What are the best winter break camps in the Bay Area for 2026?
Christmas and New Year's Day both land on a Friday this year, so most Bay Area winter camps run two short sessions: Dec 21 to 24 and Dec 28 to 31. A day costs $35 to $280; most good full-day camps charge $95 to $145. If budget comes first, start with the 18 full-day winter camps under $100 a day.
Checked Nov 13, 2026. Double-check dates, prices and seats on each camp's site before you book.
We looked for camps that post real 2026 winter dates, cover a working day (or say plainly when they don't), and give kids something school can't: animals, a climbing wall, a stage, a museum full of aircraft. Plenty of them are names you may already know from summer, and you'll find them in our guide to the summer camps families re-book every year.
How we choose
Every camp that posts 2026 winter dates, covers a working day or says clearly when it doesn't, and runs in one of our five regions gets a free listing. Our picks are our own, and camps can't pay for them. Running a winter camp we missed? Send us its details.
When do Bay Area schools go back after winter break?
Most districts are off Dec 21 through Jan 1, but the return date varies, so check your own district's calendar before you book the last days.
San Francisco and Berkeley go back Monday, Jan 4. Palo Alto goes back Jan 5. Oakland goes back Wednesday, Jan 6, after a staff day on Jan 5 (OUSD 2026-27 calendar). Pleasanton is the outlier: school runs to Dec 23 and the break lasts to Jan 8.
Heads up
A winter "week" is three or four days, not five. Dec 25 and Jan 1 are closed almost everywhere, and Dec 24 and Dec 31 are half days at several camps. Divide the price by the real number of days before you compare.
What does a day of winter camp cost, and what are you paying for?
City camps cost $35 to $65 a day; specialist camps cost $95 to $145; coding intensives cost up to $280.
City camps are subsidized and run bigger groups with generalist staff, which is how Berkeley can charge $35. A specialist camp pays for an instructor who knows climbing, theatre or animal care, and keeps groups smaller. So it comes down to what you need from the week: a city camp covers your workday and your child has a good time; a specialist camp sends them home having learned something new.
If the price is the barrier, ask before you rule a camp out. City scholarships, the YMCA and several camps cut fees by 20% to 100%, and we've laid out who offers winter camp aid and how to ask for it.
Our winter camp picks by region
Every camp below had 2026 winter dates on its own page or a linked registration page on Nov 13. A listing doesn't mean seats are left.
San Francisco
| Camp | Dates | Ages | Per day | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JCCSF Winter Break CampPresidio Heights · screen-free | Dec 21–24, Dec 28–31 | 5–11 | $130$520 for 4 days | 8:35am–4pm |
| Tree Frog TreksHolly Park, Bernal Heights · outdoors | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–31 | Pre-K–5th | $111–$159by age group | 9am–4pmyoungest to 2:30pm |
| AcroSports Winter AcroCampInner Sunset · gymnastics, circus | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–31 | 6–12 | $114$342 for 3 days | 9am–3pm |
| SF Rec & Park Great Time OutGlen Canyon · outdoors, games | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–30 | 8–13 | About $66confirm on the city's sign-up page | 8:30am–5:30pm |
| TechKnowHowGlen Park, Sunset · LEGO, Minecraft | From Dec 21 | 5–9 | See camp site | 9am–3:30pm |
| YMCA San FranciscoRichmond and other branches | Dec 21–23; Dec 28–31 at other branches | TK–5th | In the sign-up portal | Full day |
Our San Francisco picks:
- JCCSF if you want structured days and an indoor gym for when December rain hits. Refunds (minus a $150 deposit) end Dec 1, so decide early.
- Tree Frog Treks for the kid who'd rather be outside all day exploring city parks. The catch: the youngest group finishes at 2:30pm.
- AcroSports for the child who needs to burn off energy: tumbling, trapeze and parkour, and no screens. Pickup is 3pm, so you'll need the last couple of hours covered.
Palo Alto and the Peninsula
| Camp | Dates | Ages | Per day | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CuriOdysseySan Mateo · science, live animals | Single days, Dec 21–23 and 28–30 | 6–10 | $180–$200members pay less | 9am–4pm |
| Hiller Aviation MuseumSan Carlos · aviation, engineering | Dec 17–18, Dec 21–23, Dec 28–30, Jan 1, Jan 4confirm on the camp's site | K–5 | About $153$460 for 3 days | 9am–4pm |
| Oshman Family JCC J-CampPalo Alto · screen-free | Dec 21–24, Dec 28–31, Jan 4 | TK–6th | $131–$141member and public rates | Full day |
| Peninsula JCC Camp KeffFoster City · screen-free | Dec 21–24, Dec 28–31 | TK–5th | $130–$140extended day available | 9am–4pm |
| TechKnowHowBelmont · LEGO, Minecraft | Dec 21–24, Dec 28–31 | 5–9 | $116$465 for 4 days | 9am–3:30pm |
| Steve & Kate'sPalo Alto · choose-your-own day | Dec 21–31, closed Dec 25confirm on the camp's site | 4–12 | $129day passes | 8am–6pm |
| YMCA Silicon ValleyLos Altos · screen-free | Dec 28–31 | Grades 1–6 | $83member rate | 8am–5pm |
| Bay Area ChessPalo Alto · chess, strategy games | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–31 | 5+; Master camp 7–17 | $89–$99half day; pair AM and PM for a full day | 9am–1pm, 1–5pm |
Our Peninsula picks:
- CuriOdyssey for the curious 6 to 10 year old: live animals, hands-on science, and you can book one day at a time. The catch: at $180 to $200 a day, it's the priciest pick on this page.
- Hiller Aviation Museum for the kid who stops to watch every plane overhead, since camp runs inside the museum. It's for K to 5 only.
- Oshman J-Camp if your child is still off on Monday, Jan 4; it's one of the few Peninsula camps open that day.
- Bay Area Chess's Master camp, one of the few winter options for a rated 12 or 13 year old. It's a half day, so plan the afternoon.
San José and the South Bay
| Camp | Dates | Ages | Per day | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happy Hollow Park & ZooSan José · animals, zoo tours | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–30 | 5–11 | $79$237 a session; members pay less | 9am–4pm |
| Camp San José (city)Almaden, Southside · screen-free | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–31 | 5–12 | $58–$65 | 8am–6pm |
| Peninsula Youth TheatreMountain View · theatre | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–Jan 1confirm on the camp's site | See camp site | From $95$319 week 1; $759 for the whole break | Full day; family show at 3pm |
| YMCA Silicon ValleyReed Elementary, San José; Stevens Creek, Cupertino | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–30 (Reed); Dec 28–31 (Cupertino) | TK–6th | $83member rate | 8am–5pm |
| GrowFit All-SportsSan José · sport | Dec 21–24, Dec 28–31 | 4–12 | $120 | 9am–4pm |
| X-Camp AcademySan José · coding | Dec 19–23 | Grades 5–12 | $220–$280 | 9am–5pm |
Our South Bay picks:
- Happy Hollow, the best-value animal camp in the South Bay at $79 a day. Both sessions had a waitlist on Nov 13, so get on it now.
- Camp San José for the longest day on this page, 8am to 6pm, at city prices.
- Peninsula Youth Theatre for the child who loves to perform; most days end with a short show for families.
- X-Camp or AlphaStar for a middle schooler who already codes (AlphaStar runs Dec 26 to 31, priced per course). The catch: X-Camp is $220 to $280 a day.
East Bay
| Camp | Dates | Ages | Per day | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call of the WildChabot Space & Science Center · outdoors | Dec 28–31 | K–5 | $130$519.96 for 4 days | 8:30am–4:30pm |
| Trackers BayEl Cerrito, North Oakland · bushcraft, archery | Dec 21–Jan 5confirm on the camp's site | K–12 | $134–$154 | Full day |
| Oakland Zoo ZooCampOakland · animals | Dec 21–24, Dec 28–31half days Dec 24, 31 | K–5 | $96$385 a session | Full day |
| Monkey Business CampBerkeley · unplugged | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–31 | 5–10 | About $139three price tiers | 8:30am–4:30pm |
| Bridges Rock GymEl Cerrito · climbing | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–30 | 6–13 | $125–$133 | 8:30am–3:30pm |
| Berkeley PlayhouseBerkeley · musical theatre | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–31 | K–6 | $104–$105 | 9am–3pm |
| MOCHAOakland · art | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–30, Jan 4 | 5–12 | $95 | 9am–3:30pm |
| Berkeley Rec School's OutJames Kenney, Berkeley | Dec 21–24, Dec 28–31 | K–5 | $35 | 9am–3pm |
| Busy Bee No School CampsAlameda | Dec 21–24, Dec 28–31 | Pre-K–3rd | $95 | 9am–5pm |
| Sienna RanchLafayette · ranch, animals | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–31 | Pre-K–6th | $172 | Full day |
| Steve & Kate'sEmeryville · choose-your-own day | Dec 21–24, Dec 28–31confirm on the camp's site | 4–12 | $129 | 8am–6pm |
| The Coder SchoolBerkeley · Scratch, Roblox | Dec 28–31 | 7–12 | $145$579 for 4 days | 9am–3pm |
| Piedmont RecPiedmont · mixed topics | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–31, Jan 4–5 | 5–12 | $100–$480 a session | By session |
Our East Bay picks:
- Call of the Wild or Trackers for kids who love coming home muddy: redwoods, shelters, archery. Call of the Wild runs Dec 28 to 31 only.
- Monkey Business for a fully unplugged day, with a price tier you choose yourself.
- Bridges Rock Gym for the 10 to 13 year old who has outgrown most winter camps. Pickup is 3:30pm.
- MOCHA or Piedmont Rec if you're in Oakland: both run on Jan 4, and Oakland kids aren't back until Jan 6.
Tri-Valley
| Camp | Dates | Ages | Per day | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robolabs / Dublin Robotics ClubDublin · VEX robotics | Dec 21–24, Dec 28–31confirm on the camp's site | See camp site | About $139 | 9am–3:30pm |
| School of RockDublin · band, music | Dec 21–23 | 8–18 | $100$299 for 3 days | 9am–3pm |
| Bothwell Art, Livermore Valley ArtsLivermore · art | Dec 28–31 | 6–15 | $83$330 for 4 days | 10am–3:30pm |
| GurukulPleasanton | Jan 4–8 | See camp site | $65 | 9am–6pm |
| Code NinjasLivermore · coding | Dec 21–23, Dec 28–30 | 8+ | $60half day | 3 hours |
Our Tri-Valley picks:
- Robolabs for the builder: kids design, program and test real VEX robots in small groups, and it's one of the most hands-on tech camps we found this winter. Confirm ages and dates with the camp before you book.
- School of Rock for the 11 to 14 year old, who otherwise has very little to choose from. It runs Dec 21 to 23 only.
- Gurukul for Pleasanton families, whose break runs longest: school is out until Jan 8, and Gurukul covers Jan 4 to 8.
Marin: Osher Marin JCC and the Bay Area Discovery Museum hadn't posted 2026 winter dates by Nov 13. We'll add them when they do.
What should I ask before booking an indoor or coding camp?
Ask where the room is, how often kids go outside, and how many children share one instructor.
Most winter camps are screen-free; the coding ones are TechKnowHow, The Coder School, Code Ninjas, X-Camp and AlphaStar. Coding camps often run in a classroom or small center, and the better ones build outdoor time into the day: The Coder School Berkeley, for example, says its winter camp includes an hour at Live Oak Park before lunch. For longer programs, here's how Bay Area coding programs compare on screen time.
Which winter camps suit a 5 to 7 year old, and which suit 11 to 14?
Five to seven year olds have the widest choice; eleven to fourteen year olds have very little, because most winter camps stop at grade 5.
- Ages 5 to 7: JCCSF or Tree Frog Treks in SF; CuriOdyssey, Hiller or Camp Keff on the Peninsula; Happy Hollow in San José; Oakland Zoo, Call of the Wild or Berkeley Rec in the East Bay.
- Ages 11 to 14: Bridges climbing (to 13), Bay Area Chess's Master camp, School of Rock (8 to 18), Trackers (K to 12), and X-Camp or AlphaStar for kids who already code.
Do Bay Area private schools run winter camps?
Almost never. The private schools we checked run camps in summer only; the one exception we found is Menlo School, which has announced a winter basketball camp for grades 3 to 8, dates still to come.
If your child wants to try a school's campus, its summer program is the realistic route, so watch for summer 2027 dates early in the new year.
When should I book, and what if everything is full?
Book before Dec 1. If your first choice is full, try city camps next, then the YMCA and JCCs, then single days.
- Nov 30: final payment for San José city camps in December.
- Dec 1: last day for JCCSF refunds (less a $150 deposit).
- Single days: CuriOdyssey, Hiller, Oshman J-Camp and MOCHA sell one day at a time, and three of them run Jan 4.
- Half days: Bay Area Chess and Code Ninjas cover a morning, which works if a parent or grandparent can take the afternoon.
For the days nothing is booked, here's a three-week no-prep plan using what you already have at home.
And for outings rather than full-day cover, here are dated, mostly free things to do on the days camp is closed.
FAQ
When is winter break 2026 for Bay Area schools?
Most districts are off from Monday, Dec 21, 2026 through Friday, Jan 1, 2027. San Francisco and Berkeley go back Jan 4, Palo Alto on Jan 5 and Oakland on Jan 6. Pleasanton keeps school open to Dec 23 and breaks until Jan 8. Check your own district's calendar before booking the final days.
Are winter camps open on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve?
Some are, often as half days. Oakland Zoo's ZooCamp runs half days on Dec 24 and Dec 31, JCCSF's first session runs through Dec 24, and San José's city camps close Dec 24 and 25. Almost no camp runs on Dec 25 or Jan 1, so count the real days before you compare prices.
Is there winter camp on Monday, Jan 4?
Yes, a few. On the Peninsula, Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto runs a single-day camp and Hiller Aviation Museum lists Jan 4. In the East Bay, MOCHA in Oakland runs Jan 4 and Piedmont Rec runs Jan 4 and 5. In Pleasanton, Gurukul covers Jan 4 to 8.
Do Camp Galileo or iD Tech run winter camps?
No, both run summer programs only, so a December listing for either is usually last year's page or a directory error. If you're already thinking about summer, Galileo opens summer 2027 enrollment in December.
Keep reading
Planning past January? Our summer guide has the STEM and AI camps Bay Area families book first.
Sources
Checked Nov 13, 2026.
- Oakland Unified 2026-27 calendar
- SFUSD 2026-27 calendar
- Berkeley Unified calendar
- JCCSF Winter Break Camp
- 510families, East Bay winter break camps (Nov 3, 2026)
- Camp dates, ages and prices: each camp's own winter page, checked Nov 13, 2026
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