Things to do Near Holiday Inn Express Redwood City

Amusement Park Wharf/Pier 39 Monterey Bay Aquarium Alcatraz Island Allied Arts Guild

Stanford University. Stanford University, one of the world's most prestigious universities, is located in Palo Alto, halfway between San Francisco and San Jose. The university was founded in 1891 by Leland Stanford and his wife. Stanford University comprises seven schools, three of which offer graduate and undergraduate degrees in Earth Sciences, Engineering, and Humanities and Sciences. Four schools offer only graduate programs: Medicine, Business, Law and Education. Among Stanford's faculty are 18 Nobel laureates and 4 Pulitzer Prize winners. Visit www.stanford.edu.

Great America Amusement Park. Great America, located in Santa Clara, is the largest amusement park in Northern California. Great America offers thrilling roller coasters and rides, a water park with exciting slides and a wave pool, rides for young children and live stage performances. Visit http://www1.cedarfair.com/greatamerica/attractions/index.cfm.

Half Moon Bay. Half Moon Bay is an oceanfront hamlet located on Highway 1, less than an hour from Redwood City. Half Moon Bay features beautiful beaches, championship golf, and a charming downtown lined with boutiques and café's. The Pumpkin Festival is a polar annual event that attracts thousands of visitors each fall. Visit www.halfmoonbaychamber.org.  [Top]

Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39. Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 are two of San Francisco's classic attractions. Savor famous San Francisco clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at Fisherman's Wharf, visit the Wax Museum or stroll the shops and galleries at Ghirardelli Square. Pier 30 features over 100 shops, 14 restaurants, the Aquarium of the Bay and other family-friendly attractions. Visit www.fishermanwharf.org or www.pier39.com.

Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge connecting San Francisco to the North Bay is recognized as one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States. The 1.7-mile long bridge opened in 1937. Pedestrians, wheelchair users and bicycles are permitted on the bridge during daylight hours. Www.goldengatebridge.org.

Napa Sonoma Wine Country. California wines are renowned throughout the world, with many bearing a Napa Valley or Sonoma County label. Dozens of wineries and tasting rooms are located throughout Napa and Sonoma off Highways 101 and 29, north of San Francisco. The Wine Country is also home to award-winning restaurants such as French Laundry, and quaint towns with boutique shopping and rejuvenating spas. Visit www.winecountry.com.  [Top]

Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is home to some 550 species of marine plants and animals. Exhibits include the massive Outer Bay Waters that houses giant schools of fish and a kelp forest, jellyfish tanks, stings rays, marine birds including penguins, and the interactive Splash Zone for young children. The aquarium is open daily, excluding Christmas. Visit www.montereybayaquarium.org.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007. This beachside amusement park that fronts the mile-long Main Beach in Santa Cruz features thrilling rides for all ages, a video arcade, and carnival- type games. The Giant Dipper, the Boardwalk's signature ride, is one of the oldest roller coasters in the United States. It was built in 1924 and features a wooden track. Visit www.beachboardwalk.com.

Hiller Aviation Museum. The Hiller Aviation Museum is a 53,000 square foot facility with an exhibit hall, 35-seat theater and conference space for small groups. The museum's collection includes 50 aircraft exhibits and displays including the 1945 Hiller 360 helicopter, pre-1915 gliders, and a Boeing 747 cockpit interactive display. Visit www.hiller.org.  [Top]

Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz Island, commonly referred to as The Rock, is home to the infamous maximum security federal prison that housed some of the country's most notorious criminals such as Al Capone until it closed in 1963. Self-guided tours are available of the former prison and feature interesting artifacts. The Alcatraz Island lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on the West Coast. Visit www.alcatrazcruises.com.

Malibu Castle and Grand Prix. The Malibu Castle and Grand Prix amusement park offers fun for the whole family. Miniature golf, batting cages, bumper boats, turbo go karts, an arcade, and the Malibu Grand Prix race track guarantee hours of fun. Malibu is located in Redwood City, and is open daily. Visit www.malibugrandprix.com.

Filoli Estate. The historic Filoli Estate is situated near Redwood City on 654 acres. Sixteen acres are formal gardens. Self-guided and docent-led tours of the gardens and 36,000-square foot house are offered throughout the year. The house features a ballroom, 43 rooms and 17 fireplaces. Filoli was built by a prominent San Francisco couple in 1917. Visit www.filoli.org.  [Top]

Allied Arts Guild. The Allied Arts Guild is a European-style crafts guild situated in a historic building in Menlo Park. The Guild has been the setting of artistic inspiration since 1929. Open artists' studios, shops and a café or located within the Guild. The grounds are also available for private functions. Visit www.alliedartsguild.org.

Elizabeth Gamble Garden. Elizabeth Gamble Garden in Palo Alto is a community horticulture foundation situated on 2.5 acres. The Garden features historic buildings and demonstration gardens. Special events and docent-led tours of the facilities are offered throughout the year. Visit www.gamblegarden.org.

Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. The Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) is one of the most revered research laboratories in the world. SLAC's team of physicists, engineers, computer scientists, among others design, construct and operate leading edge electron accelerators and other experimental facilities for use in synchrotron radiation and high-energy physics research. Tours of the facility are available for people age 12 or older. Visit www.slac.stanford.edu.  [Top]