Places to Visit in Our Area

There are some great places in the Bay Area to take your family. Many are free or not too expensive and some are very pricey. Click around and enjoy. If you discover a place that you and your family really enjoyed let Mrs. Valentine know and she will try to get it on this page to share with others. Have a wonderful time! Choose a city and you are on your way

Petaluma, Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Marin, Other Areas

Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park Petaluma Fairgrounds Speedway

tel. +1 707.762.4871 tel.+1.707.762.7223

3325 Adobe Rd. 100 Fairgrounds Dr.

Petaluma, CA 94954 Petaluma, CA 94952

Downtown Walking Tour of Petaluma

This website is full of information and history of downtown Petaluma.

http://www.sonic.net/%7Etdn/petaluma/

20 Fourth Street, corner of "B"

This building was originally one of the Carnegie Libraries, and as a condition of the original grant, there is still a small library of rare books on site. Lots of local history, and a beautiful stained glass skylight in the historic old building.

http://www.petalumamuseum.com/about.htm

3325 Adobe Road , Petaluma, CA 94954

The main residence of Rancho Petaluma, a part of General Vallejo’s huge agricultural empire during the early 1800’s. Part of the adobe is original, while the rest has been restored. Authentic furnishings – a good picture of life in California 200 years ago.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=474

http://www.parks.sonoma.net/adobe.html

0.8 kilometer (0.5 mile) west of Olema, CA along Bear Valley Road.

Everyone who lives in the Bay Area should visit Bear Valley. In addition to the nice little museum in the Visitors Center, there is a short paved path across the street that leads you along the San Andreas Fault, to the epicenter of the 1906 Earthquake. If you walk up the hill on the other side of the Visitors Center, you will find a replica of a Miwok village.

http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm#CP_JUMP_63133

Petaluma Historical Library and Museum Dodge City Amusement Center

tel. +1 707.778.4398 tel.+1.707.762.0252

20 4th St. 100 Fairgrounds Dr.

Petaluma, CA Petaluma, CA 94952

http://www.petaluma.net/historicalmuseum/

Sonoma

Sears Point Raceway Sonoma State Historic Park

tel. +1 707.938.8448 tel.+1.707.938.1519

Highways 37 and 121 Spain St. (between 1st and 3rd)

Sonoma, CA Sonoma, CA 95476

Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma, The Plaza, Sonoma Barracks, General Vallejo’s home – all in downtown Sonoma.

http://www.parks.sonoma.net/sonoma.html

tel. +1 707.938.3912 tel.+1.707.938.1762

Hwy. 12

Sonoma, CA 270 1st St.

http://www.traintown.com. Sonoma, CA.

Sonoma Coast State Beach, Highway 1

http://www.sonoma.edu/geology/wright/shellb.html

Other Nice Beaches

Doran Beach (near Bodega Bay) sandy gently sloping beach for wading-great for sand castles. Hearts Desire Beach (past Inverness on the west side of Tomales Bay) a longer drive, but there is a roped off beach for swimming and the showers in the the bathroom. Beyond Hearts Desire Beach, you can drive to Tomales Point, where you may see herds of Tule Elk. Limantour Beach (the road to Limantour is near Bear Valley Visitors Center) an even longer drive, but a pretty

Parks and Recreation in Sonoma County

Santa Rosa

391 Violetti Drive , Santa Rosa, CA

between Annadel State Park and Howarth Park (City of Santa Rosa)

A nice place for fishing, picnics and hikes. Canoes and kayaks are allowed on the lake, but no motorized boats.

http://www.sonoma-county.org/PARKS/pk_slake.htm

Howarth Park is a 152-acre community park located on Summerfield Road in eastern Santa Rosa.  The park includes a lake for fishing and boating, a softball field, 6 lighted tennis courts, single and group picnic areas, miles of hiking and jogging trails which connect to the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and an amusement area with a miniature train ride, carousel, animal farm and pony rides.

http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/default.aspx?PageId=1391

tel. +1 707.575.1014 tel.+1/707.575.7874

1070 Santa Rosa Plaza 50 W. 6th St.

Santa Rosa, CA Santa Rosa, CA

tel. +1 707.524.5445 tel.+1.707.575.7900

Santa Rosa & Sonoma Aves. 2330 Airport Blvd.

Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Santa Rosa, CA

2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 U.S.A.

(707)284-1268

Available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

tel. +1 707.527.4479 tel.+1.707 575.7110

1501 Mendocino Ave. 2489 Guerneville Rd.

Santa Rosa, CA Santa Rosa, CA

tel. +1 707.546.7147 tel. + 1.707.527.5371

1667 W. Steele Ln. 1501 Mendocino Ave.

Santa Rosa, CA Santa Rosa, CA

tel. +1 707.584.1361

5301 Redwood Dr.

Rohnert Park, CA 94926

Other Neighboring Areas

Jelly Belly Factory

http://www.chabotspace.org.visit

Egyptian Rosicrucian Museum

The Lawrence Hall of Science

45500 Lighthouse Road , Point Arena, CA 95468

Now privately operated, the lighthouse sits at the tip of a long point of land. On a clear day, the views are spectacular. There is a fee to enter the property, and another fee if you want to climb to the top of the lighthouse (scary, but worth it!)

http://www.pointarenalighthouse.com/about.html

19005 Coast Highway One, Jenner, CA 95450

The fort is actually several miles north of Jenner. This was originally a Russian trading settlement. Goods were shipped from this point north and south along the coast. A nice day trip, especially if you drive up Highway 1 from Bodega Bay!

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=449

Two miles north of Guerneville on Armstrong Woods Road. From Highway 101- coming North or South- take the River Road exit (in Santa Rosa). Go west on River Road until you reach Guerneville. At the second stop light make a right hand turn onto Armstrong Woods Road. This road will end in the park. Beautiful LARGE old redwoods in a peaceful setting. Places to picnic and hike. Most trails are flat and well marked. The easiest way to see majestic redwoods (and the best, I think).

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450

4100 Petrified Forest Road

Calistoga, Ca 94515

Long ago, a volcano in the area erupted and flattened redwoods miles away. The owners of this site have uncovered several of the fossilized trees and built a trail around the property for easy access to see them. There is also a gift shop. The admission is not cheap, but a must-see if you are a rock hound. Note- the trees are not like the petrified wood of the southwestern deserts (agate). They are a grayish color, and look like dusty tree trunks that fell last year!

http://www.petrifiedforest.org/

10000 Skyline Blvd. , Oakland, CA 94619

http://www.chabotspace.org

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 Tidepooling at Shell Beach (just south of Jenner)

Sonoma Coast State Beach

These are probably the best tide pools in this area. Check tide charts for low tide each day. As with all beaches in this area, always watch out for unexpected large waves.

Highway 1, 8 miles N of Bodega Bay, 3 miles S of Jenner.

http://www.sonoma.edu/geology/wright/shellb.html

Other nice beaches – Doran Beach (near Bodega Bay) sandy gently sloping beach for wading – great for sand castles. Hearts Desire Beach (past Inverness on the west side of Tomales Bay) a longer drive, but there’s a roped off beach for swimming, and showers in the bathroom. Beyond Hearts Desire Beach, you can drive to Tomales Point, where you may see herds of Tule Elk. Limantour Beach (the road to Limantour is near Bear Valley Visitors Center) an even longer drive, but a pretty one. Long stretches of sandy beach – part of the beach allows dogs on leash. Good for picnics and long walks – not so good for swimming (too cold!) Check a map for better directions to these beaches!

5000 Pressley Road , near the city of Rohnert Park, CA

This is the park where the 2 nd and 3 rd graders go to find insects. Nice easy trails, with a map at the parking area. Pets are allowed on leash. Watch for ticks! $5.00 fee to park.

http://www.sonoma-county.org/parks/pk_crane.htm

2 ½ miles north of Novato on Highway 101. You must be going southbound to enter the park. The park features several historic buildings, including the adobe house of Camilo Ynitia. He was known as the last hoipu, headman of the miwok community living at Olompali, and the only Native American Indian at the northern frontier to confirm his grant land in the beginning of the American period. Camilo Initia's Adobe is registered as a California Historical Landmark and is on the National Register of Historical places.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=22728

tel. +1 707.829.6711 tel. +1 707.838.7760

261 S. Main St. 8225 Conde Ln.

Sebastopol, CA 95472 Windsor, CA 95492

Fort Ross State Historical Park Healdsburg Museum

tel. +1 707.847.3286 tel. + 1.707.431.3325

Hwy 1and Fort Ross Rd. 221 Matheson St.

Jenner, CA 95450 Healdsburg, CA. 95448

Jack London State Historical Park Jack London Wolf House

tel. +1 707.938.5216 tel.+ 1 707.938.5216

2400 London Ranch Rd. 2400 London Ranch Rd.

Glen Ellen, CA 95442 Glen Ellen, CA 95442

Marin County

Angel Island

Muir Woods

North of San Francisco's Golden Gate. From Highway 101 take Highway 1 to the Stinson Beach exit and follow signs up the mountain. Casey says you have to watch for rattlesnakes, and the trails are steep. On a clear day, though, you can see San Francisco, the Farallon Islands, Tomales Bay, and Mt. St. Helena.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=471

The Point Reyes Lighthouse is located on the western-most point of the Point Reyes Headlands. To get to the lighthouse itself, you must walk a half-mile from the parking lot to the Visitor Center, and then down 308 steps. The stairs are open 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday through Monday. When wind speeds exceed 40 m.p.h., the steps to the lighthouse are closed for visitors' safety.” I took this description from the website. I have climbed the steps twice. Thankfully, there are benches along the way to catch your breath!

http://www.nps.gov/pore/historyculture/people_maritime_lighthouse.htm

Copied this from the website. “One of the most unique parks in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Marin Headlands covers various types of histories from the Miwok Indians to the Military, including historic Fort Barry and Fort Cronkhite, the NIKE Missile site and the 150 year-old Point Bonita lighthouse. Other attractions include vast hiking trails, dog friendly Rodeo Beach, and astonishing views of the coast and the city. The explosion of wildflowers in the spring and raptor migration in the fall fill the headlands with year round excitement.

Follow 101 south through the Waldo tunnel, Take the last “Sausalito” just before the Golden Gate bridge, Turn right at the end of the exit ramp, Pass under 101, at the stop sign go straight onto Alexander Ave., Turn left on Bunker Rd. (a brown sign saying “Marin Headlands Visitor Center” marks the intersection), Go through the one-way tunnel and drive approximately 2 miles, Turn left onto Field Rd. The visitor center will be on the right side of the road.”

http://www.nps.gov/goga/marin-headlands.htm

 San Francisco

Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum

Strybing Arboretum

http://www.seum.org/splash2.html

California Academy of Science

Laserium at Morrison Planetarium

Morrison Planetarium

The Explorium

San Francisco Zoo

Pier 39

Alcatraz Island

Cable Car Museum

The Metreon

The Legion of Honor

Playland

Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco

Bay Area Discovery Museum

Gold Rush Trail

Under Water World at Pier 39

San Francisco Bay Model

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

at the Palace of Fine Arts

3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA 94123

Directions to the Museum (recording): (415) 561-0399

The most kid-friendly museum I have ever visited. Everything is hands-on science, with enough changing exhibits to make multiple visits worthwhile. Free admission on the first Wednesday of each month.

http://www.exploratorium.edu

Angel Island is the largest Island in San Francisco Bay, located one mile south of the Tiburon Peninsula. Park Headquarters and the main visitor's center are in Ayala Cove on the North side of the Island, accessible only by commercial ferries and private boats. There are several hiking trails around the island.

http://www.angelisland.org/

9th Avenue at Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA 94122

The San Francisco Botanical Garden is open daily, 365 days a year and is free to the public. Weekdays: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Weekends & Holidays: 10 am to 5 pm. FREE GUIDED WALKS are given daily at 1:30 pm.

http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/

875 Howard Street , San Francisco, CA

Currently under reconstruction after a catastrophic fire. When it reopens, it will be worth a visit!

http://www.calacademy.org/

1201 Mason Street , San Francisco

http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/index.htm

East Fort Baker, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito, CA 94965-2614

(415) 339-3900

http://www.badm.org/

San Francisco

This website gives directions for walking tours of San Francisco, with explanations of the history behind different areas of the original parts of the city. Pictures identify original buildings and sites of history.

http://www.goldrushtrail.org/flash/home.html

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