Museums for Kids

Bay Area Discovery Museum - Hands-on interactive exhibits for children. Ongoing classes, performances and special programs. 557 East Fort Baker, Sausalito (415) 487-4398

Cable Car Barn & Museum - Learn the history of San Francisco's cable cars and see th underground cables that pull the cars along the tracks. 1201 Mason/Washington (M, 5) (415) 474-1887

Coyote Point Museum - Colorful environmental exhibits, computer games, an aquarium and wildlife habitats of the Bay Area. San Mateo (415) 342-7755

Exploratorium - An interactive science museum housed in the Palace of Fine Arts. Reservations are required for the Tactile Dome. 3601 Lyon/Marina Blvd. (E, 2) (415) 561-0360

Fort Point National Historic Site - Under the south portal of the Golden Gate Bridge, this museum provides a historical overview of the fort. Foot of Long Ave. (D, 1). (415) 556-1693

Lawrence Hall of Science - This children's user-friendly museum features interactive experimentation in geology, animal behavior and plant life. UC Berkeley (510) 642-5134

National Steinbeck Center - New interactive museum dedicated to the life and works of John Steinbeck. Art & cultural exhibits, museum store & cafe. One Main St., Salinas. (831) 796-3833

Randall Museum - Designed just for children, this museum offers ongoing classes in art, science, computers and a petting zoo. Museum Way/Roosevelt (E, 11) (415) 554-9600

USS Hornet Museum - Explore this 900 ft. aircraft carrier renowned for it's role in WWII & the Apollo space missions. Located at the former Naval Air Station in Alameda. (888) 865-2812.