The Tailor-Made Guide to the Best Things to Do in Oakland California with Kids
- Barry Pickard
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
**Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Regardless of this, please be advised that all opinions expressed in this blog post are genuine and authentically my own.**
Author: Barry Pickard
Contents
What are the best things to do in Oakland California with kids? I'll be honest—until I crossed the Bay Bridge with my son on a crisp morning last spring, I hadn't expected Oakland to steal my heart quite like it did. But there's something about the metallic echo of footsteps on an aircraft carrier deck, the smell of old steel mixed with sea salt, and the excited chatter of families discovering history together that instantly tells you: you've found somewhere special.
If you're searching for things to do in Oakland California that go beyond the typical tourist checklist, you've landed in exactly the right place. I'm not a guidebook writer recycling secondhand information—I'm a dad who actually explored East Bay California with my son, got my hands dirty (sometimes literally) climbing through naval vessels, watched my kid's eyes light up inside space capsules, and heard the genuine whistle of a steam train cutting through redwood groves. This post isn't about what you should do; it's about what we actually did, what worked brilliantly, and what made for an unforgettable family adventure across the East Bay area.
As someone who's built a career crafting personalized travel itineraries for independent travelers, I know you don't want fluff—you want practical, tested advice from someone who's been there. So I'm sharing our real experience exploring three fantastic attractions that showcase the best things to do in East Bay: the USS Hornet with its Apollo space history, the hands-on wonder of Chabot Space & Science Center, and the charming Redwood Valley Railway. Whether you're planning a day trip from San Francisco or exploring Oakland more deeply, I've got you covered with everything you need to know to make your family adventure as memorable as ours was.
Don’t forget that at Tailor-Made Itineraries we delight in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting any of these attractions appeals to you, reach out to us by email. We would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements designing a family day out in the East Bay region, or indeed, a general tour of San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Best Things to Do in Oakland California with Kids
USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum
Whether you are an aviation enthusiast, a space buff, or a ship lover, this museum offers something for everyone. The USS Hornet is a former aircraft carrier that played a significant role in World War II as well as the Apollo space missions. You can explore the flight deck, hanger deck, and living quarters of the ship, as well as see the Apollo 8 and 11 spacecraft on display and several retired aircraft from the Second World War. In addition, the USS Hornet also has a number of interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience what life was like on the ship during its time in service. The USS Hornet Museum is located on the southernmost pier of the former Naval Air Station Alameda.
USS Hornet was selected in 1969 to serve as the Prime Recovery Ship (PRS) for the Apollo 11 Moon mission. Hornet led the recovery of the first astronauts to land on the Moon following their splashdown back on Earth. Four months later, Hornet recovered the all-Navy crew of Apollo 12. The USS Hornet Museum has the largest Apollo Program exhibit on the West Coast of the United States. Artefacts on display include the Apollo Command Module CSM-011 used for the AS-202 uncrewed suborbital flight test; Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) used by the Apollo 14 astronauts following their return to Earth; SH-3H Sea King used in the 1995 movie Apollo 13; and memorabilia and photos from the Apollo 11 and 12 splashdowns.
Chabot Space & Science Center
The Chabot Space & Science Center is a hands-on learning centre with a planetarium, telescopes, and interactive exhibits that bring the wonders of the universe to life. Visitors can learn about the latest discoveries in astronomy, space exploration, and planetary science, and even take a virtual tour of the universe with the planetarium’s state-of-the-art projection system. The centre also has a number of interactive exhibits that allow visitors to control robots, experience weightlessness, and learn about the science behind space travel.
Chabot Space and Science Center, is focused on families, with plenty to keep interested the young and old alike. Exhibits include The Nasa Experience (showcasing the real stories and people at NASA’s Ames Research Center); Going The Distance (exploring how humans are expanding our boundaries by moving farther into the Universe than ever before); Other Worlds (building structures that can withstand the Martian atmosphere and living on other worlds); and Touch The Sun (a near-real-time interactive full colour extreme ultraviolet animation of our dynamic and stunning star, Sol).
Redwood Valley Railway (Tilden Park Steam Train)
The Redwood Valley Railway is a restored steam-powered train that travels through a beautiful redwood forest and offers breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape. The train ride is a great way to introduce children to the history of the area and see the natural beauty of the East Bay. The railway also offers a number of educational programs and special events that are perfect for families and children.
The Redwood Valley Railway is a 15 in (381 mm) gauge miniature railway in Tilden Regional Park. It was established in 1952 by Erich Thomsen and has since expanded to 1+1⁄4 miles (2 km) of track and carries over 160,000 passengers a year. The railroad has four 15-inch scale steam locomotives, built on location by the railroad's Redwood Valley Shops.
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Other Family Attractions
You should find that these three attractions will easily fill your day, but if you happen to have more time to explore this area, then there are several other options for your family to visit. For the little ones, a trip to Children’s Fairyland would be appropriate, while older kids will find Oakland Museum of California fascinating. If the kids are looking for more space and science exhibits, then you won’t go wrong with The Lawrence Hall of Science. Then there is Oakland Zoo, which is always a family favourite.
Where to Stay
There are a number of options in the East Bay area. For a touch of luxury, consider the Kissel Uptown Oakland, while a mid-price option would be the Waterfront Hotel, and a budget suggestion would be the AC Hotel by Marriott.
Conclusion
Our family day exploring the East Bay California region proved that some of the best travel experiences happen when you venture just beyond the obvious destinations. The USS Hornet gave us a tangible connection to both World War II history and humanity's first steps on the moon, Chabot Space & Science Center sparked endless "what if?" conversations about the universe, and the Redwood Valley Railway reminded us that sometimes the simplest pleasures—like a steam train ride through towering trees—create the most lasting memories. These aren't just things to do in Oakland California; they're genuine adventures that blend education with excitement in a way that keeps kids engaged and parents equally fascinated. The East Bay area deserves its moment in your travel plans, and whether you spend one day or several exploring these attractions, you'll discover what I did: that Oakland's blend of maritime heritage, scientific wonder, and natural beauty creates something truly worth the short journey across the Bay Bridge.
Related Blog Posts
If you are interested in finding out more about San Francisco and the Bay Area, please view the Tailor-Made Itineraries posts below:
What's your favorite family-friendly attraction in the East Bay area, or which of these three would you visit first?
Don’t forget that at Tailor-Made Itineraries we delight in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting any of these attractions appeals to you, reach out to us by email. We would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements designing a family day out in the East Bay region, or indeed, a general tour of San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Join us next time on our family adventures when we continue our family adventures in San Jose, California. We post every two weeks and you can subscribe to our latest blog and newsletter here. Until then, happy reading and safe travels.
Barry
Contact Us: tailoritineraries@gmail.com
Tailor-Made Itineraries creates one-of-a-kind bespoke self-guided travel itineraries for adventurous and curious travellers.
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