As a Southern California girl and former Disneyland cast member, there is nothing I like more in this world then helping families discover the joy and magic of Disneyland. But most families visiting Anaheim don't realize there is a lot more Disney magic to discover in other parts of California as well.
I just got back (four hours ago, to be exact) from San Francisco. I had the pleasure of visiting the Walt Disney Family Museum while I was there. For those unfamiliar, the Disney Family Museum is a collection of history, artifacts and memorabilia that celebrate the man behind the mouse. It is a place of awe and inspiration for any truely dedicated Disney Fan. The museum is devoted to the history of Walt Disney from before his birth in 1901 right up until his death in 1966. If you have the chance to see it, please give yourself at least 3 hours to see it all.
The museum offers ever changing special exhibits related to the world of Disney. The current exhibit is called MAGIC, COLOR, FLAIR: The World of Mary Blair and it runs through to September. It features Mary's artwork from her school days through her years as a concept artist for Disney’s animated features in the 40’s and 50’s. It also includes her attraction designs (“it’s a small world”), and onwards to her freelance work as an illustrator.
For more information: http://www.waltdisney.org/
Then, I spent a couple hours up in the quaint town of Calistoga, CA at the Sharpsteen Museum of Calistoga History. They had a small exhibit of precious letters and mementos from Ben Sharpsteen’s time spent working with Walt Disney from 1929-1959. It’s a bit of a drive from San Francisco, but you can stop at a local vineyard once you arrive. This exhibit ends very soon. If you’re a connoisseur of Disney history and rarely seen memorabilia, you won’t want to miss this!
- Runs through April 30th, 2014
- Admission: free (donations accepted)
- http://www.sharpsteen-museum.org/page_03.htm
I saved the best for last! I went on an improvised tour of the city with a local friend. I navigated a map to see three major landmarks in San Francisco that pertained to one of my favorite Disney movies and book series: The Princess Diaries.
I managed to find Grove High School, where Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) was a student, her renovated firehouse, where she lived with her mother (Caroline Goodall) and her cat “Fat Louie”, and the arm wrestling machine in the Musée Mécanique that Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews) beat with two hands!
If you want to go on the same tour I did, here it is:
Annie Sherman's Unofficial “The Princess Diaries” Tour of San Francisco
- Musée Mécanique: http://www.museemecaniquesf.com/
- Pier 45 Fisherman's Wharf (at the foot of Taylor Street)
- Grove High School-not actually a school
- 2601 Lyon Street
- Mia’s Firehouse
- 724 Brazil Ave
Of course, these are just a few suggestions. California has so much more magic to offer for true, die hard Disney fans. If you'd like me to put together a Disney California trip for you, please email me at Annie@vacationkids.com or connect with me at https://www.facebook.com/Diswithkidsannie
