Junípero Serra Museum

Mini park with a playground and a tot lot.

Outdoor tables in a courtyard with music and dancers to watch between bites.

Mariachi and folklórico dancers in the courtyard. The swirling skirts hold a small kid's attention better than you'd expect.

An interactive video tour, then gold-panning and brickmaking demos, so school-age kids get history they can get their hands on.

Old stagecoaches, wagons and carts up close, which is all a vehicle-mad kid needs to hear.

Enchiladas and churro ice cream on a patio overlooking the historic plaza.