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Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Airports, Aviation Museums and Plane spotting

Fasten your seat belts and prepare for takeoff; Next stop: aviation museums, USS Naval Air Station, plane spotting and more. Your little plane lover is going to have fun! 

Hiller Aviation Museum (601 Skyway Rd, San Carlos) 
www.hiller.org 
With more than 50 aerospace vehicles, the Hiller Aviation Museum is the largest aircraft history museum in the bay area. In addition to educational exhibits, the museum offers family oriented activities like flight simulators, imagination playground, and family events.

The Museum is located adjacent to the San Carlos Airport, where you can watch small planes take off and land.
Open daily, 10am-5pm.
Adult - $16, juniors (6-12) - $5, children 5 and under – free.

Hiller Aviation Museum
Oakland Aviation Museum (Oakland International Airport, 8252 Earhart Rd, Oakland) 
www.oaklandaviationmuseum.org 
30 vintage and modern airplanes, both civilian and military, and other displays that highlight noted aviators and innovators makes. Don’t miss the play area where kids can climb to kid sized planes, control tower and more. 
The Museum is located adjacent to the Oakland Airport, where you can watch planes take off and land.
Open Wednesday - Sunday, 10am-4pm.
Adult - $10, juniors (5-17) - $11, children 4 and under – free. 
Oakland Aviation Museum
Alameda Naval Air Museum (2151 Ferry Point, Alameda) 
www.alamedanavalairmuseum.org 
The museum is home to a unique collection of artifacts and exhibits emphasizing the role of the Alameda Naval Air Station in the defense of the nation and as an integral part of the local community. The museum is very little, but offers a nice booklet for children to learn about airplanes and flights (download here: http://alamedanavalairmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/flight.pdf).
Open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm.
Adult - $7, children 12 and under – free.
SFO Aviation Museum and Library (San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco) 
www.flysfo.com/museum 
Aviation Museum provides unique opportunities for learning about the development of commercial aviation and the role it plays in our everyday lives. Located in the International Terminal, it is an architectural adaptation of the Airport's 1930s passenger lobby. The collection focuses on air transport with an emphasis on the West Coast and the Pacific region. Located right next to the security check, it is our favorite stop before boarding a plane.
Open daily, 10am-4:30pm.
No admission charge, open free to the public.

SFO
USS Hornet Museum (707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda) 
www.uss-hornet.org 
The Aircraft Carrier Hornet, permanently docked in Alameda, has a collection of 15 aircrafts, dating back to World War II. Kids will enjoy visiting the flight deck and flight simulators, as well as meeting educating and inspiring veterans. Docent led and self-exploring tour options available.
Open daily, 10am-5pm.
Adults - $20, juniors - $10, children 6 and under – free.

USS Hornet
Wings of History Museum (12777 Murphy Ave, San Martin) 
www.wingsofhistory.org 
Wings of History is a non-profit organization dedicated to aviation history through education, preservation, restoration, and flight. Visit the restoration shop, propeller shop, library and aircrafts.
Open Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm, Tuesday and Thursday 10am-3pm.
Adult - $7, juniors (6-12) - $5, children 5 and under – free.
Wings of History

Other great places for plane spotting:

Mineta San Jose International Airport (1701 Airport Blvd, San Jose) – The adjacent Guadalupe River Park is a great place to watch planes bound for San Jose Airport. 

Palo Alto Airport (1925 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto) – The adjacent Baylands Park is a great place to watch planes take off and land. 

Coyote Point (1701 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo) and along the Bay Trail in San Mateo - Planes bound for SFO fly close to the park and the trail. (Parking fee to Coyote Point is $6, don’t miss the great playground, or visit CuriOdyssey). 

Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline (San Leandro) – A great place to see planes landing in Oakland Airport. 

California International Airshow (37 Mortensen Ave, Salinas) www.salinasairshow.com

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