3 Interesting Facts About the Winchester Mystery House

Santa Clara County may be known for its high-tech Silicon Valley, but this California county also offers 28 pristine regional parks and recreation areas. If you are into bird-watching, these parks and preserves represent a veritable birder's paradise, as they host not only huge residential populations but also migratory birds. Here are some places where you can go birding to your heart's content. Baylands Nature Preserve This 1,940-acre preserve is one of the largest tracks of undisturbed marshland in the San Francisco Bay area. Over 15 miles of trails give you access to a large variety of wildlife and a unique mixture of tidal and freshwater habitats. Baylands is regarded as one of the best bird-watching areas on the West Coast and is not only home to a substantial residential population, but also an important stopover during the Pacific Flyway migration. more Birds that you can view here include the endangered California clapper rail, wintering ducks such as mallards and pintails, migratory shorebird species, cliff and barn swallows, nesting black-necked stilts, American avocets, black-crowned night herons, and snowy egrets. Baylands Nature Reserve is located at 2500 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, and is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park This park, nestled in the hills east of Gilroy, is a 6,695-acre recreation area, offering 33 miles of trails that wind along breezy mountain ridges, clear streams, and through oak forests. This park is home to all kinds of species, such as reptiles, amphibians, insects, and mammals. If you are lucky, you can spot the rare western pond turtle or the California tiger salamander. It is also a great place for birding. Over 219 bird species have been noticed in this area, including the national bird, the bald eagle. Common species that you might spot are the American wigeon, mallard, bufflehead, ruddy duck, California quail, wild turkey, acorn woodpecker, and the California scrub-jay. Notable species that have been seen include the bald eagle, golden eagle, cackling goose, Clark's grebe, American pipit, Rufous-crowned sparrow, and the rock wren. This park is located at 10840 Coyote Reservoir Road, Gilroy, and is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Ed R. Levin County Park This 1,500-acre park is one of Santa Clara County's most unique regional parks and recreations areas, as it offers a combination of constructed parklands, natural bush, and hillsides. Expansive lawn areas are ideal picnic spots for the family, whereas the rolling grasslands and oak woodlands offer lovely trails that are great for bird-watching. Over 64 bird species have been spotted here, including migratory birds, shorebirds, raptors, flycatchers, and corvids. Common species that you can see here are the great blue heron, acorn woodpecker, mallard, turkey vulture, red-tailed hawk, and the white-tailed kite. If you are lucky, though, you might also spot a ring-necked duck, American wigeon, bald eagle, golden eagle, yellow-billed magpie, belted kingfisher, or a rufous-crowned sparrow. Ed R. Levin County Park is located at 3100 Calaveras Road, Milpitas, and they are open from 8 a.m. until sunset. If you love bird-watching, then you will be spoiled for places to go to in Santa Clara County. So, grab your binoculars and head out to the beautiful parks and preserves of this county. Photo by roseannadana cc BY-ND 2.0 | Licensed under

California is often referred to as wine country because of its abundance of vineyards and wine tasting destinations. Check out a few of the best wine spots in the San Jose, California, area. Divine Wineries Divine Wineries is conveniently located in downtown San Jose and serves some of the highest-rated handcrafted wines in the entire area. None of their unique wines are available for purchase in local stores and can only be tasted at this winery. They source their wines from the Sierra Foothills, the Santa Clara Valley, and even the Alexander Valley. Reservations are not required and they are open Wednesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 12 to 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. more This winery is within walking distance of nearby hotels, making it a great choice for a full day of wine tasting. Locals can also join the Divine Wineries wine club for just $35 per month. This membership includes up to three free bottles of wine each month and special discounts on wine accessories and unlimited happy hour events. Vino Vino Vino Vino is also a wine tasting destination in downtown San Jose that has 13 different fine wines available. They also serve small plates to pair with your wine tasting. Want to bring along a guest that does not enjoy wine? Vino Vino also serves local craft beers. This winery has a simple goal: to provide locals with a no-frills spot to taste local wines, share good food, and get to know their neighbors. This sports bar environment is perfect for a casual wine tasting experience, and you can easily reserve a table online. Lohr Vineyards & Wines The history of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is not only interesting but is also an important part of the California wine industry. The founder, Jerry Lohr, spent many years attempting to find the right spot for his vineyard. He eventually landed on the central California coast, paving the way for a vibrant wine industry. Both of the J. Lohr locations are open daily for free wine tastings. No appointment is necessary, but larger groups should always call ahead. You can also join the J. Lohr club. Membership includes access to VIP events, brand discounts, and free bottles of wine. Left Bend Winery The Left Bend Winery is just a short drive outside of San Jose in Los Gatos. All of the wines from the Left Bend Winery are sourced from the Santa Cruz Mountains. TThis winery handles every aspect of the winemaking process, from pre-harvest to bottling. You can order bottles of their wine and join the wine club online. Club members receive complimentary tastings, discounts on wine bottles, and four wine annual shipments of your favorite wines. The Left Bend Winery is open Thursday through Sunday from 12 until 5 p.m. Spend a day checking out the best wines of San Jose, California. Each of these local vineyards is a great choice and has special deals and memberships to ensure you have a great wine-tasting experience. Photo by dalecruse | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

Ice cream in the United States is almost as old as the country itself. The first ad for the sweet treat was published in the New York Gazette in 1777 and first President George Washington reportedly spent $200 in ice cream on the summer of 1790. History lessons aside, whether you're a classic vanilla or chocolate fan or into more far-fetched flavors, it's not hard to find a place in San Jose with your very favorite. Take a look at our suggestions of where to find the best ice cream in San Jose. Treat Ice Cream Company If you don't feel like spending too much time deciding what flavor to get, you know you've come to the right place when you enter the Treat Ice Cream Company. Sometimes, less is more. more For chocolate ice cream fans, there are at least five different variations on the menu, but the Brownie a la Mode and the Cookie Mint Krunch are the house's favorites raking in the highest praises from customers. Address: Downtown at 11 South 19th Street Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cre'Me Paris To say that Durian fruit is an acquired taste is an understatement. Unless you've lived in Southeast Asia all your life and are used to it, Durian's smell and flavor are hard to overcome (and forget). However, at Cre'Me Paris they've turned what's probably the world's least favorite fruit into an ice cream flavor. If you're brave enough to try it, dig in. If not, there are plenty of other creamy options to choose from. Address: East San Jose at 2200 Eastridge Loop Hours: Monday through Wednesday and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Willow Glen Creamery Sometimes you don't want complicated flavors. All you want is a giant dose of ice-creamed sweetness. Well, that's exactly what you get at Willow Glen Creamery. This locally owned business blends its own frozen yogurts in the store every day, with locally sourced ingredients. What's customers' favorite frozen yogurt flavor? Surprisingly, vanilla. If you think this is the blandest ice cream flavor of all times, pay a visit to this place and it will change your mind. Address: Willow Glen at 1100 Lincoln Avenue Hours: Sunday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Sweet Rendezvous Slightly hidden in a little corner, this is the kind of ice cream you'll only find by chance or if you're really looking for it. That's part of the Sweet Rendezvous' charm. Don't overthink what to order, just follow the employee's suggestions. They never get it wrong.  And forget popular flavors. Everyone's favorite thing about this place? The free teaser scoop of any other flavor you want to try beyond the ones you just ordered. Address: Blossom Valley at 668 Blossom Hill Road Hours: Every day from noon to 9 p.m. Ice cream at these spots in San Jose is so delicious that it'll be hard to choose just one spot...or just one flavor! Photo by Maria Eklind | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0