Redwood Regional Park is located in the hills of Oakland. It boasts the largest remaining natural strand of coastal redwood in the East Bay. Early mariners used to use these tall redwood trees to help them navigate the San Francisco Bay. Many locals enjoy hiking and biking around the available trails, which offer gorgeous scenery. In addition to the deer, rabbits and squirrels that roam the park, it is also home to rare wildlife species such as the golden eagle and the striped racer snake. The Roberts Regional Recreation Area, a park within the park, features a swimming pool and playgrounds. Throughout the park, you will find access to a well-maintained system of restrooms, water fountains and picnic tables. The Chabot Observatory and Science Center is one of the park's most prominent attractions.
The Oakland Zoo is home to more than 440 exotic and domestic birds, mammals, marsupials, and reptiles. Some of its attractions include a park with picnic facilities, an educational wildlife theater, a children's petting zoo, a carousel, a chair lift ride, and a miniature train. The zoo also offers group tours and a lecture series for adults in the spring.
Cafe Van Kleef is located right in the heart of Oakland's Uptown neighborhood. The theme of Van Kleef is unconventional and all about the quirky artwork everywhere. The specialty at Van Kleef's is their Greyhound - a drink of vodka with grapefruit juice, which you can watch them squeezing fresh at almost any given point during the night. On most nights in the week, the bar plays live jazz music. Certain nights come with a cover charge so be sure to check details before you head here.
This is a 10-acre (40,468 square meter) outdoor park in Oakland's Lakeside Park at Lake Merritt that features larger-than-life displays, rides, and entertainment inspired by children's literature. Since five decades Bay Area families have turned here for wholesome family fun, and Walt Disney even got the idea for Disneyland from Fairyland. Enjoy a restored old-fashioned carousel, puppet shows, the Johnny Appleseed Cafe, and all your favorite childhood literary characters from Alice In Wonderland to the Swiss Family Robinson. It is highly recommended that you buy the "magic key" that activates the narration of most displays. Please keep in mind visitors are not allowed entry without a child accompanying them.
University of California Botanical Garden is located within the campus of University of California Berkeley. Open to the public since 1890, this is no less than an outdoor living museum that boasts over 12,000 species of flora and fauna. The garden can be rented for private events, wedding receptions, twilight tours, summer walks and concerts.
This East Bay woodland canyon offers great panoramic views of the Bay Area. The 205-acre park sits next to UC Berkeley and has trails accessible from the city. There are no facilities such as picnic tables, just wilderness to enjoy. Several trails are available for hiking, from easy, family-friendly walks to challenging, steep climbs, there's something for everyone. The Stonewall-Panoramic Trail is one of the most popular trails here. Whether you're looking for a peaceful escape into nature, a place to explore and hike, or simply a spot to soak in some of the Bay Area's most iconic views, Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve is the place to be.
Gospel Flat Farm is located about 30 miles (48.28 kilometers) north of San Francisco. Offering a great insight into organic farming, the farm is a wonderful mix of numerous activities, educational elements, outdoor fun and of course organic produce shopping! The vast organic farm is covered with lush green vegetable fields, and if you're lucky you'll also be able to spot sunflowers in full bloom. On offer are farm-fresh veggies such as zucchini, pumpkins, carrots, pickled vegetables and lots more that are vibrant and incredible to taste. But meat-lovers needn't frown, since they also sell a fine quality of pork from their farm-raise pigs as well as dungeness crabs that they breed just a couple of miles from Gospel Flat Farm. They also have an in-house field baker who bakes a storm of awesome-smelling bread loaves on a wood-fired oven, that are a work of art in themselves. Apart from all the food fun, Gospel Flat Farm also hosts a fun range of activities, workshops and programs throughout the year. Group tours are available along with lunch options; check the website for more details.
Located in Saint Mary's College of California’s campus, LeFevre Theatre is a performing arts center. With state-of-the-art sound and light systems, they host dramas, musicals and other cultural programmes. Along with academic programmes on performing arts, they offer camps and workshops to students so they can immerse themselves in creativity.
Well known as the oldest surviving building of the University of California, the South Hall is the only old structure that is still in existence on the campus. Housing the first physics library, college of agriculture, business school and also a temporary museum, the hall is a beautiful srchitectured structure and it features a railing balcony at the entrance. This hall stands as the sole survivor of the university and is a great place to visit. Tours are available too.
Built in 1909, the Thorsen House is located in the Southside neighborhood in Berkeley. It is also known as The William R. Thorsen House and this mansion was incorporated in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The house is currently owned by the Sigma Phi Society, who conduct tours of the house a regular basis with special focus on the architectural aspect. One of the salient features of the house is that it is the last of houses designed by eminent architecture firm Greene & Greene, and its deeply gorgeous interiors are awe-inspiring. Visitors who wish to gain entry simply need to knock on the door.