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Randall Kids Museum

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The Josephine D. Randall Junior Museum is a kid's joy and hide-away. Free of cost, located in the middle of the city, the Randall Museum is often overlooked by its more grandiose siblings, the Exploratorium and the Academy of Sciences.

This is the front entrance, viewed from the south, newly remodeled in the last few years. The old parking lot has been replaced by landscaped grounds, the better for children of all ages. At left you see the vertical windwill, the mountain in the background, and the greenhouse to the right.

From the entrance, looking south at the Castro neighborhood. Those are euchylyptus trees straight ahead, providing shade over the Corona Heights playground and dog-run.

Just inside are the seismographs (at left) and the shake tables upon which the kids can build doomed Lego buildings.

Next to the seismographs is a 1906 earthquake cottage.

Behind the cottage is the animal room, populated with rescued injured critters.

Here's a desert tortise. He's got a name, but really, why bother? It's not like he comes when you call him.

One of my favorite spots at the Randall is the greenhouse, which smells great and is full of carniverous plants.

The kids love coming here. It's central to everything, but closed on Sundays and Mondays. See you soon.