Here's a list of some of the places in the Bay Area where we like to take our kids. Check the current schedule to meet up with us sometime!
Aquatic Park (Berkeley) - There are a few big play structures, swings, lots of grass for playing on, and a path for the big kids to ride bikes on. (Kinda similar to Orinda park, but more fog and hippies.) Aquatic Park is just south of University Avenue, between Highway 80 and San Pablo. The easiest approach is to take 6th Street and turn down Bancroft (heading west, toward the water), crossing the train tracks, then turn left on the road that just parallels the water. Map Arlington Park (El Cerrito) - Great park for big and little kids. There's a giant slide, a smaller playground for toddlers, a lake with little minnows, and a big grass area. To get there, take 80 to Central Avenue. Head east on Central, then north on San Pablo. Turn right (east) on Moeser Lane and go all the way up to Arlington. Turn left on Arlington, and the park will be a few blocks up on your right. Map
We eat lunch in the international terminal (there are several good places before the security check), explore the rotating art exhibits and/or the aviation museum, then take BART back home.
The museum is in Sausalito, along the bay, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Allow at least 30 minutes to get there from the East Bay. Map Note that you can get $1 off each admission if you have AAA or bring this form. Berkeley Marina (Berkeley) - Dads with little kids can hang at the small playground; dads with bigger kids may want to go to Adventure Playground (where the kids can get wood, hammers, nails, saws, and other real tools to build climbing structures and forts). There are also some rocks to climb on, shoreline to explore, etc. There are a few picnic tables in front of Adventure Playground. The Berkeley Marina is at the west end of University Avenue, just past the Cal Sailing Club. Here's a map of the marina (note that up is west) with hard-to-read numbers showing different spots of interest. Park by number 19 (Cal Sailing Club), and walk in to number 24 (little playground). Adventure Playground is 23. And here's a road map to get there (we're aiming for the "shorebird park" area just before the red star on the map). California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco) - It's a short walk from Powell Street BART to the temporary location of the California Academy of Sciences. The temp building is much smaller, but also a lot more accessable, than the original space. Castro Valley Community Center (Castro Valley) - We meet at the big playground at the Castro Valley Community Center. Note that the water in the water play area is turned on year-round, so bring a change of clothes if your little one is the type to jump in the water. Map Cerrito Vista Park (El Cerrito) - Large, well equipped playground area, field, track for jogging. Tennis courts, barbecue and picnic area adjacent to park. Map Children's Fairyland (Oakland) - Children's Fairyland is a funky, little, mini-amusement park off of Grand Avenue alongside Lake Merritt. It served as the inspiration for Disneyland (seriously!). China Camp State Park (San Rafael) - We like to camp Memorial Day weekend at China Camp State Park. It's less than an hour from the East Bay, but a great escape! Civic Park (Walnut Creek) - Home of the Friday afternoon playgroup! Map Codornices Park (Berkeley) - Codornices Park is in the North Berkeley hills. There's a nice playground, some nice grass, pretty trees, a dank echoey tunnel, and an epic concrete slide for the braver kids (and dads). To get to Codornices, take your favorite route to the north side of the Berkeley campus. Head North on Euclid. Go up Euclid until you get to where the Rose Garden is on your left and Cordinices park is on your right. We'll meet at the playground, which is in a valley at the northern end of the park, where the path from the sidewalk goes DOWN to the playground. Map (note that Euclid is the poorly marked street that runs up the west side of the park). Park website Crown Beach and Crab Cove Visitor Center (Alameda) - Crown Beach Regional Park in Alameda has a big grass area, lots of picnic tables, a decent beach (though sometimes closed due to strange bacteria in the water), a paved trail that parallels the shore, and the Crab Cove Visitor Center, which has some interesting little displays about the local flora and fauna. To get there, take the Webster tube from downtown Oakland to Alameda. Continue on Webster all the way to the end, turn right on Central, then take the first left on McKay. Either turn in to the Crown Beach parking lot on your left, or park on the street and save a few bucks. Map Cull Canyon (Castro Valley) - This regional park has an eerily clean lake, incredibly clean sand, and a fun diving platform. Take 580 to Castro Valley. Take Center Street exit, go left on Center, right on Heyer to Cull Canyon Road, and left on Cull Canyon Road to the park entrance on the left. Park in the lot and take the footbridge to the entrance, it's a little bit of a walk. Note they don't open until 11am, or at least this used to be the case. Map (but not a very good one) Dimond Park (Oakland) - We like the more northern (and bigger) playground at Dimond Park. There are some nice play structures, swings, and grass to play on, as well as a creek and a few trails to explore. Map (Park at the red star, head into the park, and go left on the path, past the rec center and pool, to the new playground area.). Fernandez Park (Pinole) - This park's many facilities include BBQ area, gazebo, two play areas, picnic tables, restrooms & drinking fountains. Many sports teams call it home because of its fenced ball field with lights & full-court basketball court. Map Habitot (Berkeley) - Habisnot (okay, it's really called Habitot), is an indoor kids play area, with a make-believe market, water play area, art stuff (wear clothes that can get paint on them!) and a special area for little crawlers and toddlers. It's on Shattuck, in downtown Berkeley, underneath Mel's Diner. Last time I checked, it was closed on Mondays. Hardy Park (aka Frog Park) in Oakland. It's the playground that's behind the dog run and basketball court that are under the 24 freeway at Claremont. Map Note that Hardy dead-ends and does NOT intersect with Claremont. Heather Farms Park (Walnut Creek) - Has swimming at the Clarke Swim Center, tennis, picnic areas, community center (click here for rental information) equestrian center, bike paths, tot lots, sand volleyball court, fishing pond, nature pond, six athletic fields, restrooms, connection to the Iron Horse Trail. Wow. Map Jack London Square (Oakland) - We typically meet on the grass by the Ferry terminal at the northwest end of Jack London Square. After looking at the boats, running on the grass, etc. for a while, we head southeast along the walk by the waterfront looking at more boats, etc, until the kids get tired and/or the dads get thirsty, and then head over to Barclays (at the end of Broadway) for lunch. Joaquin Miller Park (Oakland) - Meet at the big meadow, then we usually hike/stroll/toddle along the trail as long as the kids and/or dads will tolerate, then back to the big meadow for a picnic, frisbee, bubbles, etc. The meadow is down a short dirt trail from Joaquin Miller Road (further up the road than the new playground). Here's a General Map of how to get to Joaquin Miller Park, and a more Detailed Map of where we meet. Jordan Park (Oakland) - A nice playground, grassy area, etc. The only thing missing is a bathroom... so go easy on the juice. It's on Jordan Road, a block or two north of Redwood Road, a few blocks below highway 13 (or you can take 580, and head up 35th, which becomes Redwood Road, then turn left on Jordan). Map Kennedy Grove (El Sobrante) - Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area offers a comfortable setting for either small or large group picnics (some by reservation) or informal gatherings of friends and families. The grove is situated at the base of San Pablo Dam, and its whispering eucalyptus trees offer a fragrant, calm setting for all kinds of activities from company picnics to family reunions. The centrally located turf meadow provides additional play space for picnickers with enough room to toss a Frisbee, pass a football, or set up an informal softball game. (Hardball is not permitted.) Volleyball and horseshoes are popular with all ages, and equipment may be rented for a minimal fee. Map Lafayette Community Park (Lafayette) - The 68-acre site of Lafayette Community Park contains a diverse array of topography, wildlife and recreation opportunities. The south-end has two sports fields that are used for baseball in the Spring and soccer in the Fall. There is a group picnic area that can be reserved and several single picnic tables. A Tot Playground with an adjoining lawn is near the picnic area and fields. A footbridge leads people from the parking lot, located at 480 Saint Mary’s Road, to the fields, picnic area and public restrooms. A natural trail meanders through the entire park. Map Lake Merritt (Oakland) - We meet at the playground at Lakeside Park... it's where Perkins Street hits Bellevue Avenue (by the bird islands and the nature center at Lake Merritt). Map Lake Temescal (Oakland) - We meet on the beach at Lake Temescal in Oakland. Bring towels, bathing suits, sunscreen, etc. To get there, take the 24 East to the Broadway exit. At the first light, you want to be in the middle lane. Take a left on to Broadway, then stay to the right as Broadway veers that way. Avoid the freeway on-ramps, and you'll be going parallel to the 24 East. Continue past the Temescal parking lot on your right, and park on the street near the next driveway (which has a gate to keep cars out). Follow the paved trail straight down, pay the friendly ranger at the kiosk, and head on down to the sand beach. Google Map PDF Map (note that the entrance is "restricted entry" meaning no cars, but you can walk in there). Lawrence Hall of Science (Berkeley) - The Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) is a great indoor kids science musuem. Everything is "hands-on" and lots of fun to play with. There's a decent-sized section for toddlers, and tons of stuff for bigger kids (which the toddlers can enjoy too). There's also an outdoor area with some water to play with (but not in), and a very good cafe. LHS is on Centennial Drive, about 1 mile above the UC campus. (It's the big building that looks like the pylons that the sleestaks used to build.) Park in the lot on the right and bring a few ones or lots of change for the parking machine. Directions Little Farm in Tilden (Berkeley) - There's a mini-farm at the aptly-named Little Farm in Tilden, as well as an education center and a bunch of hiking options (everything from paved trails to epic hikes). Little Farm is at the northern end of Tilden park. To get there, see this map, then head into the park down Canon Drive, following the signs to Little Farm (you'll turn left at the end of Canon, then follow that road to the parking lot at the end). Live Oak Park (Berkeley) - Live Oak Park, the site of several community festivals, offers a range of recreational opportunities, with basketball and tennis courts, a recreation center, and tot and school-age play areas. Map Memorial Park (Albany) - A great park with a good-sized toddler playground, plus a really nice, big playground for bigger kids. Grass, picnic tables, bathrooms, etc. It's a few blocks north of Solano in Albany. Map Middle Harbor Park (Oakland) - Middle Harbor Park is along the bay at the end of Seventh Street in West Oakland. There are paved trails, great views of the bay and the shipyards, lots of grass, picnic tables and bbq's, and a beach. (It is Oakland's first and only beach according to the website, and hey, maybe it's true... are there any other beaches in Oakland?) To get there, take Seventh Street west from downtown, past West Oakland BART, all the way till you hit the stoplight at Middle Harbor Road. Continue thru the intersection and take the first right into the Middle Harbor parking lot. Here's an interactive map that will help you find the park. And here's a detailed map of the park. Montclair Park (Oakland) - Montclair park has a fenced-in totlot as well as a bigger playground for bigger kids, plus grass to run on, fake horses to sit on, geese to get bitten by, and a small lake to fall into. Montclair park is between Moraga Ave and Mountain Blvd, just north of "downtown" Montclair. It's the park just above the star on this map Moraga Commons (Moraga) - Moraga Commons is a large park with a few play structures, nice picnic tables in the shade, lots of grass, and a couple of water jets that the kids can run through, so bring a bathing suit and towel for your kid (and since the water sprays over cement, it's best if you can bring shoes that your kid can get wet in). Map Oakland Zoo (Oakland) - We like to meet by the Gibbons, Siamangs and Chimps ('cause they're so cool), then check out all the animals for a while, eat lunch at the mediocre Safari Cafe, then ride a few rides. Zoo Map Ohlone Park (Berkeley) - is a wonderful five-block long stretch of green space that includes many recreational activities, tot and school-age play areas, a community garden, and an off-leash dog area. Features two tot play areas: Bonita tot play area featuring tot swing, daisy spring toy, tot structure with slide and climber; McGee play area featuring tot swings, spring toys. Two school-age play areas: McGee school-age play area featuring two climbers, fitness structure; Milvia play area featuring belt swings, ribbon slide, horizontal ladder, chinning bar, spiroslide, snake climber, El slide, resilient paving for accessibility. Map Orinda Park, aka "Hot Moms Park" (Orinda) - It's a nice park with several large play structures, a big grass area for running around, and also a paved trail that circles the grass for kids on bikes. (fyi, it was dubbed "Hot Moms Park" by a wife of one of the East Bay Dads, so please don't blame us dads for the moniker.) Take 24 East to Orinda exit (second one after the tunnel). Go left under the freeway on Camino Pablo to the first light. Turn right on Santa Maria, then left on Orinda Way. The park is just past the new library on the right side of the street. Map It's also a relatively short (1/2 mile or so) walk from the Orinda BART station, basically following the same directions. Osage Station (Danville) - This park has a great water play area, a big playground structure next to it, and fields for playing ball. Bring lunch (nothing's nearby), swimsuits or swim diapers, sand toys and towels. Take 24 east towards Walnut Creek. At the 680 junction, head south on 680. Exit at the Sycamore Valley Road exit in Danville. At the end of the ramp turn left onto Sycamore Valley (heading east). At the second signal turn right onto Brookside and follow it as it winds around for about a mile. You'll see the park on the left. Expect about a half hour drive from Oakland or Berkeley. Map Piedmont Park (Piedmont) - Piedmont Park has swings, a nice climbing structure, grass to play on, and some paved trails to explore. The playground where we meet is right where Highland Ave hits the park. Map Playgroup, Pizza & Poker - On rainy days, we often meet up at someone's house for a typical dads' playgroup (i.e., we ignore the kids and drink beer and play poker). We may be sensitive new age guys, but we're still guys. Pleasant Hill Park (surprisingly, in Pleasant Hill) - A large well shaded park with swings, climbing structures and play areas for kids of all most ages. Map PriPri Cafe (Berkeley) - PriPri Cafe is on Solano Avenue, just east of Key Route. It's a cafe with a kids play area. (Memorial Park is nearby in case any of the kids get too wired from all the caffeine to stay at PriPri.) Map Redondo Park (Oakland) - Redondo Park is the little sibling of Hardy Park in the Frog Park family. It's a nice but small playground, with some benches and lots of nice trees and a pretty little creek for the kids to fall into. It's just east of the intersection of Claremont and Telegraph, at Redondo and Clarke, behind the DMV. Note that there is no bathroom at the park. Map Roberts Park (Oakland) - We'll meet at the brand-spankin'-new playground at Roberts Park. It's on Skyline Blvd, about a half mile North of where Joaquin Miller Road hits Skyline. Pay the friendly ranger at the kiosk, then look for the playground on the left, up the hill just above the pool (which doesn't open until 3:30 on that day). Map San Francisco Zoo (strangely, in San Francisco) - Kinda like the Oakland Zoo. Only bigger. And in San Francisco. Meet in the playground near the Sloat Boulevard & 45th Avenue entrance. Map San Pablo Park (Berkeley) - The City of Berkeley’s oldest park offers a wide range of recreational activities for all ages, from baseball and basketball to younger children’s play areas. It was recognized as “one of the best recreation fields” in the Bay Area . . . in 1918. Map San Ramon Central Park (San Ramon) - There's a couple of big play structures and a great water play area, so be sure to bring your kid's bathing suit, towel, and sunscreen. There's also a big grass field, paved paths for bike or scooter riding, and a small skate park! The park is on Bollinger Canyon Road, off of the 680. You can get there from the 24, then south on 680, or the 580, then north on 680. Either way, exit at Bollinger Canyon Road, and head east a few blocks. Turn left into the park, then go to the right after entering the parking lot. Meet at the play structure and water play area. Map Sequoia Bayview Trail, Joaquin Miller Park (Oakland) - This is a very easy trail for the medium sized kids to walk on, or for jog strollers, backpacks, etc. for the littler ones. It winds along a level grade in the shade of Sequoias, then offers a great view of the bay. Thus the name... To get there, take 13 to Joaquin Miller Road, and go East to the top of the hill. At the light, turn left on to Skyline Blvd. Follow Skyline a short way, around a hairpin right turn, and look for the trail head on the left. Park on the side of the road. The route we take is a simple out-and-back on Sequoia Bayview Trail, so late-comers should have no trouble finding the group. The more ambitious hikers can also choose to make a loop of it. Trail Map (Sequoia Bayview trail is on the bottom right) SF Museum of Modern Art (San Francisco) - The first Tuesday of the month is free at SF MOMA, so you can take the kids with no worries that they'll get bored or cranky - if they do, simply go across the street to Yerba Buena Gardens. Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve (Oakland) - We meet in the Sibley parking lot, and from there we hike (i.e. try to get the kids to keep walking) as far as we can. There are great wildflowers here in the spring. Here's a trail map. Sibley is on Skyline Road, just south of the intersection with Grizzly peak, between Redwood and Tilden parks. Map Strawberry Canyon Pool (Berkeley) - Nice big pool with big steps for the shorter kids to play on, and a separate 8 inch deep kiddie pool for the really little ones. Also nice grass to sit and eat on. Pool hours vary by time of year, so be sure to check before you go. The pool is on Centennial Road, just above the Cal football stadium, and the entrance is at the east (far) corner of the parking lot. Map Totland (Berkeley) - This playground has great climbing structures for littler kids, a few swings, and lots of discarded toys for communal use. It's at the corner of Virginia and McGee, near the North Berkeley BART station. Map Tumble & Tea (Oakland) - Tumble & Tea is an organic cafe plus indoor kids' playspace. Union Point Park (Oakland) - Union Point Park is a new park with a cool boat-themed climbing structure, lots of grass, paths for bikes or scooters, picnic tables, and bathrooms. To get there from 880, take the Embarcadero exit toward 16th Ave, and turn left on Embarcadero. It's on Embarcadero between Dennison and Kennedy Streets, along the Oakland estuary. Map Washington Field House (Richmond) - Washington Field House is a play area with various stuff for kids to play with. To get there, take 580 East to the Canal exit. See this Map for details. Washington Park (Alameda) - A big park with a playground, just a short walk from Crown Beach (where we could go if it ends up being hot). Directions: Take the Webster Tube (at the south end of Webster in downtown Oakland) and stay to the left to get onto Constitution Way. Just before Constitution curves left into Lincoln Way, turn right onto 8th St. Continue on 8th past Central; the park will be on your right. Map Willard Park (Berkeley) - It's a nice park with a great fenced-in playground for toddlers (though it's kinda small for any kid over 4), and also a big grass area. Willard Park is at Hillegass and Derby, a few blocks off of Telegraph, near Andronico's. Map |
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A's Games (Oakland, of course!) - Day games with (or without) the kids, and night games without (or with) the kids... it's always fun, even when the A's lose.
BART from Rockridge to SFO - We meet a little after 10 am on the platform at the Rockridge BART station, and take the Millbrae train all the way to SFO. Check the BART Schedule for train times.
Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito) - The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a huge place with all kinds of hands-on activities for kids of all ages, and some outdoors climbing and playing areas as well. There's a pretty good cafe there.