My wife and I are taking our kids to the Bay Area for the first time next week, and of course I want to show them Berkeley. I was wondering if anybody has any recommendations on what to do and where to take them.

Campanile
Telegraph Avenue
Lawrence Hall of Science
Tilden Park (picnic, rides)

Ferry ride across the Bay
Alcatraz
Exploratorium
Cartoon Museum
Walk through some Redwoods-Muir Woods

Soldierbear;842136120 said:

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My wife and I are taking our kids to the Bay Area for the first time next week, and of course I want to show them Berkeley. I was wondering if anybody has any recommendations on what to do and where to take them.

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You don't mention the age of the kids, which would influence recommendations. In general:

Go to Top Dog and have picnic on campus (Faculty Glade or Memorial Glade).

Ride up the Campanile.

Stroll through the Eucalyptus Grove.

Visit the Lawrence Hall of Science.

Show them the most beautiful football stadium in America.

Marin Headlands above Golden Gate bridge:
on the Marin side of the bridge is an area ABOVE the bridge where you can see a stunning view of the BEST view of the bay area. There are old gun emplacements there that used to guard the bridge.

http://www.nps.gov/goga/marin-headlands.htm


On the same day, you can visit the Disney Family Museum in SF Presideo.

http://www.waltdisney.org


If you go to Tilden Park in Berkeley, and have young kids, you should visit the Merry Go Round and the Miniature Train ride (I believe both are still open)

Yes- age of kids would be a helpful fact. If not too old, I agree with above that the Steam Trains in Tilden is a fun experience.

A truly unique experience by the bay if they kids are at the right age for playgrounds:

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/adventureplayground/

Take them to Icis or CREAM

I'm going to assume the kids are reasonably young. There are so many places to go just on the campus that would/could be stimulating and also educational for them. But for plain fun, I suggest two places. I concur with those recommending Tilden Park, particularly the Merry Go Round and the mini trains. Even as an adult, that is a must visit on an annual basis for me. If you're really lucky, on some days, the Merry Go Round actually plays one of two of the turn of the century band organs, which make for a lot of noise, and a lot of fun and excitement. My second recommendation (and someone can help me with the actual name of the place) is a museum of mechanical toys that is located just down the street from Fisherman's Grotto in S.F. It's got a lot of old style turn of the century coin operated games and nickelodeons. And right outside of that is a Navy ship you can tour as well....a nice mix of history and fun. Finally, for a little culture that is free and beautiful, take them to Grace Cathedral in Union Square in The City. Much of the cathedral was inspired by the gothic cathedrals of Europe (somewhat like how Memorial Stadium was inspired by the Roman Colosseum). Peaceful, beautiful and inspiring, and free!!! You could mix that with a cable car ride from the museum to the cathedral and even appease the Mrs. with some shopping in Union Square. In any case, have fun and enjoy!!!

Have a car? BART may still be on strike next week

Thanks for all the advice. I guess I should have included 3x girls ages 8, 5, and 4 and one boy 3 months old. Tilden park sounds awesome! Thanks again!

My kids are grown now but the Adventure Playground was always a hit with all of them, and their friends. Pack old clothes to wear there because you will be covered in paint by the end of the day. I had mommy-worries about saws! hammers! nails! but they were unfounded and the kids always had a ball. Lots to climb on/ride on/play on if they aren't the construction/painter types. Take a picnic or BBQ at the sites on the Marina that are adjacent to the park.

Other suggestions:

Indian Rock Park for small-fry "rock climbing" then back down to Solano Ave for ice cream, or treats from La Farine. The path up starts at the corner of Solano and The Alameda. Little Star Pizza is on lower Solano in Albany if the timing is right.

AT&T Park in SF for a Giants game.

Albany Bowl on San Pablo in Albany. They have bumper bowling for little ones--check into access to that.

On the UC Berkeley campus: Have a "bear hunt". There are tons of bear statues, monuments, door handles, etc. Wander around the campus looking for them. I managed to wear out a bunch of rowdy 12-year-old boys this way
a few years ago. We ended at Top Dog. It was youngest son's b-day party and six years later those kids are still talking about that party.

TomBear;842136169 said:

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I'm going to assume the kids are reasonably young. There are so many places to go just on the campus that would/could be stimulating and also educational for them. But for plain fun, I suggest two places. I concur with those recommending Tilden Park, particularly the Merry Go Round and the mini trains. Even as an adult, that is a must visit on an annual basis for me. If you're really lucky, on some days, the Merry Go Round actually plays one of two of the turn of the century band organs, which make for a lot of noise, and a lot of fun and excitement. My second recommendation (and someone can help me with the actual name of the place) is a museum of mechanical toys that is located just down the street from Fisherman's Grotto in S.F. It's got a lot of old style turn of the century coin operated games and nickelodeons. And right outside of that is a Navy ship you can tour as well....a nice mix of history and fun. Finally, for a little culture that is free and beautiful, take them to Grace Cathedral in Union Square in The City. Much of the cathedral was inspired by the gothic cathedrals of Europe (somewhat like how Memorial Stadium was inspired by the Roman Colosseum). Peaceful, beautiful and inspiring, and free!!! You could mix that with a cable car ride from the museum to the cathedral and even appease the Mrs. with some shopping in Union Square. In any case, have fun and enjoy!!!

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Uhhh - as a native San Franciscan, I'll just pick a few (snobby) nits. Grace Cathedral is not in Union Square, but a good hike away on Nob Hill. It's possible to walk there from Union Square, but I wouldn't recommend it with little guys/girls. But TB is right, it is very beautiful, serene, and ..... free!

And as far as the museum Tom mentioned, it's the Muse Mcanique (which used to be out near the Cliff House). Was one of my favorite places as a kid, lots of great old mechanical stuff.

And no one's mentioned the California Academy of Sciences, in particular the Aquarium?? Heads up, though, because admission alone there might break your entire vacation budget.(but if you can hold out until Sept 29th, it's a free admission day)

Soldierbear;842136173 said:

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Thanks for all the advice. I guess I should have included 3x girls ages 8, 5, and 4 and one boy 3 months old. Tilden park sounds awesome! Thanks again!

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Also, where are you visiting from?

On and around campus:
Campanile--great views
Valley Life Sciences Building--T.Rex skeleton in the atrium
Men's Faculty Club--in the main dinning room, point out the beams that are bear-shaped!
Strawberry Creek running through campus--west end by downtown (BART) has redwoods, bridges and squirrels
Stadium--check out the renovations, drive to the east side, park and look inside.

Downtown Berkeley (by BART):
John's Ice Cream--$1 a scoop!
Phil's Sliders (one "mini hamburger" for each kid?)

East Bay:
Fairyland by Lake Merrit in Oakland--(big recommend) great for young kids like yours.
Oakland Zoo--amazing zoo (better than SF's), nice size, again great for young kids.
Tilden Park--steam train, carousel, etc.
Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland hills--great views, redwoods, beautiful science center (your kids may be on the young side).

San Francisco:
Cable Cars
Fisherman's Wharf--yes it is touristy, but be sure check out the sea lions
Golden Gate Bridge
Drive along coast
Ferry to Sausalito
Japanese Tea Garden (Golden gate Park)
Stryberg Arboretum (Golden Gate Park)
Conservatory of Flowers (Golden Gate Park)
California Academy of Sciences (Golden Gate Park)--kind of expensive and your children may be a little young for this.

Marin:
Muir Woods--amazing redwoods, easy walk
Top of Mt. Tamalpais--amazing views of the whole Bay Area, easy walk
Sausalito--ferry from SF, nice walking around European looking town next to the water.

Soldierbear,
Glad you n the family are taking some well deserved time off. My main suggestion, pack sweaters, it won't be 115 in the bay area! Have a great block leave when you get back will almost be football practice.
Go Bears!

Nick

Soldierbear;842136173 said:

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Thanks for all the advice. I guess I should have included 3x girls ages 8, 5, and 4 and one boy 3 months old. Tilden park sounds awesome! Thanks again!

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If you are going to Tilden Park, also go to the Little Farm. The kids will like the animals. From there, it is a very short walk to Jewel Lake, which is more like a big, marshy pond where you can walk on the wooden walkways over the little inlets to the pond with plants growing all around you and over you, and ducks and turtles in the pond. It only takes a few minutes to walk and my kids always liked it at that age.

CalBear68;842136129 said:

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Campanile
Telegraph Avenue
Lawrence Hall of Science
Tilden Park (picnic, rides)

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Avoid Telegraph unless your kids are in HS. Approach Cal from University Ave and into west gate.
Walk on campus
Campanile
Doe Library
Lawrence Hall of Science.
LSB and the Tyranasaur's skeleton.

Soldier Bear,

Thanks for posting this. Sometimes I forget what a great resource this board is! I too am entertaining young children in SF this summer, a cousin's family. The kids are ages 5, 3 and 1. We are all staying near the Embarcadero.

Any suggestions for kid-friendly restaurants nearby? A few we like are Yank Sing, Il Cane Rosso and the Mexican place in the Ferry building. Maybe slanted door but I'm having my doubts with the 3 little ones. Anyone been to Waterfront for brunch? How about Tomasso's in N Beach? Recommendations for Indian? Japanese? What about something near 16th or 24th street stations in the Mission? They have seen most of SF but not the Mission.

Also, suggestions for kid-friendly restaurants in Berkeley would be good, especially Indian. We're thinking Vik's Chaat but that's because we don't really know the other Indian restaurants in Berkeley. Cousin's hubby lived in India and loves southern Indian food, esp. dosa.

They are from Geneva so I'm staying away from French, Swiss and German. When I travel I don't want to eat American food. I can get that at home.

If you like Slanted Door, go to Out the Door--Slanted Door's takeout place at the Ferry Bldg. and eat your food on some of the tables outside looking at the water and the bridge. As for Indian restaurants in Berkeley: Vik's Chaat is excellent, as is Breads of India (on Sacramento).

There are 2 Ethiopian restaurants that are good. I don't remember the names, but one is on Telegraph a few doors north of Ashby, and the other is on Piedmont Ave in Oakland a block south of Pleasant Valley. Plearn Thai restaurant on University is excellent, and another place I highly recommend is Burma Superstar (Burmese food--be sure and have the green tea salad). It's on Telegraph in Oakland around 49th.

UrsaMajor;842137198 said:

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If you like Slanted Door, go to Out the Door--Slanted Door's takeout place at the Ferry Bldg. and eat your food on some of the tables outside looking at the water and the bridge. As for Indian restaurants in Berkeley: Vik's Chaat is excellent, as is Breads of India (on Sacramento).

There are 2 Ethiopian restaurants that are good. I don't remember the names, but one is on Telegraph a few doors north of Ashby, and the other is on Piedmont Ave in Oakland a block south of Pleasant Valley. Plearn Thai restaurant on University is excellent, and another place I highly recommend is Burma Superstar (Burmese food--be sure and have the green tea salad). It's on Telegraph in Oakland around 49th.

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The one in Berkeley is simply called Ethiopia Restaurant:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ethiopia-restaurant-berkeley

OaktownBear;842136324 said:

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If you are going to Tilden Park, also go to the Little Farm. The kids will like the animals. From there, it is a very short walk to Jewel Lake, which is more like a big, marshy pond where you can walk on the wooden walkways over the little inlets to the pond with plants growing all around you and over you, and ducks and turtles in the pond. It only takes a few minutes to walk and my kids always liked it at that age.

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Just did Tilden today with my own kids and out of town guests-with-their-kids: Little Farm (big hit), Merry-go-round (hit), Steam Trains (hit).

Jewel Lake is good (but we were running late today)....

Tossing a frisbee or any kind of ball in the big meadows near the Little Farm can be cool.

The Snack Bar at the Merry-go-round is surprisingly good, even for a burger meal.

The Steam Train tickets are $3, or 5-for $12. The whole afternoon was amazingly cheap.

It can be cold, even if you think it won't be, so bring some sweatshirts.

I thought of bringing the kids to campus, but decided otherwise, though my 4-yr-old likes Strawberry Creek and the T-Rex in VLSB and Lawrence Hall of Science... the rest of the University, little kids can't relate like we can, IMO.

Somebody mentioned Cream (yes) and Ici(?) (no, see thread re most overrated). Oscars (hamburgers, Shattuck and Hearst) is good.

Big C_Cal;842137264 said:

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Just did Tilden today with my own kids and out of town guests-with-their-kids: Little Farm (big hit), Merry-go-round (hit), Steam Trains (hit).

Jewel Lake is good (but we were running late today)....

Tossing a frisbee or any kind of ball in the big meadows near the Little Farm can be cool.

The Snack Bar at the Merry-go-round is surprisingly good, even for a burger meal.

The Steam Train tickets are $3, or 5-for $12. The whole afternoon was amazingly cheap.

It can be cold, even if you think it won't be, so bring some sweatshirts.

I thought of bringing the kids to campus, but decided otherwise, though my 4-yr-old likes Strawberry Creek and the T-Rex in VLSB and Lawrence Hall of Science... the rest of the University, little kids can't relate like we can, IMO.

Somebody mentioned Cream (yes) and Ici(?) (no, see thread re most overrated). Oscars (hamburgers, Shattuck and Hearst) is good.

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Can confirm, Tilden is a huge hit with the kids. Bring swim trunks and let them swim in the Anza (sp?) lake.

I take my kids up to Berkeley a few times a year. Like already mentioned by other parents of their kiids, my 4 year old son loves visiting the Valley Life Science Building for the dinosaurs. He just loves walking and running on campus.

Lawrence Hall of Science is another must see.

GB54;842136133 said:

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Ferry ride across the Bay
Alcatraz
Exploratorium
Cartoon Museum
Walk through some Redwoods-Muir Woods

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I am a life long resident of the Bay Area and never went to Alcatraz until two weeks ago. I really, really dug that tour. It was interesting to learn that Whitey Bulger resided there for a spell. We took the Ducks tour of SF as well (It was great but the one in Boston is even better).

On Euclid, about a mile north of the campus, is the Berkeley Rose Garden. The gardens are impressive and the view is great if there is no fog. Also, there is a large and well equipped playground just across the street. A tunnel connects the rose garden to the playground.

If you are going to Tilden Park as many have recommended, Euclid is one of the access routes to Tilden from the campus.

Soldierbear;842136120 said:

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My wife and I are taking our kids to the Bay Area for the first time next week, and of course I want to show them Berkeley. I was wondering if anybody has any recommendations on what to do and where to take them.

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Fentons!!!!! Bonus - since they are very young and probably unable to finish everything they are served, you get to finish it for them.

Soldierbear;842136173 said:

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Thanks for all the advice. I guess I should have included 3x girls ages 8, 5, and 4 and one boy 3 months old. Tilden park sounds awesome! Thanks again!

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Try Lake Anza. Lifeguarded lake with a sand beach, grass area, changing rooms, and concessions. The girls will love it, the boy will probably just sit there.

bearister;842137495 said:

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I am a life long resident of the Bay Area and never went to Alcatraz until two weeks ago. I really, really dug that tour. It was interesting to learn that Whitey Bulger resided there for a spell. We took the Ducks tour of SF as well (It was great but the one in Boston is even better).

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It's one of the most interesting tours around

If you're interested in Whitey read Howie Carr in the Boston Herald

Thank you so much everybody! I am very excited to show my kids the school that I love. This is a great community that we have here, even if there is not much football to talk about right now. Our trip has gone great so far. We spent a few days in Tahoe and freaking loved it and we got to the Russian River last night. I certainly miss Northern Ca. During my college drinking days, I don't think I appreciated it enough.

GB54;842137715 said:

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It's one of the most interesting tours around

If you're interested in Whitey read Howie Carr in the Boston Herald

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Frank Costello: The COPS... are saying he's a cop... so I won't look for the cop. Are you soft, Fitz? When I tell you... to dump a body in the marsh, you dump him *IN* the marsh. Not where some guy from John Hancock goes every Thursday, TO GET A F*CKING BLOWJOB!

It's been mentioned, but I'll second the recommendation. Took our three year old grandson there last week and he loved it. It's inexpensive and they let you take in your own food. Also, seems better maintained now than on our previous trip, which was thirty years ago with our kids.

http://fairyland.org/