Join us for a free family event to celebrate the Summer Solstice and learn about the sun and how plants harness its energy. Take a guided tour of our historic house and garden and, along the way, visit kid-friendly activity stations throughout the garden that highlight the Sun and the role of leaves as food factories. You’ll learn about sundials, prisms, solar panels, and more!
San Mateo County Astronomical Society will be on hand with solar viewing telescopes enabling you to safely see live images of the Sun, solar flares, and sunspots.
Remember: never look directly at the Sun with the unaided eye, as eye damage may occur.
Second Saturdays are FREE and open to all.
Free Activities
Guided Tours and Nature Hunts
Come get your “nature eyes” working and join a guide as we explore photosynthesis in action throughout the garden. We’ll look for birds and pollinators, dig for worms and critters in the soil, and explore foliage’s food factory superpower.
Sun and Photosynthesis Exploration
Visit kid-friendly activity and craft stations throughout the garden that highlight the Sun and the role of leaves as food factories. You’ll see microscope images of the structure of leaves, sundials, prisms, and solar panels. Make a translucent suncatcher to take home.
San Mateo County Astronomical Society will be on hand with solar viewing telescopes enabling you to safely see live images of the Sun, solar flares, and sunspots.
Visit Elizabeth’s House
Walk through Elizabeth’s house, built in 1902, and get a look into the early days of Palo Alto. Our docents will be on hand to answer questions and share stories of old.
Registration
Second Saturdays are FREE and open to all. Register online in advance, or at the door. Choose from 10:00am, 10:30am, or 11:00 am tour times. All Second Saturday guests, when you arrive, please check in at one of our two Welcome Tables in order to enjoy the Second Saturday tours and special activities.