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Playgroup Picks


McNear Park

It's the wonderful new playground at McNear Park on the west side of town, bordered by F and G and 10th streets. The previous playground was very outdated, and unsuitable for a range of ages. Thanks in part to a planning committee of parents, including several PMC members, the new playground is wonderful.

There are two sections to the playground: one for younger children and one for older children (in a similar manner to the equipment at Luchesi Playground). And there are benches situated around the play area - perfect for moms to sit, sip their coffee, chat with friends and watch their well-behaved children playing nicely with the other children, well, I can dream.

This park will be a perfect place to play this summer. The grassy area next to the playground is shady and cool, even on a hot day. There are barbecue pits, picnic tables in this area also. There is a drinking fountain, restrooms and even a couple of vending machines.

The west side of town was badly in need of another decent playground - and this playground is that and so much more.

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The San Francisco Zoo

One of my favorite places to head is the San Francisco Zoo. The Zoo has undergone many changes in the past few years, and continues to be renovated. The Zoo is small enough that you can walk around it with small children, although I would recommend bringing a stroller for those three and under.

We have our must-sees at the zoo, which include the polar bears, the lions, the elephants and the giraffes. On one of our visits to the zoo, my daughter, then two, saw one of the elephants poop, which as you can imagine is quite a sight. Since then, our visits must include a visit to the elephants for a repeat performance. So sometimes, we must spend a large amount of time watching the elephants. Thankfully, there are other animals close by for the other members of our party to observe - penguins, tigers, and hippos.

On the not-to-miss list is the Children's Zoo. The Barnyard features goats, sheep and donkeys, which the children can brush, feed and chase around. The new Meerkat and Prairie Dog exhibit is wonderful, with animals to watch, burrows to pretend to be a prarie dog, and a sandbox to dig for "treats".

The Carousel has recently been renovated. With the animals all freshly painted, it is a burst of brilliant color. The Carousel costs $2.00, and adults may stand for free when accompanying a paid child. Little Puffer, a steam train, is also $2.00 for those three and above.

The zoo is loacated at Sloat Boulevard and 45th Avenue in San Francisco. To get there, go south on 101. Exit at 19th Avenue immediately after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. Follow 19th Avenue to Sloat. Turn right on Sloat and follow to 45th Avenue. The zoo is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Children's Zoo is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $4 for children 3-11, under 3 are free. There is a free day, which I believe is the first Wednesday of the month, but a word of warning, it gets very busy and little kids may get overwhelmed. You might even say it gets to be a zoo.

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Childrens Fairyland, Oakland CA

A couple of weeks ago, my sons playgroup had a field trip to Fairyland. The three-dimensional story book theme park was built back in 1950 and is located on a 10 acre site in downtown Oakland. There are 30 different areas that depict either fairy tales or nursery rhymes. My sons favorite area was Caption Hooks pirate ship (hes obsessed with pirates). Other areas include a miniature chapel, the Wonderland tunnel and card maze, a Dragon slide, the crooked Mans House I realize now that we missed quite a few areas. My son also loved the carousel, ferris wheel, bumper boat and train rides, which are all, suited for little people. We also watched the Little Red Riding Hood puppet show and the Childrens Theatre production. In addition, a petting zoo is open between 1 and 2 PM. The park is best suited for children ages 1 through five. To keep the focus on family-fun, the park only admits adults accompanied by children. Admission is $6.00 for ages 1 to 100 with unlimited rides included. The park is open Wednesday through Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM during the spring and fall seasons and Friday through Sunday during the winter. During the summer, June 18 September 3, the park is open daily. To get there from Petaluma, take 101 South to 580 and proceed over the San Rafael/Richmond Bridge. Drive through Richmond and take 80 South. Take 580 East. Take the Harrison street exit. Make a right on Harrison and then a left on to Grand Avenue. Fairyland is located at the intersection Grand and Bellevue streets. For additional information call (510) 452-2259 or visit www.fairyland.org.

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Firehouse Visit

Visiting a firehouse can be both fun and educational. Recently my 2-year-old sons playgroup visited the Penngrove Fire Station at 11000 Main Street, Penngrove. The firefighters explained all about their equipment -- pants, coat, mask, etc. -- allowing the children to touch each item. The focus was on getting the children not to be afraid of the firefighters when they are dressed in their gear. The children also had the opportunity to sit in the fire trucks -- which they all loved. The visit also consisted of a tour of the firehouse and a display of how far and high water can project. Additionally, each child had the opportunity to hold onto a fire hose while turning the water on. I think that the visit was as much fun for the moms as it was for the kids. Before arriving at any firehouse, please contact them to make sure that they are available for visitors. The Rancho Adobe Fire District provides service for Penngrove. Petaluma Fire Department's website is http://cityofpetaluma.net/fire/.

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The Funky Monkey

The Funky Monkey - going to the Funky Monkey is even more fun than saying it (especially when your child thinks it sounds so funny they have to say it continuously for twenty minutes in a wide range of voices).

The Funky Monkey is a pizza restaurant and family fun center. There is a ball-pit, a slide, and tubes to play in, and arcade games. Think of the playland at McDonalds and you get the idea. Except it is all indoors - perfect for wet weather.

It is free to enter, and free to play in the balls, slide and tubes. The arcade games are 25c to 50c each, and you receive tickets from the games, which can be exchanged for small prizes (tattoos, rings, etc.). Of course, those of you with little kids don't even have to tell your kids that they need money for the games - most little ones are quite content to push the buttons and watch the lights.

You cannot bring food into the Funky Monkey, as they serve pizza, corndogs, chicken nuggets (usual kid-fare).

The day I went was very quiet, we were the only ones there for most of our stay. But I can imagine it gets busy during school vacations, and little ones may be intimidated by bigger kids.

The Funky Monkey is located at 397 E. Aviation Boulevard in Santa Rosa. It is open 10:00 AM every day and closes at 9:00 PM during the week and 10:00 PM on weekends. Traveling north on 101, take the Airport Boulevard Exit heading west, and it is located next to the cinema complex there. You can reach the Funky Monkey at (707) 573-0304.

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Helen Putnam Regional Park

Located just outside the Petaluma City limits Helen Putnam Park is a great place to visit. The park offers lots of hiking trails for young and old. There is a walk suitable for toddlers up to a pond (the last portion is relatively steep) that is lots of fun. My kids love looking for wildlife along the way and deciphering the different animal footprints are they cow or horse prints. Along all the trails are beautiful views of the surrounding hillsides. The park also has equestrian and mountain biking trails. Before, or after your hike, there is playground equipment for the kids. Picnic tables and restrooms are also available. Since it is a Sonoma County Regional Park, there is a $3.00 parking fee though it is possible to park outside and walk-in. To get there, take Western Avenue to Chileno Valley Road. For further information call (707) 527-2041.

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Howarth Park

Howarth Park is approximately a thirty-minute drive from downtown Petaluma located at 630 Summerfield Road in Santa Rosa. The park offers much to children of all ages. Children can choose to climb, jump, slide or swing on a variety of fun and unique play structures. The playground has a volcano that periodically erupts and an area where kids pretend to excavate dinosaur bones. Kids also love to run through the western town - playing hide and seek and tag. On the other side of the park, climbing walls are available for older children. Plenty of shade and grassy areas surround the park for picnics. During the fall and spring seasons, the snack bar, the carousel, the miniature train and pony rides operate only on the weekends from 11:00 to 5:00. (During the summer, they operate Tuesday through Sunday.) Also, there are many hungry ducks to feed at Lake Ralphine and again, depending on the time of year - paddleboat, etc. rentals are available. From Highway 12, take Hoen Avenue; turn left on Summerfield Road. For more information on reserving a picnic spot with tables/barbecues, call (707) 543-3282.

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Kidspot Imagination Center

Kidspot Imagination Center. Sonoma County's largest indoor playspace for children ages 5 and under. Marine touch tank, pirate ship, shadow room, painting wall, sensory table, dress-up stage, baby gym and more. Admission: Children under 2 years, $4. Children ages 2 years and up, $8. *Mother's Club members receive $1 off all admissions! Adults are free. 6826 Sebastopol Ave (Hwy 12), Sebastopol. Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm. (707) 823-5432. www.kidspotimaginationcenter.com

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Kindergym

Kindergym is on Wednesdays from 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM at Redwood Empire Gymnastics, 434 Payran Street. PMC members pay a special rate of $6.00 per child, per class. The class is geared toward children ages 1 to 3; however, older children may come if their parents are able to watch them and ensure that they don't interfere with the younger children's enjoyment. For more information contact Corrina Lozanov, PMC Playgroup Coordinator, at ckweskin@hotmail.com, or visit www.regymnastics.com.

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Local Hiking Trails (Shollenberger Park & Crane Creek Regional Park)

A couple of lesser-known local hiking/walking parks are Shollenberger Park located in Petaluma and Crane Creek Regional Park in Rohnert Park. Both parks are suited for young children to walk/hike. Shollenberger has a flat walking path along the Petaluma River. On our visits, we have seen hawks, geese, ducks, muskrats, cranes, etc. The path is flat so bikes are doable. The path loops around though we have never made it all the way around with our children walking. Another great park for children to walk/hike is Crane Creek Regional Park. This park has several trails that also loop around. Also, depending on the time of year, there is a creek with running water. Some trails meander through the hillside with great views of Sonoma County. Our children ages 13, 3 and 1 1/2 love going to both parks. The wildlife and countryside views are beautiful. Shollenberger Park is located on Petroleum Lane just off South McDowell Boulevard. To get to Crane Creek Regional Park, head north on Petaluma Hill Road and turn right on Roberts Road. Since Crane Creek is a Sonoma County Park there is a $3 parking fee per vehicle.

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The Marin French Cheese Company

The Cheese Factory is located just a short drive from Petaluma by the Marin/Sonoma County border. Children will enjoy the year-round pond that is home to many ducks. The pond is small, so walking around it, is lots of fun for little ones. The Cheese Factory has many grassy areas for children to play, fly kites, etc. There are also tables for picnicking. If you are hungry for a snack, a gift shop serves a variety of goodies such as breads, cookies, ice cream and of course cheeses. From inside the shop, you can view people packing cheese. (There are tours available.) They are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To get there, head west on D Street. Remain on D Street for approximately 12 miles. The Cheese Factory is located next to the firehouse, on the right-hand side of the road. For further information call (707) 762-6001 or visit www.marinfrenchcheese.com.

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Oak Hill Park

Located just a few minutes from downtown Petaluma, Oak Hill Park is great fun. The play area offers climbing structures, slides, and both children and infant swings. The equipment is located in tanbark versus sand so winter play is possible. A unique feature to the park is the labyrinth-like area created out of small stones. Children just love running through the maze, chasing one another. The park has lots of grassy areas with large beautiful oak trees. Group and family picnicking is available. From downtown, head west on Washington Street (Bodega Avenue), turn right on Park Avenue. It is located at the top of the hill.

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Sebastopol Super Playground

Nestled just outside of downtown Sebastopol, is a super playground for kids of all ages. The park consists of a large meandering wooden structure reminiscent of medieval times with castle-like lookouts and bridges. Children can run, climb, jump, slide and swing on a variety of unique playground equipment. There is also an area dedicated to toddlers which is generally a little less hectic. A fenced duck pond and a large grassy area surround the park. There is plenty of shade to picnic or just to take a break. To get there, take Hwy 116 to the town of Sebastopol. Turn left on Sebastopol/Bodega Avenue and then right on Pleasant Hill Avenue. The park is located at the corner of Pleasant Hill Avenue North and Valentine Avenue.

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Tomales Bay State Park Hearts Desire Beach

If you are looking for some relief from the summertime heat, try Hearts Desire Beach. The drive time is approximately one hour from Petaluma but well worth it! The beach is located in a sandy cove surrounded by beautiful trees. Therefore, even on a mild day, the temperature is usually nice. The surf is toddler knee-high and very calm. The little ones rule the beach! For the more active, there is a hiking trail. Restrooms, picnic tables and bar-b-cues are available at Hearts Desire. To get there, head west on D Street. D street will eventually turn into Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road. At approximately 15 miles, turn right and proceed over Platform Bridge, while remaining on Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road. Turn left on to Shoreline Highway. Continue on Highway 1, proceeding through the town of Pt Reyes. Once you are through Pt Reyes (still on Highway 1) you will make a right turn on to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Unfortunately, there is no street sign; however, there is a sign for the town of Inverness, which you will pass through. Continue on Sir Francis Drake Blvd for approximately 7 miles (from Pt Reyes) and veer to the right on to Pierce Pt Road towards McClures Beach. Continue on Pierce Pt Road for approximately 1 mile turning right into Tomales Bay State Park Hearts Desire Beach. The day use fee is $5.00 per vehicle and the park closes at 8:00 p.m. Website

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Toobtown

Toobtown is a fun and unique indoor playground for children aged 8 months to twelve years old. The main structure is constructed of colorful plastic toobing with lots of twists and turns similar to a mouse maze. Children have lots of fun crawling and running through the toobs, jumping in the plastic ball pits and gliding along on the zip lines. The play area also has a dino bounce and bumper boats. Admission is $4.95 Monday through Friday and $6.95 on weekends. This includes unlimited toob and bounce play and three bumper boat rides. Parents and children under the age of two are free with one paid admission. Those under two must play in the designated toddler area. This is a small-dedicated space with lots of padding, a colorful ball pit and a little castle slide. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday 10:00am to 8:00pm and Sunday 10:00am to 7pm. Beware, weekends are usually quite busy, especially through the winter months. Children must where socks and be accompanied by adults and no outside food or drink is permitted. Toobtown is located at 6591 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park. For more information call (707) 588-8100.

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Train Town

Train Town is fun for the whole family and is located just 1 mile south of downtown Sonoma. Trains depart every 30 minutes for Lakeview. This is a small town where the scale is three inches to the foot and features a petting zoo. The total train ride lasts about 20 minutes and encompasses one and a quarter miles of track, which includes five bridges and two tunnels. Train Town also features vintage amusement rides such as a forty-six foot fully restored Ferris wheel and Carousel. There are also three full sized cabooses to explore. Snacks are available at the train station. Fares are $3.25 for children and $3.75 for adults and the amusement rides range from $1.25 - $1.75. The hours of operation are 10 a.m. 5 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from September 1 through May and daily the remainder of the year. Train Town is located at 20264 Broadway, Sonoma. For more information call (707) 938-3912 or visit the Train Town website at www.traintown.com.

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