Northern California
Visits
Sacramento , CA
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UC Davis Med Center Alzheimer’s Disease Center 916-734-5496 May
2002 |
UCD has ongoing research into the causes and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The mainstream research is funded by medical grants, but volunteer patients who are being studied still need to be transported to the facility and this burden usually lands on their caregivers. |
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The Old Schoolhouse - Sacramento CA. We visited the Old One Room Schoolhouse in Historic Sacramento in January of 2019. We learned all about the history of the one room schoolhouse, as well as what was expected of students and teachers in that time. We found out that, just like today, teachers had to provide their own classroom materials. But instead of art supplies or pencils, it was coal for the furnace and soap for the floors. Teachers were not allowed to be married, or wear bright colors and a myriad of other rules. This is a great place to go, especially if you are a teacher or in the education field There is so much history in this small place. While you are there, be sure to explore the rest of the historic downtown. There is so much to do that you'd need a whole day to do it. Best quote: "Just like today, teachers had to provide their own classroom materials". 2019 |
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Sacramento Railroad Museum This is an excellent museum at an
excellent site in Old Sacramento. The
museum features 21 restored locomotives and railroad cars, some dating back
to 1862. Exhibits show how the
influence of railroads changed American society, influencing travel, commerce
and daily life, as well as the lives of railroaders and the diversity of
people who work on railroads. The
roundhouse area of the museum features a rotating display of locomotives and
equipment belonging to the museum. The co-located Sacramento Southern Railroad Takes passengers on a 40-minute, roundtrip route along the Sacramento River on a portion of the Walnut Grove branch of the former Southern Pacific Railroad. 2023 |
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Aerospace Museum of
California Sacramento, CA https://Aerospaceca.org 2023-04 2023-05 Over 40 aircraft available for visitors
to view. There is also a small plane for children to climb into so they can
pretend to be a pilot themselves. In
the activity room visitors are invited to listen to a story read by one of
the museum volunteers/employees. Storytime is interactive with the children
and at the end, a hands-on activity. When the museum was visited, the story
was about a small girl who wanted to be an astronaut. Children were then
invited to design and color their own astronaut helmet out of paper plates. The museum has a Boy Scout Eagle Award
Project that showed the various locations of Mars Rover Landings. Visitors
could press a button on a panel and a light would appear where the rover was
located. This was a great interactive exhibit for all ages and kept a one year old happily occupied and invested for quite a
while. Then there are the plusses. Local X-15 Astronaut; I never knew… Amazing generator Makani kite. Drawback: the map of the aircraft had printing that was too small for my old eyes. We returned to see changing
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Roseville, CA
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Utility Exploration
Center Roseville, CA https://www.roseville.ca.us/residents/utility_exploration_center 2023-03-31T12:00:00.000Z The site works on turning
children into environmentalists. It highlights the city of Roseville and it’s utilities,
particularly water and garbage. The
highlight is a tall tower, representing landfill with various items,
indicating how they can be recycled. It is supported by the city of Roseville
and is in the same building with the
library. There is a nice children’s playground outside and soccer fields. A nice central city park facility. I
particularly like the large wall display about engineers. You don’t see that
everywhere and it is really nice. The site is looking a
little bit dated. The weather
facilities seem new. It has nice kids games, but worn. Additional ones could be provided. It would be nice if there were generous recycling
facilities on site. That would
certainly emphasize the message. |
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Roseville Telephone
Museum Roseville, CA https://www.consolidated.com/about-us/history/telephone-museum 2023-04 This is an absolute gem! The docents are very knowledgeable and friendly. We talked about everything from telegraphs and Morse code all the way to 5G. We got to see the automated switching work! Many phones through the years! Some very early ones. So much good stuff. I’d love it to be open more often. The museum is only open the first Saturday of the month and only 10-2. Mark your calendar! |
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Maidu Regional Park https://www.roseville.ca.us/government/departments/parks/parks_places/maidu_regional_park 2023-04 The park is mostly sports
fields, but there are plenty of these. Baseball, soccer, cricket, and workout area.
The library and community center here
too. Roseville Korean War memorial in the rose garden A little better signage
would help. I needed help to locate the Veterans memorial. |
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Folsom, CA
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Bigfoot Mini Park Folsom, CA https://www.folsom.ca.us/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/51/375 2023-03 Interesting sculptures in a neighborhood park. Some explanation of the sculptured would be nice. Perhaps on the website. In case you were wondering, this park has nothing to do with Sasquatch. The name apparently comes from one of the sculptures, two large feet. Sculptures and the name give the park a feeling of whimsy. Fun, clean and unpretentious. |
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Nimbus fish Hatchery 2023-03 The video was great, and the outreach to schools was impressive. The fish in the hatching ponds were also a sight to behold. It would be great to upgrade their TV, and reach more schools for fish raising. |
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Santa Rosa, CA
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The 707-579-4452 This museum is dedicated to the life and art of Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts characters. Part museum and part memorial, it features hundreds or thousands of comic strips, Peanuts artwork and drawing instruction. The garden includes a “kite-eating tree” and a “birdbath” with holographic Peanuts characters playing hockey. Sadly, this building was reported burned in fires and we have not been able to return. August 2003 |
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Lawler Falls Park Suisun City, CA 2023-04 Lots of water in this neighborhood park. Falls are not natural; more like a big fountain. |
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Mike Day Memorial Park Suisun City, CA 2023-04-22T12:00:00.000Z Nice park with grass and playground near the Solano Yacht Club and city hall. The lighthouse is a landmark. It would be great to havea
a better photo spot with lighthouse.
And a placard telling about Mike Day. |
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Western Railway Museum Suisun City, CA (707) 374-2978 2023-04 It is nearly mandatory to get a reservation because the museum is really about riding trains. This museum is not so much on artifacts behind glass but geared toward getting out and riding the trains. Your admission gives you access to ride the rolling stock. The target is the electric rail over the years. Fascinating history! I’d like better up-front
explanation how the museum works. Also it could improve access for walking
impaired. |
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Redding , CA
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800-877-8632 June 2007 |
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Hat Creek , CA
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Hat Creek Radio Observatory 530-335-2364 The observatory is operated by June 2007 October 2007 |
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Lassen National Park
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On Highway 89 http://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm This volcano is still technically active, but there hasn’t
been much activity in a few decades.
It is a great place to see alpine glaciers in June in June 2007 |
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Sierras
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11/25/19 – Donner Memorial State Museum, Truckee, CA This museum commemorates the history, struggles and events that the members of the Donner Party endured on their journey to California. An outside memorial stands as tall as the height of the actual snow that fateful winter. The Donner Party is something that a lot of people know about, but very few know anything beyond the name or a few grisly details. This museum does a wonderful job of bringing the people in the party to life, and one can really learn what it was like for each member of the party, and the struggle that they all went through. Lots of very interesting information on exactly what we believe happened up in those mountains, who came out a hero, and who may have taken advantage of the situation much to the detriment of the other party members. Highly recommended visit for anyone in the area who wants to know more about the Donner Party. |
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California Gold Country
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Sutter Creek, CA Moaning Cavern Adventure Park Admission Pricing Varies. Cavern Tours: Spiral Tour. Approx. 45 minutes. Descend into the cavern via staircases to see the cavern from the top, then continue on down the 10-story spiral staircase to enjoy the view from the cavern floor. Expedition Tour. Approx. 2-3 hours. No experience is necessary and all the gear for the expedition is provided. Participants must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult. Expedition groups explore the small cracks and crevasses below the main chamber, crawling, wriggling, and squirming through natural passages. General Cavern Information: Largest single cave chamber in California. Called Moaning Cavern because of the moaning sound that could be heard up to half a mile away. A 165 foot vertical drop to the bottom of the cavern with a100 foot arc welded spiral staircase to the cavern floor. This staircase was made from the case/lattice masting of a WWI battleship. The Statue of Liberty would be able to fit inside the cavern (From tip of torch to toes, not including the statue's base). The site also includes a rock climbing wall, gold mining maze, axe throwing, and a zipline course. Bracelets for the rock-climbing wall are provided with purchase of the Spiral Tour. It is also possible for tourists to rappel into the cavern via the main cavern entrance. 2019 |
Sutter Creek, CA. Knights Foundry Admission: approx. $15 for adults 18 and older, $5 for students age 5-17. Tours available on the second Saturday of the month. The Knight Foundry is America's last water-powered foundry and machine shop. Established in 1873 by Samuel Knight, this extraordinary facility includes the unique historic equipment and machinery, still in place in its original context, just as it was during its Gold Rush-era heyday. The Knight Foundry is one of the best-preserved 19th-century industrial-age workplaces in the United States. It was in continuous operation in Sutter Creek, California for 123 years, from its founding in 1873 until 1996, at which time it was designated one of the country's eleven most endangered historic sites by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Knight Foundry is nationally recognized as a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark and a California Registered Historical Landmark. 2019 |
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Historic Downtown Sutter Creek Admission: Free (Shopping not included). Located in Amador County, Sutter Creek maintains its Gold Rush facade while catering to the wants and needs of visitors from around the world. Best known as the "Jewel of the Motherlode, Sutter Creek sits at an elevation of 1,188 and is accessible from Highway 49. Sutter Creek is nearby Amador City, Plymouth, Jackson, lone and Pine Grove. 2019 |
Miners' Bend: A Historic Gold Mining Park Admission: Free. The Sutter Creek Community Benefit Foundation transformed one of Sutter Creek's parking lots into an amazing historical display of Gold Mining history. Artifacts from the Argonaut Mine and the Suffer Gold Mine have been donated to show visitors and residents the rich Sutter Creek Gold Mining history. Along with the mining artifacts, the new passive park has informative plaques for the artifacts, picnic benches, trees, and "Chinese" rock walls lining the park, which are historic for the area. 2019 |
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Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Coloma, CA. www.parks.ca.govgov/Marshallgold 2018 2023-10 This state historic park includes a replica of Sutter’s Mill where gold was first discovered in California in 1948, sparking the beginning of the California Gold Rush. It is a nice stop to break up an extended trip, with very interesting history around a nature trail. The stories of those who traveled here available in the visitors center are pretty impressive. The highlight of course is the mill replica. There are many placards around the ground. The property is rather extensive, including a replica of Marshall’s cabin up on the hill, that most people never see. To imporve, I’d like to see
better signage, especially a guide to walking through the place. It would be
nice to have some notes for someone who has 30 minutes, or an hour, or four
hours. You would take a different route and look at different things
depending on how much time you’ve got. |
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