Youth Science Institute

My boyfriend and I found this gem by accident while we were wandering around alum rock park. It was I think $1 per person for adults to get in. It's very small but the curator Dorothy was very welcoming and informative. We were intrigued by some of the taxidermy they had such as the mountain lion and the fox!! We also really enjoyed looking at the owls and the reptiles and amphibians they have here. The old world bird collection was also really cool! We took our godson here for a second time and he had a blast kept him occupied for 20-30 minutes!

We love coming here for field trips! The staff is friendly and the exhibits and lessons are always so engaging. Our preschoolers loved going out into the creek and finding specimens, pretending to be newts, and seeing some real creatures in action. We especially loved seeing the owls at this location. Thank you for teaching us!

See live hawks and owls with their own stories in the South Bay's most venerable nature center and visitors center. In Alum Rock Park in an antique adobe Spanish revival lodge, sits a nonprofit that has given to the community for years. The YSI hosts science camps and nature programs and has been a local loved fixture for many years - and hopefully many more.

Duty to WarnMy husband and I took a tour with my daughter at Youth Science Institute, guided by Senior Animal Curator Dorothy Johnson. She handed me an illegal raptor feather, telling me to put it in my pocket and give it to my daughter after we left the site. I had not asked for the feather but did as she said.While in the center's wildlife museum I forgot to leave the feather in my pocket and took it out, intending to switch it to my other pocket. Ms. Johnson saw the feather and, in front of our entire group and who knows whom else loudly and continuously yelled at me. By that time, I'd put the feather in my other pocket, but she demanded I hand it back. Ms. Johnson threatened me with physical force, saying she would "wrestle me to the ground for it." Because of her loud tone of voice, deep red angry facial expression, and fast agitated movements, I was frightened. To avoid being physically assaulted by her I handed back the feather.I complained to Ms. Johnson's superiors, but I never heard back and see on their website that she is still employed there in the same position in spite of her obvious bad judgment, anger management issues and the threat she poses to public safety. Youth Science Institute's judgment for keeping her employed aside, if you take a tour there, ask for a different tour guide.

If you've never been to Alum Rock Park or YSI wildlife center, it's a definite must see. With Alum Rock being over 140 years old (it was the first municipal park in California), you will find lots of cool rock structures that were built around their natural water sulphur springs (only smells bad when you are next to it), bridges, wildlife all over the place, old trees shade most of the park, and the creek that runs thru it is my favorite. We go to the park for summer camp for the kids (they love it), picnicing at the big playground, and biking on trails that seem to never end. The trails are fun (paved/not paved) and lots of peaceful places to just stop and sit on a bench or a rock. There's also a little wildlife museum and a wildlife rescue that the kids always get a kick out of.Enjoy!