For this one, we have to leave the comfy confines of the Richmond Distict and, I know it’s hard, head across a bridge. 😉
Let me introduce you to Playland-Not-At-The-Beach, a “Museum of Fun” located in El Cerrito, just north of Berkeley.
According to their website, the museum houses “over 25 pinball machines spanning seven decades (and all on free play!), video games, Penny Arcade machines, challenging carnival games of skill, interactive displays and exhibits, miniature circuses, sideshow exhibits, baffling magic shows — they are all here waiting to entertain and amuse you!”
Like any good museum, Playland-Not-At-The-Beach lets you relive the past, including exhibits about San Francisco’s Playland at the Beach and the Sutro Baths.
Playland was an amusement park that sat right along the ocean on the Great Highway from the 1920s through the early 1970s. The Western Neighborhoods Project website has great background, history and photos on Playland.
This weekend, Playland-Not-At-The-Beach welcomes historian and local author, James R. Smith who will be talking about the history of “Chutes at the Beach” which later became Playland.
Jim will show the progress of Playland from early removal of the sand dunes to putting in foundations, then building the earliest attractions and later transforming them into the rides and shows many San Franciscans remember from their youth.
The photos are from a private collection belonging to Laurie Hollings (artistic designer of Frontier Village and many Hollywood productions) and they have never been seen before by the public. So this is your chance to see the history of Playland up close and ask all the questions you want.
Jim will give the presentation just three times this weekend: on Saturday at 1pm and 3pm, and on Sunday at noon. The event will be held at Playland-Not-At-The-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito, CA 94530 (driving directions).
The event is free with admission to the museum ($15 for adults, $10 for kids and seniors).
So even though you have to leave the Richmond to get history on this one-time, great landmark, I think it will be well worth the trip.
Sarah B.
I want to know it you remember a ride that went under water at the playland…? I think it was called the octopus.. I remember going in it with my aunt..I see no mention of it any where..please help. My email address is janice15@email.com thank you.
HI Janice – Get in touch with Playland-not-at-the-Beach, they will surely remember the ride you write about.
http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org/contact_us_01.htm
Cheers,
Sarah B.
Hi Janice,
It was the Diving Bell. I never went on it because my mom was claustrophobic, lol!, pity. Oh well.