Like most fish stories, this one just gets better over time. In 1984, on the site of a cannery immortalized by John Steinbeck, a new attraction showcasing the splendors of the sea opened its doors. In large glass tanks designed for easy viewing, sleepy-eyed octopuses clung to coral outcrops. Slow-motion stingrays kicked up sand along the bottom while antic otters skittered across the surface, clacking shellfish like castanets.
For thousands of years Miwok Indians came to the island to catch salmon, the Spanish named the island Isla de los Angeles, the Russians hunted otters, the Mexicans brought cattle, and etween 1910 an 1940 Chinese immigrants were detained here.
This is a great place to hike, bike, picnic, camp, play volley ball, baseball, fish or take a tour to soak in the rich but storied history. There are 13 miles of hiking trails and 8 miles of bike trails.
If your family includes a number of car buffs, finding a classic car show or automotive museum will be loads of fun. Here are a few museum's to try:
Blackhawk Museum Danville, Calif - It combines international treasures with art and technology displays. See www.blackhawkmuseum.org.
National Automobile Museum Reno, Nevada - Vintage one-of-a kind cars including Packards and Rolls Royces. See www.automuseum.org.
The World War I Flying Ace first hounded the Red Baron in 1965 and he still rides high in Santa Rosa, CA, site of the popular Charles Schultz Museum, ice rink and gift shop. See www.flyingace.com.
There are a number of collections at the museum to explore:
The Academy’s recent rebuilding project provided a rare opportunity to rethink the entire museum-going experience. Rather than recreate the 12 separate structures that previously existed, the Academy chose to build a single entity that is physically and thematically intertwined.
