Alcatraz - San Francisco Bay
Take a tour of this infamous island prison. There are no prisoners here now, only a constant flow of visitors viewing how American prisoners were housed in this maximum security jail that was considered escape proof. Website.

Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park - Santa Cruz
California’s only horticultural theme park, combines the beauty of magnificent gardens with the appeal and excitement of a traditional family theme park. The park is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and features 19 rides and 27 attractions geared toward families with young children and garden lovers. Rides include a restored 1927 Illions Carousel, the Quicksilver Express, a thrilling mine train coaster and a monorail that travels through the beautiful Monarch Garden greenhouse where exotic plant life, waterfalls, and greenery flourish. Bonfante Gardens brings to life the essence of California agriculture in the mid-20th Century with wholesome family entertainment. In addition to rides, Bonfante Gardens is a horticultural wonderland of uniquely manicured trees, plants, flowers and world famous Circus Trees. Attractions are designed to educate guests and foster a greater appreciation of the natural world and man’s ability to shape it.
Location - 3050 Hecker Pass Highway in Gilroy, Calif. Website

The Boardwalk - Santa Cruz
A half-mile long historic amusement park next to Santa Cruz’s mile long main beach. It includes more than 35 rides and attractions (featuring two national historic landmarks: the 1924 Giant Dipper roller coaster and the 1911 Looff Carousel plus plenty of modern ride thrills), dozens of restaurants, shops, games, indoor arcades, and miniature golf. Website

Movieland Wax Museum - San Francisco
Open daily, see your favourite movie stars in wax.
Location - 7711 Buena Park.

Paramount's Great America - San Jose
Paramount’s Great America is the only theme park in California to offer a complete water park inside – free with park admission. Paramount’s Great America has the most kids’ rides and the most water rides in Northern California, plus kids’ favorite characters.
Located  50 miles south of San Francisco and 6 miles north of San Jose on Great America Parkway between highways 101 and 237 in Santa Clara, Calif. Website

Roaring Camp - Santa Cruz
See California's towering redwood forests from two historic railroads. Travel by steam train up a narrow-gauge track through the Big Trees to Bear Mountain or by beach train down the scenic San Lorenzo River to the sunny beaches of Santa Cruz. It all happens on the Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton. Roaring Camp is located six miles north of Santa Cruz off State Route 17 at Mt Hermon Rd. Steam trains operate daily except Christmas Day. More information and train timetables are available on the website.

The Exploratorium - San Francisco
A Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception Housed within the walls of the Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium is a collage of over 400 interactive exhibits in the areas of science, art, and human perception. The Exploratorium stands in the vanguard of the movement of the "museum as educational center." It provides
access to, and information about, science, nature, art and technology. Near the Golden Gate Bridge. Website

The Wax Museum - San Francisco
Keanu Reeves and Robin Williams now appear among the collection of wax images of dignitaries, celebrities and villains. Location - Fisherman's Wharf.

The Torture House - San Francisco
Historic tools used to create pain and suffering. If you enjoy the macabre. Website

Winchester Mystery House - San Jose
The former home of Sarah L. Winchester and heiress to the Winchester Rifle fortune. This architectural marvel, a 160-room Victorian mansion with modern heating, sewer system, gas lighting, elevators, 47 fireplaces. Rambling roofs, exquisite hand inlaid parquet floors, gold and silver chandeliers, and Tiffany glass windows. An impressive amount of creativity, energy, and expense has gone into every detail. See Website for entry fees and trading hours.