Things To Do
Coastal Redwoods
If you've never been to Northern California, you must see the Coastal Redwoods. These rare trees are the tallest in the world and some of the oldest living organisms. Find them at the UC Botanical Gardens, Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, Blake Garden (open Tues-Friday), or many other hiking trails around town.
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
Experience the site of our first date! The Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) is the visual arts center of the University of California, Berkeley. It offers art exhibitions, film screenings, and educational programs, with a focus on modern/contemporary art and diverse film archives. Afterwards, check out the nearby Udessert Story for bingsu that will blow you away.
Grand Lake Farmers Market
This is not your typical farmer's market. We'd recommend you sip on Ethiopian-style coffee under a palm tree, enjoy a slice of giant quiche on the grassy hill, and of course sample the freshest California produce on offer. Afterwards explore the neighborhood shops or stroll Lake Merritt (the country's first wildlife refuge-- try to spot our local flock of leucistic pelicans).
Tilden Little Farm
Whether you're big or small, the Little Farm is for all. It's one of our favorite places to visit animals like heritage breed cows, sheep, pigs, and other farm creatures. Extend your afternoon here by also visiting the nearby Botanical Gardens, the Steam Train, or the Merry-Go-Round in Tilden Regional Park. If you're looking for a hike with a view, we recommend Seaview Trail. For after, nearby restaurants Fava, Lulu's Little Kitchen, Banter Wine, Rose Pizzeria, The Cheese Board, Kinda Izakaya, and Bar Panisse/Chez Panisse are some of our Berkeley favorites.
Strawberry Creek Park
We love strolling through the Bancroft Community Garden (our favorite spot is underneath the Mulberry Tree), grabbing a coffee and a treat at Hidden Cafe, laying out in the sun in the square across from the cafe, and petting every cute dog possible.
Good Hot
Good Hot is a small bayside gem with saunas available for private rental and a beach for cold plunging at Point San Pablo nearby in the city of Richmond. It offers a pretty unique opportunity to relax at the shore. Pro tip: bring a picnic to go with the complimentary tea after your sauna ☻
The Smokehouse
If we've gone missing, check here before alerting the authorities. This is our regular no-frills, charbroiled burger spot. Our usual: 2 double cheeseburgers with extra cheese, add grilled onion & raw onions, no mustard, large fries, 1 large fountain drink, and 1 vanilla oatly milkshake with reeses, m&ms, and oreos.
Roast & Toast Cafe
This is our backgammon and booza spot. Booza is a traditional Arabic-style ice cream known for its stretchy, elastic, chewy and smooth texture. Made with milk, sugar, sahlab (orchid root powder), and mastic (tree resin), it is pounded with a wooden pestle, resulting in a dense, slow-melting, and creamy treat that is hard to find in the states. Get the booza rolled in kataifi and pistachio if you're into it.
Berkeley Waterfront
The park is scenic, with 100-acres of waterfront rolling hills right on the San Francisco Bay. We like to fly kites here (cool guy in a van sells them on weekends), walk along the trails searching for burrowing owls (so cute), and watch the sunset among the towering fennel (beautiful views of San Francisco to the west and Mount Tamalpais to the north). Bring your warm layers-- it's ALWAYS windy!
Local Bakeries
The Bay Area has way too many good bakeries to list, but here are some of our East Bay favorites. Bake Sum: Gochujang Pull-Apart, Milk Buns + everything Arizmendi: Ginger Stout Cake, Sticky Pecan Roll, Cornmeal Scopes + everything Starter Bakery: Chocolate Chip Cookie, Ham & Cheese Croissant + everything Summer Kitchen + Bakeshop: S'mores Brownie (don't sleep on the Meyer Lemon Panko-Crusted Chicken Strips) Sweet Adeline Bakeshop: Chocolate Cream Pie Acme Bakery: All seasonal delights, but their bread is delightful Yemeni Coffee Houses: Heyma or Mohka House-- look for the Adeni Chai
