The next time someone asks me — as they often do — what's a hidden gem you want to tell every new-to-town parent about, I'm pretty clear on my answer: Strawberry Creek Park: A playground with coffee in Berkeley.
With ample parking, a huge field in which to scamper, a creek to explore, a playground, and now, a cafe onsite, Strawberry Creek Park is a perfect destination for a lazy Saturday. Especially if your Saturday is so lazy that you cannot pack a picnic.
Sure, Frog Park has College Avenue and Live Oak Park has North Shattuck, but this location offers access to coffee inside the park perimeter.
Cafe Rene will hook you up with coffee, granola, and fancy toasts and fresh sandwiches served on Acme bread.
There is a terrace with bistro tables, indoor seating, and of course, a huge square of grass on which you can spread a blanket.
If you frequently head out on playground-seeking adventures with a preschooler, treat yourself to lunch at Cafe Rene.
Strawberry Creek Park is one block south of University Ave on Addison. Also accessed where Allston dead ends right after Bonar. Strawberry Creek Park has no relation to Strawberry Canyon Pool.
Cyclist and strollers can use the West Street path to navigate into the park.
Does the cafe have a bathroom? We love that park but my kids inevitably have to go to the bathroom right after we get there everytime.
They have a key to the bathroom in the building.
There is also a single toilet on the other side of the park by the basketball courts. This park is slated for some major renovations in the coming year(s) since awarded some of the bond monies secured in the last election.
(We live across the street on Bonar and love both the park and Johnny’s — to point where we celebrated my birthday with a catered dinner right at Johnny’s with family fun in the adjacent grassy area!)
The park actually extends further south from the playground to a series of hard courts for basketball, soccer, tennis, and volleyball, and ends at Bancroft. There is a public bathroom near the basketball courts, very close to the playground area.