rock climbing – Suburban Nature Explorations

Climbing Wall: Val Vista Park, Pleasanton

Kids love to climb! The climbing wall at Val Vista Park in Pleasanton is one of the best free outdoor structures in the region. For others in the San Francisco East Bay, along the 680 corridor… Outdoor Climbing Walls.

Silent Saturday: Trail Through Time, Rock City, Mount Diablo

Photos from a hike in Mount Diablo State Park earlier this week with my Nature Time playgroup. We hiked a section of the Trail Through Time, from the Rock City parking lot to (and up) Sentinel Rock, allowing the kids to climb and play on and in the limestone rock structures and caves as muchContinue reading “Silent Saturday: Trail Through Time, Rock City, Mount Diablo”

Scrambling: Fun on the Rocks

I wish more city parks had rock structures like these for kids to scramble on. The following photos were taken earlier this week at Emerald Glen Park in Dublin, California. The boulders challenge kids in a way the regular play structures don’t. In order to climb these rocks, children have to use their minds toContinue reading “Scrambling: Fun on the Rocks”

Climbing the Wall…

An awesome way to burn some kid energy is to head out for some rock climbing… park style. For a list of our favorite parks in the San Francisco East Bay with fun rock wall features, see my post… Outdoor Climbing Walls. Photos taken at Val Vista Park, Pleasanton.

Too hot? Too rainy? Head to the Rock Gym!

Looking for nature-oriented indoor fun to do on a too-hot or a rainy day? Try the local rock climbing gym! We started taking our son when he was four. It’s a great way to burn some energy, strengthen that upper body, and let the kids go crazy climbing in a safe environment. My sonContinue reading “Too hot? Too rainy? Head to the Rock Gym!”

Outdoor Climbing Walls

Climbing has become a new passion for my son in recent weeks. I signed him up for some classes at a local climbing gym this month, and, with only three lessons so far, I’m surprised at how much his climbing has improved. He would be ecstatic if we could go to the gym every day,Continue reading “Outdoor Climbing Walls”

Rock Climbing: At the Park

When we feel the need for a touch of Yosemite, but can’t get away for the weekend, we head, believe it or not, to our local park. Emerald Glen Park in Dublin has a great faux granite rock climbing area. Check out this picture. Doesn’t it look like the Sierras? Kids seem to especially enjoyContinue reading “Rock Climbing: At the Park”