By Guest Blogger Jennifer Bell
It’s Sacramento Sidetracks “detour” time!
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a place I’ve wanted to take my kids for years, but we rarely make it as far as the City. I set aside this past Saturday to make it happen, and I’m so glad I did!
This little gem is in Sausalito, right near the entrance to the Golden Gate Bridge. Contrary to valley weather, early spring is actually a perfect time to visit, as the summer months are usually the coldest in the Bay. This is important to take into consideration when visiting a museum that requires a lot of time outdoors!
We had no idea what to expect from our visit, so everything was a surprise, and far different than any place we’ve been before! Exhibits are geared toward small children, and are not just in separate rooms, but in separate buildings! Outdoor walkways lead guests from one hall to another, and the maps provided upon entry help easily navigate visitors through each area.
Sausalito is a town with a rich nautical/fishing history, and this is the emphasis of the museum. Exhibits teach children about the local marine life and how waves and wind shape the landscape. It’s mostly hands-on learning here, complete with a separate hall for art projects.
The real highlight of the museum was not found in the halls, but in the 2 ½ acre park! Remember when I said you should pick a warmer day to visit? This is where you will spend the majority of your time- I guarantee it. The park is amazing. Little trails and more hands-on experiences give children dozens of ways to explore, create, wander, and get their wiggles out! My kids especially loved the “shipwreck”, where they could explore the remnants of a sunken ship with shovels and brooms. They never seemed to run out of things to see and do!
A trip with my kids to a fun little museum in the Bay Area, beautiful weather, and a gorgeous view of the San Francisco skyline…Does life get any better than this?
Tips for this outing:
• Bay Area weather can be unpredictable. Bring layers!
• Food is available in the Discovery Café, but you can bring your own picnic lunch to eat outdoors.
Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 9am-4pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm
Admission: $11 ($1 discount for up to 5 people for AAA members)
NOTE: The first Wednesday of every month is FREE!
Bay Area Discovery Museum
557 McReynolds Road
Sausalito, CA 94965
Jennifer Bell lives with her three children in Elk Grove and is always on the lookout for great deals and adventures!
This post is sponsored by:
Affordable movers in Sacramento, CA
[mappress]
Written by Keilah Woodard
My love for exploring and creating experiences with my three kids led to the founding of SacramentoSidetracks.com in 2009. I realized that Sacramento has so much to offer and I was excited to share my findings with other parents. Besides simply having fun, these are the other positive side effects of taking my kids on outings that I’ve discovered: we have quality time together away from the distractions at home, we cultivate our curiosity, learn new things, conversations are triggered by what we see and do, we connect and bond as a family, and we create new memories. Ready to get sidetracked, too? Let me be your guide!
