If you're a fan of the old Playland at the Beach, you will remember the Balboa Theater, the local movie haunt. These days the theater is still rockin' and rollin' with top programming and a fondness for the history of the good old days in San Francisco. If you want a fun evening in the City, go to one of the local pizza palaces and then head over to the Balboa.

"It is getting impossible to find a really good group of pinball machines to play. In Northern California fortunately we have the huge arcade at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (with a Laughing Sal!), and three weekend shows a year that showcase the art and skills of pinball: Pin-a-Go-Go in Dixon, CA every spring, California Extreme in San Jose every summer, and Pacific Pinball Expo in Marin County every fall. But by far the most amazing, permanent pinball palace is the Lucky Juju in Alameda Lucky JuJu. Developed by Michael Schiess, Juju is the first step to a much larger enterprise, the Pacific Pinball Museum which will feature hundreds of machines and related art and science exhibits all focused on PINBALL."

Who is everyone's favorite face-painting, magical, loveable clown who also becomes a pirate, an Italian mother, and many other enchanting characters for children's birthdays and corporate events? It's none other than Budderball the Clown! Budderball has volunteered countless times at our non-profit museum, and kids from 2 to 102 just love her! If you want to liven up a party, just invite Budderball.

For the past two years, Playland-Not-at-the-Beach guests have been dazzled by our resident magician — Magical Nathaniel. Magical Nathaniel received rave reviews when he entertained our guests at our Grand Opening a few weeks back. Although he has a busy schedule with school and homework Nathaniel is also available for birthday parties and special events in the East Bay Area.

During our Grand Opening, among the face painting, magic, and clowns, these performers cast a lively shadow on all of us. Stilt Dancers helped us commemorate our Grand Opening in style and brought smiles to all of us.

To quote their site, "Our costumed dancers provide delightful walk around entertainment for corporate events, weddings, festivals and private events. From two stiltdancers up to a cast of a dozen stiltdancers for small gatherings up to parades and festivals, we're on top of it."

They sure were on top of it and they amazed young and old with their unique and wonderful antics. This is something well worth experiencing.

"Creature Features" was the premier weekly horror TV show in Northern California starting in the 1970s. One of our museum's key contributors, Tom Wyrsch, was an avid fan and went on to create a documentary film title "Watch Horror Movies - Keep America Strong." The host of Creature Features was Bob Wilkins, a deadpan comedian who warned viewers not to waste their time watching the terrible filmed on his show. This website has been established to honor him.

The Musée Mécanique was a wonderful set of mechanical amusement devices and musical instruments at the Sutro Baths in San Francisco. When Sutro's closed in the 1960s, another Musée Mécanique opened on the lower terrace under the Cliff House. Forced to relocate when the Cliff House closed, the Zelinksky family found a great new location on Fisherman's Wharf at Pier 45. You can still visit their Laughing Sal, the fortune tellers, and all the amazing collection of mechanical devices. Admission is FREE, and each machine runs on coins. If you are visiting the San Francisco Bay Area and you have enjoyed our Museum of Fun, you owe it to your family to also take them to the Musée Mécanique.

One of the joys of the Grand Opening of Playland-Not-at-the-Beach was the appearance of teenage dance sensation — Cheyenne! She volunteered her time to come to El Cerrito to entertain all the people who visited the Museum of Fun on its opening day. If you would like some truly unique entertainment at an event, Cheyenne is fantastic. She has a great presentation voice, incredible clogging skills, an incredibly radiant personality, and she brings her own stage and sound equipment too!