Julie Herson
Spring Break Ideas for East Bay Families
Spring Break inspiration for road trips from the Bay Area, easy travel, and other ways to spend your week off.
19 Places to Run with a Jogging Stroller in the East Bay
From Lafayette to Richmond, Albany, and Berkeley, great paths for any runner with a jogging stroller. Here are ones we love!
Celebrating Women’s History Month in the East Bay
Looking for a way to celebrate Women's History Month with your family? Check out this handy list!
East Bay Classes for a Great Workout With a Baby in Tow
Want to workout with baby in tow? We love group exercise options that make it possible for moms to bring baby along. Here are 5+ ...
Indoor Play Spaces in the East Bay
For little ones who are in constant exploration mode, here is a guide to indoor play spaces in the Bay Area.
Date Night: 21 East Bay Parents’ Night Out (PNO)
PNO is a drop-off kid party hosted in which children eat pizza, have dessert, and play with other kids of a similar age until way ...
Vacation Inspiration: Road Trip to Palm Springs
A family road trip to Palm Springs offers an extreme change of scenery and climate. My kids loved the heat and we loved the vibe. ...
Vacation Inspiration: Yosemite with Little Kids
Looking for a drivable vacation that's relatively affordable and truly awe-inspiring for all ages? Yosemite National Park should be top on your list!
Bay Area Road Trip: Monterey Bay
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of California's best indoor tourist attractions, a perfect mission for the long days of holiday school closures.
Good Deal: Waterpark Hotel: Bay Area Great Wolf Lodge
Save 30% on the Bay Area's first and only Great Wolf Lodge, an inclusive hotel and water park for the whole family from tots to ...
Black History Month for Kids and Families in the Bay Area
Celebrate with storytimes, dance performances, and a parade! We'll be adding new kid-friendly Black History Month activities all month.
Where to Take Bay Area Kids to Experience the Snow
Bay Area kids get to experience the snow with a day trip or weekend getaway for sledding, tubing, snow shoeing, skiing, or snowboarding. Lucky kids.
Children’s Creativity Museum in SF
The Children's Creativity Museum in Yerba Buena Gardens is a hands-on, multimedia art and technology experience for kids 2-12.
Parents’ Guide to Solano Avenue
The one-mile stretch of Solano Avenue, running through Berkeley and Albany features over 200 businesses ranging from ballet to boba.
Visiting the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley
Indoor and outdoor fun at The Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley. Take your time exploring, and if you have three or more kids, definitely ...
Holiday Outing: Christmas at the Tilden Carousel
The Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round transforms every year to a magical winter wonderland. Look for cocoa, ornaments to buy, and sometimes Santa!
Winterfest at the Tilden Steam Trains
Seeing Father Solstice and riding on the steam trains done up in Christmas decorations can be lovely or terrible. Check out our tips!
Christmas Dinner To Go Options for East Bay Families
Order your holiday feast to go! Here's a huge list of local restaurants and chefs offering delectable menus for your family's table.
Sensory-Friendly Santa Claus Visits
Find special times and places where Santa will be available for special needs children.
Favorite East Bay Christmas Tree Lots & Farms
East Bay Christmas tree lots from Alameda, Oakland, Castro Valley, Berkeley range from fast, playful, to woodsy. Choose your favorite!
Thanksgiving Dinner To Go Options for East Bay Families
Want to cut back on some (or all) of the cooking for Thanksgiving? Order ahead from these East Bay favorites.
Cut Your Own Christmas Tree at Frosty Mountain Tree Farm in Sebastopol
Just me and my four kids under age ten felling our perfect Christmas tree with a saw: a magical day in Sebastopol for my crew.
50 Things to Do With Bay Area Kids When School Is Out
Wondering what to do when school is out? Take one of these 50 fantastic Bay Area ideas and build your day around it.
Book Now: Christmas Tea in the Bay Area For Families
Christmas Tea makes a lovely -- often expensive -- holiday tradition for families. We break it down from near to far.
Where to Take Kids Ice Skating in the Bay Area
During the winter season temporary ice skating rinks are set up throughout the Bay Area, making ice skating more accessible than ever.
Conquering the Cool Patch Pumpkins Corn Maze
Cool Patch Pumpkins offers a truly epic corn maze and all the pumpkins you could desire! Just make sure you're prepared.
Ticket Alert: Fancy Christmas Tea with kit & sis in San Francisco
Grab a ticket, your doll, and your fanciest dress then head into the City for a festive holiday tea with kit & sis.
Our Petaluma Pumpkin Patch & Amazing Corn Maze Adventure
Petaluma Pumpkin Patch and Amazing Corn Maze offers a festive farm experience along with plenty of bouncy, jumpy fun.
Ticket Alert: Fall Festival on the Coast at Rancho Siempre Verde
Visit this family farm with a rustic yet whimsical vibe, fresh fall harvest, giant swings, and coastal views.
Super Family-friendly Trails & Beaches at Mori Point, Pacifica
Mori Point, a 32-acre wetland park near Pacifica, has trails that wind along bluffs and beaches, is an easy 30-minute drive from Oakland, and can ...
Day Trip to Pacifica With Kids
Pacifica is the place to be on a sunny day. Pack a lunch and a kite for a stunning day at the beach.
Pomegranate Picking in the East Bay
It is pomegranate picking season and you can head out to a Bay Area farm and pick with your children for a terrific autumn outing.
18 Kid-friendly Sonoma and Napa Places to Visit
If you ever visit Sonoma Train Town (you should if you haven’t!), you’ll probably want to add a few other activities to your day-trip to ...
Taking Kids to Performances at Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall: A Guide for Families
Cal Performance's family-friendly lineup at Zellerbach Hall makes planning a special outing a cinch. Adults will appreciate the East Bay location!Â
Boo at the Zoo: A Special Event at the Oakland Zoo
The Oakland Zoo is celebrating Halloween with costumes, contests, animals, and a scavenger hunt. Visit in October for Boo at the Zoo!
Where Do You Take Guests From Out-of-Town?
To show off the East Bay to your friends from back home, where do you go? We've got culture, stunning views, the Bay, and redwoods!
Discover San Francisco’s Randall Museum
The Randall Museum is a FREE wildlife museum with live animals, trains and is next to a short steep hike to a killer view.
Throw a LEGO Birthday Party Like a Pro in the East Bay
LEGO birthday parties can be at your house or in a rec center and be as easy or challenging as you want. If your kid ...
10 Mostly Free & Cheap Outings for Mixed Ages in the East Bay
With kids age two to nine, it is hard to find something for everyone. Here are ten terrific East Bay places that we all love.
9 Playground Ziplines for Bay Area Kids
Our favorite nearby ziplines in the East Bay are in Berkeley and Alameda, but we found a dozen more for adventurous kids to try.
Park Profile: Colorful Krusi Park in Alameda
Krusi Park in Alameda is a super fun playground to bring both toddlers and school aged kids alike. My four kids asked to go two ...
Apple Picking with Children Near the Bay Area
Apple-picking season is upon us. Here are a few U-pick options and Bay Area apple orchards worth a visit with your family. Always, call first!
Favorite Visual Art Classes for Kids in the East Bay
Presenting our guide to getting your child started in art classes in the East Bay.
Holiday Tea at the Claremont Resort & Club
This elegant holiday tea at the historic Claremont is perfect for family time that doesn't center around Santa or gifts. My daughter and I were ...
14 Free and Cheap Birthday Party Places
A dozen spots to host a kid's birthday party for cheap -- or free -- in the East Bay Area! These are our go-to budget-friendly ...
Speer Family Farm Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch
Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch with many carnival amusements for families: hay bales, petting zoo, bouncy things!
Swings on Bridgeview Trail are Delightfully Dangerous
The handbuilt swings hidden among the majestic redwoods and dripping vines make this small hike much more exciting for children.
A Whimsical Staycation at Treehouse Hotel in Silicon Valley
If you're looking for a close-by staycation idea with a playful vibe that's both kid and dog friendly, this is the spot.
Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch U-Pick Apples
Apple picking time is here! So don your flannels and boots and pack up the kiddos for a good old-fashioned day of apple picking in ...
A Memorable Day Apple Picking at Chileno Valley Ranch
Chileno Valley Ranch in Petaluma is a picturesque place to pick apples with kids -- only an hour drive north of Oakland.
Visit Vallejo’s Children’s Wonderland
Children's Wonderland is a cute, clean, huge park in Vallejo. Enter through the guarded gates to let your imagination run wild.
U-Pick Blueberries at Duckworth Family Farm in Sebastopol
If your family loves fruit picking at a picturesque pastoral country farm, Duckworth Family Farm in Sebastopol is your new favorite summer day trip.
U-Pick Strawberries & Other Berries in the Bay Area
The warmer days of Spring and early Summer (from April to July) bring the prospect of juicy sweet strawberries and other yummy berries
Oakland Zoo For Families (Is Membership Worth It?)
Oakland zoo membership for families pays for itself in less than two visits. We break it down for you.
Park Profile: Whale Park in Alameda Point
Alameda has a super playground with tons of space to run, climb and play including a big whale climbing structure, swings, and basketball court.
A Daycation at Don Castro Swimming Lagoon in Hayward
The clear blue water, sandy toddler-friendly beach and shallows, and affordable price all make for the perfect East Bay daycation with your family.
Now Open: Swimming at Cull Canyon in Castro Valley
A swimmable lake within a stones throw from Oakland, perfect for little kids.
Lake Anza is Best for a Hot Day (Open for 2025)
Berkeley in summer is unpredictable weather-wise. For the hot days, I recommend packing up the requisite beach gear and heading for Lake Anza.
U-Pick Raspberries at Boring Farm in Sebastopol
About an hour from the East Bay, Boring Farm offers U-Pick organic raspberries from June through to September. Advance tickets are required.
Bay Area Fruit Picking Guide
Fruit picking is a year-round activity in California. Here's your guide to the what/where/when/how of Bay Area farms and orchards.
Spotlight on American Swim Academy
American Swim Academy offers warm indoor year-round swim lessons to build water safety, confidence, and strong swimming skills.
Where Do You Swim in the East Bay?
We've rounded up all the best places to swim in the East Bay: seasonal pools, water parks, beaches, lagoons, and even private pools you can ...
Peach Picking & Other Summer Stone Fruit in the Bay Area
The time is ripe for picking perfect peaches, amazing apricots, and nectarous nectarines in the East Bay!
A Park With A View: Glendale La Loma Park in the Berkeley Hills
Glendale La Loma Park is a 3-level terraced park tucked in the Berkeley Hills with a parking lot, fenced tot lot, big kid playground, and, ...
Our Favorites at Bay Area LEGOLAND Discovery Center
The LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Milpitas is a really cool indoor playground for all LEGO builders and wannabes, especially those ages 4 to 10.
Berkeley Park Profile: Dream Land at Aquatic Park
Dream Land in the Aquatic Park area of Berkeley is a whimsical and adventurous playground that will inspire and excite your little ones' senses.
3 Best Places to Fly a Kite in the East Bay
Flying a kite involves running outside and a little patience. When your kids tell you that they're bored, you can tell them to go fly ...
Where to Find Dinosaurs in the East Bay
If you and your kid are always looking for cool dinosaur books and toys, you'll love to see these life-size (and bigger!) local dinos.
Kid-Friendly Hikes to See Wildflowers Superbloom in the East Bay
It's wildflower season here in the East Bay! Find out the best places to go with your kiddos.
Tilden Park Little Farm, Free & Fun for All Ages
Berkeley's Little Farm is fantastic and free. No reservations or tickets required. Don't forget the celery!
Swimming Lessons for East Bay Kids
Let's talk about swim lessons. Here are your East Bay swimming pools that will help teach your child how to swim, arranged roughly from South ...
Day Trip: Sonoma’s TrainTown Railroad
Just 50 minutes from Berkeley, Sonoma's TrainTown offers an introductory amusement park experience. Train enthusiasts will be more than satisfied.
Contra Loma Lagoon is Closed for 2025
Closed Summer of 2023 for needed repairs.
Now Open: El Cerrito Splash Park
At the opposite end of the building from the swimming pool entrance, the splash pad welcomes visitors to the El Cerrito swimming pool by providing ...
A Magical Holiday Staycation at Berkeley’s Claremont Resort & Club
Plan a family holiday staycation at the Claremont Club & Spa in Berkeley. From pizza, cookies, views, and more, what's not to love?
Get Free Museum Entry with Discover & Go
Powered by our local libraries, Discover & Go gets you and your kids in free to some of our most popular museums and attractions for ...
Park Profile: Dorothy Bolte Park in the Berkeley Hills
With a thrilling 40-foot concrete slide connecting two playgrounds, Dorothy Bolte Park in the Berkeley Hills provides hours of amusement.
Discover the Miniature, Magical Fairy Doors in AlamedaÂ
You have to look down to find these sweet little fairy doors hiding in plain site in Alameda. A curious toddler will see them for ...
10+ East Bay Yoga Studios with Prenatal Yoga
Stressed, exhausted, or excited about an upcoming birth? Prenatal yoga just might be the place for you.
Half-day Trip: Sulphur Creek Nature Center in Hayward
This wild animal rehabilitation center in Hayward allows kids to get up close and personal with drop-in hours and special programs.
Cal Academy of Sciences Is for Kids of All Ages
Cal Academy of Sciences, kids and parents will have fun visiting an aquarium, rainforest, and natural history museum all under one living roof.
Tilden Park Steam Trains are a Cheap Thrill
The Tilden Park steam trains in the Berkeley hills are open daily for summer vacation. Wonderful fun for toddlers. Plan your visit.
Field Trip: Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek
At three different "Petting Circle" time slots each day, children can hold bunnies, guinea pigs, hamsters, or rats at the Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek. ...
21 Places in the Bay Area Where Kids Can See Animals
A few favorite places to get a miniature zoo experience for FREE in the East Bay, small animal encounters, & farms!
14 East Bay Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free
Did you know there's a handful of restaurants where kids eat free? Skip cooking on Tuesday night and head to one of these places.
Day Trip to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Tide Pools in Moss Beach
King Tides are Dec 13-15, 2024. The Fitzgerald tide pools are accessible for all ages. You can get to tide pools a very short walk ...
25 Best Things to Do With Kids in Berkeley
From the marina to the hills to the best attractions on the Cal campus & downtown, this is a guide to fun things to do ...
Reindeer Ridge Christmas Tree Farm in Sebastopol
For a cut-your-own-Christmas-tree experience with all the trimmings (train & tractor rides, hot cider, farm animals, zip line!), we love Reindeer Ridge.
Camping and Swimming at Grover Hot Springs
Grover Hot Springs State Park offers a natural hot spring for swimming, accessible hiking for kids, and is terrifically affordable. What's not to love?
Take a Tour of the Boichik Bagel Factory
Take a FREE tour of the Boichik Bagel Factory in West Berkeley. Carbs, coffee, and heavy machinery - what's not to love?
Point Molate: Sea Glass Treasure & Burning Man Art in Richmond
Combine a tranquil beach with a steampunk art scene for a memorable day in Richmond. We also love the sea glass!
San Francisco Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo
The San Francisco Zoo's Boo at the Zoo takes place Saturday and Sunday, October 26-27.
San Francisco’s Exploratorium with Kids
San Francisco's Exploratorium with kids is a ton of fun -- hands-on science museum with lots to touch and room to climb. Don't forget the ...
Oakland’s Bouncy Birthday Party Place: Pump it Up
How to throw the easiest birthday party in the East Bay where the kids will be totally exhausted and happy at the end.
Three-Year-Olds’ Guide to Cal Academy of Sciences
The Cal Academy with a three-year-old is a different type of visit. Here are my tips, tricks, and suggested itinerary for the best day.
Summer Swim Vibes at West Campus Pool in Berkeley
West Campus Pool has a warm pool, several tables, bleachers, and fake grass to lay your towels out on and relax in the sun.
20+ Ways to Volunteer with Kids in the Bay Area
Volunteering with kids doesn't have to be hard. Plant a tree, donate diapers, make a super hero cape, pick up litter, collect books, cut your ...
Sweet Hike: Fairy Houses Galore in Point Richmond
I explored the magical fairy houses that make up Little Point Richmond of Washington Avenue with my children, age 2 to 8, and we were ...
Fun factory tours in the Bay Area with kids
Go behind the scenes at some of your favorite Bay Area companies to see how things are made!
9 reasons to visit Point Richmond with kids
A pool, a beach, a playground, a tunnel, and a train museum! Point Richmond has plenty of family fun to explore.
Sportfishing on the Bay with Kids
If you've ever wanted to take your kid fishing on the Bay, this is how you do it. No experience or worms necessary!
20+ Enrichment Programs for Girls + Gender Expansive Kids
East Bay Classes and camps designed to empower girls, from power tools to performing arts.
Berkeley Park Profile: Cedar-Rose Park
Cedar-Rose Park in North Berkeley has a little fenced-in tot lot, wide open field, and big kid playground making it a great option for mixed ...
Park Profile: Dracena Quarry Park in Piedmont
Dracena Quarry Park in Piedmont is a cozy little neighborhood beauty with attractions for kids of all ages. Parking can be tricky.
17 Toddler-Friendly Hikes in the East Bay
Hiking with a toddler can be a walk down the street, or a quest to find bugs or fairies. We love these East Bay places ...
Holiday Family Getaway in Napa: Meritage Resort & Spa
An easy getaway to the Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa offers holiday magic at its best.
Where to Find Monarch Butterflies in the East Bay
It's that time of year where Western monarchs gather in Northern California. Find out where to find them in the East Bay!
Profile: Christie Park at Public Market Emeryville
Christie Park at Emeryville's Public Market has a delightful ocean-themed play structure and easy access to food.
Park Profile: Woodstock Park in Alameda
On a quiet street in Alameda, Woodstock Park playground has exciting features: a zipline, platform swings, and a giant rope climbing structure.
Canyon Swim School in El Sobrante
If the casual classes aren't doing the trick, and you're ready to get serious, it's time to make the drive to Canyon Swim School.
Grasshopper Kids: Win a Supercharged Learning Experience
Grasshopper offers 2-hour in-person enrichment experiences led by vetted teachers, musicians, chefs for kids ages 3-12 and their friends.
Park Profile: Centennial Park in El Cerrito
Centennial Park playground near the Ohlone Greenway has natural surfaces, climbing ropes, sand, and a platform swing. Great for kids under five.
Best BARTable Play for Toddlers
Riding BART can be a real treat for train-loving toddlers. Here is a handful of mostly free BART-friendly destinations for toddlers and their parents.
East Bay Restaurants with Kids’ Play Areas
When restaurants have play areas, or even a small basket of chalk and a chalkboard, it can make a parent's life easier. We are grateful ...
Codornices Park Birthday Party: Keeping it Simple
Find out how to throw a simple and cheap birthday party at Codornices Park in Berkeley
Kid-Friendly Farms to Visit Near The East Bay
We have loved bringing our children to meet animals and run around at a working farm. Ride a pony, chase a chicken, pick an apple. ...
Park Profile: Kennedy Park in Hayward
The park is a farm-themed paradise for little kids with a carousel, train, teacup ride, and petting zoo on weekends. Target is right across the ...
New Nature-Based Park in Alameda: Chochenyo Park
Chochenyo Park is a cute little nature based Park in Downtown Alameda worth a visit if you're in the area.
Sweeney Open Space Park: Fab Playground in Alameda
Four tiers of rope climbing; a super-sized interactive chime instrument; an extra-wide slide with an AstroTurf-protected landing at the base; and, a zip-line with seat ...
teamLab: Continuity at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
teamLab: Continuity at the Asian Art Museum is totally awesome and your kids will love it. And kids under 12 are always free!
Vacation Inspiration: Gold Country & Farm Stay within 2 Hours of the East Bay
My 4 kids loved this road trip getaway with farm animals, fresh air, and gold panning all within two hours of the East Bay.
U-Pick Strawberries at George’s Berry Farm in Brentwood
As of April 2025, George’s Berry Farm is not open. The article that follows is from 2021. U-Pick fruit season is warming up in Brentwood! ...
Unusual TEPCO Beach in Richmond is Full of Riches
TEPCO Beach in Richmond is strewn with broken ceramics and stunning views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. Best for ages 5+
How I Set Up a Quarantine Book and Toy Swap
My four kids are burning through every book, toy, puzzle and snack in the house. Here's what I did to refresh our toys and games ...
9 Horseback Riding Birthday Party Places for East Bay Kids
Go big for your kiddo's next birthday with a horseback riding party! We've lassoed up 9 venues within an hour of Berkeley.
EARTHseed Farm U-Pick Apples & Furry Pigs in Sebastopol
EARTHseed Farm is a cute organic farm just past the quaint town of Graton. My family spent a lovely morning there picking apples and more!
