YSI welcomes you to visit our newly renovated Nature Center at Vasona Lake County Park! We invite you to enjoy the many interactive displays such as the watershed wall which displays the riparian ecosystem of plants and animals, discovery drawers to open and interact with, interactive lake and creek habitat activities, science and nature books for children to enjoy, and the "play in the park" area for children to do fun things such as build a picnic out of food shaped toys. You can also see the live YSI animal ambassadors who support our educational programs!

YSI Nature Center - Alum Rock Park

Hours: Wednesday - Friday 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Getting There: Navigate to the Alum Rock Park Entrence
15350 Penitencia Creek Rd, San Jose CA 95127
Proceed through the park to the YSI Nature Center
16260 Penitencia Creek Rd, San Jose CA 95127
Email: alumrock@ysi-ca.org
Phone: (408) 258-4322

Explore the enchanting world of wildlife at the Youth Science Institute's Nature Center, located in the picturesque Alum Rock Park. Our center is open to the public free of charge and features the exquisite Holme's taxidermy bird collection along with diverse native taxidermy displays, offering a unique glimpse into the local ecosystem. Visitors can observe our live animal ambassadors up close, enriching the educational experience and fostering appreciation for conservation. This setting not only allows guests to enjoy the natural beauty and richness of Alum Rock Park but also provides a memorable exploration of nature for visitors of all ages.