It's huge, with tons of activities to do the whole day. Not one minute will you be lull. A place that gives value for money. Definitely making more trips here!
Where: Happy Hollow | 4501 Pleasanton Ave. · Pleasanton · CA 94566
Open: Monday through Sunday | 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM | Check today's activities
Visited: Saturday, November 9, 2019 | 11:00 PM to 05:00 PM
Website: https://happyhollow.org/
Tickets: Buy online
"Bang for your buck" place.
We went for a birthday celebration to Happy hollow. I had heard a lot about this place and it was on my to-do list so I was excited to go.
I think this is the most "bang for your buck" place I have ever taken my child to. It costs only $14/person, in return you get a zoo, play zones, rides and puppet theater. That's a lot of things to cover.
My recommendation is spend the whole day here 10:00 AM - to 5:00 PM, if you really want to milk your money. As per age I feel a 2.5 year+ old child will be able to enjoy this more. I say this because the zoo has smaller animals, the rides are mostly all 36 inches minimum height, play zones too need older child abilities to climb, slide, crawl in-out etc.
#1 Zoo
There are 2 zoo's to be precise. One is called "Zoo on the hill" and the other is "Zoo in the hollow". I feel the zoo is very average, Oakland and San Francisco has vider variety and larger animals which is easier to spot for a baby under 24 months of age. The animals here are mostly on the smaller side except for a couple. Listing out the animals in each zoo.
Zoo on the hill has:-
Wildlife: corn snake, red ruffed lemur, giant anteaters
Bird: Eclectus parrots
Domestic/farm animals: Chicken, dwarf zebu, guinea pig, navajo churro sheep, pygmy goat
Zoo in the hollow has:
Wildlife: American alligator, african spurred tortoise, black-and-white ruffed lemur, capuchin monkey, capybara, collared peccary, fennec fox, fossa, jaguar, meerkat, parma wallaby, red panda, ring-tailed lemur
Birds: Black-necked stilt, blue and gold macaw, cattle egret, crested wood partridge, scarlet macaw, speckled pigeon, turkey vulture
Bugs: European honeybees
#2 Play zones
Play zones are scattered across the park. This is the list of play areas: Crooked house, dino dig, leaping lemur trail, redwood lookout, miner’s maze. I think chose one and enjoy it to the fullest. It can easily keep a child entertained for more than 2 hours straight. They are mostly nature themed. I recently read play areas facilitate development of motor skills, muscle coordination, balance, confidence and the obvious physical fitness. Who does not love watching your Bubu run, jump, slide, crawl, climb, and maybe be a child along with them for a change.
#3 Rides
The rides here are cute family-friendly, they provide something for everyone. You can enjoy some of the most vintage rides as there are few rides that are as old as the park. For example the iconic Danny the Dragon train ride has been there since the park opened its doors in 1961. In 1964, mini putt-putt car ride and the little Merry- Go- Round were moved from Alum Rock Park to Happy Hollow. Listing the rides as per height requirement.
Any height: Mini putt-putt, granny bugs,
Any height with adult escort: Keep-around carousel, danny the dragon
36" minimum: Frog hopper, kiddie swings,
40" minimum: Pacific fruit express,
48" minimum: Dragon flyers
#4 Puppet show
Happy Hollow has California’s oldest puppet theaters, featuring classic fairy tales as well as new original shows. The puppets and sets are created by Happy Hollow puppeteers.
You can also enroll in theater camp if your Bubu is 6+ years old. They teach puppetry and acting here.
Danny the Dragon is Happy Hollow's mascot and you may see him strolling if you plan to visit the park on the weekends.
We had a blast. Bubu was lost in this magical place, he definitely didn't want to leave. We ended up staying until the park closed. We will be definitely going back, on a sunny warm day.
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