Children's Fairyland: Where Imagination Comes to Life
Step into a world of fairy tales and imagination at Children's Fairyland, one of America's first storybook theme parks, located on the beautiful shores of Lake Merritt.
Children's Fairyland, U.S.A., nestled on the shores of Lake Merritt in Oakland, California, is one of the earliest themed amusement parks in the United States. Since 1950, this enchanting park has offered young children a whimsical world filled with storybook sets, gentle rides, and friendly animals. It's a place where fairy tales come to life and childhood memories are made.
A brief summary to Children's Fairyland
- 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, California, 94610, US
- +1510-452-2259
- Visit website
- Monday 10 am-4 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-4 pm
- Thursday 10 am-4 pm
- Friday 10 am-4 pm
- Saturday 10 am-4 pm
- Sunday 10 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Arrive early, especially on weekends, to secure parking and avoid crowds.
- Consider purchasing a Magic Key to unlock audio stories at various storybook sets throughout the park.
- Check the daily schedule for puppet shows and live performances at the Open Storybook Puppet Theater.
- Oakland residents can enjoy discounted admission on Fridays with a valid ID.
- Adults must be accompanied by children, and children must be accompanied by adults for entry.
Getting There
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Public Transport
From the 19th Street BART station, it's approximately a 10-minute walk to Fairyland. Exit the station to the 20th Street stairway and walk to Harrison Street, then turn left. Turn right onto Grand Avenue, and Fairyland will be one block away at the intersection of Grand and Bellevue. Alternatively, take the #12 bus from the 19th Street BART station to Fairyland. BART fare from San Francisco is approximately $2-$4. Bus fare is around $2.50.
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Driving
From I-580 East, take the Harrison Street exit in Oakland and turn right onto Harrison. Turn left at Grand Avenue. Children's Fairyland is one block away, at the intersection of Grand and Bellevue. Paid public parking is available on Bellevue Avenue, operated by the City of Oakland. Fees are $3 for the first two hours and $12 for the day on weekdays. On weekends and holidays, the fee is $5 for the day. Metered parking is also available on Grand Avenue. Expect to pay between $5 and $12 for parking.
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Taxi/Ride-Share
From downtown Oakland, a taxi or ride-share to Children's Fairyland will take approximately 5-10 minutes and cost around $8-$15. Be sure to specify Children's Fairyland at 699 Bellevue Avenue, near Lake Merritt. Note that prices may vary depending on the time of day and demand.
Discover more about Children's Fairyland
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