Where to Play on a Hot Day, East Bay

We asked our team of East Bay parents what they like to do when it is too hot to do anything and, not surprisingly, they had some wonderful ideas.

Be outside early. Julie, mom of four littles, suggests getting up and out of the house as soon as possible so they can be in and out before the sweaty crowds arrive. She encourages the kids to move quickly with a breakfast of donuts or bagels at the beach.

Hit the beach. Julia heads right to Pacifica for her favorite spot, Point Mori, They head out as early as possible to beat the heat and the crowds. We enjoy Crown Beach in Alameda for a beach cool down, but be prepared in the case of strong winds. I’ve had to chase down one too many umbrellas that were plucked out of the sand. 

Play with water. Julie’s kids loved to hit the splash parks and local swimming pools. They also like to celebrate epic super soaker fights at the nearest open field or park. Heather’s child is partial to these reusable water bombs. Our family loves to cool down at the Clarke Memorial Swim Center in Walnut Creek and the San Ramon Olympic Pool & Aquatic Park, which have fun inflatable and/or splash pad options. Another great option is to spend the day at a waterpark. 

Go toward the shore. The further you live from the shoreline, the hotter it is. Carol likes to head toward Emeryville or Cesar Chavez Park.

Get on a boat or kayak. Make your way to a local lake and rent a boat for a few hours. Or get on a kayak to stay cool and fit. 

Watch a movie. On some hot days, A/C is mandatory. Save on the house cooling bill and head to the movie theater for a summer film, cold drink, and cool air. 

Visit a museum. I always find it a win-win when we can find a location to cool down and level up our knowledge with a trip to an educational museum. 

Keep rolling. The cool breeze you can generate on a bike or scooter will make the heat nearly bearable. Grab a helmet and a scooter or bike to make your own breeze.

Engage in backyard water play. Post up an inflatable pool or speed down a slip-and-slide. Save that extra pool water to water outdoor plants. 

Eat all the ice cream. Eat frozen treats early and often to keep your body from melting.

Sit yourself in front of a fan. Do not touch anyone. This is what Heather enjoys doing. She asks to only be woken up when the temperature dips below 80 degrees. She suggests carrying a portable fan or mister around the house and recharging it when needed.