Many of you older San Franciscans may remember the amusement park "Playland At The Beach." Playland opened in 1928, a 10-acre amusement park along the Pacific Ocean. It closed Sept. 4, 1972. At 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, CA, "Playland Not At The Beach" sports a museum full of Playland memorabilia. The museum houses one of the original Laughing Sals, photos of Playland and its rides including a ride called "The Lost Continent of Deepest Darkest Africa," and the Big Dipper, a popular wooden roller coaster. There is an elaborate scale model of Playland and artifacts and artwork hang on the walls. Several rooms are filled with a 300,000 hand-carved pieces of a gigantic miniature circus created over a 70 year period (1939-2004). There are also interesting carnival attractions including a Feejee mermaid, an Atomic Fish, a Devil Boy and a large Cabinet of Curiosities. The museum maintains about 30 vintage pinball machines, along with other arcade games. Admission price covers unlimited play on any of them.
The Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays 10am-5pm, holidays and for private events.
[Source: RoadsideAmerica.com]
