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Playland-Not-at-the-Beach
Rating Details »
10979 San Pablo Ave
El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 592-3002
El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 592-3002
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- Hours:
Sat-Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
43 reviews for Playland-Not-at-the-Beach
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
8/11/2008
10/31/2009
Updated - 9/21/2009
31 photos
10/4/2009
11/1/2009
9/8/2009
9/27/2009
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9/15/2009
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10/7/2009
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7/26/2009
8/7/2009
8/11/2009
5/11/2009
9/20/2009
Updated - 6/14/2009
6/9/2009
4 photos
8/31/2009
3/13/2009
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8/8/2009
1/14/2009
2 photos
3/8/2009
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7/20/2009
1 photo
12/2/2008
6/16/2008
5/10/2009
6/22/2008
One of Playland-Not-at-the-Beach's Favorite Reviews What's This?
Amazing with a capital A. This place is wonderful on so many levels. Run, don't walk, now. In an organized fashion, here's why this place rocks:
1. Kind, passionate volunteers who run the place. You wouldn't find a group of more passionate and caring individuals than the ones who run Playland. These folks make me wish I was an old lady so I could have experienced Playland for myself. And that's saying a lot considering I'd rather not be an old lady.
2. Playing games on 100+ year old machines. That's right. Wanna play pinball on a machine built in the 1800s? No problem. Wanna get your fortune told? Step right up. And winning carnival prizes to boot? Score.
3. Getting your play on with a side of education. Learning about the history of Playland from the volunteers is incredibly interesting and getting to see artifacts and relics from that era is equally entertaining. The volunteers are more than willing to give you individual tours of the museum and educate you on the history of Playland.
Not to brag but I won every game except for two in the funhouse. I even won the cheese game which no one wins. That's right, I'm that good. See ya at the Funhouse.
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Visited Playland Not at the Beach today for the first time and was in awe over how much there is to see and do. The building is crammed with lots of memorabilia of Playland as well as dioramas of Santa's Village, Dickens and lots more. Our group was escorted through the displays by a volunteer named Richard and his knowledge of Playland as well as his enthusiasm made my first visit thoroughly enjoyable.
Playland Not at the Beach is neat, clean and extremely organized. Its volunteers range from teens to adults and are all friendly and helpful. Obviously they all enjoy working there.
Games? For pinball fanatics there are rooms and rooms of old pinball machines and most of them can be played. There are also fortune telling machines, machines that show early San Francisco photos and more. If you are interested in wood carving or miniatures, you have to see the awesome miniature circus.
For me, I just walked from room to room. With each turn in the hallway or new room, I found something more exciting. When I first entered the building, a volunteer asked me what I remembered about Playland. I mentioned, the rotating barrel and the air jets. At the end of my visit, old memories returned as well as the the wide smile I had as a child.
We were fortunate to meet an artist who painted the San Francisco background mural. It was exciting to listen to how he developed the piece and what challenges he had to work through to make it fit a rounded surface.
Perhaps the best memory I will have is asking Richard, our guide with the avid love of Playland and wide knowledge of the history behind it, how did this wonderful facility come about. Who began it? He smiled and just said, " Me". If I had not asked, he would not have volunteered the information. He is a very modest man. Have since found out that our volunteer, Richard is Richard Tuck who has collected Playland memorabilia.
Thank you Mr. Tuck for bringing to El Cerrito such a magical place. I will return many more times. Oh, and also thank you for the Cracker Jacks. I have not nibbled on them since I was a child. Good memories.
It is only open to the general public on Saturday. As a senior, I paid $10 which is more than reasonable. On Sundays, they are open for private parties.
After visiting Playland Not at the Beach with their wonderful music in my head, I headed to Tilden's Merry-Go-Round for a few rides, a hot dog, cotton candy and a soda. It was a perfect day. As I am typing this Yelp, I still have a big grin on my face.
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Comment from Richard T. of
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach
11/1/2009
Thank you for the very sweet review. I just want to correct…
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I could easily give this place a zillion stars!
I recently celebrated my b-day here and it was a dream come true!
Richard and Frank helped me design my dream party with a summer camp theme. They were both so sweet and ENTHUSIASTIC!
Frank used an old photo of me with a squirrel with his arm around me
(my idea). The theme was Camp Rinky. We had a potluck and had tons of food and drinks.
Two of my dear friends made THREE cakes for me- - a vegan chocolate cake, s'mores cupcakes and a cake with a blue jello lake with gummy bears with gummy life preservers and a shark swimming in the lake.
Kendra and the other volunteers kept the campers/my guests in line with whistles and organized a treasure hunt with camp counselors as leaders of the teams.
Richard and Frank performed a magic show with LOTS of audience participation. My friends were in stitches.
We ended the party with a campfire sing-a-long.
Oh and the pinball machines, carnival games. dioramas were available too. Lots of my young guests won enough tickets to get prizes ( stuffed animals)
It was great to see all my friends having so much fun laughing and letting their inner child out.
I can't thank the staff and volunteers enough for their support and
hard work.
My only regret is that I wish I was richer. I could have easily invited a few dozen of my favorite Yelpers to my party.
But if you need a party idea this is a terrific venue!
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2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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11/27/2008
Here's your chance to get a Yelp discount this weekend:
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***This review is only about pinball***
Fantastic pinball selection. Around 30 tables in three rooms, all in very good working condition. Creature From The Black Lagoon, Cirqus Voltaire, Funhouse were some of my favorites. Many old games. Worth the price of admission. This place is a GEM.
Absolutely terrific!
Incredibly array of pinball machines. Wonderful old-style arcade games where kids win (generous amounts) of tickets for cool prizes. Video game system programmed with *dozens* of old-style games (Centipede, Galaga, Donkey Kong, etc.). Fascinating historical displays.
The magic show is good fun for people of all ages. Kids birthday parties are fun, energetic, and a great time for all.
And, most of all, the people running the place are just incredibly nice, warm, and welcoming.
This place is a "hidden" gem.
Review #600 is a pretty amazing place! Spooky and awesome at the same time. Playland is one of those places that is odd and special while bring back that sweet taste of nostalgia.
Walking through this place, its almost like a Rob Zombie Horror Movie with the lights on. The craziness is something that you can't explain. The games are something right out of the carnival.
There is a great number of pinball machines here, ranging from the very early EM's to Pinball 2000 machines. Some are in the best shape I've ever seen, some are in damn good shape. My first time, there are a few issues to report, and I'll see how they do in repairing them.
It's crazy far from me, but certainly worth the drive and I'll be sure to make it again soon.
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This is an enchanted place, truly a labor of love. The people who run it are so dedicated and involved for all the right reasons. I've visited a few times (including the preview days), and there's always some improvement.
The miniature, handmade circus is mesmerizing. Other highlights are the glow-in-the-dark pinball room, the old penny arcade, and of course, Laughing Sal. I love that it's in this nondescript stretch of San Pablo Avenue- all the more amazing when you venture in to this alternate reality. It has a non-corporate, community vibe that is increasingly rare these days, especially when it comes to entertainment for kids.
Playland- Not-at-the-Beach should appeal to kids, Bay Area natives of a certain age (who remember Playland in SF), or anyone who likes to have a good time and appreciates vintage games. Don't miss it!
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...what is this place!!??
It's a museum/arcade/indoor adult playground!! Cool. I loved the atmosphere and seriously how can you not have fun here? I was never the kid who went to places like Chuk E Cheese growing up, but as an adult, I NEED a place like this to let my inner 9 year old loose!
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All I can say is... Wow...
Now, I can't say that my trip was perfect, but the one or two things that weren't were very minor. Moving right along...
I came here strictly for the pinball. I didn't have any interest in anything else- I didn't care about anything else... I was here for the pinball. Walking in, I was a little... Shall we say, discouraged. You could hear a pin drop. The gentleman at the desk assured me that, while it may be quiet out here, as soon as you go in you get attacked by greatness.
... And he was right. When I told him that I was there for pinball, he told me he could sense that somehow... I don't know if it was the tail, or the PAPA XI shirt, but either way, he quickly showed me to the pinball, and sensed that I was going to be completely without class and not continue the tour. What a great guy. The first room was the "3-D room," and the machines in there were amazing. The rest of the pinball was similar, with only a few hitches to it all.
I wish there were tilt warnings. I don't know if they have had a problem with people abusing the machines, or if they just want to completely discourage nudging (I'm more apt to put a fist through the glass when the machine tilts for no reason, though), but that was something that would boost this place to the imaginary 6th star. Also, while everything was maintained well, there were one or two machines that were near unplayable... But I have a feeling that will be fixed soon, since they are very quick and attentive when it comes to gripe sheets.
This place is amazing, and I can't wait to go back... Not only for the great pinball (50s woodrails all the way up to DMD and beyond), but to explore the greatness that is in the other rooms.
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I finally found my happy place. It turns out it's only 15 minutes away.
I had no idea this place existed and probably never would had it not been for the Yelp event. Thank you Ligaya for choosing this place!
Skeeball, pinball, arcades, 3D room....this place had it all. But it was the exhibits that brought out my inner child. Santa's Village is beautiful. The World of Dickens - SPECTACULAR!! The detail that went into it was amazing. I could spend hours just looking at the exhibits, seriously.
Playland is run by volunteers, and they all were absolutely wonderful. You can tell just by talking to them that they REALLY love what they are doing.
I will definitely be back!
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I was telling two co-workers this morning about going to Playland-not-at-the-beach last night and both of them had the same reaction KTPower and I had after being at this very cool establishment. It was one of, "I have to go there, sounds so cool, really?"
One corner of Playland has you playing pinball machines while the next turn has you checking out what a circus looked like many years ago! Then you walk to the other side of the building and you're in a mini haunted house while a Santa display catches the corner of your eye.
Make the trip to check this place out. You won't be disappointed - enjoy!
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Whodathunk there'd be an amusement park crammed inside an unassuming looking building in the middle of El Cerrito. Penny arcade games, more pinball machines than you can shake a stick at, skeeball, carnival games, and popcorn offer lots of old timey/nostalgic amusement. But it's the Christmas Carol and winter wonderland miniatures and Halloween miniatures that I loved the most. The idea that all of that attention and detail was done by volunteers is also kind of moving. This place is great for little and big kids alike, aka first date spot!
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Later, I could not stop smiling. I had been reading about Playland-Not-at-the-Beach for years in the local papers before it opened to the public and then in Yelp reviews. I missed the Yelp event there last month, to my great chagrin. But we were invited to a camp-themed birthday party last night. Yesterday was a very busy day. I answered phones at KCSM-FM from 11-2, came home, took a nap, awoke later than I had anticipated, put together the guacamole we were bringing, got dressed and headed down the hill. On the way it started raining and by the time we arrived I needed an umbrella.
When we walked in the young woman behind the desk fixed us w/ a mock-stern glare and stated, "Camp started 20 minutes ago!" Undaunted, I pulled open my jacket to reveal a well worn Midsummer Night's Dream t-shirt from Ashland several years ago and declared that I was wearing my camp outfit, explaining that someone I knew long ago had described Ashland as summer camp for women. Her face lit up, she declared, "Good job!" and gave me a 'merit badge' in addition to my name tag. She opened an office for us to store our jackets and umbrella and directed us back to where the party was.
The kitchen area was full of people putting out food. We greeted our hosts, set out the guacamole and chips and then wandered around checking out pinball machines and peepshow machines. Not too long after, dinner was announced. The food was an international melange of homemade goodness mixed w/ purchased goodies. There were 4 or 5 large round tables w/ chairs and more people than they could accommodate so people ate and then wandered through the displays while others ate. Having checked out the pinball machines, next I looked at the diorama of San Francisco in 1939, a series of model cities w/ pirates and monsters populating them and a series of cities from Dickens' books, everything in exquisite detail. There are several Laughing Sals throughout the museum, an old bumper car, and more cool stuff than I can adequately describe. It's like a maze, w/ something new to discover around each corner and every spot has something interesting to look at. We had a treasure hunt, a magic show and we sang camp songs, all organized by the staff, who seemed to enjoy themselves as much as we did, kept things moving and managed to entertain kids in the single digits and those high in the double digits. Of course, most of us in the double digits have a single digit kid lurking inside not too far below the surface. There was corniness and silliness and it was completely wonderful. I want to return to explore more of what is there and I encourage you to do the same. My words are inadequate to do justice to the magnificence of this place.
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Playland-Not-at-the-Beach is an oasis of heart-warming fun.
Some volunteers drive literally hours to come and help out in all ways from keeping the place spiffy, to giving out prizes all day.
There is a modest entrance fee and once you're in all the games and prizes are free!!
You won't believe the level of detail in the amazing miniature instillations, the world class mural, and antique arcade games.
Yep. They even have Laughing Sal!
They are always going the extra mile because they are in it for the love and contribution. For example they have different themes every weekend. You should have been there for the Ertha Kit weekend!
PNatB also hosts birthday parties with an incredible and hilarious magic show.
Check out there other offerings too.
They are hosting beginning and advanced magic workshops, and clown school.
It's so rare to find a place with such gentle and magnetic magic.
This humble place tucked away in El Cerrito is not Disneyland. It's all that Disneyland would hope to be, with twice the humanity.
Go and you'll see.
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Once again I have to begin a review saying that Yelp came through again. I would have never hear of Playland-Not-at-the-Beach if it were not for you other superstar Yelpers taking the time to write reviews.
This a way-cool little gem tucked away along San Pablo Ave in El Cerrito and if I had not gone looking for it, might have very easily drove right by not know what lie inside for a great Weekend day of afternoon fun.
I got there just in time to watch a little movie with history of the original Playland at the Beach and on the Sutros baths. Before the fun even started I learned some neat facts about SF that I did not know.
Then on into the museum to wander from room to room looking at he great detailed model cities with lights and moving parts.
Then the fun rooms, with tons of pin ball machines and games to play (ALL FOR FREE) Some pinball machines were newer and some were very old vintage machines. It was amazing to go from one to the next and see the way technology evolved even that industry. I played on new machine and did not do very good and got a score of 75,350,000 or some ridiculous score like that, then I went to an old machine with old non-digital scoring and played a great game, won lot of points and free balls and ended up with a total score of 5635.
I had several hours of great fun, learned some history I did not know.
I will most certainly go back here again.
5-stars all the way.
Great job to all the staff and crew there that shared their real life stories about the old Playland at the Beach.
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One price to play as much as you want on tons of pinball machines set to free play and carnival games?
Awesome!
Be sure to take a gander into those penny arcade viewing machines of the SF earthquake and mosey on into the 3-D pinball room.
It's a great place to go for a day fun. Seeing the history/progression of machines was great and it brought back memories of childhood when playing the Magic pinball or the Star Wars machine.
Go at least once, it's worth the time and fun.
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I had this place bookmarked to check out and low and behold there is a Yelp Elite event featured here. The manfriend had just told me about an arcade place in Alameda he wanted to check out so I jumped at the opportunity to get on this guestlist.
Playland is much larger than expected and packed full of goodies and good folks. It's like that eccentric uncles giant house ... the kitchen is in the middle and then rooms and rooms of random things to look at, play with, squeeze and touch. We spent most of the evening in the arcade section playing old and new pinball machines. It's neat to see how far technology has come but also how despite an entertainment center full of video game consoles and a PC with so much RAM I can simultaneously run 3 copies of WoW, that skee ball and pinball machines can still provide so many hours of entertainment.
Regular prices are $15 for unlimited use of all the machines ... and to hang out. I can't say I would pay $15 to go back again, but I do support their cause and respect the many many volunteers there who clearly love being involved.
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Who needs video games when there's a whole whimsical world of fun in 3D?!
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach captures the spirit of the bygone amusement park of San Francisco's Ocean Beach through incredible intricate miniatures and original artifacts and games. Much like the Winchester Mystery House, each room opens to unique relics that recreates the feeling of the original experience, most of which are kept in tip-top working order by their team of volunteers. They're a wealth of knowledge, so don't miss the enlightening history lessons.
Forget those quarters! One-time entry grants access to over 25 pinball games, penny arcade machines, skeeball, sideshow exhibits, and detailed dioramas. Allow me to repeat that: *ahem* UNLIMITED pinball. I'll admit, I was psyched to see they dedicated an entire room to the 3D variety, complete with pop out paint and carpeting!
You'll have such a good time it'll get ya wondering why we ever stopped doing "kid" things.
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Thanks to Mike the Magician for this enchanting discovery!
This place is great for:
1) guys who need a last minute date idea
2) out of town guests
3) kids
4) seniors
5) those bewitched by things in miniature
6) displaced Christmas elves
7) Dickens freaks
8) those who need a bit o' magic and/or an attitude adjustment
9) pinball champs
10) Bay area history enthusiasts
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Last night, got to attend a friend's surprise 40th bday party at PN@TB...I have to admit, that even though I recommended the place to hiw wife, I wasn't completely convinced it would be a good venue for a party. Perhaps people would wander aimlessly, or get sucked into just playing pinball for 3 hours, or have their deepseated fear of clowns make them just want to curl up and hide the whole time.
I am thrilled to say my doubts proved as fleeting as my belief that the Feegee mermaid was real...this is an awesome party venue!
And while I was excited at the prospect of a treasure hunt (which I somehow didn't win and am working very hard not to be bitter about it) the news that we'd watch a magic show wasn't thrilling me, exactly.
Again -- so wrong, and so happy to be proven so. Magical Nathaniel (I think he needs a new name, don't you?) is an amazing illusionist. Seriously. Despite my strong , cynical desire to want to see something that I can smirk at, I just have to admit I was truly wowed. And the dude is only 15!!! I mean, COME ON! (That was the best Gob impersonation I could manage.)
This place deserves an award for Best Party Venue in the East Bay. Respect.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/13/2008 ROTD 6/21/2009
Unlimited pinball. Yes, you heard correctly. Un-limited.
What, you want to know more?
Ok: free… Read more »
When my 50th birthday celebration came up and I was thinking about my group of invitees and what would please them most I immediately thought about this place. And I was right! It could not have been a better day. The attention I received to make my day perfect was like I was at the finest hotel. The people here are a joy.
I was introduced to Richard Tuck's (and the Volunteers) grand vision back in 2002 when they had special guests giving oral histories of Playland. I loved Playland and the FunHouse as a kid. The memories and early inspirations will come flooding back in if you stay inside this space for very long. So I believe PlayLand Not at the Beach has truly captured the magic for all to discover.
All generations will enjoy this place -3 to 133. Wheelchair accessible. Step stools for kids. A good sized party kitchen for 30 people to serve cake. Plenty of parking. Don't be surprised if some of your guests get 'lost' in the pinball world. One of my guests said he thought it was his birthday he loved it so much.
And for photographers and artists and poets-take your camera and paper and canvas and head inside this place to be inspired by the color and light and sound and creativity.
Six Stars is my rating.
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I decided to have my Birthday party at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach this year and invited 25 adults to help celebrate.
I hadn't been to Playland-Not-at-the-Beach before but I'd wanted to go since it opened up. I figured that it would be the perfect chance to visit and to introduce my friends and family to this local establishment.
I sent an e-mail to Playland-Not-at-the-Beach to find out about booking a private party and Richard Tuck was very quick to respond. I was able to book my party without even going in - it was great. In fact, since I had never been to Playland-Not-at-the-Beach Richard urged me to keep its contents a surprise until the day of my party; I'm glad that he did this. There was so much to see and a lot of history - so much in fact that I am going to make a few return trips in the near future so I can really take everything in.
Tim Sauer helped with the party rental agreement, again by e-mail and helped move the process along with ease. I was able to book the party over the phone and paid a deposit using my credit card.
Along with booking this party, Playland-Not-at-the-Beach also made custom invitations for me. The invitations were wonderful and they even came with envelopes! Frank Biafore made the invitations and he was able to get my input about the details of the invitation by e-mail - this made things so simple!
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach has a full kitchen and they allow you to bring in your own food and drink. This was great! They even insist on cleaning up after you're done with your party (thank you!).
For my party I had the option of doing a treasure hunt or a muder mystery. I decided to choose the murder mystery option and I am glad that I did. Richard customized the murder mystery and really brought the game to life - including a random phone call - where the phone on the wall actually rang! It was obvious that a lot of thought, time and preparation had gone into planning a murder mystery theme for this venue. Although the murder mystery took some time to play with 5 teams looking for some 20+ clues, it was great fun! Everyone really enjoyed working in teams and had a blast finding out who-dun-it.
The venue is filled with miniature dioramas (Halloween, Christmas, Charles Dickens (see if you can find the hidden hippo), a hand carved circus which took a father and son team 40 years to design), pinball machines, antique games, penny arcades, carnival games and more. There is SO much to see and do here and so much history.
Along with the free game play and murder mystery, Richard and Frank put on a magic show for us. It was a lot of fun!
The professionalism and attention to detail from every volunteer at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach is impeccable. I appreciated their constant enthusiasm and can't wait to go back!
Words cannot express how much joy this place brought me. My whole life I have been obsessed with Ocean Beach: Playland, Sutro Baths and the Cliff House and it's like someone went into that section of my brain and turned it into a physical place that I can go visit!
AND they are in the process of making a Haunted Mansion exhibit!! What the hell?!? Did these people really hack into my brain?! If I go back and there's a hippo exhibit I'll know for sure!
PS - please acquire the Addams Family pinball game as it is the best pinball game ever. Thank you.
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We had SO much fun here and could have stayed for another hour or two if we hadn't arrived so close to closing. The pinball games (all set on free play) were the main draw for us, though we enjoyed the midway games and the collections of miniatures.
They have some newer pinball machines and some really old classic ones. It was cool to be able to experience the difference from the older games to the newer ones. I like how they have the pinball machines seperated into 3 different rooms, which reduced the over stimulation I can sometimes get in a traditional arcade.
It was cool to see the original and the new replica laughing Sal. I grew up hearing stories of the original at the original Playland in SF and so this museum was interesting to me in that respect, too.
I have to say, thought, that the admission price is too steep. I know it's a non-profit with much volunteer labor and the volunteers definatetely looked like they were having as much fun as the patrons, but the place is not that big and $15 per person adds up quickly. They have discount tickets I would check out when we go back.
They have a kitchen with several small tables and they will rent out their space. They definately have potential to be a really cool party location for small groups. I wouldn't plan on having more than 20 or so people gathered in the kitchen at a time.
They have a small area where a local young magician performs. I suppose they could use that area for rentals, too, but it looks more like an afterthought than a planned party location.
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This place is AWESOME! Twenty-five (count 'em) pinball machines on free play--and oh so much more. Bring the kids. They will play carnival games while you play pinball. AWESOME!
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My son had his first birthday here and boy I'm glad I found this place thanks to Yelp~Yelpers!!!!
Richard and one of the volunteer helped me plan the Mickey mouse "sorcerer" theme party which went well with their magic tricks show.
The place and every one of them crew are great!
Worth every inch of our buck!
Thanks so much playland! Thanks for making it unforgettable for us and my son.
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Stop wasting time on the interwebnetz 2.0--- go to Playland-Not-at-the-Beach immediately!
You'll be in awe of the level of detail put into recreating the Playland at the Beach experience. What, you've never heard of Playland at the Beach? Well, either had I, but my experience there taught me more about SF history in 3 hours than I've gleaned elsewhere in the past 2 years.
And it's fun when you're not learning-- where else can you play unlimited video games and pinball, watch a magic show, look at insanely meticulous miniature displays, play skeeball, and talk to enthusiastic volunteers for $15?
A few pieces of advice: (1) Talk to the volunteers-- many of them helped build the place, and are full of cool stories. (2) You have to show your skeeball score to a volunteer if you want prize tickets. (3) Write down the address correctly-- the outside is as deceptively sized and humbly advertised as the TARDIS.
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I volunteer at Playland-not-at-the-beach and it's a great place to have fun and enjoy the memories of a bygone era. It's always sad that some things have to change. Oh-if there were a way we could keep the old and still have the new.
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Just found this place thanks to a friend's recommendation this past weekend. It exceeded our expectations! We intended on spending only an hour but stayed for 3. A great mix of history, museum, miniatures, foreplay arcade games, and much more.
Our kids ages 10 and 15 had to wait until my husband and I finished playing the games to get their turn.
Loved the special Martin Luther King Jr scavenger hunt we got to do throughout the exhibits- both educational and fun. Nicest docent staff, very knowledgeable.
Side note: Impressionable young children may want to skip the circus side show & Halloween miniature areas. Both are done in good taste with viewing doors you have to open or a secluded room that you can just bypass.
Well worth the reasonable entrance fee that includes a lot of entertainment. Our daughter loved being able to play carnival games for prizes for free.
Definitely want to go back again and bring friends!
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PINBALL - in a special place
Pinball players will find some great machines maintained in excellent condition. The dot matrix modern that I saw include (June 5, 2009):
+ Lord of the Rings
+ Whitewater
+ Cirque Voltaire
+ Monster Bash
+ Scared Stiff
+ Creature from the Black Lagoon
+ Rollercoaster Tycoon
+ Star Wars: Episode I (Pinball 2000)
+ more
There are many classics in the collection as well. Some people will appreciate Fun House, Earthshaker, Bride of Pinbot, and some really old ones. For a great collection of the really old machines go to Lucky Ju Ju. But there are plenty here as well.
I went for pinball then discovered that it is a very cool place with lots
of fun and interesting diversions. The people running the place will show you around and highlight features that you might not notice. There is a lot there. But if you are just looking for pinball and don't care about the rest, this is still the place to go. To my knowledge, this place and Lucky Ju Ju have more machines than any other places in the West outside of Las Vegas.
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Worth it. GO! I am going again and again! PINBALL! FREAKS!! MINIATURES!! GO!!!!!
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Inner child scratching at the door for some unadulterated playtime? Playland-not-at-the Beach is the place to let it loose!
The first thing you'll notice is how accommodating the staff of volunteers are. They are there for no other reason but because they love what they do and it shows. We got a personal tour of the entire place including a little history lesson on all the different games and displays. If your nerd side needs a more detailed history lesson, take a seat in their theater and watch the film about the original Playland-at-the-Beach and the Sutro baths/museum (original pieces from Adolph Sutro's museum are now housed here).
I've never been much of a "gamer", but playing old favorites like the wave, as well as favorites of a generation past, all the while hearing Laughing Sal's hearty chuckles brought me into the moment and made me really happy.
One price gets unlimited play for as far as your attention span will reach.
I can't explain how a place of play, filled with games and miniatures can make me teary...it must be the energy of all the passion and love that's put into it every day.
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This place is awesome! My mom did a painting of Laughing Sal, and as such several people told her about this place... then she went a few months ago and lent them a gliche (a reprint of the painting on canvas) of her painting, which you can see in the owner's office....
but anyways, this whole thing came full circle this weekend when my grandma and great aunt were in town for thanksgiving, and my parents suggested that we all head out there this afternoon.
so we all went... we got a *very* informative tour of the place, provided by the *extremely* knowledgeable staff. we watched a magic show by a talented youngster who might just have a future in magic if he keeps practicing, we played all kinds of old midway and pin ball games (and won prizes too!).
and any speaking of games, i was determined to win every game, and yes, i did, all but one (some tidal wave game...) and the cheese game? won that twice in row.. the bowling ball game that i've *never* been able to win at fairs and carnivals or amusement parks, i won 4 times here! i guess the not having to pay for the games takes the pressure off...
anyways, i highly recommend this as one of those fun, unique weekend activities. :)
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This is a fun way to spend a few hours. Lose yourself in the past and pretend you're a kid again, hanging at Playland. The dedication of the volunteers who re-created this is something to be marvelled at. No intricate detail was too small for them to consider.
Wander through and play the games, laugh with Sal, bring your kids and let them giggle the day away.
One caveat--I think this is especially meaningful for kids of all ages who grew up going to the original Playland at the Beach. For them, basking in the long-ago memories is especially endearing. For the rest of us, still fun but not quite the same connection to the past.
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Me and my kids went here recently on a rainy day. I loved it! My kids got a little bored with the history and all the talking, they are 5 and 9. What you would expect! I personally enjoyed the history! I've heard so many stories from my parents and to see and hear the history was very fascinating. My kids really enjoyed the arcade games. They won prizes and did not want to even leave. On the way out we were able to catch the magic show. Magical Nathaniel was very entertaining. We went home to watch him on You Tube. My kids want to go back so bad.
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Volunteers have been meticulously recreating amusements of yesterday, in a nondescript strip mall building in El Cerrito. Who would have guessed? The place is small, but brimming with heart.
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this place is pretty neat. lot's of pinball, old penny machines, skii ball, and some pretty elaborate sideshow/circus nativity like scenes with all hand carved stuff. Something you should really see for yourself!
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Wow, I just want to echo the other reviews that this place is fantastic! So much obvious hard work and dedication from the volunteers to create a very fun place. There is SO much to see, we couldn't take it all in. Loved the old pinball and penny arcade machines. The carnival style games for the kids (winning a prize is guaranteed) were great as well. The staff is so well-informed about the history of the place and the pieces that were salvaged. Whether you had a chance to visit the original Playland at the Beach or not, this is a MUST see trip down memory lane. I wish I lived closer, we'd definitely visit more often!
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I had read about this place on Yelp upon moving to El Sobrante and everyone gave It 4-5 stars so when my date told me we were going here I was ecstatic! I had been wanting to go. Upon arrival we were greeted by the volunteers at the front door and I knew right from the bat that this place was going to be interesting. There was a magic show going on and it ended right as we got there and I'm pissed I missed it...who doesn't like magic? So one of the volunteers showed us around and left us in the dark 3D pin ball room and I tried playing pin ball with the 3D glasses and I lost...now I have to clean my dates' house in a french maid outfit! Damnit...stupid glasses and bet! My favorite room by far was the arcade room. A 10 year old boy challenged me to the bowling ball game and beat me. WTF? Now I have to clean his room too in a french maids outfit. JUST KIDDING. But I did give him all my tickets I won for not laughing at me. All in all it was a good experience the reason for the minus one star is that it's sort of hidden. We drove past it 3 times before realizing that it was on the corner. The volunteers are so nice and defiantly make this experience worth your time. Everyone here should experience this place ONE time in their lives.
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There is no words for this place. The folks at Playland did one hell of a job. I wish they would sell season passes so I can come more often. It costs $15 to get in and trust me you will not be disappointed once you get in.
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