A Travel Community for San Francisco Bay Area Families
Berkeley Family Fun for All
Spring Break is right around the corner and thanks to our economy, this may not be your year to take an exotic trip. But luckily for us Northern Californians, there are lots of great trips close by which offer both fun and learning for the whole family.
My favorite “local” trips for family spring break include Berkeley, San Francisco, Monterey, and San Diego. Today I’ll start with Berkeley with the rest to follow.
Berkeley holds special meaning for me (I studied there, my husband proposed there) so I always look for opportunities to share this wonderful destination with others. While Berkeley is a bit lacking in the accommodations department (I recommend the Claremont below) it makes up for it with a wealth of indoor and outdoor family activities and high quality, kid-friendly restaurants.
What to Do
Cesar Chavez Park. Besides having stunning view of the Berkeley Marina and Bay, this is the place to fly a kite in the Bay Area. If you are so inspired you can either bring your own kite or buy one right there on site. Highline Kites, run out of a van on the edge of the Marina, sells everything you need for a kite adventure with your kids. He’s only there on weekends. 11 Spinnaker Way (between Breakwater Dr & Marina Blvd) Berkeley, CA 94710
Adventure Playground. Once you’ve wearied of kite flying, you can head over to Adventure Playground for a one of a kind playground experience. Hammers, nails, paint, etc available for check out so your kids can build their own structures. While parents often find the combination of kids, nails, tools and paint a safety hazard, kids seem to universally love it. My recommendation is to keep the activities well supervised. If your kids are more into motion, there is a zipline as well. The activities are targeted to age 7 and above but younger kids can find fun activities as well. On left hand side of University Ave after you cross over the freeway and are headed for the water.
East Bay Vivarium. Reptiles, amphibians and bugs oh yeah! My kids loved this place and I counted myself lucky to not leave with a creepy crawly pet. With anacondas, scorpions, hissing cockroaches, and blue dart frogs this place is not for the faint of heart. But if your kids are into these critters, this is definitely the place for them. 1857 5th Street #C, Berkeley, CA 94710. 510-841-1400.
U.C. Berkeley Campus. If you’re driving to campus, park by Café Strada at the corner of College and Bancroft. You can grab some coffee, hot chocolate and bagels before trekking into the campus across the street. Let the kids play on the grass in the Faculty Glade by Strawberry Creek, go up in the Campanile to get a fabulous view of the Bay Area, and grab some books at the Student Union. The campus is very bike friendly.
Lawrence Hall of Science. While not at the level of the Academy of Sciences or Exploratorium, this museum is full of engaging exhibits for kids including a planetarium and an animal discovery room. And now through September they have an exhibit called Animal Grossology which you just know is going to be a hit with the kids. Animal Grossology is billed as bringing “to life the gritty, engrossing facts behind—well, behinds, and other animal body parts.”
Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA 94702. (510) 642-5132
Tilden Park. The carousel, steam train, and petting zoo, are wonderful options for the younger kids. You can take a picnic and spend the better part of day there or just pop up for a couple hours. The train runs from 11:00 – 6:00, the Carousel from 11:00 – 5:00. The Little Farm, open every day from 8:30 to 4:00, has cows, sheep, chickens, geese, rabbits, goats and turkeys. You can bring lettuce or celery to feed the animals. 2501 Grizzly Peak Blvd., Berkeley, CA 94708. (510) 843-2137.
Where to Stay
The Claremont Resort. It is a bit of a mystery to my why Berkeley doesn’t offer better options for accommodations but my top pick for an overnight with the kids is the Claremont Resort. Rooms start at $189 and they offer a kids club in case mom and dad want to check out some of those great East Bay restaurants on their own. 41 Tunnel Rd, Berkeley, CA 94705. (800) 551-7266.
Hotel Shattuck Plaza. A new addition to the Berkeley accomodations scene, added since my original post. Located conveniently in downtown Berkeley it has a contemporary design and a restaurant serving updated versions of American classics including deviled eggs and macaroni and cheese. Rooms from $169, suites from $340. 2086 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
Toll Free: (866) 466-9199
Where to Eat
So many, options so I’ll just offer up a few…
La Note. Offering up French influenced breakfast and brunch options this is considered “the” breakfast place in Berkeley. The wait can be a bit long so either go early (they open at 8:00) or wander down the street to the nearby Pegasus Books to kill some time.
2377 Shattuck Avenue (between Channing Way & Durant Ave)
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 843-1535
www.lanoterestaurant.com
Fat Apple’s Restaurant and Bakery. Great breakfast, great coffee, fun neighborhood. This North Berkeley breakfast destination boasts pumpkin pancakes, blueberry waffles, cheese puffs and great coffee. Wander down the block Mr. Mopps Toy Store (1405 MLK Way) while you wait for your table. You can also grab take-out coffee and pastries if you’re in a rush.
1346 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (between Berryman St & Rose St), Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 526-2260
SeaSalt. I always enjoy dinners here. With Happy Hour dollar oysters, five dollar cocktails and a lovely outdoor patio, I can forgive their lack of a kids menu. My kids usually have the fish and chips or the kitchen can whip up some pasta. Go early to get a table and avoid the date night crowd.
2512 San Pablo Avenue (between Blake St & Dwight Way)
Berkeley, CA 94702, (510) 883-1720
www.seasaltrestaurant.com
Riva Cucina. This restaurant has a real following in the Berkeley area. The slightly out of the way location means you can easily park. While this is a higher-end Italian restaurant, the have a variety of offerings for kids.
800 Heinz St, Berkeley, CA 94701. (510) 841-7482.
www.rivacucina.com
Zachary's Chicago Pizza. Simply the best pizza in the area. Their deep dish is renowned but so is the line on weekends. Note there are two locations, one on Solano Ave. in Albany, one on College Ave. in Oakland.
1853 Solano Ave (between Colusa Ave & Fresno Ave)
Berkeley, CA 94707. (510) 525-5950.
5801 College Ave (between Birch Ct & Chabot Rd)
Oakland, CA 94618. (510) 655-6385.
www.zacharys.com
Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers. Fanatastic burgers, very kid friendly (coloring include) and vegentarian, non-burger options available as well. My kids loved this place. In addition to the Berkeley location there is one on College Ave. in Oakland as well.
1600 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley 510-849-2827
Toy Stores:
Berkeley has some great toy stores you may want to check out.
The Ark Toy Store
800 Heinz St
Berkeley, CA 94701
(510) 841-7482
Mr. Mopps
1405 Martin Luther King Junior Way
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 525-9633
Rockridge Kids
5511 College Ave
(between Forest St & Lawton Ave)
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 601-5437
Itinerary
My favorite “local” trips for family spring break include Berkeley, San Francisco, Monterey, and San Diego. Today I’ll start with Berkeley with the rest to follow.
Berkeley holds special meaning for me (I studied there, my husband proposed there) so I always look for opportunities to share this wonderful destination with others. While Berkeley is a bit lacking in the accommodations department (I recommend the Claremont below) it makes up for it with a wealth of indoor and outdoor family activities and high quality, kid-friendly restaurants.
What to Do
Cesar Chavez Park. Besides having stunning view of the Berkeley Marina and Bay, this is the place to fly a kite in the Bay Area. If you are so inspired you can either bring your own kite or buy one right there on site. Highline Kites, run out of a van on the edge of the Marina, sells everything you need for a kite adventure with your kids. He’s only there on weekends. 11 Spinnaker Way (between Breakwater Dr & Marina Blvd) Berkeley, CA 94710
Adventure Playground. Once you’ve wearied of kite flying, you can head over to Adventure Playground for a one of a kind playground experience. Hammers, nails, paint, etc available for check out so your kids can build their own structures. While parents often find the combination of kids, nails, tools and paint a safety hazard, kids seem to universally love it. My recommendation is to keep the activities well supervised. If your kids are more into motion, there is a zipline as well. The activities are targeted to age 7 and above but younger kids can find fun activities as well. On left hand side of University Ave after you cross over the freeway and are headed for the water.
East Bay Vivarium. Reptiles, amphibians and bugs oh yeah! My kids loved this place and I counted myself lucky to not leave with a creepy crawly pet. With anacondas, scorpions, hissing cockroaches, and blue dart frogs this place is not for the faint of heart. But if your kids are into these critters, this is definitely the place for them. 1857 5th Street #C, Berkeley, CA 94710. 510-841-1400.
U.C. Berkeley Campus. If you’re driving to campus, park by Café Strada at the corner of College and Bancroft. You can grab some coffee, hot chocolate and bagels before trekking into the campus across the street. Let the kids play on the grass in the Faculty Glade by Strawberry Creek, go up in the Campanile to get a fabulous view of the Bay Area, and grab some books at the Student Union. The campus is very bike friendly.
Lawrence Hall of Science. While not at the level of the Academy of Sciences or Exploratorium, this museum is full of engaging exhibits for kids including a planetarium and an animal discovery room. And now through September they have an exhibit called Animal Grossology which you just know is going to be a hit with the kids. Animal Grossology is billed as bringing “to life the gritty, engrossing facts behind—well, behinds, and other animal body parts.”
Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA 94702. (510) 642-5132
Tilden Park. The carousel, steam train, and petting zoo, are wonderful options for the younger kids. You can take a picnic and spend the better part of day there or just pop up for a couple hours. The train runs from 11:00 – 6:00, the Carousel from 11:00 – 5:00. The Little Farm, open every day from 8:30 to 4:00, has cows, sheep, chickens, geese, rabbits, goats and turkeys. You can bring lettuce or celery to feed the animals. 2501 Grizzly Peak Blvd., Berkeley, CA 94708. (510) 843-2137.
Where to Stay
The Claremont Resort. It is a bit of a mystery to my why Berkeley doesn’t offer better options for accommodations but my top pick for an overnight with the kids is the Claremont Resort. Rooms start at $189 and they offer a kids club in case mom and dad want to check out some of those great East Bay restaurants on their own. 41 Tunnel Rd, Berkeley, CA 94705. (800) 551-7266.
Hotel Shattuck Plaza. A new addition to the Berkeley accomodations scene, added since my original post. Located conveniently in downtown Berkeley it has a contemporary design and a restaurant serving updated versions of American classics including deviled eggs and macaroni and cheese. Rooms from $169, suites from $340. 2086 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
Toll Free: (866) 466-9199
Where to Eat
So many, options so I’ll just offer up a few…
La Note. Offering up French influenced breakfast and brunch options this is considered “the” breakfast place in Berkeley. The wait can be a bit long so either go early (they open at 8:00) or wander down the street to the nearby Pegasus Books to kill some time.
2377 Shattuck Avenue (between Channing Way & Durant Ave)
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 843-1535
www.lanoterestaurant.com
Fat Apple’s Restaurant and Bakery. Great breakfast, great coffee, fun neighborhood. This North Berkeley breakfast destination boasts pumpkin pancakes, blueberry waffles, cheese puffs and great coffee. Wander down the block Mr. Mopps Toy Store (1405 MLK Way) while you wait for your table. You can also grab take-out coffee and pastries if you’re in a rush.
1346 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (between Berryman St & Rose St), Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 526-2260
SeaSalt. I always enjoy dinners here. With Happy Hour dollar oysters, five dollar cocktails and a lovely outdoor patio, I can forgive their lack of a kids menu. My kids usually have the fish and chips or the kitchen can whip up some pasta. Go early to get a table and avoid the date night crowd.
2512 San Pablo Avenue (between Blake St & Dwight Way)
Berkeley, CA 94702, (510) 883-1720
www.seasaltrestaurant.com
Riva Cucina. This restaurant has a real following in the Berkeley area. The slightly out of the way location means you can easily park. While this is a higher-end Italian restaurant, the have a variety of offerings for kids.
800 Heinz St, Berkeley, CA 94701. (510) 841-7482.
www.rivacucina.com
Zachary's Chicago Pizza. Simply the best pizza in the area. Their deep dish is renowned but so is the line on weekends. Note there are two locations, one on Solano Ave. in Albany, one on College Ave. in Oakland.
1853 Solano Ave (between Colusa Ave & Fresno Ave)
Berkeley, CA 94707. (510) 525-5950.
5801 College Ave (between Birch Ct & Chabot Rd)
Oakland, CA 94618. (510) 655-6385.
www.zacharys.com
Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers. Fanatastic burgers, very kid friendly (coloring include) and vegentarian, non-burger options available as well. My kids loved this place. In addition to the Berkeley location there is one on College Ave. in Oakland as well.
1600 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley 510-849-2827
Toy Stores:
Berkeley has some great toy stores you may want to check out.
The Ark Toy Store
800 Heinz St
Berkeley, CA 94701
(510) 841-7482
Mr. Mopps
1405 Martin Luther King Junior Way
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 525-9633
Rockridge Kids
5511 College Ave
(between Forest St & Lawton Ave)
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 601-5437
Itinerary
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