Stay in Sonoma and Take the Kids to TrainTown and the Monterey Bay Aquarium

by My Kids Call Me Mom
(California)

One of my favorite places to take children in California is a great place in Sonoma called Train Town.

Train Town is incredible for young boys who love playing with toy trains and airplanes. They can crawl in and out of real boxcars, pretending to drive them. Then they can take a fantastic train ride around the park, and stop to pet goats, llamas, and miniature ponies!

The train goes into tunnels, past waterfalls, and through a perfect miniature village! It's great on sunny days, and older kids can also have fun riding the Ferris wheel and other carnival rides they have available.

There is tons of food to buy as well, like cotton candy and old-fashioned taffy. I recommend going next door to the Pizzeria Capri for an inexpensive and satisfying lunch. Another great place nearby is the Sonoma Plaza.

Fun for adults and kids, it is a lush park in the middle of downtown Sonoma. Make sure to bring some stale bread to feed the ducks, and a picnic blanket to lay down in the shade!

www.traintown.com

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is another real treat in California. It is a world-class collection of sea life of all types, from dolphins and sharks to colorful fish and sea urchins! My eight year old and thirteen year old were both enthralled, and we spent hours wandering around the huge aquarium.

They got to touch a manta ray, learn about seahorses, and signed a pledge to keep oceans clean. The Aquarium is a great place for family fun and education, and parents won't get bored either!

www.montereybayaquarium.org