Other ways to get your holiday jollies

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Dec 7, 2006 | by Kari Hulac

IF THE THOUGHT of visiting a mall Santa leaves you feeling all Grinch-like, there are plenty of other ways to give your kids a close encounter with Mr. Claus.

Danville Train Depot

This Saturday and on Dec. 16, Claus visits the Museum of the San Ramon Valley (in the Danville Train Depot) from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Parents are welcome to bring their cameras.

The museum's current exhibit features Christmas trees, toys and cards from past eras. Gingerbread houses replicating historic buildings from the area are also on display. The museum is at 205 Railroad Ave., Danville. Free admission (donations requested). Open Tuesdays-Fridays from 1-4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Call (925) 837-3750 or visit

www.museumsrv.org.

Children's Fairyland

Later this month Children's Fairyland in Oakland hosts a week- long Winterland Celebration featuring daily Santa visits from 5- 6:15 p.m. and the park's first-ever Santa-led Festival of Lights Parade at 6:30 p.m. daily through Dec. 23.

It all begins Dec. 15. From 4:30-5:15 p.m. The Pacific Boys Choir performs, followed by Santa's parade and a tree lighting ceremony at 6:45 p.m.

Ongoing daily events include live performances celebrating holidays from many cultures, thousands of twinkling lights, rides, Hansel and Gretel puppet shows, arts and crafts, free holiday treats and other surprises.

Admission is $6 to Children's Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Winterland is open from noon-7 p.m. daily; 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Call (510) 238-6876 or visit http:// www.fairyland.org.

Go online

For Santa fun without going anywhere, visit http:// www.northpole.com, where kids can do everything from send a letter to Santa (and get a personalized reply), make Santa birthday cards, play games, read stories, check out the Good Deed Calendar or, our personal favorite, take a multiple choice quiz to see if they're on the Naughty or Nice List.

On Christmas Eve don't forget to log on to see the famous North Warning System (NORAD) in action tracking the big guy and his eight little friends.

NORAD, the same satellite detection equipment used to track incoming attack missiles, uses four high-tech systems to track Santa: radar, satellites, Santa Cams and jet fighter aircraft.

According to the Web site, the satellites can pick up Rudolph's infrared nose signature "with practically no problem."

Seaworthy Santas

Four local boat captains trade their sea legs for sleigh bells and red hats at Anchorage Square on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco from 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 19.

Photos with Santa are available for a $5 donation to the Fishermen's and Seamen's Memorial Chapel.

If you can't make it on a Tuesday, the Santas will visit several Wharf restaurants this Sunday and Dec. 17 to entertain the little ones at breakfast.

Wharf boats are decorated with lights, and look for gingerbread house displays as well.

For details, visit http://www.fishermanswharf.org or call (415) 673-3530.

Plan ahead for next year

It's a holiday memory of a lifetime: A ride on the brilliantly adorned Niles Canyon Railway's Train of Lights from Sunol to Niles through the cold winter darkness.

And what's even better, Santa makes personal visits to all the kids on board, listening to their wishes and handing out the much- coveted sticky candy canes.

Sadly, rides sell out online quickly, so mark your 2007 calendar with a reminder to check the Web site (www.ncry.org) in August for ticket sale details.

Even if you can't get on board this year, we recommend an early evening visit to the depot at 6 Kilkare Road just to gawk at and snap pictures of the historic train. Kids may like it as much as taking a ride, which at an hour is a little long for young ones, and there's a gift shop where you can find all sorts of educational toys fun gifts for train buffs in your family.