Have you ever wanted to sleep over at a museum or amusement park? Well, great news — you and your kid can do it! I had a blast testing out many of these family overnights. You’ll get a terrible night’s sleep but make so many fun memories. Here are the quick details for some way cool Bay Area overnights you can book.
We’re not taking a big family vacation this summer so it is my personal goal to drag my children to as many quirky Bay Area sleepovers as we can do before school starts up again! In general, these overnights are an expensive way to spend an evening on a floor in a crowded room, but they make up for it in specialness.
Fairyland Summer Sleepover, Oakland
![Fairyland Summer Sleepover and other wacky places to sleep in the bay area](https://d12xor56xjll8j.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/06155047/fairyland-in-jammies.jpg)
Description: With rides, special performances, dinner, and a continental breakfast, summer sleepovers create amazing memories for kids of all ages. Bring a tent to sleep on the lawn near the farm animals. Check-in around 6 pm. Bedtime at 9:30. Wake up at 6:30 am and check out at 8:15 am.
- 2024 dates: June 8, June 26, July 6, and July 27. Each date has a theme.
- Their website to check for availability.
- Our night at Fairyland Summer Sleepover.
Ages: Recommended for ages 2 to 7.
Prices: $75 per person.
Food situation:Â Dinner and breakfast included along with dessert and popcorn snack.
Location:Â Children’s Fairyland, Oakland
Live-Aboard the USS Hornet, Alameda
![Alameda's USS Hornet with kids](https://d12xor56xjll8j.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/06165124/uss-hornetbycopley.jpg)
Description: “Live-Aboard Overnight Adventure” is a family sleepover in real berthing units on an aircraft carrier — awesome! Price includes dinner and breakfast in the original crew’s mess hall, personalized tours, shared berthing in the original crew’s compartments, a ride in the flight simulator, and a certificate and coupon for a future visit! Bring a sleeping bag, pillow, sheet, flashlight, and toothbrush.
- Lots of 2024 dates! Saturday dates are available in May, June, August, and September. Your group of 30+ can also request a weekday sleepover.
- Our review of a sleepover on the USS Hornet.
- Their website to check for dates and availability.
Ages: Ages 7 and up
Prices: $120 per person for non-members, $100 for members, additional discounts for Scouts or other youth groups
Food situation:Â Mess hall meals included.
Location:Â USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier docked in Alameda
Cal Academy of Sciences, San Francisco {415}
![Penguins and Pajamas sleepover at the museum](https://d12xor56xjll8j.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/06155239/penguins-collage.jpg)
Description: Penguins+Pajamas sleepover at Cal Academy includes limited exhibits plus some special late-night activities like movies and planetarium visits. Guests sleep up close and personal with exhibits in sleeping bags on the floor in one of many rooms like the aquarium or African Hall. Arrive at 6 pm and leave at 8 am the next day.
- 2024 dates: May 3, May 31, and June 7.
- Our review of Penguins+Pajamas
- Their website to check for dates and availability.
Ages: Ages 4 to 17 allowed with one adult chaperone per every 5 kids. No adults without kids.
Prices: $132 per person with member discount; includes admission for the next day.
Food situation:Â Dinner available for purchase; snack and breakfast included.
Location:Â Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Packing list for these funky cool sleepovers:
- Eye mask and earplugs for parents (make friends by passing out extras)
- Luna bar just in case the food is terrible
- Sleeping bag and pillow
- Sleeping pad or full-on air mattress (Not needed for USS Hornet; check for electricity before you pack the big behemoth!)
- Tent (for Oakland Zoo and Fairyland)
- Wagon (optional but hecka useful)
Also, please let me know if any chocolate factories start offering overnight accommodations and I’ll be the first in line.
Pin this post so you can remember it later!
[Photos by Heather Flett except for USS Hornet by Wendy Copley]
xxx
2 thoughts on “Book Now: Cool Bay Area Sleepovers You Can Do With Your Child”
Pingback: Kid-Friendly Summer Activities - Everything Danville, California!
Chabot Space and Science Center offers Slumber with the Stars on Father’s Day weekend. https://chabotspace.org/calendar/annual-fathers-day-slumber-with-the-stars-3/