Gardens worth visiting with kids around the South Bay

Gardens are a calm outing when you want a walk that isn't a hike: paths to wander, fish and ducks to spot, and lawns for a picnic. They're easiest with babies in a stroller and with kids old enough to leave the flowers alone.

The free Japanese Friendship Garden in San Jose's Kelley Park is the toddler favorite: hundreds of koi, little bridges and paved paths, with Happy Hollow right next door. Filoli in Woodside is the showpiece (and the priciest), and the SF Botanical Garden pairs well with the Koret Playground elsewhere in Golden Gate Park.

• 5 places
• 2 free
• 4 stroller-friendly
• closest is 15 min away