Charles Chocolate Factory

6529 Hollis St
Emeryville CA
(510) 652-4412
11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Wed., Fri., Sat. and Sun



Many people eat chocolates but they have no idea how they're made. Especially when it comes to handmade chocolates. Thanks to Charles Siegel chocoholics can increase their chocolate knowledge with a tour of his Charles Chocolates factory in Emeryville.

When you walk in, you are summoned to a chocolate bar. It has a comfy couch and a row of stools with an eye level view of the company's factory floor. There, several highly trained white suited chocolatiers filling molding trays and performing other very important chocolate making tasks.

Siegel and the others on his staff who give the tour promise of a free raspberry truffle as a reward for making it to the end of the half-hour show. This is the only artisanal chocolate factory in the country to offer one. Anyone can view the chocolate making without a tour during regular business hours.

During the tour, Siegel asks the assembled to slow down, and bite the morsel in half and then compare the thinness of the walls of his handmade "Rolo". When you compare it to the machine made version, there's no question that the shell on Siegel's product is much thinner. Making them by hand allows him to create a thinner shell. Segal says that the shell is really just a delivery vehicle to get a soft filling into your mouth. Which I would say are very rich and good.

Lawrence Hall of Science

Centennial Drive
Berkeley, CA 94720
510-642-5132

Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) is a resource center for preschool through high school science and mathematics education, and a public science center with exciting hands-on experiences for learners of all ages.

LHS was established in 1968 at the University of California at Berkeley. It is a national leader in the development of innovative materials and programs for students, teachers, families, and the public.

Their mission is to inspire and foster learning of science and mathematics for all. LHS is the public science center of the University of California, Berkeley and an innovative leader in the field of science and mathematics education.

To advance interest, skills, and knowledge they engage students and their families in exciting science and mathematics activities, at the center or in their classrooms, schools, and communities. They also design and distribute effective instructional materials and exhibits. Lastly, they create distinctive learning and leadership opportunities for educators. LHS is committed to serving all, especially those with limited access to science and mathematics.

The Tech Museum of Innovation

The Tech Museum of Innovation
201 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 294-TECH (8324)


The Tech Museum is located in downtown San Jose. It is fun for all ages! It offers background information and allows you to explore technologies that affect our everyday lives. The museum tries to motivate the innovator in everyone. The museum is 132,000 square feet and is divided into galleries that focuses on innovation, the human body, internet, and exploration. In addition to the galleries offered, the Tech Museum also has the Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater, and area for workshops and labs, cafe, and retail store.

Hours of operation: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily

Sierra at Tahoe Ski Resort

Sierra at Tahoe Ski Resort
1111 Sierra-at-Tahoe Road
Twin Bridges, Ca. 95735
Phone (530) 659-7453

Sierra at Tahoe offers several different activities during hours of operation. Activities include snow skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing, and tubing. The resort offers rentals of all snow clothes and equipment needed for a fun filled day on the mountain. In addition, the resort has an adventure zone for children which includes: rollers, mini jumps, and banked turns that keep children entertained for hours upon hours. And most importantly for the beginners, Sierra at Tahoe offers lessons to adults and children on the beginner terrain of the mountain. Surely, an activity that the entire family would enjoy!


Seasonal Dates: Mid-November thru Mid-April
Operation Hours:
Weekends & Peak Periods: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tubing hours: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., 7 days a week

Muir Woods National Monument

California is famous for its Redwood Trees, but did you ever looked at them really close? If not you should definitely visit the Muir Woods National Monument on a nice day. Muir Woods is a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, known as one of the largest urban national parks in the world.

Muir Woods is located just a 11 mile drive north of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marine County. For just $5 per person you can enjoy a relaxing walk through the woods. The National Park Service offers six different walking trails through the area. I would suggest at least to take the 1,5 hour loop because they will bring you even at busier weekend days to some quiter places of the woods. You will be surprised how tall trees can become: The tallest tree is about 260 feet high and some of them are already 1200 years old.

But be careful: Even on hot summer days it can be quite cold in the woods, so don't forget to bring warm clothes with you.

More information, directions and a schedule of tours you can find on the website of the National Park Service at www.nps.gov/muwo.

Anheuser-Bush Brewery Tours Fairfield, Ca.

Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tours
3101 Busch Drive
Fairfield, Ca.
Phone #(707) 429-7595

Budweiser is owned and created by Anheuser-Bush. The process to make Budweiser takes several interesting steps. The first step starts with miling the barley and rice. Second step consists of the malt and water that are carefully mixed in the mash which is like a cooking pot. The special ingredients are stirred and heated at a controlled temperature and time. Third, they are brought to a rolling boil and the brewers add hops. For those of you who don't know what hops are, they are oils and resins. Fourth, the beer is sent to ferment and age. The liquid is first settled before beginning the fermentation and cooled. The liquid is cooled to approximately 29 degrees and is then ready for taste tests.

Complimentary tours guide you through the unique process of making Bud. These tours take place with a guide that shows you the modern technology and heritage that produces the world's greatest beers. Guests 21 years of age or older, are welcomed to sample our products in the Hospitality Room. You can choose from a variety of beers including traditional, seasonal, and new products.

Hours of operation are as follows:
June - August
Monday thru Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
September – May
Tuesday thru Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Paramount's Great America

Paramount's Great America is an amusement park that has a theme park as well as a water park (Boomerang Bay)! It features several roller coasters (featuring Invertigo) as well as other rides. There is also a carnival setting where you can play games. There are live shows and plenty of fun for kids (as a kids park is also available). Kids can meet there favorite Nickelodeon characters too!

Tickets prices are as follows: right now Season Passes are available for just $49.99 (this includes admission into the park all season long), regular pricing includes adult admission for $53.99, junior/senior admission for $35.99, 2-day tickets for $59.99 (this is for admission 2 days in a row and must be used by the same person), and there is also a ticket available for $29.99 that includes admission after 4 p.m. that is only available at the front gate.

There are also group rates. Opening day for the regular 2009 season is March 29th, 2009. The park returns to opening for weekends only on August 29th, 2009.

For more info, please go to http://www.cagreatamerica.com/.