Photo credit Sonoma County Tourism Bureau, www.sonomacounty.com
I was so excited to receive this information about kid friendly activities in California’s Wine Country! Now I have another reason to revisit Sonoma Valley. Thank you so much to Tina at the Sonoma County Tourism Board for sharing these great and fun ideas!!
Along with a mild autumn climate that encourages families to be outdoors, Sonoma County, Calif., has several attractions that appeal to children from 1 to 100. Below are three of the attractions that are big draws for families.
Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory
3810 Cypress Drive
Petaluma, CA 94955
(707) 763-1700
www.mrsgrossmans.com
Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory is the oldest and largest sticker company in the United States. The factory tours are free and you are invited to watch as millions of stickers get printed, packaged and shipped right before your eyes! You will see the sticker museum, a gift shop, and a class where you’ll decorate your own postcard using Mrs. Grossman’s stickers. This is a place your kids won’t want to miss. Reservations for tours are required.
The Charles M. Schulz Museum
2301 Hardies Lane
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-579-4452
www.charlesmschulzmuseum.org
A round-headed boy named Charlie Brown, a security blanket and a five cent psychiatrist—just some of the classics you will find when you visit the largest collection of Peanuts art work in the world. Laugh at Schulz’s original comic strips, learn about the art of cartooning and Schulz’s role in its development, watch documentaries and animated Peanuts specials in the theatre and draw your own cartoons in the hands-on education room. The museum features changing exhibitions, re-creation of Schulz’s art studio, outdoor gardens, holiday workshops and special events.
The 22-acre campus includes the museum, Snoopy’s Home Ice (also known as the Redwood Empire Ice Arena), a public baseball field and tennis courts.
Train Town
20264 Broadway
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 938-3912
www.traintown.com
Train Town is known as “the most well-developed scale railroad in the Americas” and is an adventure for all ages. It features a miniature steam railway that winds its way through 10 acres filled with over 7,000 trees and a 50-foot clock tower. Your journey will take you over five bridges and trestles, through two tunnels to the hamlet of Lakeview where the scale is three inches to the foot. Train Town includes three full-sized cabooses, dating from the 1930s and ‘40s to explore at your leisure. Children will also enjoy a petting zoo and vintage amusement rides including a carousel and a 46-foot fully restored Ferris wheel.
A few more…
Armstrong Woods in Guerneville, is a California Redwood forest that is small and easy to navigate.
Safari West is an animal reserve with African animals in the heart of wine country. Right now, they are having a fall special called Fall into the wild! An African Experience for under $200! Put your passport away. The spirit of Africa awaits you in the heart of the wine country. Sip a glass of wine with friends under the warm glow of the sunset at Safari West. Best of all, for a limited time on selected days you can enjoy a Safari Tour and lodging in one of our luxury tent cabins for only $197*. But you have to act as fast as a cheetah; this offer expires October 31st! Great for a weekend getaway or a special family retreat. *per person based on double occupancy. Some restrictions apply
And for the active family, there is canoeing and kayaking along the Russian River, hiking in more than 40 state and regional parks (like Armstron Redwoods), hot air balloon rides and much more.
My 5 year-old would love all of these and I can’t wait to share them with him. Thanks again to Tina at the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau. Visit www.sonomacounty.com to start planning your vacation today.
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I’ve been to Sonoma many times tasting wine at the wonderful wineries, but have never visited Safari West. It sounds like a fun place to visit….with or without kids!
.-= Steve Howe´s last blog ..Oct 1, Calistoga Wineries for your Napa Wine Tour =-.
Safari West and Armstrong Woods (far better than Muir Woods) are both great recommendations. I’d add canoeing on the Russian River. If you want to go wine tasting in Sonoma County with kids in tow, here’s a list of the most kid friendly wineries: http://sonomaonthecheap.com/2009/03/the-most-kid-friendly-wineries-in-sonoma-county/
.-= Lisa Mann´s last blog ..50 Photo Prints for 50 Cents =-.
Thanks for the nod, Lisa! I checked out your link for wineries… awesome!! Thank you!!!
Love the Valley; if you have a naturist in the group, be sure to visit.