Armstrong Woods is not too far away from Napa and gives an awesome feeling of being among the giant trees - if the kids are good "spotters", they might see the Banana Slug. It's very large and yellowish. Castello di Amoroso is great for kids, though they might be a little bored until they reach the dungeon on the full tour. It is, after all, a castle for real, imported from Italy block by block. Napa itself doesn't have much to offer kids. The aftermath of the earthquake is still quite visible. "Damage" may have some interest. There is the Wine Train out of Napa up through 25 miles of the Napa Valley. I haven't taken it, but others describe it as a fun adventure. You won't be that far from San Francisco that you can't make a one or two day excursion to see Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf including the USS Pampinito, a WWII submarine that has tours. There's WWII Liberty Ship docked behind the sub, which also offers tours. Near-by is the arcade museum - Muse'e Me'canique - that has old timey arcade games that the whole family can enjoy. Up the hill is Ghirardelli Square - shops and Chocolate. The Hyde St/Beach St trolley has its turnstile near the Square. There's often a line but it moves along. and the Golden Gate Bridge is easily seen. Besides, the "street entertainment" will keep you amused. Riding the rear platform (room only for 2) is a treat. Alcatraz is worth the visit - make your reservations early! The Sonoma Co Coast is varied in scenery; the beaches are huge; the cliffs are tall and the water is cold! Bodega Bay is a good place to start with the North Salmon Creek SP just north of it. The winding Route 1 gives you a good view of coastal scenes, especially Goat Rock. Callistoga has the California version of Old Faithful Geyser. If there's sufficient water around, the small geyser gives off an impressive display with much hissing and gurgling. It also has fainting goats, llamas, and multi-horned sheep as a petting zoo. The attraction is going through some renovation; there may be snacks available by now. Santa Rosa has the Charles Schultz museum and many small statues of the Peanuts gang spread throughout the city. 4th Street has shops and eateries. Just north is the Charles M. Schultz Airport; there is an excellent air museum located on the grounds: The Pacific Coast Air Museum. Going even further afield is the Skunk Train that is accessed either at Fort Bragg on the coast or Willits inland. South of San Francisco about an hour drive is San Jose that has the Winchester Mystery House. The "home" was built by the widow of the owner of the Winchester Arms Company and varied having between 400 and 600 rooms! That's easy to understand as the lady believe that the spirits of those killed by the guns would only be soothed by building 24 hours a day and seven days a week! The place is fabulous. The basic tour includes many of the rooms - including the seance room with its number 13 symbolism and three doors in, one door out construction. There are doors to no-where, stairs that lead into the ceiling, windows/doors in the floors. The full tour includes a hard hat journey into the basement. Monterey Bay has a fabulous aquarium; Santa Cruz has the Boardwalk (wooden framed roller coaster and other rides) and Arcade (two story miniature golf), the Wharf with shops and eats and the nearby Mystery Spot. I hope you and your family have a great experience in California!