Fun to do's with kids
 

First of all, thank you to everyone who has given great suggestions on my other post! I am from Chicago and have lived in the bay area for 5 years and love to hear about so many great places I did not know about. I am looking for activities for 2-6 adults and 2 boys ages 4 & 7. We are staying in Santa Cruz March 28th-April3rd and this is what I will be showing them:

San Fran
cable cars
alcatraz
exploritorium
Childrens Museum?


Santa Cruz
Boardwalk
Mystery Spot
Roaring Camp


Monterey
Whale watching?
Monterey Bay Aquariam
Wild Things
Dennis the Menace Playground
Cannery Row


Am I missing any great spots or activities??

My 7 year old nephew would like to do a balloon ride, any places you know of?

You've just about hit all the spots that I did with my son at those two ages. If the children's museum is the one, I think on the Saucalito side of the bridge, that one is really great for kids that age -- also really nice views too.

Roaring camp is a lot of fun, but if either of your children don't like loud noise, the train noise might be a little scary or uncomfortable.

Dennis the Menace playground is fabulous -- they even have a maze. If the weather is good, you can also use the little boats in the lake. The merry go round at Cannery Row is fun, but very fast! Again, if the weather is good, you might want to rent bikes or rent one of those 4 person pedel cars -- there is a great bike path along the water. There's also along the bike path, heading south in Pacific Grove, a little bay area where the kids can walk in the sand and even play in the water (kids don't mind the cold the way parents do). Just bring towels and a change of clothes.

Thank you,

I love the idea of renting bikes or the person pedal car. They would get a kick out of that.

I would not miss the Childrens Museum in San Jose. It is a wonderful experience for kids that is both fun and educational. The museum could take up most of the day, if you would like. Waterworks display is interactive and truly fascinating for little ones.

Since you have up to 6 adults, and the 2 boys are relatively young, I would limit the number of indoor children's museums. The kids will be thoroughly entertained almost anywhere in California, and the adults will be bored to tears in the museums IMHO. Taking a ferry ride from SF to Tiburon or Sausalito is always fun, especially for the kids. My experience as a parent is that we always seemed to go overboard trying to entertain the kids, when in fact they can be happy running around in a park outdoors! Besides, every city has good childrens museums, so you could be in Anytown, USA, once you're inside. Personally, I'd stick to the gorgeous outdoors in CA and trips to the ocean.

Surfergirl, how old is too old for Roaring Camp? Would older children still enjoy the train ride and the area? I've read about it here in previous posts and actually think we the parents would like it, too. Or is it primarily for little ones? Thank you.

You are right MaureenB, I think I will pick one of the children's museum.

Thank you

You are right MaureenB, I think I will pick just one of the children's museum.

Thank you

Topping to ask Surfergirl or anyone else that may know -- how old is too old for the trains at Roaring Camp? Would older children and teens enjoy the train ride and the area? Its supposed to be beautiful, with views of the sequoias and ocean, right? And from what I've read I actually think we the parents would like it too. Or is it primarily for little ones? Thank you

Not too old for ME to enjoy! It's a cool area, almost like you're going back in time, with a trip through the forest in the steam engine. It's kind of a mini history lesson. I'd reckon the only thing the really little ones would like about it is the train itself, and being able to run around the parklike area chasing ducks. I think, for the full effect, like listening to the narrator, it's better for the older kids, or adults, like me, who get a kick out of trains.