Berkeley Parents Recommendations for Places To Go & Things To Do

Renaissance Pleasure Faire

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  • Vacaville
  • Marin

    Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Vacaville

    May 2001

    Anyone been to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire with kids since it moved to Vacaville? Our daugher is almost 8, and very much into castles, knights, pages and horses these days. We were thinking of taking her to the faire when it opens Aug. 25, and would like advice from parents who have gone in recent years. Did you find it worth the drive, money and heat? Janet

    I absolutely loved the Rennaisance Faire as a child, so when my kids starting showing an interest in knights, etc. we went. As an adult, it seemed so much more silly and affected than I had remembered it, but my kids LOVED it. My son dressed as a knight and his friend as a princess, both in cheesy costuming. All the elaborately clad folks at the faire, acknowledged them with perfect seriousness, bowing to them and calling them "Sir Knight" and "My Lady". They were swooning with pleasure (and a bit of heatstroke). So by all means, go! But bring lots and lots of water, and consider going later in the season. (We went in late September or early October.) Elizabeth

    Renaissance Fair in Marin

     1997

    This is a cool day outing for families with older kids. I'm not sure how under-fives would do, since it gets crowded and there is a lot of walking, looking, & watching. My kids, 11 and 13, went with friends last year and couldn't wait to go back this year. It is a huge fair where all the performers, shop keepers, and food sellers dress up in Shakespearean era clothes. They all talk in Olde English accents, such as "Aye, and wood ye like ketchep on that, laddie?" Most of the fair-goers arrive in costume as well. I never saw so many bosoms bursting out of laced bodices in my life. (I admit it, I bought myself one for next year.) You will probably want to at least get a dried flower garland with ribbons or a cloth muffin hat (about $15). We saw Queen Elizabeth, and folk dancing, and knights on horseback jousting, and criminals in stocks. Puritans jeered at our "naked legs" and we lost a few dollars in the sideshow games. It was fun.

    The Renaissance Fair is a 45-min drive from the East Bay. It's in Novato in Marin County. It's open weekends only during September and October from about 10am till 6 or so. It's pricey - $17 for adults and $14 for kids, but we got two-for-one coupons in the pink pages of the Sunday paper. It was definitely worth it, though be warned that part of the attraction is all the shops, so make sure your kid has some savings or agree on a ceiling ahead of time. My 11-yr-old spent birthday money on a cotton pirate shirt and knickers, $40 total, and both boys bought wooden swords for $6. There are many other things for sale like full suits of armor and velvet hats with ostrich plumes. The food is in the $5-$10 range and tasty. We ate huge turkey drumsticks and beef ribs for $5-6. Cold milk is a popular drink and there is beer, wine, and mead for grownups.

    Ginger

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