In October, Megan and I visited the Museum of Pez Memorabilia in Burlingame, since it's only about 90 miles away from Stockton.

It's a very small museum, but Pez dispensers don't need a lot of space. Besides telling the interesting history of Pez, there are many unique dispensers on display as well as other antique/collectible Pez-related merchandise. There are even some plaques built for classic Star Wars characters dispensers that have been signed by the actors (Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, David Prowse).

One of the more interesting aspects is that there are a number of Pez dispensers made every year in other countries that are not sold in the United States. Hello Kitty and Mr. Bean are Japanese- and British-only, despite having made a name for themselves in America. But even The Lion King and Shrek & Friends are European imports that are not available in the States. What's with the licensing issues, there?

Earlier this year they added a Classic Toy Museum, which is also small (shares the space, actually) but is still a lot of fun and informative. I didn't realize Mr. Potato Head had a number of other vegetable friends, including an onion, cucumber and sweet potato.

One of the old View-Masters on display there (circa the 1940s, I think) is also on display at the Nov. 28-Jan. 16 "Toys & Games: 1880-1980" exhibition at The Haggin Museum.