These Hidden Gems, or little-known locations, were voted the Bay Area’s 2021 Best of the Best by Bay Area Parent readers. Read the full list of winners here.
San Francisco & Marin
Gold: Music Time With Megan. Megan Schoenbohm teaches interactive family music classes throughout the Bay Area and has made award-winning children’s albums. 330-353-5656. musictimewithmegan.com.
Silver: Lands End Trail. The Visitor Center is at Point Lobos and El Camino del Mar in San Francisco. 415-426-5240. nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/landsend.htm.
Bronze: Glen Canyon Park. Elk and Chenery streets, San Francisco. 415-254-8014. sfrecpark.org.  
Silicon Valley
Gold: Hidden Villa. This educational nonprofit stretches over 1,600 acres of open space. Visitors participate in programs and explore the organic farm and gardens, greet farm animals and hike beautiful trails. 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills. 650-949-8650. hiddenvilla.org.
Silver: Willow Glen Children’s Theatre. 2175 Lincoln Ave., San Jose. 408-448-6400. wgct.org.
Bronze: History San Jose. Kelley Park, San Jose. Mailing address: 1650 Senter Road, San Jose. 408-287-2290. historysanjose.org.
East Bay
Gold: Bumblebee Playspace. This more than 3,000-square-foot indoor playspace is designed for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. 35500 Dumbarton Court, Newark. 510-894-0442. bumblebeeplayspace.com.
Silver: Chabot Space & Science Center. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. 510-336-7300. chabotspace.org.
Bronze: Children’s Fairyland. 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. 510-452-2259. fairyland.org. 
Peninsula
Gold: San Carlos Children’s Theater. This youth theater group offers quality theater productions performed by children ages 5 to 18. Multiple locations in San Carlos. 650-594-2730. sancarloschildrenstheater.com.
Silver: Filoli. 86 Cañada Road, Woodside. 650-364-8300. filoli.org. 
Bronze: Lemos Farm. 12320 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay. 650-726-2342. lemosfarm.com.