1. Adventure Playground @ The Berkeley Marina, Berkeley
Soak up the sunshine and salty sea air at the Berkeley Marina. Start the day with a sandwich or smoothie at the Sea Breeze Market & Deli on your way in. Then, take a walk through Cesar Chavez Park to enjoy bay views, kite flyers, and beachy breezes. Finish it off with a day of play at Adventure Playground. A playground built by children, this pirate island feels like Peter Pan’s Neverland. At the playground, children are encouraged to explore and build creatively. Kids can paint, build, hammer, climb, and get dirty! Empower your child to create and inspire them to shape their world at this hand-crafted home.
Location: Adventure Playground, Sea Breeze, Cesar Chavez Park
Ages: The playground is designed for children seven years old and older. Younger children are welcome as long as they are within arms reach of a participating adult.
Day: Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-5pm
Price: FREE for individual families: parents/guardians who accompany 4 children or less.
Note: If you are a large family, call please. 510-981-6720. Everyone must wear sturdy shoes to protect feet in the working areas. Wear clothes that can get dirty, wet, and stained from paint.
2. Hike Stroller Friendly Trail & Visit Montclair Village, Oakland
The Sequoia Bayview Trail is a stroller friendly trail that doesn’t compromise on views. The trail features beautiful wildflowers and looks out onto the ocean. It’s a 2.9 mile trail that gets increasingly steep, so you may wish to go half way if you have small children. If you’re eager for the challenge, try jogging with your stroller to get in a bit of cardio. Make it memorable with a visit to nearby Montclair Village, a residential shopping district, for a bit of fun. The Montclair Egg Shop is a family-friendly brunch spot and local staple; enjoy one of their famous omelettes. On your way out, peruse the nearby boutiques if you have the chance. We recommend checking out Hatch, an eco-friendly gift shop that sells contemporary jewelry, unique home goods and special toys for kids.
Location: Joaquin Miller Park – Sequoia Bayview Trail
Day: Saturday or Sunday
Note: Heavy traffic – a popular trail. It’s recommended that you go early to avoid traffic and the heat. It’s also multi-use, so please be mindful of your surroundings, mountain bikers and horses share the path.
3. Visit the Bay Model, Sausalito
For those in Marin, the Bay Model is an excellent educational experience that delves into the history and geography of the local region. A fascinating experience for both children and adults alike! The tidal model of the bay was constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1957 as a study. Although the model is no longer of use to scientific research, it now serves as a public educational tool. Watch the tidal changes that take over the course of a day in just a few minutes!
Location: Bay Model Visitor Center
Date + Time: Visit Friday or Saturday (closed Sunday) between 9 am – 4 pm
Price: Free admission
4. Visit the Randall Museum, San Francisco
The Randall museum is a place that fosters in families a love of science, natural history, and the arts. Children will love to meet the animals that are sheltered here. At 11 am on Saturdays, a special selection of the museum’s animal ambassadors great museum visitors. Your children will have a chance to meet animals up-close! See a Desert Tortoise, a Swainson’s Hawk, and more. Stick around to enjoy Afternoon Art. Drop in this upcoming Saturday from 1 – 4 pm to create a leaf-printed clay planter to take home.
Location: Randall Museum
Hours: Saturday, March 25, Animals: 11 am, Art: 1-4 pm
Price: Admission to the museum is free! Afternoon Art has a small fee: $5 per adult/child combo; $3 for each additional person
Website: randallmuseum.org
Note: For Afternoon Art, kids 8 and under must be with a paying, participating adult. Members of Randall Museum Friends and Arts Card holders receive a 2-for-1 discount. Sign up at the museum’s front desk to participate in the art session; the last sign-ups are taken at 3:30
5. A Day Downtown, Walnut Creek
Spend Saturday at the library with your family. Enjoy this beautiful space that the city has to offer. When you enter, you’ll encounter a stunning, swirling installation made from colorful bottles. Check out the children’s section with your kids and find new books to read together. Nearby Civic Park offers a playground suitable for energetic children with swings, slides, and things to climb! If you think you can sneak it in, the adjacent downtown shopping district has many shops & eateries to enjoy. Make the most of your day downtown!
Location: Walnut Creek Library, Civic Park, & Walnut Creek Downtown Shopping
Days: Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
Recent Comments