Gallery on the site of Park Victoria Baptist Church in Milpitas, California. Displaying a wide variety of arts and crafts from artisans of all ages. The Gallery is open after every Sunday Service which starts at 10:30 AM and ends around 11:45 AM. Calling all ARTISTS! Dove Gallery in Milpitas Ca. is accepting submissions for REFLECTIONS of LIGHT. Exhibit Dates September 26 – December 5, 2021. Seeking art with reflected, refracted, mirrored, patterned or sunlit imagery. This could include reflections on water, looking through glass, mirror images, light effects and much more! Depictions of angels and other subject matter that reflects God’s glory is also encouraged. Entry is FREE. Submissions can be emailed to dove@parkvictoria.org.
875 S. Park Victoria Drive

Hwu’s Art Studio
Milpitas Art & Drawing Class: Oil Pastel, Pencil Drawing, Pastel, Watercolor.
1369 Jacklin Road
408-821-3297

Mook Art Gallery
Handmade oil paintings. We specialize custom framing. Art class is available from age 6 yrs old to seniors.
141 – Neighborhood 5 in Great Mall.
408-262-4801

Paintilicious Art Studio
Paintilicious Art Studio offers art classes for kids, teens and adults. Unleash your creative and artistic side and learn from a variety of talented artists. Facebook.
63 Dempsey Rd.
408-507-0979

Ceramics

Clay Magic House
We provide adult clay art classes and kids clay art classes, we also provide instructor training and birthday party activity as well.
322 S Abel St.
408-930-6246

Grants for the Arts

Grant Writing Help
A list of organizations that provide technical assistance, consulting, classes and research materials in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Grant Writing
Too often grant writers fall into these traps when applying for community grants.

Games & Toys

Where you can hang out and play various sorts of games. Also a places that makes stuffed toys. And the history of Atari Games here in Milpitas.

Game Hangouts

Big Al’s sports bar, bowling center and arcade
Food available through DoorDash. Integrated in to the fabric of local communities and with 45,000-70,000 SQFT of the latest arcade games, 18-42 bowling lanes, and the region’s largest HD projection screens (55’!) as focal points of stadium-style Sports Bars, Big Al’s appeals to families, sports enthusiasts, event planners and anyone looking for a great time with great food in a contemporary NW-style atmosphere.
27 Ranch Drive
669-271-0011

Dave & Busters
Gaming club, bar and restaurant for adults. Minors must be chaperoned. Located at north end of Great Mall.
408-957-9215

Golfland
Not just peewee golf, but also a large arcade gaming salon. Located At Jacklin Rd. and east of I-680.

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Bay Area
Bay Area’s only indoor ultimate LEGO experience designed specifically for families with young children Ages 3-12.
870 Great Mall Dr.
669-213-0612

See also Fun Inside

Gaming History

Atari Games
Founded July 2, 1984, in Milpitas, California

Atari History Museum
Atari and its spin-off Activision both made games here in Milpitas. Gaming historian Curt Vendel has died at the age of 53, as reported by retro gaming site Vintage is the New Old.

The Collector’s Club
Collector game cards, sports cards, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
176 S Main St.
669-284-9176

Meet David Crane: Video Game Guru
At 29, Crane is an unlikely superstar, a gangly six-foot-five coat rack of a guy with an all-American exterior and a “Scientific American” soul. Activision game cartridges used to be manufactured in Milpitas.

Toys

GameStop
Open in limited capacity – check with store for more information. Live streaming some games.
447 Great Mall Dr.
408-956-9213

Unipak Designs
Premium quality stuffed animals. No drop-in sales. Order online.
224 Railroad Ave.
408-935-9400

Sporting Goods

GoMilpitas only lists sporting goods stores that do not carry automatic rifles. They might sell hunting and target practice arms, but only to those who are over 21 and meet rigorous background checks. Find products to support your favorite way of keeping fit.

Bowler’s Edge Pro Shop
Yelp Review. ““Free engraving on the ball, 1 free game (per ball you buy), and 10% discount depends on what you buy.”
1287 S Park Victoria Dr.
408-262-5095

DICK’S Sporting Goods
They ended sales of assault-style rifles and high-capacity magazines at all of its stores and banned the sale of all guns to anyone under 21. DICK’S Sporting Goods has a variety of gifts from the latest outdoor and golf equipment to running shoes or shirts for any season.
1200 Great Mall Dr.
Neighborhood 1
#1200
408-503-0370

Champs Sports
Fan gear and equipment. Members earn 100 XPoints for every $1 spent on all online and store purchases.
Neighborhood 4 in the Great Mall
460 Great Mall Dr.
408-945-1202

Racket Supply
Tennis, table tennis, badminton rackets, balls and shuttlecocks, and other supplies.
1359 Jacklin Rd
510-962-3358

Procricshop
Indoor cricket and sports equipment. Next to India Community Center Table Tennis.
1461 N Milpitas Blvd.
408-824-7220

Sporting Goods Store at Milpitas Walmart
A section of the Walmart SuperCenter has sports equipment.
301 Ranch Dr.
408-934-0304

Swimming Pools & Lessons

Swimming pool at the Milpitas Sports Center

Public Swimming Pools

Milpitas has lots of pools where you can go and to keep cool or take swim lessons when the summer heat sizzles.

Recreational Swimming at the Milpitas Sport Center
Due to Covid restrictions, only a limited number of participants are allowed in the pool, and they must all make a reservation well in advance. No drop-ins. Two large and one “baby” pool provide a variety of water fitness and exercise programs. Recreational swimming is offered at both Milpitas Sports Center and Milpitas High School during the summer months. Pools are fully supervised by lifeguards. The fee a $2.00 is charged to all entering on the pool deck. Children ages 7 years and under are required to be accompanied by an adult, 18 years or older. Infants and toddlers must wear specialized swim diapers. For more information, call the Milpitas Sports Center at 408-586-3225.

Milpitas High School Swim Team Results
The Milpitas High School Swim team is part of the California Central Coast Division.

Milpitas Aquatic Club
Offers swimming lessons from beginners to advanced, and has a competitive swim team, too. Offers diving and water polo. Meets at the Milpitas High School Swimming Pool.

Private Clubs with Swimming Pools

24 Hour Fitness Mipitas Super-Sport Gym
Indoor lap pool, sauna, hot tub, and steam room. Primarily for adults.
719 E. Calaveras Blvd.
408-856-1961

Milpitas Star Aquatics and Fitness
With convenient freeway access from neighboring cities, the new aquatic and fitness center offers indoor swimming lessons, competitive swimming, lap swimming, summer camps, steam and sauna, cardio machines, weight training machines, free weights, aerobics, yoga classes, and much more.
1818 Clear Lake Ave.
408-800-8838

Milpitas Yosemite Cabana Club Pool
This is a Membership only, neighborhood pool located on Yosemite just east of N. Park Victoria. Permanent members pay a one-time fee to join and annual dues of $300. Seasonal members pay annual dues of $350. Access to the pool is 365 days/year from 5 am to 11 pm; however, it is only heated from May until September. Members have access to BBQ’s, picnic areas, lounge chairs, diving board, bathrooms and can schedule parties. Lifeguards on duty during the summer. Swim lessons offered (members get a reduced rate). Contact pool at 408-MY7-POOL (408-697-7665) to get current rates and information.

Northwood Park Improvement Association No 2
Closed for now. Although the pool was originally built to meet the recreational needs of the 201 homes surrounding the facility, Pool #2 now offers a limited number of memberships to families outside of the Northwood Park development. 2094 Morrill Ave., San Jose, CA 95132(Across from the Target Shopping Center at Morrill and Landess, near Milpitas, CA)

Milpitas Pool Laws and Regulations

Swimming Pool & Spa Safety Requirements Certificate
Conditional to receiving a permit listed above for construction of a new swimming pool or spa, or for the remodeling of an existing pool or spa, at the location listed above, I (the property owner) agree to install the enclosures and safety devices required by the 2013 California Building Code, Section 3109.4.4. Permit information.

V-9-3.08 Swimming, Wading or Bathing
It shall be unlawful for any person to do any of the following acts within any park in the City of Milpitas, except in areas specifically designated therefor, and in accordance with posted regulations therefor. Swimming, wading or bathing in any stream, lake, pond, lagoon or pool, except in areas specifically designated therefor.

Meeting Halls for Events in Milpitas

Whether you need a meeting hall for business, a wedding, or large event, there are halls to rent in Milpitas! Unfortunately, Milpitas has no convention center. When you’re planning an event on a short timeline, you don’t have the luxury of thoroughly vetting meeting halls, let alone taking the time to find and select the right venue. GoMilpitas “Meeting Halls” is a directory featuring halls, community centers, venues and halls for hire | Advertise your hall to your local community for free.

Other Possible Large Halls

Hotels
The larger hotels have rooms for fairly large gatherings.

City Park Picnic Areas
Reservations must be made in-person at the Milpitas Community Center, located at 457 E. Calaveras Blvd.

Milpitas Unified School District Facility Rental
In partnering with Facilitron, Milpitas Unified School District has launched custom facility use sites for the district and each school – allowing facility use requests to be submitted at any time. You can view and request all district facilities here. Milpitas Unified School District’s administrative staff will make final decisions on all facility use requests.

Restaurants
The larger ones often have private dining rooms, and the smaller ones may be willing to close down for your event only.

Gardens in Milpitas

In spite of our “adobe brick” soil, we manage to have quite lovely gardens in Milpitas. Many are giving up manicured lawns for drought-tolerant and California Bay Area native plant landscaping. Plants are selected to attract hummingbirds and butterflies common to our area to our gardens.

Beautification of Local Gardens

Heritage Tree Program
Recognize and protect individual trees or groves of trees. Includes photos of significant and historic trees in Milpitas’ gardens.

Neighborhood Beautification Ordinance
The Neighborhood Beautification Ordinance was adopted to enhance the quality and appearance of our community. It requires a minimum level of upkeep for properties and prevents activities that detract from a residential atmosphere.

Our City Forest
Free trees for front yard gardens or public pathways. All you have to do is call either 408-998-7337 or City Hall at 408-586-2600.

Santa Clara Valley Water District Landscape Rebate Program Qualifying Plant List
Customers are required to select plants from the following plant list in order to meet the minimum 50% plant coverage requirement for the Landscape Rebate Program.

Borrow or Rent Tools

Lend-A-Tool Shed
Milpitas residents, businesses, property owners and community groups may borrow these tools free of charge! No power tools. While fire station is being rebuilt, the Lend-A-Tool Shed is not available.

Climate

SF Bay A Subtropical Area?
Does anyone know if the San Francisco Bay Area can support tropical plants outdoors? I’m wondering, as I see tropical hibiscus planted outdoors while my gardening books say they aren’t hardy in this area.

Plant Map for Milpitas
Zip code 95035, Milpitas CA is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b: 25F to 30F. Using updated climate data through 2010, 95035 is in the Plant maps Hardiness Zone 9a: 20F to 25F. The average first frost in 95035 is between December 11 – 20, while the average last frost occurs between February 1 – 10. 95035 rarely has days where the temperature exceeds 86°F. The average annual high temperature in 95035 is 71°F and the average annual low temperature is 48°F. The average high temperature in July (Summer) is 84°F, while the average high temperature in January (Winter) is 57°F.

Climate Zones Milpitas
ZONE 17: Marine effects in Southern Oregon, Northern and Central California
The climate in this zone features mild, wet, almost frostless winters and cool summers with frequent fog or wind. On most days and in most places, the fog tends to come in high and fast, creating a cooling and humidifying blanket between the sun and the earth, reducing the intensity of the light and sunshine. Some heat-loving plants (citrus, hibiscus, gardenia) don’t get enough heat to fruit or flower reliably. In a 20-year period, the lowest winter temperatures in Zone 17 ranged from 36 to 23°F (2 to ?5°C). The lowest temperatures on record range from 30 to 20°F (?1 to ?7°C).Of further interest in this heat-starved climate are the highs of summer, normally in the 60 to 75°F (16 to 24°C) range. The average highest temperature in Zone 17 is only 97°F (36°C). In all the other adjacent climate zones, average highest temperatures are in the 104 to 116°F (40 to 47°C) range.

Native Plants and Gardening

California Native Plant Society, Silicon Valley
A non-profit organization dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of California’s native plants and how to conserve them and their natural habitats through education, science, advocacy, horticulture, and land stewardship.

CalScape
83 likely and confirmed host plants for butterflies and moths native to Milpitas, CA. Enter your specific address to refine this list of native plants to lure butterflies and moths, and the birds that feed off them, to your garden.

Urban Ecological Ecological Planning Guide
Like most cities, the urbanized region of Santa Clara Valley is a challenging place for plants and animals to make a home. Largely covered with pavement, crisscrossed by major freeways, and fragmented by a variety of land uses, the urban landscape creates barriers to the movement of wildlife and hostile environments for plants. While a small set of species tolerant of cities (such as pigeons and raccoons) can tolerate these difficult conditions, our cities have the potential to support much greater biodiversity. Urban greening projects are already occurring piecemeal across urban landscapes. Harnessing this momentum can help these efforts build greater benefits for biodiversity and for people

Composting

Composting Education Program
The UCCE CEP is a partnership with the Cities and County of Santa Clara that seeks to educate our community about composting. In addition to a Master Composter training course, the UCCE CEP offers Community Classes throughout the county as well as technical resources. Home composting bins will be available for purchase at each workshop. 2022 Workshop Dates Coming Soon
408-918-4640 to register for a class.

Guide to Home Composting
The work upon which this information is based was performed pursuant to a contract with the County of Santa Clara. Composting is a practical and convenient way to handle yard trimmings. It’s easy to do, keeps useful materials from being disposed in landfills, and compost improves soil and benefits plants growing in it.

SCC Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency
Provides backyard composting classes during gardening months at locations around the valley, but no longer in Milpitas.

Field Trips

Mornings at Martial Cottle Park
Three different free garden field trips to schools, homeschoolers, and other groups throughout Santa Clara County. Age group is 1st through 5th graders. UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County have created an engaging set of nutrition and science lessons for students to experience in the garden.

Field Trip 1: Lessons in the Garden (~3 hours)
Field Trip 2: Composting for Children (~2 hours)
Field Trip 3: Native Bees in Our Backyard (~2 hours)

Martial Cottle Park, 5283 Snell Ave, San Jose, CA 95136.
408-535-4060

Garden Art and Sculptures

Flamingos are out. Dinosaurs are in.

Landscape Assistance

Call 811 Before You Dig!
Underground Service Alert (USA) is a free service for homeowners, excavators and professional contractors who are digging, blasting, trenching, drilling, grading, or excavating.

Kim Parker Plants, Inc.
Our office plants, plant rentals, plant sales and plant maintenance guarantees the best design, plants and services at competitive rates supported by superior customer service and technical expertise.
430 Evans Rd.
(408) 262-8989

We Start Gardens
We provide a specialized backyard edible landscaping service. Thats right. All edible We strive to go beyond organic and provide our customers with the knowledge and tools they need to sustain themselves and protect the earth for the next 7 generations.
339 Timber Way
408-915-6861

Nurseries

The Best 10 Nurseries & Gardening near Milpitas
Yelp reviews, but you’ll have to drive out of Milpitas to get the best plants. True, Home Depot has some plants, and often you can get a small selection outside some grocery stores, if you top quality plants, you are going to have to drive.

Organizations

California Garden & Landscape History Society
CG&LHS is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the celebration of the beauty, wealth, and diversity of California gardens and landscapes.

California Native Plant Society
This is a group for fun plant conversations, plant ID, and sharing of information and photos. We welcome everyone who has interest in topics related to native plants of California, from the greenest novice to the career professional.

Green Thumbs Garden Club
Members meet in the Police Station’s Community Room at 7 PM. Review does not accurately reflect meeting dates. Occasionally there are speakers at the meetings who present new ideas about growing flowers or even vegetables. Members are all very helpful to one another, so if you just cannot get that special plant to grow, try asking the Green Thumbs for some useful advice.

Gardening with Natives
A special interest group of the California Native Plant Society’s local Chapter which meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7p in the Community Library. The group is open to all, and includes a mix of seasoned native plant gardeners as well as beginners. Social media: YouTube, Facebook, Meetup, and Twitter.

Local (Milpitas) Home Gardeners Club 2018
This is a community based home gardening club begun to provide education, share pointers, trade and exchange, and overall support each other in building productive and healthy home gardens.

Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County
Scientific and educational purposes: promotes horticultural education and service to the community and provides continuing horticulture enrichment for members.

Pests

Creepy Calling
Milpitas-based interior landscaper Parker buys “good bugs”–like ladybugs and wasps without stingers–and brings them into buildings.

Less Toxic Insecticides
Other products—often called less toxic pesticides—cause few injuries to people and organisms other than the target pest. The less toxic insecticides listed on this page should be a first choice when deciding to use pesticides to control insects.

New quarantine zones are added for light brown apple moth
By Holly Hayes, Mercury News, 3/17/09
More Santa Clara County gardeners will find themselves in a quarantine zone following two new discoveries of the invasive agricultural pest known as the light brown apple moth. The new boundary, set by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, includes an additional 64 square miles in the Milpitas area. County agriculture officials are reminding home gardeners who live inside the quarantine area that anything grown inside the zone may not be removed from the property – not even to share with a neighbor.

Pests & Control
A GO MILPITAS RESOURCE
Got something bugging you? Advice on everything from mosquitoes to deer.

Planting Guides

Sunset: Grow the Perfect Tomato
Tips for growing and caring for tomato plants, plus Sunset Magazine’s favorite recipes come harvest time.

Go Native Garden Tour
Not only information about the tour, but also lots of information about native plant growing, and seed and cutting exchanges in the SF Bay Area.

Growing In A Drought: The Best Plants That Thrive With Little Water
All plants need water to survive. However, like plants that require more water, some plants grow in a lack of water. They are the best drought tolerant plants and can live without water for a long time.

Lemon Tree Growing
Meyer lemons grow well in our soil and climate. Here’s information n how to make yours thrive and ideas for what to do with your backyard crop.

Rose Care in Santa Clara County
The old idea that roses should be cut down to a few canes only 8-10 inches tall does not apply in our climate. If your rose is in its first year in the ground, it will need very little pruning.

Sunset: Garden Basics
Learn how to start your own home garden with our expert gardening tips.

Museums In and Near Milpitas

I’m not counting the “collection” in our garage, no I’m not! As some of you know, we homeschooled our son. So I’m going to talk about our favorite “field trips” in the area. I’m going to focus on museums for children and the young at heart.

Plans for Milpitas History Museum

Milpitas is the only large city in Santa Clara County without a museum.

Locating a museum next door to the Milpitas Public Library and Municipal Parking Garage is ideal and must be preserved.

The Children’s Discovery Museum

We were members for years when Scott was younger, going to the BIG PURPLE BUILDING where they “let you play in the street” almost once a month. Well, the “street motif” is gone, but the newer design provides room for more hands-on exhibits. The Children’s Discovery Museum is easily reached by the Light Rail, stopping right in front of the building. Getting there by train doubles the fun. The museum is located on Woz Way, named after Apple Computer’s inventor, Steve Wozniak, who was the prime benefactor for the museum. The museum is supported by individual and corporate members.

Children are encouraged to get right in exhibits and think and play with the concepts. Interactive workshops are scheduled for Sunday afternoons.

180 Woz WaySan Jose, CA 95110

Contact the Children’s Discovery Museum for more information. Their phone number is 408-298-5437.

Children’s Natural History Museum

Irvington Fossils. This fossil collection was excavated in the 1940’s-60’s in a quarry located in the Irvington area of Fremont by a group of young boys. The collection of fossils included mammoths, sabertooth cats, giant cave bears, dire wolves, camels, western horses, sloths, and pronghorn antelopes.

4074 Eggers Dr.Fremont, CA 94536
510-790-6284

Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum

Best time to visit is Saturday evenings when they show a double feature of classic silent movies. The town of Niles was the Hollywood of the silent movie era, and movies by Charlie Chaplin and Broncho Billy were made in the area. Tours of the town to see the old film day buildings are also available. The whole area is considered historic. You can also ride a train up the Niles Canyon, once scenery for cowboy movies. Things To Do In Niles.

We offer weekday tours and activities for school groups that will fill their day of fun in Niles.

NESFM Tour offers:

A viewing of one or two silent films made in Niles by Broncho Billy and Charlie Chaplin
A brief talk on early film making history and Niles role in it.
A tour of the Edison Theatre c1913, Museum exhibits and the original tin lined projection booth.
A “Zoetrope”, (moving pictures) workshop where the students get to make their own moving picture strip.
A guided walking tour of the historic Niles district with our local historian / docents.

The Tech

Now the Scott’s a teenager, The Tech Museum of Science & Innovation is by far the coolest museum in Silicon Valley. Upon entering, he makes a beeline for the submersible robots on the bottom floor.

Second Sunday each month is free admission.

We also like to see whatever movie is playing at the IMAX theater.

If you can’t make it to The Tech today, visit their online exhibits and mess around with science for a bit.

The Tech has STEAM activities for home education.

The Tech Interactive
201 S. Market St.
San Jose, CA 95113

The Intel Museum

At the Intel Museum in Santa Clara, you can experience the power of computer chips first hand, and the evolution of their development. Explore the pages of the site and interact with our Web movies to learn more about the museum and computer chips.

Intel Corporation’s Robert Noyce Building, Main Lobby
2200 Mission College Boulevard
Santa Clara, California
95052-8119
408-765-0503</a>

The Computer History Museum

Spend a day at the Computer History Museum. Find out why computer history is 2000 years old. Learn about computer history´s game-changers in our multimedia exhibitions. Play a game of Pong or Spacewar! Listen to computer pioneers tell their story from their own perspective. Discover the roots of today´s Internet and mobile devices. See over 1,100 historic artifacts, including some of the very first computers from the 1940s and 1950s.
1401 N. Shoreline Blvd
Mountain View, CA 94043
650-810-1010

Happy Hollow Park and Zoo

An affordable, sustainable, conservation-centered outdoor adventure for families with children.

Come play with us! The education department at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo encourages children of all ages to embrace their wild side. Join us as we explore our natural world and make new friends!

In the 1950’s, people from all over the USA fell in love with Disneyland, and wanted some place like Disneyland in their home town. Jaycees, Alden Campen and Ernie Renzel (former Mayor of San Jose) took this dream to heart, and following Oakland’s lead (the creation of Oakland’s Fairyland), approached City “fathers” in 1956 with the idea of developing a children’s park on property owned and for sale by the Kelley Family.

Beginning the week of Oct. 4, 2021, Happy Hollow’s new operating hours will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This schedule will continue through the fall and will be reevaluated as we approach the winter holidays.

Parking Lot at 748 Story Road, San Jose.

San Jose Historical Museum

When you’ve completed your stay at the park and zoo, take the little train over to the San Jose Historical Museum, which is more of a city than a “museum.” I think all the historic buildings in the area are hauled here, renovated, and then opened to visitors. Children will like the horse drawn trolley rides and O’Brian’s Candy Store. The dentist office will help them appreciate their dentist even more!

1650 Senter Road
San José, CA 95112
Phone: 408-287-2290

Egyptian Museum

A four year old once told me he didn’t believe in mummies, so I took him along with us to the Egyptian Museum. Maybe ghosts are debatable, but mummies are in abundance here! The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, architecturally inspired by the Temple of Amon at Karnak, houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts on exhibit in the western United States — including objects from pre dynastic times through Egypt’s early Islamic era.

Planetarium: Journey to the Stars 2:00 pm every day
Tomb Tours: Wed – Sun
1660 Park Avenue
San Jose, CA 95126

Winchester Mystery House

No feature about area museums would be complete without a note about our most famous tourist trap/historical house. You are kept waiting for the next tour in the gift shop, so it’s a bit hard not to spend more than you intended.

Not many remember, but the Winchesters not only invented rifles but also roller skates! One section of the store is dedicated to a “museum” of the inventions of Mr. Winchester. If you stick to this end of the premise before the house tour, you’ll have a much less expensive stay.

The mansion was continuously under construction for the life of its owner, Sarah Winchester. I’ll let the link tell the story. What is myth and what is fact is frequently debated locally. It’s an especially spooky place to visit in October and open all night on Halloween.

Directions:
525 S Winchester Blvd.
San Jose, CA 95128