Galileo Summer Quest Time Is Here Again

Summer is coming! While my daughter and I both look forward to a break from our homeschool schedule, that also means we have to figure out something else so my daughter’s brain doesn’t melt. Know what I mean?

I’m so excited to share that she will, again, be attending Galileo Summer Quest this year! If you recall, that is the specially designed program for kids entering 5th through 8th grades. My daughter will still be going to the Hillsborough, CA location but there are some changes this time around. The most significant is that each session is only one week long versus two. Instead of participating in two minor subjects, campers can focus all their attention on just one major. I think this is a great idea!

San Francisco Zoo, San Francisco

1 Zoo Road, San Francisco, CA 94132

Good for: Everyone
Price Range: $15/adult, $9/child, $12/senior (discounted rate for San Francisco residents)
Features: Mini train, talking storybooks using zoo key

San Francisco Zoo is a surprisingly nice zoo. It’s clean, set up well, and has a great selection of wildlife. Make sure you purchase a zoo key (it’s only $3 and can be used every visit) to make use of the storybooks and, in addition to being a nice souvenir, the kids love it! You can also take a ride on the Little Puffer Steam Train but, at the time of writing this review, the official web site says it’s closed for annual maintenance.

San Francisco Zoo in San Francisco California San Francisco Zoo in San Francisco California San Francisco Zoo in San Francisco California

Angel Island State Park, San Francisco Bay

Angel Island, Tiburon, CA

Good for: Everyone
Price: $12-17 for ferry which includes park admission, $50 for tram tour
Features: Scenic views, local history

For a different kind of day trip, you might want to hop on the ferry from Oakland/Alameda, Tiburon, or San Francisco to Angel Island. This state park sits in the middle of the San Francisco Bay and is rich with history from many different time periods.

Angel Island State Park in the San Francisco Bay

La Petite Baleen, San Bruno

434 San Mateo Avenue, San Bruno, CA 94066 (2 other locations)

Good for: 2 months old to adult
Price: Varies but about $80-90/mo.
Features: Clean facility, qualified instructors

My first impression was that this was a very odd location for a swim school. Some of our friends spoke highly of La Petite Baleen Swim Schools but they went to the Half Moon Bay location. That was too far for me to drive so when I saw a Groupon deal for one month half-off at the San Bruno school I went for it. That was the best group-buying deal we have bought to date.

La Petite Baleen swimming school in San Bruno, CA

Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos

601 Skyway Road, San Carlos, CA 94070

Good for: Half-trip, families, field trips
Price: $7/child, $11/adult, children 4 and under are FREE

Hiller Aviation Museum is one of those places that you often pass by but rarely know what it is. We had a chance to visit here during an organized homeschool group and I’m so glad we did. From the moment you walk in your see various exhibits of methods of flight from all different time periods. This is just a quick prelude to the collection stored here and a very nice one as well as the main hall is filled with a flood of natural light.

Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos CaliforniaHiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos California