RUTH BANCROFT

BLACKHAWK MUSEUM

The museum's permanent exhibition in its auto galleries includes more than 90 internationally renowned automobiles dating from 1897 to the 1980s. Free public tours, docent-led guided tours at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Ongoing:

  • "International Automotive Treasures" — An ever-changing exhibit featuring more than 90 automobiles.

  • "A Journey on Common Ground" — An exhibit of moving photographs, video and art objects from around the world exploring the causes of disability and the efforts of the Wheelchair Foundation to provide a wheelchair for every person in need who cannot afford one.

    Admission: $10 general; $7 seniors and students; free for children 6 and younger, and active military personnel. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville. Call 925-736-2280 or 925-736-2277 or visit www.blackhawkmuseum.org.

    JOHN MUIR NATIONAL SITE

    The site preserves the 1882 Muir House, a 14-room mansion where naturalist John Muir lived from 1890 to his death in 1914. Also part of the site is the historic Martinez Adobe, where the two downstairs rooms have exhibits about John Muir, the Martinez family and early California history, and Mount Wanda, a 325-acre

    Advertisement
    tract of oak woodland and grassland historically owned by the Muir family.

    Special event:

  • "Walk up Mount Wanda with 'John Muir,'" 1-2:30 p.m. Nov. 7 — Lee Stetson, who has portrayed John Muir in Yosemite National Park for many years and who was featured in Ken Burns' documentary on national parks, will lead a 1½-hour saunter up and down Mount Wanda. Meet at Caltrans Park and Ride lot at Alhambra Avenue and Franklin Canyon Road; wear walking shoes, bring water and light jacket. Heavy rain cancels the walk. Free, but space limited. Call 925-228-8860 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday to reserve a space.

    Ongoing:

  • Tours of the site — Guided tours of the first floor of the Muir home are available to the general public at 2 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, and at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. weekends; self-guided tours of the home, surrounding orchards and the Martinez Adobe may be taken from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday.

  • Mount Wanda — Named after Muir's eldest daughter, Mount Wanda offers a nature trail and several fire trails for easy hikes seven days a week, sunrise to sunset.

    $3 general; free for children, 15 and younger, when accompanied by adult; good for seven days. The entry receipt received at John Muir NHS is good for same-day entrance at Muir Woods NM, and vice versa. A John Muir/Muir Woods pass is available to all visitors for $15, giving access to both parks for a year.

    Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, 4202 Alhambra Ave., Martinez. Parking at Local 1179 UFCW, across the street from the post office at 4121 Alhambra Ave. Call 925-228-8860 or 925-229-3857, or visit www.nps.gov/jomu.

    LINDSAY WILDLIFE

    MUSEUM

    Lindsay Wildlife Museum is a unique natural history and environmental education center where live wild animals are just inches away. More than 50 species of live, native California animals are on exhibit. The museum offers programs, classes and trips to connect people with wildlife.

    Special events and exhibits:

  • "Cho-Butterfly Art," through Nov. 15 — The museum's upstairs art gallery will feature the work of water colorist Elizabeth Koval Maffeo. Free with museum admission.

    Admission: $7, general; $6, seniors, 65 and older, valid student identification; $5 children, 2-17; free, members and children younger than 2.

    Closed through Sept. 18. Winter hours: open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; closed Monday and Tuesday.

    Call 925-935-1978 or visit www.wildlife-museum.org for more information including museum hours and admission prices.

    1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-935-1978 or www.wildlife-museum.org.

    PIXIELAND PARK

    This amusement park features pixie-sized rides, such as a dragon roller coaster, swirling tea cups, a carousel, Red Baron airplanes, an antique car ride and a miniature train. Classic carnival-style food and souvenirs round out the experience.

  • Hours — November: open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed Monday-Friday.

    Admission to the park is free; ride tickets are $1.50 each (train and roller coaster require two tickets) or 10 tickets for $14.

    2740 E. Olivera Road, Concord. 925-689-8841; www.pixieland.com.

    MODEL RAILROAD

    SOCIETY

    The Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society operates the Diablo Valley Lines Railroad, a model railroad that is HO scale and has standard gauge, narrow gauge, Alweg-style monorail and interurban (overhead electric) freight and trolley lines.

    Admission: $3, adults; $2, children, 6-12, or seniors, ages 60 or older. The railroad is regularly open to the public from 8-10 p.m. the last Friday of the month.

    2751 Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek, in Larkey Park off Geary Road. Call 925-937-1888 for information, or visit www.wcmrs.org.

    BLACK DIAMOND

    MINES

    Coal mining began in the 1860s at Black Diamond Mines, which was originally the home of several American Indian tribes. The preserve today features old mines and displays of the history of the area.

    Special activities:

  • "Hazel-Atlas Silica-Sand Mine Tour," 11 a.m., 1 and 2 p.m. weekends through November — Explore the underground through a guided tour; learn its history, geology and the methods used to mine the sandstone. Ages 7 and older; registration required. 888-327-2757.

  • "Rose Hill Requiem," 10 a.m.-noon Nov. 7 — Visit the quiet, hillside Rose Hill Cemetery and recall the booming days of the Mount Diablo coalfield, the men who toiled in its labyrinthine workings and their settlements in the surrounding valleys. Rain cancels.

    $4 parking. 8 a.m. to dusk; 5175 Somersville Road, about five miles south of Highway 4 in Antioch. Call 925-757-2620, visit www.ebparks.org. or e-mail info@ebparks.org.

    OAKLAND ZOO

    The zoo includes a children's petting zoo, the Skyride, a miniature train, a carousel, picnic grounds and a gift shop, as well as the animals in site-specific exhibits, which allow them to roam.

    Ongoing:

  • "Valley Children's Zoo" — The three-acre attraction will offer a completely interactive experience for children and adults. The exhibits include lemurs, giant fruit bats, otters, reptiles, insects and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Free with regular zoo admission.

  • "Endangered Species" — An exhibit of photographs about the most endangered animals on earth and what can be done to save them. At the Education Center. Open daily during zoo hours. Free with zoo admission.

  • "Wildlife Theater'' — On Saturday mornings, listen to a story and meet a live animal. On Sunday afternoon, meet live animals and learn cool facts about them. Meet in the lobby of the zoo's Maddie's Center for Science and Environmental Education. 11:45 a.m. Saturday; 1:45 p.m. Sunday. Free with zoo admission. 510-632-9525, ext. 142.

    Admission: $9.50, general (ages 15-54); $6, seniors (ages 55 and older) and children, ages 2-14; free, children younger than 2; $6 parking fee. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., weekdays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends. Knowland Park, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland. 510-632-9525, www.oaklandzoo.org.