For more than four years, Playland-Not-at-the-Beach guests have been dazzled by our resident magician - Magical Nathaniel, a teenager with amazing abilities to entertain. You can book Nathaniel for birthday parties and special events in the East Bay Area.

One of our most popular magicians, Mike has taught our annual Magic Camp and has gotten rave reviews from his students. A standup comedian at heart, Mike approaches his craft with the more fun that you can imagine.

Mike even has an incredible assistant, Clara the Clarevoyant Duck, who has amazing powers even when blindfolded.

The Eartha Kitt Fan Club — Frank Biafore, one of the creative forces behind Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, is also the president of the Eartha Kitt Fan Club. His collection of Eartha Kitt memorabilia (over 5000 autographed items) are on display in his office at the Museum of Fun. Upon request he will show guests "The Happiest Place on Eartha". The incomparably, multi-talented Eartha Kitt passed away at the age of 81 on Christmas Day 2008, ironically linking her forever with her biggest hit record "Santa Baby".

"Creature Features" was the premier weekly horror TV show in Northern California starting in the 1970s. One of our museum's key contributors, Tom Wyrsch, was an avid fan and went on to create a documentary film titled "Watch Horror Movies - Keep America Strong." The host of Creature Features was Bob Wilkins, a deadpan comedian who warned viewers not to waste their time watching the terrible films on his show. This website has been established to honor him. Bob Wilkins passed away in January 2009.

One of the highlights of our Houdini Magic Weekend was the opportunity to meet Ric and Kara and see their wonderful magic act. Audiences were enthralled with their slight of hand, escape from a strait jacket and the production of a magical white bunny. Ric and Kara are true professionals and their involvement of audience members in the act kept everyone in stitches. To book them for a party contact them at their website www.rickaramagic.com.

Heather Rogers recently performed as part of our Houdini Magic Weekend, and she held the audience spellbound. Her style and technique involving every member of the audience are sensational. Trained in the San Francisco Mime Troupe and later the Pickle Family Circus, she is very well rounded. I am dying to see her quick change act and hear her motivational speaking. She is available for parties and events of all kinds. Come see Heather at www.heathersmagic.com.

Scott Alcalay was the very first magician to perform at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach -- way back at our Sneak Peek event in 2006. Ironically that day he created exquisite balloon animals for our many guests. We did not learn until later of his magical powers. Scott recently performed during our Houdini Magic Weekend and did an incredible job. He is also the current president of the Oakland Magic Circle. He would be great for any kind of an event. Visit www.ScottAlcalay.com or call (510) 851-4313 or (510) 357-2499

Have you ever said to yourself, "I have an itch to see a flea circus?" Well, you can now scratch that itch with Professor B's Flea Circus. Professor B has been training fleas from around the world for many years and has put together the most amazing congress of unusual acts you have ever seen.

We know there are skeptics out there who claim there is no such thing as a Flea Circus, but see for yourself or, better yet, bring a camera to prove to your friends that everything is as described.

Jim Smith is a local historian and author of numerous books on San Francisco and California history. Jim authored San Francisco's Playland at the Beach: The Early Years about the original San Francisco attraction. With nearly 250 photos the book is an exciting visit to the lost attraction that inspired Playland-Not-at-the-Beach. Jim's website has many other interesting lost attractions and showcases his other wonderfully insightful books about California and San Francisco history. Don't miss this must see time machine back to the way things were.

Sleight of Hand Artist - Frank Balzerak is a classically trained magician. With over thirty years of experience in his craft, Frank is a polished and skilled entertainer. He brings mystery, humor and joy to every performance. Let the magic and humor of The Art of Magic bring enchantment to your next event by experiencing the magic of Frank Balzerak.

Join Peter Kim's fascinating explorations of the mind in a performance combining an intriguing blend of intuition, psychology, suggestion, and illusion. Light on props, heavy on audience participation, Peter Kim's demonstrations will leave you and your friends talking about it long after the performance. A student of the mind for a decade, he has performed for venues ranging from the Hard Rock Cafe to the campus of Harvard University. Peter can be reached

Who is everyone's favorite face-painting, magical, loveable clown who also becomes a pirate, an Italian mother, and many other enchanting characters for children's birthdays and corporate events? It's none other than Budderball the Clown! Budderball has volunteered countless times at our non-profit museum, and kids from 2 to 102 just love her! If you want to liven up a party, just invite Budderball. She is also available in guise of other personas.

One of the joys of the Grand Opening of Playland-Not-at-the-Beach was the appearance of teenage dance sensation — Cheyenne! She volunteered her time to come to El Cerrito to entertain all the people who visited the Museum of Fun on its opening day. If you would like some truly unique entertainment at an event, Cheyenne is fantastic. She has a great presentation voice, incredible clogging skills, an incredibly radiant personality, and she brings her own stage and sound equipment too!

Lena Reynoso
Garret Bock
Schuyler Robertson
Alyssa Glass
Roman Muradov
Mary Patterson
Charlie Moran
Slimm Buick
Barry Barnes
Mylette Welch

Invented in 1928 by George Whitney at San Francisco's Playland at the Beach the It's-It Ice Cream bar has been a favorite for generations. It is one of the world's foremost taste treats and rumored to be our webmaster's favorite ice cream bar. Did you know that if you do not live in San Francisco, they will even ship you this favorite overnight. Very yummy!

If you're a fan of the old Playland at the Beach, you will remember the Balboa Theater, the local movie haunt. These days the theater is still rockin' and rollin' with top programming and a fondness for the history of the good old days in San Francisco. If you want a fun evening in the City, go to one of the local pizza palaces and then head over to the Balboa.

The Musée Mécanique was a wonderful set of mechanical amusement devices and musical instruments at the Sutro Baths in San Francisco. When Sutro's closed in the 1960s, another Musée Mécanique opened on the lower terrace under the Cliff House. Forced to relocate when the Cliff House closed, the Zelinksky family found a great new location on Fisherman's Wharf at Pier 45. You can still visit their Laughing Sal, the fortune tellers, and all the amazing collection of mechanical devices. Admission is FREE, and each machine runs on coins. If you are visiting the San Francisco Bay Area and you have enjoyed our Museum of Fun, you owe it to your family to also take them to the Musée Mécanique.

Learn To Discover, a nonprofit corporation, offers technology classes for kids from pre-school through high school and beyond. They have developed over 50 courses in areas including robotics, simple machines, computer programming (PC, MAC, XBOX and Android-based smartphones), electronics, animation (2D, 3D and clay), roller coaster & theme park design, forensic science, innovation, career simulations, environmental stewardship, digital arts, and much more. STEM is their passion.

Located in Martinez, California Magic Dinner Theatre brings to the present the rich history of magic, one of the oldest of the performing arts. Patrons of this fine establishment feel welcomed by music from bygone eras playing on the doorstep. Stepping across the threshold is like crossing though a veil into another era; from greeters in gowns or tuxedos to the seats focused on the parlor stage, guests enjoy the care (and the fun) generated by the California Magic family.