Keeping
Cool
By Ann Zeise
Got a letter from one of our faithful readers suggesting I
hurry up and get a feature up on how to keep cool in or near
Milpitas before the next heat wave hit. Suggestions here will
range from where to take a plunge to cooking cool. I
welcome suggestions for additions to this page at any time.
A reminder: in hot weather check on elderly or infirm relatives
and neighbors. My mother's air conditioning failed, and she almost
couldn't think clearly enough to get herself to a cool, safe
spot.
If you have screened windows, let the cold air in at night,
then in the morning, close all windows and drapes to trap the
cold air inside. An attic fan (From Home Depot for about $75)
can do wonders by evacuating hot air out from between your ceiling
and roof.
Let's start with the obvious cool spots:
Public Swimming Pools
Sign
up for Summer Swim Lessons
Recreational
Swimming
Milpitas Sport Center
Two large and one "baby" pool provide a variety of
water fitness and exercise programs. Recreational swimming is
offered at both Milpitas Sports Center and Milpitas High School
during the summer months. Pools are fully supervised by lifeguards.
The fee a $2.00 is charged to all entering on the pool deck.
Children ages 7 years and under are required to be accompanied
by an adult, 18 years or older. Infants and toddlers must wear
specialized swim diapers. Order to right.
Admission for swimming or admission to the pool deck in the above pool is usually $2.00 per person (unless it is
free swim.) For more information, call the Milpitas Sports Center
at 408-586-3225.
Private Clubs with Swimming Pools
Milpitas
Yosemite Cabana Club Pool
This is a Membership only, neighborhood pool located on Yosemite
just east of N. Park Victoria. Permanent members pay a one-time
fee to join and annual dues of $300. Seasonal members
pay annual dues of $350. Access to the pool is 365 days/year
from 5 am to 11 pm; however, it is only heated from May until
September. Members have access to BBQ's, picnic areas, lounge
chairs, diving board, bathrooms and can schedule parties. Lifeguards
on duty during the summer. Swim lessons offered (members get
a reduced rate). Contact pool at or MY7-POOL (697-7665) to get current rates
and information.
Northwood Park Improvement
Association No 2
Although the pool was originally built to meet the recreational
needs of the 201 homes surrounding the facility, Pool #2 now
offers a limited number of memberships to families outside of
the Northwood Park development. 2094 Morrill Ave., San Jose,
CA 95132(Across from the Target Shopping Center at Morrill
and Landess, near Milpitas, CA)
Hotels with Large Pools
Get Wet at Paramont's Great America
Great America
is always a fun place to visit. To avoid the crowds, try mid-week
mornings when the park first opens at 10:00 a.m. Season
and day
passes can be purchased online, but there is a surcharge
that you won't pay if you are willing to wait in line. Check
the prices
here in advance. Do note that parking is on top of entrance
fees. The Commonwealth Credit Union offers discount tickets.
Buy before Saturday, as they are closed on weekends.
Boomerang
Bay!
G'Day Mate! Paramount 's Great America "down-under"
addition to Australian-themed Crocodile Dundee's Boomerang
Bay , promising to give guests triple
the "splashin' good time" with the area's longest lazy
river, a mammoth heated lagoon, new changing facilities and two
new body water slides!
Water Slide Thrills
Raging Waters/Splashdown
With over 23-acres of slides and attractions, at Raging Waters,
San Jose there's more than enough excitement to satisfy thrill
seekers of all ages. Raging Waters is full of wild rides and
great times. It's family friendly with fun as far as the eye
can see. No doubt about it Raging Waters is bigger than summer!
Go to the Coast
Drive
up the Coast
Let the ocean breezes cool you down as you drive up the coast
from Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay.
Drive
to Big Sur
The spectacular beauty of the rocky coast, the mountains and
forests attract visitors for sightseeing and scenic driving.
Northern
California Coastal Beaches
Lovely beach photos and commentary, though they don't tell anyone
exactly where the beaches are or how to get to them. Keeps the
best a local secret.
Santa Cruz Beach
Boardwalk
The Boardwalk is now open daily through Labor Day, September
4. Passes
may also be ordered online.
Roaring Camp &
Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad
Take a open car train ride through giant redwoods, stop for a
picnic and catch the next train back. Take a train to the Santa
Cruz Boardwalk. Participate in historical reenactments. Located
in Felton.
Hang out in a Park
City Parks
A GoMilpitas resource page showing which parks have sport facilities,
BBQ & picnic tables, restrooms, etc. Click on links to get
maps and directions.
City
Recreation Services
Offerings updated seasonally. Page includes listing of recreation
facilities, office hours, and days closed.
Ed
Levin County Park
Spend a summer day feeding ducks, picnicing, hiking, riding your
horse or bicycle in this lovely park overlooking Milpitas.
Go Fishing
Yes, youths 15 and younger can fish at Sandy Wool Lake (or anywhere
in California) without a license. In the summer the lake is stocked
with catfish.
Regional Parks
Start with your favorite activity, from archery to water skiing,
and you can find a Regional Park where you can do it from this
site. Other ways of searching, too.
Creek Hiking
Big Basin Redwoods State
Park
Walk in creeks through this lovely, dense redwood forest in Boulder
Creek. Remember to get and pay for a parking pass first at the
Ranger's headquarters.
Coyote
Watershed
Lots of small creeks come down from the east hills. The one parallel
to Calaveras Road as it heads up into the hills is hikable. Might
be poison oak, though, so wear long pants and long-sleeved shirt.
The builder at Piedmont Rd has made a rather pretty artificial
stream complete with waterfall. I'm not sure if the general public
will be allowed to get into the water there or not. Again, don't
drink the water. It comes from the duck ponds and horse ranches
in the hills.
Guide
to San Francisco Bay Area Creeks
In the old days, every neighborhood had a creek; the secret is
they still do....
Penitencia
Creek
Lined with big-leaf maple white alder, and western sycamore.
Wild honey-suckle vines, the arroyo and red willow add to its
lush plant life. The creek is shallow and slow in Alum Rock Park,
so it is a nice place for small children to cool off. Do not
let them drink the creek water, however.
Eat Ice Cream, Drink Smoothies
Cold Stone
Creamery
Create your own happiness. In the Great Mall. Beautifully designed
site. Fun intro and ice cream store motif for navigation make
this a must-see link.
Jamba Juice
We've gotten hooked on these caloric but healthful fruit and
sherbert-based shakes. With "extra fiber" one can make
even a weight watcher lunch! Located in McCarthy
Ranch and Town Center.
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