Environmental based science education nonprofit
Our Nature Center Locations
Vasona Park
YSI Nature Center - Vasona Park
Hours:
Thursday & Friday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Getting There:
Navigate to the Vasona Lake County Park entrance:
333 Blossom Hill Rd. Los Gatos CA 95032 Proceed through the park to the YSI Nature Center at:
296 Garden Hill Dr. Los Gatos CA 95032
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!
Alum Rock Park
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
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.