Playland-Not-At-The-Beach Documentary

Playland-Not-At-The-Beach was a non-profit, family-oriented museum in El Cerrito , California celebrating America's bygone amusements, operated entirely by volunteers. The museum's 25 exhibits have specific emphasis on the attractions that once existed at Playland at the Beach and the Sutro Baths & Museum. Included are numerous artifacts from the original Whitney's Playland at the Beach, including the giant clown's blue hat from the top of the Playland Funhouse, and Walking Charley, one of the original hand carved life-size wooden characters from the terrace above Laughing Sal in the front window of the Fun House. Thousands of historical items are present, from cases of never-opened books of Playland tickets to original signage, parts of rides and games, rare photographs, employee uniforms, and prizes from the Playland arcade games. Additionally, there are over 30 pinball games, carnival skill games, dioramas celebrating Halloween and the Yuletide season, and miniature circuses, including the Marcks Family Miniature Circus .

[@charliemoran1]

GREAT. Nice job, Tom

[@GA-1st]

I can still recall visiting Playland at the Beach, Santa's Village, and Lost World as a kid. Of course, other destinations like "The Mystery Spot" and "Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk" are still "alive and well," although the latter has added new attractions and demolished old ones - no more Dino the Dinosaur! Thanks for bringing back fond memories!

[@paultidd]

I'm pretty sure that the Laughing Sal from this place is now at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

[@paultidd]

What an Amazing video, I went there for my 28th birthday about 11 years ago right before they closed. I saw it in Mr. Lobo of Cinema Insomnia's "Watching TV" music video, and I just had to go there. It was such an amazing museum, and I am sad that it is gone.

[@DreBDrums]

Super sad I never got to visit there. Glad it existed, and thanks for making this video.

[@fultonpierce8484]

Thank you for this, the only association I had with "Playland" we're from the film Zombieland, the love people had for the original and the muesem shine through, wholeheartedly agree with Dre, another name on the list of places I wished I'd had the chance to visit, like the Spookslot Dark ride at Efteling, but at least, thanks to people like you and Richard, the memories of these places will hopefully continue forever and at least these preserved images will give people a glimpse of what was, thank you 👍🎃👻

[@sunnyoutdoors]

where's all the stuff now? maybe bring them out the next SF World's faire