16260 Penitencia Creek Road
San José, CA 95127

(Closed on Sunday from October-April)

Located within historic Alum Rock Park, YSI's Alum Rock Science and Nature Center has been open to the public since 1953. The lush Penitencia Creek, which bisects the site, flows year-round. Once home to the Ohlone Indians, Alum Rock Park features rugged ridges with spectacular views of the Santa Clara Valley, geologic formations including mineral springs and evidence of seismic events, and a variety of native flora and fauna.

The Science and Nature Center has exhibits of animals that populate the nearby Mount Hamilton Range. Perhaps the most popular of these live animals are the birds-of-prey: hawks and owls that have been injured and are non-releasable. These animals work hard as part of YSI's teaching ambassadors in programs that reach over 30,000 young people each year. Also on display is the Holmes bird collection from the early part of the last century containing many species.