Tired of purchasing gifts that end up never being played with? These Bay Area gift experiences offer family-filled fun, and sometimes, a little learning on the side
There is no doubt that your kid’s holiday lists are a long list of toys, games, and just more stuff to add to their collection because let’s face it, material gifts are super fun to unwrap. That being said, we all know that kids remember experiences for far longer than a toy, and can even become a core-memory maker. Experience gifts also have the ability to foster new skills, help with decluttering, and create connections within a family. A LEGO set is fun to put together, but giving an experience gift is also a great way to enhance your child’s interests and foster a love of learning. If your little one is all about animal encounters, the chance to spend a day on the farm where they can feed the chickens and pet the goats may be the best day ever. The options are really endless.
In the Bay Area, there is no shortage of opportunities for experiences that make wonderful gifts—how lucky for us! From cooking sessions to fostering a love of animals, we’ve rounded up our favorite experiences that isn’t just another toy for the playroom.
Animal Rescuers will Love the Adopt-a-Seal at the Marine Mammal Center: For marine-minded kids who love fostering and caring for animals, their Adopt-a-Seal program is a surefire gift that gives back. Choose the pup you'd like to help and you'll receive an adoption package that includes adoption certificate, your seal's photo and history, and all the ways your gift will help ensure the pup's rehabilitation and safe return to the wild. Optional upgrade will deliver a plush harbor-seal for that extra "aw" factor.
For Kids Who Love Steam Trains: Train tickets, tucked under the tree or the menorah, to ride the rails? Yes, please! This gift experience will have you headed south to board the trains at Roaring Camp. In addition to their popular holiday trains, you can buy annual passes that offer unlimited Redwood Forest Steam and Santa Cruz Beach trains for one full year.
Good to Know: There are often other activities happening at the camp like gold panning and scavenger hunts that are great for families and kids of all ages.
For Kids Who Want to Sleep in a Train Car: For the ultimate train lover's destination, book at night at Railroad Park Resort where you can spend the night in a vintage caboose and your little engineer can dream about riding the rails all night long.
Good to Know:Siskiyou County is full of train history and outdoor experiences (picture waterfalls, fishing, and spelunking to name a few) that everyone in the family will enjoy.
The Best Gifts for Adventure Junkies
For Kids Who Love Swinging and Climbing: Got a kid who loves an adrenaline rush and climbing great heights? Head to Rocklin and spend the day at Quarry Park Adventures. There, they can soar across the ravine on the zipline, balance on the ropes course, and test their strength on the rock wall.
For Kids Who Want to Go Skydiving (without the Plane): Does your kid love jumping off the tops of playground structures and won't stop talking about skydiving one day? Gift them the next best thing with time at iFLY Indoor Skydiving where kids ages three and up can experience the feeling of skydiving.
For Your Mini Martha Stewart or Gordon Ramsey:Cucina Bambini is a great way to get your budding chef to sharpen their kitchen skills. Classes like the macaron workshop or gingerbread house decorating class are not only fun (and festive) but parents will hopefully get to taste some of the sweet treats that come home.
The Best Gifts for The Whole Family
A Holiday-Themed Trip to San Francisco: Always a fun gift, and a great way for the family to spend quality time together, whether you're coming in from out of town or making it a staycation. Our recommend? Book a holiday tea and stay in the Santa Suite at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco.
An African Safari without Leaving SFO: Safari West is just a short drive away and an experience that the whole family is sure to love. Here you'll see giraffes, zebras, and rhinos that roam freely on the property. Want to continue the fun? Spend the night in a luxury tent.
Something to be thankful for! The Washington, DC attractions that are open on Thanksgiving Day
If you like to stay active during the holidays, Thanksgiving can be a bit of a bummer. Many traditions involve sitting around, watching TV, and eating. Thankfully (see what we did there?), a Washington, DC Thanksgiving has plenty of options for those wanting to shake up their traditions. With so many iconic attractions open all year long (including Thanksgiving Day), avoid the “I’m bored” blues by exploring all there is to see and do in the District.
Let your family experience a colonial holiday at Mount Vernon or sample an indigenous Thanksgiving dish at the National Museum of the Native Indian. If the crowds normally keep you away from the National Mall, take advantage of low attendance days to catch a peek of DC’s hottest exhibits. And for those looking for thrills and adventure, check out the snow tubing at Gaylord’s National Harbor or take a spin on Busch Garden’s epic roller coaster, Verbolten. Discovering how many cool attractions are actually open on Nov. 24 is something DMV residents should be thankful for.
You'll want to avoid the National Mall the day after Thanksgiving, when crowds are at an all time high. But, surprisingly, the Smithsonian museums are relatively quiet on Turkey Day, making it the ideal time to check out the most popular exhibits.
Make a bee-line for the newly renovated Air & Space with exciting new exhibits like the interactive "Walking on Other Worlds" where you can explore seven planets in seven minutes (don't forget to hop on a flight simulator while you're there), the Earthquake Simulator or the Butterfly Pavilion at the National Museum of Natural History, take a stroll through The First Ladies' Dresses at the National Museum of American History and share your own story and voice in the Reflection Booths at the National Museum of African American History.
Thanksgiving gatherings have been an Indigenous tradition for thousands of years. Pay tribute to the dishes and foods the Natives brought to the first Pilgrim Thanksgiving by dining at Mitsitma Cafe in the National Museum of the Native Indian. Voted best cafe in the District, this award-winning menu features native foods hailing from the Western Hemisphere. Explore classic dishes from The Plains, MesoAmerica, the Northern Woodlands and more.
Independence Ave. SW & 4th St. SW National Mall Online:mitsitamcafe.com
You can always rely on your furry friends! In addition to keeping the gates open on Thanksgiving, the National Zoo is open every day of the year from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except Christmas). Admission is always free, but you do need timed tickets to enter. Check out our ultimate guide to the National Zoo here.
We celebrate Thanksgiving as a country because George Washington declared it a national celebration in 1789! While the tradition did not immediately catch on with succeeding presidents, it was reinstated as a national holiday by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Learn more about our first President’s contribution to turkey day as well as how it was celebrated during his time at Mount Vernon, the President’s home.
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.
Mt Vernon, VA Online:mountvernon.org
While the Washington Monument is technically taller, the Old Post Office may have the most impressive view in town since DC's key icons, including the Washington Monument (also open on Thanksgiving) ,are all visible from this viewpoint. From an observation tower 270 ft. above the city, guests can also view the famous landmarks of Pennsylvania Ave. including the White House and the Capitol, and beyond. Tours operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tower is free to visit and does not require advanced tickets, but get there early before the line becomes a holiday bore.
KC's doors are open daily (including on Thanksgiving day) from noon-12 a.m. Explore the legacy of President Kennedy on the top floor of the Kennedy Center at the newly opened Art & Ideals, a digitally-enhanced, immersive exhibit. Be sure to get your portraits sketched by the A1 exhibit; it's a highlight for kids and adults alike! Also on exhibit is a pho If you're looking for a theatrical experience, the only show running on Nov. 24 is Shear Madness, an interactive, improve based detective show that is best geared towards kids 13 & up (but all ages are welcome).
Just three hours from downtown DC (yes, you can do it in a day!), Busch Garden's Christmas Town offers something for everyone. Over 20 rides are open and operating, including three roller coasters, a Christmas train, bumper cars, tea cups, a spiraling drop tower and more. Fill your day with live entertainment featuring Celtic dancers, a stage performance of Scrooge, an ice-skating show and five more live acts.
And what would Christmas Town be without Santa? You can visit with the big man himself and get those Christmas lists in early! Christmas Town glows with over 10 million lights from 2-9 p.m. on Nov. 24
When you want to check off your entire holiday bucket list in one fell swoop, head to next-door neighbor National Harbor. Gaylord National Harbor is home to the most holiday fun that can be found under one roof (or at least on a single property). Skate your way across the ice, slip and slide in ice bumper cars, soar down Snow Flow Mountain on an inner tube and check out ICE! featuring A Christmas Story. And if that’s not enough, there’s more! You can take your picture with Santa, listen to story time with Mrs. Clause, take a gingerbread decorating class and blast real snow snowballs at the Snow Factory.
Insider Tip: Go to the waterfront to check out the new 60-foot tree that dazzles with a synchronized light show every 30 minutes starting at sunset.
201 Waterfront St.
National Harbor, MD
Online: marriott.com
If there’s one thing parents can count on, is that kids usually love one of these: dinosaurs, trains or planes. And if you find yourself with an airplane fanatic at home—you know, a mini Maverick who feels the need for speed? Roger that—we’ve rounded up the best spots in SoCal to see planes up close, learn about aviation history and even where to take a thrilling flight. So buckle up and put your tray table in the upright and locked position because these high-flying ideas are ready for takeoff!
This airplane-themed restaurant is absolutely one of the best places in town to bring kids who are super into flying. Indoors, there’s a great food bazaar with plentiful family-favorite dining choices like Bludso's BBQ, burgers, chicken and waffles, Asian selections, pizza, healthy farmer’s market options and a swell kid’s menu. Outside is truly where it’s at though—with a fab playground, spacious grassy area and plenty of incoming flights making their way into LAX one after the other—it may just blow your kid’s mind.
Insider Tip: Competition for a good spot on the patio or around the fire pits is fierce on summer evenings so you may have a better shot getting an outside table during the week rather than on the weekend.
Hours: Wed., Thurs. and Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
What’s better than downing a delicious Double-Double from In-N-Out? Enjoying it while planes soar overhead at LAX! The In-N-Out on the northwest corner of 92nd St. and Sepulveda Blvd. is one of the prime spots in town for die-hard plane lovers. Located right next to the arrivals runway, this is an incredible place to watch incoming airplanes land. There are tables outside the restaurant as well as a grassy park directly across the street where you can picnic.
Hours: Vary daily for dine-in and drive-thru.
9149 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles Online: in-n-out.com
Vista Del Mar Park
This tiny park along the coast is one of the premiere locales to catch planes taking off from LAX. Vista Del Mar Park sits directly under some of the airport’s main runways, giving onlookers a stunning view of planes taking off over Dockweiler Beach. There's also a small playground and picnic tables, making it an ideal spot for sunset picnic.
Clutter’s Park is one of the very best places for watching planes take off from LAX’s south runways—just 1,500 feet away. The park features a few benches to rest your duff for some serious plane spotting, but it may be wise to bring a chair or two from home as well. It gets especially crowded on weekends, so for the best views, early weekday outings are a better bet.
Van Nuys Airport has a public observation area open daily that features permanent displays, special children's exhibits and live broadcasts of air traffic controllers in the airport's control tower. Because airport tours are still suspended at the moment due to COVID, kids are invited to take a virtual tour that gives little ones an insider’s look at the aircrafts, history, activities and people at the airport.
Hours: Open daily, 8 a.m. - dusk.
Woodley Ave. and Waterman Dr. (East Side of Airfield) Van Nuys Online: iflyvny.com
As the only aviation museum at a major airport, the Flight Path Museum is truly one of a kind. The museum hosts an impressive collection of airline artifacts, including a display of over 600 airline uniforms from 68 airlines around the world, and walks you through the history of LAX. Other must-sees include the DC-3 Exhibit, Space Exploration Exhibit, Flying Tigers Exhibit and Fire Fighting Vehicle Exhibit. Another bonus to coming here is being able to watch the planes taxi, take off and land at adjacent LAX. Free parking is available and advanced reservations for these one-hour visits are required.
Hours: Fri. and Sat. 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Cost: $5 per adult and $3 per child.
The Museum of Flying in Santa Monica invites plane fans to explore the fascinating aviation history of its beachside city. The venue features tons of interactive exhibits and memorabilia from the Donald Douglas Aircraft Company, as well as recreations of the Douglas Aircraft Company Executive Boardroom and office of Chairman and Founder, Donald W. Douglas. But the real star of the show here are the myriad aircrafts on display including a replica of The Wright Flyer, a North American Navion, a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, T-33 Cockpit and many more. There is lots of free parking and awesome views of from Santa Monica Airport’s observation deck nearby.
Hours: Thurs. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cost: Adults are $12, kids aged 3-12 are $6 and littles 2 or younger are free.
Filled with interactive exhibits from head to toe, the California Science Center never disappoints. And when it comes to aircrafts, the same holds true. Whether it showing kids the 1902 Wright Brothers Glider, a F-20 Tigershark fighter plane, the Velie Monocoupe, an A-12 Blackbird or tons of other artifacts, little ones will love learning how scientific principles affect aircraft design. Children can even pretend to be a pilot for the day in the Flying Club Simulator. No slouch to the airplanes, kids will also love checking out the Space Shuttle Endeavour during their visit as well. Timed-entry reservations are required.
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: General admission is free with a small service fee for online reservations. Featured exhibitions and simulators are available at an extra cost.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is a must-see for so many reasons, but the Air Force One Pavilion will be what your kiddos remember most. Guests are invited to step aboard the same Air Force One that flew President Reagan over 660,000 miles during his time in office. The exhibit offers visitors a real sense of what it was like to fly in this iconic plane, including a vibration and tilt that make it feel as though you're getting ready to take off down the runway. Also featured at the museum are the F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter and F-14 Tomcat, as well as the Marine One helicopter that Presidents Johnson, Nixon and Ford flew during their time in office.
Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum in Compton is actively inspiring the next generation about the world of aviation. Museum highlights include an exhibit on the Tuskegee Airmen, a T-33 and T-38 Talon, a UH-1 Huey Helicopter, a T-28 Trojan and a replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, among others. Kids will also love a harrowing turn in the Top Gun flight simulators – F-16 style cockpits outfitted with state-of-the-art fighter jet simulators which can be set up for team dog flights and airfield or carrier landings.
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Cost: Museum tours are free, but flight simulator costs vary.
Just a quick drive to Torrance and you'll land a the Western Museum of Flight—well-worth the trip for plane lovers. Dedicated to preserving and displaying Southern California’s aircraft history and heritage, the museum features several incredible items that kids can both see and touch, including Warbirds, aircraft and target drones, piston and jet craft engines, aircraft components, ejection seats, World War II instruments, aircrew accessories and an extensive model aircraft collection.
Hours: Fri. - Mon. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cost: $5 per person and kids 10 and under are free.
If you don’t mind the trek to the OC, Flightdeck may be right up your alley as it features incredible flight simulators in both fighter jets and Boeing 737s. The minimum age for kids is 11 years old so this a better outing for the tweens and teens in your brood. Amateur pilots are invited to experience the thrill of aerial maneuvers at 600 knots and air-to-air combat in an authentic military flight simulator. Or you can take the controls of commercial airliner in their Boeing 737 flight simulator. Classroom training and in-flight instruction are provided. Your wingmen who may not wish to participate are welcome to watch all the action on large LCD screen inside the Officer’s Club. Be sure to wear light clothing as you will be putting on a flight suit over it during your simulation.
Cost: Fighter jet simulations start at $59 and Boeing 737 simulations start at $109. Reservations are highly recommended.
Launched in 1992, the Young Eagles program has made it its mission to help inspire kids in the world of aviation and give them firsthand experiences in flight. Through the generosity of EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) volunteers, the organization has dedicated 25 years to giving area youth ages 8-17 their first free ride in an airplane. During the 15-20-minute flight, pilots walk kids through the various parts of the airplane and answer any questions about flying or aviation. Parents are invited to find a Young Eagles event or pilot near them and fill out the necessary registration online.
As the leading provider of airplane tours for both tourists and locals in LA, Corsair Aviation takes guests up, up and away in a luxurious Cessna over some of LA’s most iconic landmarks—whether it's soaring over downtown and the Hollywood sign or cruising high over Santa Monica and Malibu, every passenger on board gets a window seat for the best view. Tours start at 30 min. in length and go up from there.
Indoor Skydiving:iFly Hollywood has a vertical wind-tunnel waiting for flight fanatics. Jump into a tunnel of air with an instructor and feel the thrill of skydiving without being 10,000 feet in the air. Prices start at $75. Flyers must be over 3 years of age and kids under 18 must have a parent sign their waiver.
Parasailing over the Ocean: Strap into a seat side-by-side with the kids while parasailing off the Marina Del Rey harbor. The minimum age to parasail is 6 years old and kids under 18 must have a parent to sign their liability waiver. Rates start at $105 per person.
Zip-Lining as a Family: Zip with views of the ocean in Catalina ($139 per person during the spring and summer). Participants aged 10 and up and weighing at least 80 lbs. may ride solo. Kids between ages 5- 9 must ride tandem with someone age 18 and older who will act as the child’s guardian during the trip. Littles under 5 are too young to zipline. If you want to make a whole weekend of adventure, here’s our awesome guide to spending the weekend in Catalina.
When the weather isn’t cooperating, head one of these fun-filled indoor playspaces for an afternoon of adventure. From an epic indoor playspace where you can climb, splash and explore to an innovative museum that teaches you how to be a spy, these indoor activities will entertain, engage and educate your kiddos in a cozy, climate-controlled environment. Read on for the details on the best indoor activities near Washington, DC.
Play Work Build at The National Building Museum
This hands-on exhibit represents the correlation between play (and experimentation) with creative ideas and design. Children (and adults) can create massive structures using oversized blue blocks to plan, design and execute builds that are structurally sound. If half the fun is tearing down what you've built, be sure to check out the virtual build section where you can fill a wall with digital blocks and then knock them down. Kaboom!
Editor's Note: Play Work Build is currently operating with a limited number of guests: total occupancy is allowed is 20. Timed entry passes are included with admission to the museum. Guests 2 & up are required to wear a mask indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.
Do you have a future Secret Agent in your home? Then you need to head to this interactive mix of historical and virtual fun full of spycraft. Get ready for challenge after challenge where young and old alike will learn about spy materials and intelligence gathering. Pre-readers might need a little help navigating some of these hands-on exhibits. Plan to spend a few hours in this huge museum and don't rush through the gift shop ; you'll be sure to find super unique items ready for spy practice at home.
Insider Tip: Check out the educational resources, and your kids can design their own spy gadget and mix up some invisible ink.
700 L'Enfant Plaza SW Washington, DC Online:spymuseum.org
Super, Awesome & Amazing
Super, Awesome & Amazing
The name says it all, and that's what you can expect inside 30,000 square feet of fun. First, pack all the water gear because the indoor water park offers year-round summer vacation vibes. Then, get ready to climb to new heights in the climbing and obstacles area. Your kids' confidence will grow, and their strategic thinking skills will skyrocket as they solve each climbing challenge. Step into another world with the Virtual Reality gaming bays. Slip into one of the Head-Mounted Displays to enter an intergalactic, ancient, or futuristic realm. There's a lot to see and do. If you need help, just ask one of the super friendly staff members, and they'll be more than happy to take care of your crew.
Insider Tip: Everyone must wear closed-toed shoes when in the Active Entertainment Center, and no outside food or drink is allowed.
Get ready to bounce off the walls in this trampoline-filled play space. And you don't have to worry about your little ones getting run over because there's an area just for them. So, strike up a family-friendly game of trampoline dodgeball or run and jump headfirst into a giant foam pit. If you're all fans of ninja courses, you'll love the course at this place. The exciting obstacles build kids' agility, strength and balance. And, they can race against time and see how fast they can complete the course.
Insider Tip: The park offers a dedicated time just for jumpers with special needs on the first Saturday of every month from 8-10 a.m.
The Trade Center Shopping Village 340 S Pickett St, Alexandria, VA Online: getairsports.com
DC Kids Makerspace
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In this innovative and creative class-based space, your kids will love the STEAM fun and learning waiting for them. Build a LAVA lamp, mix up some slime or create a custom face mask. Any project is full of endless possibilities. Many classes start with mindful practice and reflection, and the staff leaves tons of space for open creativity.
If rockets and airplanes are your kids' things, then the Air and Space Museum in Dulles, VA, is the next stop on your winter bucket list. First, visit the vast plane hangar where the Space Shuttle Discovery and a Concorde are on display. Then, ride in a flight simulator and sit inside the cockpit of a vintage aircraft. Head upstairs to the top level, and your crew can learn about air traffic control and watch planes fly in and out of the local airport.
Insider Tip: You don't need to worry about leaving to grab lunch, there's a McDonald's on-site.
14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway Chantilly, Virginia Online:airandspace.si.edu
Wilson Aquatic Center
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It hardly matters the season; kids just want to swim. Lucky for us, Woodrow Wilson Aquatic Center in Tenleytown offers an Olympic size indoor lap pool and kiddie pool that is open year round, seven days a week. Kids love the two basketball hoops and large buckets that dump water into the baby pool. The Aquatic Center is free to D.C. residents, but charges non-residents $7 for adults and $4 for kids. The Aquatic Center does not accept cash; payment must be made by credit card. For more fun in the water, check out this guide on indoor water parks in DC.
4551 Fort Drive NW Tenleytown 202-730-0583 Online: dpr.dc.gov
The nation’s capitol has countless museums, but a favorite for the kiddos is the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. Head straight to the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on the third level for an interactive space where kids can weave a giant basket, explore snowshoes, sit inside a full-sized tipi, play in an Amazonian stilt house and learn about pueblo adobe houses. Upon entering, kids pick up a “passport book,” and get stamps from different tribal nations at each station. There’s a reading room and a craft room, with super cool rotating art projects (think: a Lakota Star Quilt). When the gang gets hungry, head down to the Mitsitum Café, which the New York Times has called “the best food on the mall.” There, you’ll find fry bread, wild duck, salmon, and buffalo burgers.
Editor's note: The Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian and Mitsitum Café are open, but imagiNATIONS is currently closed.
Fourth Street and Independence Ave. SW National Mall 202-633-6644 Online:americanindian.si.edu
A museum that says it is OK to touch? Yes, please! With interactive exhibitions like America on the Move and hands-on carts full of historical activities, your visit may feel more like a day at an educational playground. When the adults and big kids are ready to explore everything the museum offers, younger kiddos will love the on-site interactive kids' areas. You can explore this museum from the comfort of your home, too. Listen to the museum's Prototype Online: Inventive Voices podcast that features interviews and lectures of renowned inventors and innovators. This series also has a podcast activity guide.
Wegman's Wonderplace – Take your tiny ones (6 & under) to the magical play area just inside the entrance. The 1700-square-foot interactive wonderland gets curiosity flowing. With a gated entrance and attentive staff, you can freely allow your kiddos to explore the dream kitchen, blocks of all shapes and sizes, walls full of gadgets and gizmos and an indoor farm complete with an adorable chicken coop. Editor's note:Wonderplace is currently closed due to COVID.
Spark!Lab – Bring out that little inventor in this innovative space built for tinkering. The cool factor is high when everything you see invites your kids to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Perfect for ages 6 – 12.
Sadly, you won't get to take home a sample of the newly printed money, but you will get to learn all about how it happens. And, you can peep what ten million dollars looks like in real life. Before you go, it helps to discuss the definition of the word currency. You'll hear that word more than money throughout the day. Free tour tickets are required from March through November, and the 40-minute tour runs from 9 a.m – 2 p.m. You'll start by watching a short film about U.S. currency, then take a tour featuring actual money printing while you're there.
Insider Tip: If you visit during peak season (March 23 - September 4), they distribute tour tickets in the morning, and they go fast
Editor's Note: Tours are currently suspended due to COVID.
It’s official: Kelly Clarkson is divorced. The singer and mom of two’s paperwork has been finalized and she can start moving on––after some whopping cash payments to her ex, that is.
Court documents obtained by The Blast outline the settlement. Clarkson has a slew of transactions to be made to Brandon Blackstock, starting with a one-time payment of more than $1.3 million. And that’s just the beginning. Blackstock will also be the recipient of monthly spousal support until January 2024, to the tune of $115,000 monthly.
The couple’s children, River and Remington, will reside with mom at Clarkson’s home in Los Angeles and must be Covid-19 vaccinated as part of the deal for when they travel to visit their father. Despite the kids mainly living in L.A., the now-ex’s have official joint custody and Clarkson is on the hook for for monthly child support payments to Blackstock for $45,601. Are you writing all this down?
Now, on to the property. Clarkson is getting both Montana properties, the family pets, cars that include a Ford Bronco, a Ford F-250 and a Porsche Cayenne and a flight simulator. Since Blackstock is still living at one of the homes, he must pay Clarkson $2,000 a month in rent until he moves in June.
Blackstock on the other hand, is walking away with farm cattle, livestock, stock dogs, horses, Patek Philippe watches, a golf simulator (ok they really love simulators), CAT snowmobiles, an ATV, plus a Ford F-350 and a Ford F-250 (yes, they had two).
All in all, the divorce is costing Clarkson millions but it appears the singleton is now happier than ever. Kelly Brianne is now ready to make her debut.
Is your little one loco for locomotives? Check out our must-visit list of train museums, train rides for kids in Los Angeles, must-visit stations, and a chance to ride real trains for free (at least for the kids). When your kid is crazy about all things trains, it’s full steam ahead!
Angel's Flight
Over a century old, this funicular (a train that goes up and down a mountain) shuttles passengers between Hill St. and Grand Ave. on Bunker Hill. Originally opened in 1901, Angels Flight—the world’s shortest railway—has given more than 100 million rides on its hillside track.The top station is located at California Plaza (350 South Grand Ave., while the lower entrance is located at 351 South Hill St.—which, handily is across from Grand Central Market (and one of our favorite spots for lunch!). Park there and just walk across the street. Or if you are really going to make a train day of it, take the metro to the Civic Ctr/Grand Park station—Angel's Flight is 5 minute walk.
Hours: Daily, 6:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cost: $1 each way or if you use your Metro TAP card, it costs just .50!
File this destination under "Worth the Drive" (it's 77 miles from DTLA). For train-crazy toddlers, make sure to catch appearances by Thomas and Percy, and a special Christmas-time Polar Express Train Ride. This Orange County museum also has the West’s largest collection of railway locomotives, passenger and freight cars, streetcars and other artifacts dating from the 1870s. The museum also operates a railway where visitors can ride on the historic trains and trolleys that helped shape Southern California.
Do you want to hear a bit of history? Then catch a hosted tour! Narrated tours of the museum and their extensive collection Mon. through Fri. between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Hours: 9 a.m.-5p.m.; railway opens from 11a.m.-5p.m. on weekends only and special events Cost: All-day train ride pass, $12 for ages 12 & up; $8 for ages 5 through 11; free for ages 4 and under
For train enthusiasts and those kids with a growing obsession, Travel Town is a perfect spot thanks to the collection of historic rail cars and the ride-a-long train that goes around the perimeter. It's located in a grassy, relaxed area of Griffith Park and happens to also be a great place to spread out a picnic. Of course if your little trainspotter is still obsessed with all things choo-choo come birthday-time, you can have a train-themed birthday party in one of their train cars. Also don't miss the well-stocked gift shop—a great resource for train-related toys.
Open: Open daily (except Wed.); 10 a.m-4:45 p.m. Cost: Free to enter; train rides are $3 & up
Also inside Griffith Park, Griffith Park & Southern Railroad often runs two locomotives around a scenic track that includes a tunnel, a trestle bridge, a Wild West street scene and a corral full of real horses. There’s plenty of parking, plus a concession stand, snack bar and a gift shop, as well as a small space-flight simulator and the nearby Griffith Park pony and wagon rides.
The train ride at this Griffith Park spot is aboard a 7½" gauge model train, which makes it about an eighth the size of a standard train. You sit on top of it, straddling the train car, as opposed to inside it. You'll cross bridges, pass through tunnels and alongside miniature towns. Know before you go: Passengers must be at least 34-inches tall to enjoy the ride.
Insider Tip: If you are there on the 3rd Sun. of the month, swing by and check out the relocated Walt's Barn—it's where Walt Disney worked on his own trains and brainstormed new ideas.
If you're headed to Knott's Berry Farm, be sure grab a seat on the Calico Railroad, which has been at the park since Jan. 12, 1952. The locomotive is an authentic Denver and Rio Grande Narrow Gauge train that was used in the early 1900s. Warning: The train has the highest crime rate in all of Orange County (wink, wink), as notorious bandits stage hold-ups on every ride.
Open: Daily, 10a.m.–10p.m. most days Cost per ride: Free with admission (tickets start at $53, but you can find discounted tickets here).
Don’t miss this DTLA landmark (built in 1939!) for an up-close look at real trains in Los Angles moving people in and out of our city. Just march right through the lobby and into the tunnel beneath the platforms, check out the schedule to see which tracks have trains leaving soon and walk up the ramp of your choice to see full-size trains in action. Dozens of Amtrak and MetroLink trains use Union Station daily, and your kids are sure to get an eye-full and ear-full of real train experience. (It can be a bit deafening on the platforms, so consider bringing earplugs if you or your kids are sensitive to loud noises).
This museum is an undiscovered gem for Southern California families. Hidden in a residential neighborhood in the South Bay city of Lomita, it's full of train history, educational dioramas and hundreds of models depicting train cars from the 1830s to the present. The museum is housed in a 19th-century New England small-town train depot replica, and after you purchase your tickets at the old-fashioned train-ticket counter, the well-informed staff will welcome your little ones with some background on the museum, while demonstrating the facility’s genuine train lights and whistles. Tear your kids away from the kids train table set-up near the gift counter, head out to climb through the historic caboose and engine, the push-car and the water tower, and then maybe enjoy a picnic at one of the two train-centric parks next door, which together feature a contemporary caboose, a tank car and a boxcar.
Open: Fri. through Sun., 10a.m.–5p.m., Cost: $4 for adults, $2 for children, free for children under 2
Of course, if your kid will only be pleased with riding the real thing, hop on a Metrolink train from Union Station where kids ride free on the weekends with a paying adult. Where to go for the day? Check out their explorer page for all the places you can go including Oceanside, San Juan Capistrano, Ventura County or even the Antelope Valley.
With kids being home and parents getting creative in finding things to do during this COVID year, options are running low. Now that museums are starting to open up, it’s a great time to visit safely. With the holidays not far away, what better gift than a membership to our beloved Bay Area museums that have been hit hard this year? From all things air transportation to Charlie Brown fans, treat your child (and yourself), with a gift that not only teaches but is fun for the whole family. Parents rejoice!
San Francisco
Exploratorium
The Exploratorium
The Membership: Two family memberships are available for purchase. The Family Explorers Membership includes unlimited daytime admission for up to two adults and accompanying guests, plus up to four children for $149. For those that want grandparents to be able to visit with the kiddos anytime, check out the Family Explorers with Caregiver Card. It adds unlimited daytime admission for one adult, and grandparents can visit anytime with kids for $199. Compare That To: Admission is $29.95/adult; $24.95/youth (13-17); $19.95/youth (4-12); free for children under three. After Dark tickets are also $19.95/non-members. The Biggest Perks: 10% discount at the store, exclusive invitations to members-only events and exhibitions, discounted tickets to Tactile Dome and After Dark, and discounted guest tickets for daytime admission. Membership is also 100% fully tax-deductible.
Note that the museum is currently closed and will open at a future date.
Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green St.) San Francisco, CA Online: exploratorium.edu
Walt Disney Family Museum
The Membership: Family Membership includes admission for four members plus one additional guest per visit with eight film vouchers that can be redeemed for tickets to their monthly film screenings for $245. Compare That To: Daily admission is $25/adult; $15/youth (6-17); free for children under five. The Biggest Perks: All the benefits of the Dual and Individual Membership including participation in NARM and ROAM (giving access to hundreds of museums across the country), one-time-use VIP tickets to guests, discounts for additional tickets, invitations to members-only events and a 10% discount to the store. It’s also tax-deductible!
104 Montgomery St. San Francisco, CA Online: waltdisney.org
SFMOMA
Kate Loweth
The Membership: Great for visiting with family and friends, the Dual Membership includes admission for one member and up to three guests for a total of four adults per visit for $180. Compare The To: Daily admission is $25/adult; $19/youth (19-24); free for guests 18 & under. Biggest Perks: Up to 16 free tickets for each surcharged special exhibition, members-only preview days and parties, 10% off museum store purchases (20% off member sale days), 10% off gift memberships, discounted tickets to films, lectures, and education programs and 25% off parking in the SFMOMA garage.
151 Third St. San Francisco, CA Online: sfmoma.org
The Membership: Family Membership includes admission for two adults and children 17 & under for $269. For the best deal with grandparents, opt for the Family Plus which includes two adults, children 17 & under and one caregiver, plus free admission for two guests for $329. For those with a flexible schedule and OK with blackout dates, consider the Community Value Membership for $169 for two adults (parents or grandparents) and children 17 & under. It’s a great way to visit the museum and save money as well! Compare That To: Daily admission is $29.74/adult; $23.25/youth (13-17); free for children under two. Biggest Perks: Invitations to exclusive exhibit previews and member talks, members-only planetarium shows, animal feedings and hands-on programs, 20% off lectures, sleepovers, tours and NightLife, 10% off shopping, dining and birthday party rentals and express entry to the museum. Fully tax-deductible as well!
Golden Gate Park 55 Music Concourse Dr. San Francisco, CA Online: calacademy.org
deYoung Museum
de Young Museum
The Membership: The Family Membership is fully tax-deductible and is good for two members and two guests (17 & up). Compare That To: Daily one-time admission is $15/adult; free for guests 17 & under. Biggest Perks: Invitation to Member Mornings on select Saturday mornings, admission to special exhibitions for six children up to age 17, discounts on Summer Camp and classes designed for families and children, 10% off at the museum stores (and 20% off during seasons members-only sale days), discounts on audio tours, programs and events.
Golden Gate Park 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. San Francisco, CA Online: deyoung.famsf.org
East Bay
Chabot Space and Science Center
The Membership: The Earth Family Membership includes two parents and all children in the household 18 & under for $99. The Earth Orbiter is also available and includes a grandparent for $150/year. Compare That To: Admission is $18/adult; $14/youth (3-12); free for children under three. Biggest Perks: Priority registration for summer camps, events and workshops (which are super popular), access to monthly members-only telescope viewing, discounts on Starry Nights Gift Shop and Town Kitchen Cafe and free or discounted admission to science centers and museums worldwide from the ASTC Passport program.
Note that the museum is currently closed, but plans to re-open in June 2021.
The Membership: The Ambassador Family Membership is a great membership that’s easy on the wallet. It includes unlimited visits for up to four household family members (including caregivers) for $34. Note that there is a six-month minimum enrollment. Compare That To: Daily admission is $12/adult and children; free for babies 12 months & under. Biggest Perks: Half-price admission at over 200 children’s museums nationwide (including seven in the Bay Area), unlimited additional guests at just $10, 10% off birthday parties and Parent Night Out events and 20% discount at the store.
Note that the museum is currently closed and will open at a future date.
2065 Kittredge St. Berkeley, CA Online: habitot.org
Peninsula/South Bay
Hiller Aviation Museum
Hiller
The Membership: The Family Membership is $90 and includes admission for two adults and up to four children 17 & under with discounts on Aviation Camp. A Pioneer Membership is also available and adds an additional card for another adult (up to three per visit) and two one-time guest passes for $125. Compare That To: Currently open only on the weekends with a discounted fee of $14.40/adult (normally $18); $8.80/youth (normally $14); free for children four & under. Biggest Perks: Discounts on workshops and special programs, 10% discount at the shop (and 25% off on Special Member Days), 10% discount on birthday parties, invitation to members-only aviation parties, free Flight Sim Zone and Drone Plex access and discounts on FMX Flight Simulator. Families can also score a 10% discount on Aviation Camp enrollment.
The Membership: Choose between a Family or Grandparent Membership for $175 which includes unlimited admission for two adults and children or grandchildren 18 & under. Compare That To: Currently the museum is only open to Bill’s Backyard and is $5/guest; free for infants. Biggest Perks: Members-only invitation to exclusive events and exhibition previews, discount at the FoodShed and two one-time-use guest passes.
Currently, the museum is only allowing admission to Bill’s Backyard with plans to re-open the rest of the museum in phases.
The Membership: A Family Membership is $145 and includes admission for two adults and children (or grandchildren) 18 & under and free parking when visiting the museum. Compare That To: Daily admission is $15.95/adult; $12.95/child; free for babies 17 months & under. Biggest Perks: Discounts for IlluminOdyssey Outdoors, free entrance to Coyote Point Recreation Area, discounted admission for family and friends, 10% discount at the shop, and for birthday parties, and free or discounted tickets to over 400 science and wildlife centers. Memberships are also fully tax-deductible!
The Membership: The Family Membership includes two adults and all children in the household, with a 20% discount for teachers and corporate employees. There is also a Grandparents Membership which includes all the same benefits as the Family Membership, with the addition of including all grandchildren a grandparent member wishes to cover. Membership does not include admission to the Goblin Jamboree. Compare That To: General admission is $16.95/adult; $16.95/kids (1-18); $14.95/babies (6-11 months) and seniors. Biggest Perks: Exclusive member storytimes and meetups (hands-on STEM and art projects), admission to BADM festivals and special events, free or discounted tickets to over 500 children's museums and science centers worldwide, four guest passes, credit towards birthday parties and a 10% discount at the store and cafe.
The Membership: Includes admission for two adults and all children 18 & under, plus four guest passes for $75. Compare That To: Admission is $12/adult; $5/youth (4-18); free for children under three. Biggest Perks: Invitation to members-only events, 20% discount on museum workshops, 10% off at the museum store, discount on ice skating at Snoopy’s Home Ice and admission to the Children's Museum of Sonoma County and the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco. Plus NARM and ROAM privileges.
Note that the museum is currently closed and will open at a future date.
Buckle up and take your holiday lights enjoyment to all new heights from Santa’s point of view, 1,200 feet above the bundled-up crowd. Chicago Helicopter Experience, a helicopter touring company with a heliport in Bridgeport, is offering adventure seekers sky-high views of Chicago’s magnificent light displays. Whether you’re taking the family or escaping for a much-needed date night, read on for an experience you won’t soon forget.
Tour Route
The charismatic pilot gives a guided tour of the lights at Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier, Millennium Park and the Chicago skyline, which is breathtaking no matter the time of year but exponentially so during the holidays.
photo: Bird’s Eye View of LP Zoo
Duration of Tour
Expect the entire experience to last an hour. When you arrive, all participants must go through pre-flight training where staff covers safety procedures and passengers practice working the seatbelt. The time spent in the air is approximately 17 minutes.
photo: Navy Pier from 1,200 feet up
Transportation and Parking
There is plenty of free parking at the facility. If you opt for the train, hop on the Orange line and take the Halsted stop. The entrance kinda sneaks up on you, so keep your eyes peeled for the gravel lot.
While You Wait
You’ll be asked to arrive early for your flight, but you can entertain yourself and the kids with a variety of games like cornhole (aka bags), connect four, UNO and Jenga. There is also a separate room with a flight simulator, fun facts about Chicago, information on helicopter history and interactive games.
photo: looking onto Lake Shore Dr. from over Lake Michigan
Good to Know
Be sure to bring your driver’s license, as you’ll need to show a form of identification just as you would at the airport.
The helicopter seats 6, plus the pilot. You can schedule yourself for a tour open to the public or private tours are available upon request and for an additional cost.
Passengers will be provided noise-canceling headphones with a headset. Be warned: everyone on board can hear what you’re saying through the mic.
The cabin is temperature-controlled, so dress as though you’re going for a car ride.
This tour is appropriate for any age, provided the kiddo can sit up on their own in the seat.
Just in case you’re wondering, no one has ever gotten sick on the tour—the question was asked and answered. So, don’t get yourself worked up over concerns about motion or air sickness. You won’t experience the same turbulence you find on a plane ride—it feels more like floating in the clouds.
After the tour, riders get a picture taken next to the helicopter and receive a digital copy.
If you ask your kids who the first person was to walk on the moon, and they say Gru, well, we’ve got just the historical exhibit to set them straight. Shove aside, Gru and Vector, Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission exhibit is making its only orbit to the West Coast this summer at The Museum of Flight. Scroll down for the moon-tastic deets!
What You’ll Encounter
This stellar, kid-friendly, Smithsonian exhibit, commemorating the 50th anniversary (on July 20th) of the first ever moon walk, gives your space-savvy littles a glimpse into what it took to hit this massive milestone. It may sound like something for the history buffs out there, but Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission is chock-full of fascinating things for your little dwarf planets to peruse. Get an up close and personal look at 20 one-of-a-kind artifacts from the Apollo moon landing program that are sure to wow your inquisitive shooting stars. From the actual Apollo 11 command module that traveled to the moon, to jet engines and even Buzz Aldrin’s gloves and space helmet, you and your little dippers will get a first-hand look at what it was like to land on the moon in 1969.
Start Your Engines
As you navigate your way through the exhibit, be sure to check out the Lunar Roving Vehicle, the collection of space suits, and the authentic jet engines, one of which was recovered from the ocean after the Apollo 12 and 16 moon missions! Have your celestial cuties get to know their heroes, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin as you walk through the intricacies of the astronauts’ journey into space and their extraordinary plop down on the moon.
One (More) Small Step
Then, finish it off with a bang by seeing the piece de resistance, the real-life Apollo 11 command Module, Columbia, that brought the astronauts into lunar orbit and enabled the first humans to walk on the moon. It is really something for your diminutive deep-space devotees to behold! And, don’t forget to let your little lunar lovers take the virtual tour of the inside of this famous spacecraft. Use the nearby computers to navigate the interior and the exterior of the module to see what it must have felt like to be a part of this giant leap for mankind!
Space to Play
After you have oohed and aahed your way through your walk in Destination Moon, if the kiddos have become little red planets and are on the verge of imploding, don’t miss out on the newly revamped kid’s zone, Tranquility Base. It still has a few of the tried and true favorites from the previous kiddo play area, but has also been completely revamped to mirror the new exhibit. Play around in the space module replica, construct a moon map, create your own mission patch, and make calls from mission control (Houston, there are no problems here!). The perfect place for your pint-sized cosmic cadets to get the ants out of their space pants!
But Don’t Stop There…
Explore the whole Museum of Flight while you are at it. There’s so much to see and do, you can spend hours there surrounded by all things aviation. Keep reading for your guide on how best to spend the day touring the rest of the Museum with your minuscule co-pilots!
Where to Takeoff
A great starting point to the rest of this behemoth museum would be the Great Gallery, right outside of the Destination Moon exhibit. It’s filled to the brim with full size aircraft, everything from the first archaic stabs at air flight to jets, prop jobs, and ‘copters. Pretty much a dream for itty bitty Earharts and Lindberghs. There is plenty of room for the kiddos to wander (and strollers to stroll) and a few airplanes (including a fighter jet) are open to climb inside! So, if you have an aspiring Maverick or Goose on your hands, you’ll want to hit it up. For an additional fee, there is a 360 degree air combat flight simulator ride and a 4D-X simulator ride. Both of these attractions are geared toward older kids and more seasoned pilots in training who want to give flight sensation a whirl!
Cleared for Takeoff
After a go-around in the Gallery or the new Tranquility Base kids’ zone, head up to the observation level Tower for a history on flight and wing anatomy. And, of more interest to the young guns, check out the hands-on stations where you can pretend to be an air traffic controller (Standby, over!). The Tower also gives you an exciting view of the Boeing runway where you and your enthusiastic wee gliders can watch planes takeoff and land. (Psst…Mom and Dad, on a clear day, you get a huge view of Mt. Rainier from here, too!)
I Need My Space
What would a trip to The Museum of Flight be without some space ships, right?! It might be safe to assume there is at least one Star Wars fan in the fam, so high tail your little stormtroopers over the Skybridge (you might even catch some Star Wars music as you cross!) to the West Campus’ Space Gallery where you’ll find a full-scale mockup of a NASA space shuttle that has even been used for actual astronaut training! In this area you will also find all sorts of educational sections to answer all the questions your small-scale rocketeers throw at you. How long does it take to get to Mars? Well, you can find out here (spoiler alert, it’s 6.6 months). How do astronauts go to the bathroom? This, too, you will discover in (quite astonishingly) great detail. What do they eat in space? Yep, this exhibit has you covered. Your little ones will come home with answers to some of the most pertinent questions universe-minded minions have come up with to date.
You May Now Move About the Cabin
Connected to the Space Gallery, you won’t want to miss the Aviation Pavilion, a fave among the small set. This massive area houses 19 commercial and military planes for the shorties to marvel at, with a handful that they can go inside! This includes the first jet Air Force One (used by Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon), as well as a couple of huge commercial planes and the super fast Concorde. Check out the cockpits to show your bedazzled bambinos the impressive amount of buttons and controls the pilots have to know!
Good to know: Under the big commercial planes there is another children’s play area. Set up like an airport gate and airplane, the minis can pretend to check you in, load your luggage, and take you to your seat, in First Class, of course! Bon voyage!
Fill Your Tray Tables
Planning a visit around lunchtime? Hit up the Wings Café, in the main building, where you can refuel the troops if they seem to be approaching meltdown speed. There is a kid’s menu as well as lots of goodies for adults to nosh on as well. And loads better than airplane food! Also, there are a few other galleries to explore (World War II Gallery and the Boeing Red Barn) around the Café if you want to wander a bit more. These galleries have a few hands-on activities for your speed demons, but are more adult-focused. However, if you are looking for a saunter to wind down your co-pilots after lunch, this might be the ticket.
Insider Tip
The Skybridge and the Aviation Pavilion are both covered, but open air. Bring along your jackets on a cold day if you want to spend a bit of time in there. It can get chilly!
What’s on the Horizon
The Museum Of Flight has enough activities every month to fill a cargo plane! They host Weekend Family Workshops on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., as well as numerous other programs and events. Click here for their full activities calendar.
Psst..If you want to save a buck or two…on the first Thursday of each month, the Museum stays open late and admission is free from 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
The Museum of Flight
9404 E. Marginal Way
Seattle, WA 98108
206-764-5700
Online: museumofflight.org
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 exhibit runs now through Sept. 2, 2019
Admission: $25/Adults; $21/Seniors; $16/Youth (5-17); 4 & under Free. $10 extra per person to visit the Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 exhibit. Click here to reserve your time.
—Alaina Weimer (all photos courtesy of the author)
The San Francisco Bay is home to a number of historic ships that are all available to visit. Little ones will be amazed by their massive size and bonus, they’ll get a little history lesson at the same time. Cruise on through this list and pick your next day out on the water!
San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park
Kate Loweth
Head to Fisherman's Wharf to check out this fleet of historic vessels. Visit the 1907 steam tug Hercules, 1891 scow schooner Alma and others docked on the pier. Public ranger-led tours of the pier are offered daily or you can tour on your own. The visitor center is across the street from Hyde Street Pier where you can explore the park's collection of historic vessels.
Entrance to the pier is $15/person age 15 and older. Kids are free as are visitors who come with a fourth grader with an Every Kid in a Park pass (free to sign up).
Kids looking to explore the SF waterfront this summer can sign up for one of their summer camp programs.
Hyde Street Pier Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco, CA Online: nps.gov
USS Pampanito—San Francisco
Kate Loweth
The USS Pampanito SS-383 is a WWII Balao Class Fleet Submarine. This historical vessel is now a popular floating museum in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood. This sub went out on six patrols in the Pacific during World War II and it sank six Japanese ships and damaged four others. Audio tours are offered on a daily basis and kids five and under get in free. Scouting programs are offered including overnights.
The USS Hornet Museum is a museum ship composed of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, exhibits from the NASA Apollo moon exploration missions and several retired aircraft from World War II and the transonic and early supersonic jet propulsion period. Tours are available on a daily basis and they even offer overnights where you get to sleep restored compartments where the crew lived. Kids love taking a ride inside the flight simulator. Insider tip: Check out passes to visit the Hornet for free via your library's Discover and Go Program.
The SS Jeremiah O'Brien is one of two remaining fully functional Liberty ships of the 2,710 built and launched during World War II. The O'Brien has the distinction of being the last unaltered Liberty ship and remains historically accurate. A living museum on the National Register of Historic Places and a National Historic Landmark, the O'Brien transports you back almost seven decades to when sailors braved the harshest of high seas and threat of enemy attack. The ship is docked right next to the USS Pampanito, perfect to visit at the same time.
The “Floating White House” was originally commissioned the USCG Cutter Electra in 1934. In 1936 it was renamed the USS Potomac and served as Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Presidential Yacht until his death in 1945. The Potomac offers cruise opportunities on San Francisco Bay where you will learn about the history of San Francisco Bay and FDR’s role in its development. You can also tour the yacht dockside in Jack London Square on Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays.
540 Water St. Oakland, CA Phone: 510-627-1215 Online: usspotomac.org
Alcatraz Cruises—San Francisco
Kate Loweth
A ferry ride to Alcatraz Island gives you a history lesson of a different sort.You'll get an unparalleled view of San Francisco and Alcatraz Island for the duration of the ride. When you arrive, take the tour of this island prison before heading back to SF on the next ferry. All Alcatraz Island tours depart from and return to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, located along San Francisco’s northern waterfront promenade, on The Embarcadero near the intersection of The Embarcadero and Bay Streets. Read all about Alcatraz Island here.
Whether you choose to leave from San Francisco or Tiburon, a ferry ride to the historic Angel Island is fun day trip for families. When you arrive, sign up for a tram tour that takes you to all the historical spots on the island. Stop for a photo at Battery Ledyard before you visit the crumbling former hospital that some say is haunted. Angel Island Tiburon Ferry provides service from Tiburon and Blue and Gold Fleet from San Francisco. Read all our Angel Island tips here.