We celebrated the Summer Solstice yesterday with two awesome nature outings. The first? Beach play with friends at Shorebird Park in Berkeley. I’ve been wanting to visit this park for a while now, as this is where the famous Adventure Playground (considered by National Geographic to be one of the top ten playgrounds in theContinue reading “Celebrating the Summer Solstice, Part 1, Shorebird Park, Berkeley”
Category Archives: Parks
Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
On our way back to the car from the San Francisco Botanical Garden (see post from yesterday), we took a little detour to visit Stow Lake. We first discovered the lake on a visit to Golden Gate Park a few weeks ago. Now, how did we “discover” a lake that’s been there since 1893? LetContinue reading “Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco”
Walking with Friends, Inspiration Trail, Tilden … and Playtime at Orinda Community Park
On Sunday afternoon, we enjoyed a lovely 3-mile walk with friends on the Inspiration Trail in the Berkeley Hills. This is a trail that has grown with us through the years. My husband and I liked to hike here because of the gorgeous views of the San Francisco Bay, the Marin Headlands, and the GoldenContinue reading “Walking with Friends, Inspiration Trail, Tilden … and Playtime at Orinda Community Park”
Great Climbing Structures, Creekside Park, San Ramon
A friend recommended that I check out this park, and we finally made it there a few weeks ago. Creekside Park in San Ramon is a fun little park, with two play areas; one for little kids, one for older kids. This is one of the few parks around that might actually be challenging forContinue reading “Great Climbing Structures, Creekside Park, San Ramon”
Ten Fun East Bay Parks with Free Water Play Features
The weather is warming up, so it’s time to find fun outdoor activities for the kids that incorporate water play. Kids love to play in water… any kind of water! The play areas I’ve included in this list are all free and are located within local community parks. If the features aren’t already on inContinue reading “Ten Fun East Bay Parks with Free Water Play Features”
Nature Play, Roberts Regional Park, Oakland
One of our favorite parks for play is Roberts Regional Park in the Oakland Hills. This park, nestled in the redwoods, has something for everyone. First, if you have a child, the play structure here is among the best in the Bay Area (and it’s barrier free / wheelchair accessible). But other than that, theContinue reading “Nature Play, Roberts Regional Park, Oakland”
Walk, Run, Bike, Scooter….Alamo Creek Trail, Dublin
I found the Alamo Creek Trail in the center of Dublin when my son was about four months old, and this great little trail has grown along with him. While he was a baby, I would put my son into the ERGObaby carrier and walk around, showing him the little things we saw along theContinue reading “Walk, Run, Bike, Scooter….Alamo Creek Trail, Dublin”
Scooters at the Skate Park (Val Vista, Pleasanton)
Simple park play… ride scooters at the skate park! We like to go when the park is quiet, when the big kid skateboarders aren’t there. And safety always comes first.. notice my son has on a helmet and both elbow and knee pads. Photos from our outing yesterday to Val Vista Community Park in Pleasanton,Continue reading “Scooters at the Skate Park (Val Vista, Pleasanton)”
Fun! Children’s Fairyland, Oakland
Children’s Fairyland is a storybook park that’s been around longer than Disneyland. In fact, it inspired Walt Disney to create his Magic Kingdom. Fortunately, Fairyland has maintained it’s small size and original charm since it opened in 1950. I have fond memories of visiting the park when I was a child, during visits to seeContinue reading “Fun! Children’s Fairyland, Oakland”
Outdoor Climbing Walls
Climbing has become a new passion for my son in recent weeks. I signed him up for some classes at a local climbing gym this month, and, with only three lessons so far, I’m surprised at how much his climbing has improved. He would be ecstatic if we could go to the gym every day,Continue reading “Outdoor Climbing Walls”
Rock Climbing: At the Park
When we feel the need for a touch of Yosemite, but can’t get away for the weekend, we head, believe it or not, to our local park. Emerald Glen Park in Dublin has a great faux granite rock climbing area. Check out this picture. Doesn’t it look like the Sierras? Kids seem to especially enjoyContinue reading “Rock Climbing: At the Park”
Suburban Nature Explorations 