Best US Military Sites to visit with Kids in N. California

The USS Hornet was a highly celebrated aircraft carrier deployed for service in some major battles during WWII. After several rounds of modernization, she was also involved in conflicts around the world during the Cold War era. USS Hornet is best visited with kids 5 and up and provides much fuel for a child's imagination as they walk into the different areas of this floating city where naval crews spent months on end serving our country. Younger kids will probably be drawn to learning about life on board an aircraft carrier and the impressive specimens of equipment and airplanes. Older children can also benefit from learning about the world conflicts that the US and the USS Hornet participated in.

The USS Pampanito is one of the last surviving submarines from America's World War II fleet. A visit provides a unique opportunity to bring alive the history most students can only read about.

This is the main military museum for California and traces our rich military history from the Spanish Mexican War all the way to the Persian Gulf War. The museum also houses the all to remember those who have lost their lives in our current War on Terrorism. It is a sobering experience that everyday, service men and women are risking their lives for our freedom. Best for children 8 and up.

Besides offering amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point tells the story of the importance of guarding the San Francisco Harbor from Confederate & foreign attack during & after the U.S. Civil War. Join a ranger for a guided tour of the fort's history. Learn about the soldiers' lives, architecture, cannons, cuisine and lots more. Kids 4 and up will probably enjoy this site best.

xhibits tell the story of America's wars as seen by individual soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Uniforms and equipment of different eras are also on display. Children 12 and up studying American history will enjoy this museum best.

The reality of war is that sometimes innocent people suffer injustices that we all regret. At Manzanar National Historic Site, children will see a Japanese Internment Camp erected during WWII and learn about the injustices that were suffered by a whole race of people due to the intense fear that shrouded everyone during the war years. Children 7 and up will be able to appreciate this site.

On the former McClellan Air Force Base, this museum has an amazing collection of restored military and civilian aircraft, NASA- supported exhibits, state-of-the-art Aerospace Learning Center, flight simulator and gift shop. Children as young as 2 will probably be intrigued by these flying machines, while older children might get more into the engineering genius that has contributed to the might of the US Air Force.

The Military Museum of Butte County is dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of this century's military history, art, and memorabilia. Lots of military equipment that kids can get up close to.

Besides learning about Aviation, children can see in person several military aircraft. Best appreciated by children 3 and up.

Here, children will learn about the home front support that women played during wars on foreign soil. This museum preserves and interprets the stories and places of our nation's home front response to World War II. You may also enjoy touring the SS Red Oak Victory Ship.

The SS JEREMIAH O'BRIEN is one of two remaining fully functional Liberty ships built and launched during WWII. It is now a living history museum that transports you back almost seven decades to when sailors braved the harshest of high seas and threat of enemy attack.

Learn about life training at Camp Roberts during WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and Iraqi Freedom War. Kids who like train will like the recently added the HO-scale replica of the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot that served Camp Roberts during World War II (and presumably through the Korean War).