Wishing you all the best in 2013! Looking for color on a winter day. Photos taken December 30th, 2012 UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley
Category Archives: Bay Area Things To Do
Silent Saturday: Donlon Loop Trail, Dublin Hills
A gray, overcast day, and a muddy, mucky trail… Photos taken December 28th, 2012 Donlon Loop Trail Dublin Hills Regional Park
Sleepy tiger + discount to the Oakland Zoo
During our Christmas Eve visit to the zoo, we mostly ran around and played, but we did check out a few animals along the way. We enjoyed watching this beautiful tiger napping (and waking up) in the warm afternoon sunshine. For anyone in the Bay Area who may be interested, I noticed this morning thatContinue reading “Sleepy tiger + discount to the Oakland Zoo”
Burning holiday energy…
Oh, my, is my five-year-old excited about Christmas tomorrow. He can’t sit still, and he’s been acting super whacky. It’s been raining and cold here in the Bay Area for days, and our outdoor adventures have been limited this past week because I’ve been sick (I still have a horrible cough). Between his cabin feverContinue reading “Burning holiday energy…”
Kayaking, Lake Chabot Regional Park
Peaceful… Kayaker, Lake Chabot Regional Park Photos taken December 11th, 2012
Fishing, Lake Chabot Regional Park
For information about fishing and boating in Lake Chabot Regional Park, visit the East Bay Regional Parks website… http://www.ebparks.org/parks/lake_chabot
Silent Saturday: Morning Walk, Lake Chabot
A morning walk on the East Shore Trail Lake Chabot Regional Park, California December 11th, 2012
The Bench, East Shore Trail, Lake Chabot
When our son was a baby, my husband and I walked a lot at Lake Chabot in Castro Valley. Each side of the lake has a 1.5 mile paved trail (the West Shore and East Shore trails), perfect for walking with a stroller. When we would walk the East Shore Trail, almost every time, ourContinue reading “The Bench, East Shore Trail, Lake Chabot”
Fun! Magic Mountain Playground, San Mateo
I have to rate this playground one the best in the entire San Francisco Bay Area. We’ve been here a few times over the years, and it’s always so much fun. If you have a kid who’s into knights, princesses, dragons, and/or castles, this park is a must-visit. The three-story slide is a highlight! InterestedContinue reading “Fun! Magic Mountain Playground, San Mateo”
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum…
Our holiday activity yesterday was all about the Christmas tree. A tradition we started a few years ago is to go to the Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm to cut down our tree for the season. Happily, unlike the last two years, which were rainy, muddy events, the weather yesterday was gorgeous. The hunt forContinue reading “O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum…”
Christmas at Ardenwood
This morning we attended another wonderful seasonal event at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont…. “Christmas at Ardenwood”. We had a great time, even though it was raining – perhaps even more because of the wet weather. I was frightened this would be a crowded event, as festivals here usually are. I was pleasantly surprised thatContinue reading “Christmas at Ardenwood”
Building Forts! Adventure Playground, Berkeley
The Adventure Playground in Berkeley… the only place I know in the San Francisco Bay Area where kids are encouraged to get creative with saws, hammers & nails, and paints to build forts. And play on their creations! Photos from our school field trip to the playground yesterday… For more information, check out this postContinue reading “Building Forts! Adventure Playground, Berkeley”
Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center, located in Santa Cruz on the bluffs above the Monterey Bay, is a true gem. Don’t expect the grandeur of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but be prepared for a smaller, quieter, more intimate experience here. The location is phenomenal. On a clear day, the views can’t be beat. Inside theContinue reading “Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz”
Explore the Tide Pools, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
When the tide is low, head out to the rocky, north end of Natural Bridges State Beach to explore the tide pools. Look for sea stars, hermit crabs, sea anemones, sea urchins, and more. So fun! For more information about Natural Bridges State Beach, visit the California State Parks website… http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541 If you’re here betweenContinue reading “Explore the Tide Pools, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz”
Monarch Butterfly Nature Preserve, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
Within Natural Bridges State Beach, in Santa Cruz, you’ll find the Monarch Butterfly Nature Preserve, a grove of eucalyptus trees where thousands of Monarch Butterflies spend the winter each year. The butterflies may be viewed by taking a short 0.75 mile Monarch Trail loop through the Preserve, or by simply taking the short, wheel-chair accessibleContinue reading “Monarch Butterfly Nature Preserve, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz”
Crissy Field, San Francisco
On Monday morning, my husband and I went for a run out at Crissy Field in San Francisco (while our so rode his bike). This is my absolute favorite spot to run in the Bay Area. Luckily, it’s also an awesome trail for kids to ride bikes! I took a couple photos from the EastContinue reading “Crissy Field, San Francisco”
Botanic Garden, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley
Another place we love to visit in Tilden Regional Park is the Botanic Garden. I enjoy experiencing the seasonal changes of this garden throughout the year. These images are from our visit on Sunday, November 18th, 2012, on a quiet morning after two days of rain. Interested in going? The Regional Parks Botanic Garden isContinue reading “Botanic Garden, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley”
Jewel Lake Trail, Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley
The Jewel Lake Trail in Tilden Regional Park is a great hike to do with little kids. The loop is about a mile, is mostly flat, and has a fun variety of things to see and do. I like to take my son on this walk whenever we’re in the Tilden Nature Area, usually toContinue reading “Jewel Lake Trail, Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley”
Weekly Photo Challenge: Green
Photos taken November 18th, 2012 Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley *** Weekly Photo Challenge: Green
Feed the Animals! Tilden Little Farm, Berkeley
The Tilden Little Farm, located within Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, is a favorite destination for just about every little kid I know. For over a week now, my five-year-old has been begging me to take him there to feed the animals, so we headed over today. Here’s a little history of the Farm, fromContinue reading “Feed the Animals! Tilden Little Farm, Berkeley”
Suburban Nature Explorations 