Patch Picks: Staycations for Spring Break

Patch Picks is a weekly feature highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more.

You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date-night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more.

Staycations for Spring Break: Sometimes it’s fun to vacation in your own town, especially when you’re close to so many great attractions and activities—such as we are in Campbell! Why not save on gas, air fare or hotel rooms and enjoy what’s in our own backyard? Play tourist during spring break by checking out these five great staycations.

This is a fun excursion for the entire family. Enter Dolphin Pet Village, and you’ll find yourself in the midst of a mélange of wildlife. You and the kids can see tarantulas, colorful frogs, giant centipedes and all sorts of fresh and salt water fish. Hold a soft bunny, play with a hamster or guinea pig, watch the baby parrots being hand fed. This pet store has it all. And once you’ve had your fill of critters and creatures, head to nearby for lunch or dinner. This restaurant features a kids menu as well as pasta, salads, fish, steaks and other delicious items for mom and dad.

Get out your walking shoes, bikes and skates and enjoy a day along the Los Gatos Creek Trail. This is an easy, scenic trail that all ages will be able to handle. The portion that winds through Campbell includes a three-mile paved walkway and a two-mile course with fitness equipment. The trail follows a creek and passes Vasona Lake Park and the percolation ponds. Bring a day pack with water and sandwiches, and take a break watching the ducks, snowy egrets and other wildlife while munching on your snacks. There’s also a pond for practicing your fly-fishing, and fishing is allowed in the ponds—be sure you have a fishing license.

Always a popular destination for spring break, Great America has a Bring-A-Friend discount. If you have a season, gold or platinum pass, you can bring a friend for $20 on April 13-15, 20-22, and 27-29. Great America has rides to make anyone in the family happy, from thrill seekers to tiny tykes. Kidsville is a “town” where parents and children can have fun on rides together. The theme park also has plenty of dining choices such as pizza, '50s-style diner, a sports bar and an Outback Shack.

We’re lucky to have quite a few public parks in Campbell, and spring break is a great time to take advantage of them. Pack up a cooler with drinks and lunch or dinner supplies—many of the parks have barbecue and picnic facilities. Gather up the family and friends, and head out for a day of sun and fun. , the largest and most popular, has 32 acres where you can enjoy your picnic as well as baseball, soccer, volleyball, tennis and horseshoes. Check out the city’s website for information on all Campbell’s parks.

Head over the hill to this Santa Cruz classic amusement park where admission is always free. Enjoy the rides, including the ultimate rollercoaster—the Giant Dipper. Rides start operating daily on April 9, and a special spring break celebration happens April 20-22 with live concerts, celebrity appearances and beach competitions. The sand and water are just steps from the Boardwalk as well as the Santa Cruz Wharf where you can see the sea lions and chow down on some clam chowder.