Discover Oakland, CA: Top 10 Attractions and Activities
Explore the vibrant city of Oakland, California, with Jessica from Stay at Home-ista, a blog specializing in finding fun, almost free activities for kids in Berkeley and Oakland. Here's a list of ten family-friendly activities that won't break the bank:
- Temescal Farmer's Market: Start your day with a visit to the Temescal Farmer's Market, offering fresh produce, artisanal goods, and delicious food.
- Oakland-Temescal Greenbelt: Take a leisurely stroll through the Oakland-Temescal Greenbelt, a scenic park perfect for picnics and family outings.
- Lake Temescal: Spend an afternoon at Lake Temescal, where you can fish, rent a boat, or simply enjoy the picturesque views.
- Berkeley Bowl: Visit Berkeley Bowl, a unique grocery store with a vast selection of fresh produce, specialty foods, and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.
- The Chabot Space and Science Center: Discover the wonders of space at the Chabot Space and Science Center, offering interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and more.
- Creating Really Awesome Free Trips (CRAFT): CRAFT is back and running most Thursdays until the end of August, offering free, family-friendly activities around the city.
- Solano Stroll: Join the Solano Stroll, a vibrant street fair featuring live music, food, and arts and crafts.
- The Oakland Zoo: Although a paid activity, the Oakland Zoo offers a rides area, various attractions like a train, carousel, airplanes, roller coaster, and car rides, making it a fun day out for the whole family. Don't miss the emu and wallaroo enclosure!
- Flying Kites at the Berkeley Kite Festival: Catch the wind and soar high with a kite at the Berkeley Kite Festival, a fun event for the whole family.
- Fairyland and Walking Lake Merritt: Immerse yourself in the magic of Fairyland, a children's theme park, and take a leisurely stroll around Lake Merritt, enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Beyond these ten activities, Oakland offers a wealth of free, family-friendly experiences. Some additional options include:
- Friday Nights at OMCA: Enjoy free live music, food trucks, and family fun every Friday evening at the Oakland Museum of California.
- Lotus Bloom Family Resource Center Playgroups: Free playgroups for children under 5 with art, story time, and enrichment activities held multiple days a week.
- Waterfront Flicks: Free outdoor movie nights every Saturday at Jack London Square’s Marina Lawn.
- Port of Oakland Harbor Tour: A free family event offering tours of the harbor, promising a fun and educational experience.
- Prescott Circus Free Youth Circus Performance: A free circus show for kids providing entertainment and exposure to performing arts.
- Garden Playdate and Insect Discovery Lab: Free nature-based activities for kids, including garden exploration and learning sessions about insects.
- Pop & Go Puppets and Reptile Show: Free puppet shows and reptile presentations to engage kids with storytelling and animal education.
- Family Storytime and Music & Movement Storytime: Various free storytimes and music events for families to enjoy interactive reading and music.
- Fairy Gardens Craft and Paint A Volcano: Free creative arts and crafts activities and engaging educational experiences available nearby for kids.
For up-to-date scheduling and locations, check out sites like Alameda Kids and 510 Families, which offer detailed calendars of these ongoing events. So, pack your bags and get ready for a fun-filled adventure in Oakland, CA! And don't forget to check out Jessica's blog, Stay at Home-ista, for more family-friendly ideas.
- As Jessica from Stay at Home-ista explores the lifestyle in Oakland, California, she encourages families to venture beyond the ten family-friendly activities she's listed, such as visiting the Lotus Bloom Family Resource Center Playgroups for art, storytime, and enrichment activities.
- In addition to enjoying the family-dynamics at the Oakland Zoo, travelers can also immerse themselves in the magic of Fairyland, a children's theme park, or engage in free creative arts and crafts activities, like painting a volcano, provided by nearby venues, as seen on sites like Alameda Kids and 510 Families.
