10 kid-friendly breweries with a side of adventure

If you have been following the blog for a while, you know that we love to incorporate some good beer into our outings. We often goes as far as to plan our adventures around new breweries that we are eager to try out!  Over the past couple of years we have had great luck in finding a number of excellent East Bay breweries that offer both a kid-friendly environment as well as really great beers. I'm excited to share with you a roundup of our favorite spots that I recently put together for 510 Families. For each of the 10 breweries on the list I have included suggestions for outdoor adventures to pair with your brewery visit. I hope you enjoy!

You can see the full post here on 510 Families. Happy drinking!

Urban Hiking: The Berkeley Paths

"Many of Berkeley’s hill areas were subdivided in the early 20th Century, before dominance of the automobile. Streets were generally laid out to follow curving contours, while 10-foot-wide city-owned rights of way were provided to make it easy for people to walk directly up and down hills." - Berkeleypath.org 

If you live in Berkeley, then you have probably heard about the Berkeley Paths, or stumbled upon one while walking around town. My mom grew up in North Berkeley and as a kid I spent a lot of time visiting with my grandma and Aunts (my youngest Aunt is only 6 years older than me!), so I have fond memories of exploring the hills and using the paths to cut through neighborhoods. Even as an adult, I get giddy when we are out for a walk and come across a staircase that cuts through a neighborhood. They are just SO CHARMING!

I have wanted to tackle the paths for a while now, but the idea of carrying my kids up the steep hills of Berkeley quickly put a damper on any future plans. If only I could find a way to just walk the downhill portion with the kids. And that's when the idea struck me! It's far from genius, but I felt like I had uncovered something magical when I realized that we could ride a bus to the top of the hill and then walk down using the paths. My kids LOVE riding the bus, so this made the adventure all the more exciting for them.

We started our urban hike at the intersection of Grizzly Peak and Stevenson Ave (We took the 65 bus from downtown Berkeley BART). There are a number of bus stops along Grizzly Peak that will put you in close proximity to one of the Berkeley Paths. You can use Google Pedometer to view the paths and map out your route ahead of time (which you can then save and pin for future reference or email to yourself). Here is the route we took if you're interested. (side-note: If you load the map onto your smartphone, then every time you refresh during the hike, it will track where you are in relation to the map, which was pretty handy!)

Our first path of the day! The Anne Brower Path.

My previous experiences with the Berkeley Paths had been much lower in the hills, where the pathways tend to be very formal and made of cement. As you go higher into the hills, the pathways are a bit wilder and constructed with large railwood ties along otherwise dirt or gravel paths. I loved this surprise and so did the kids! There was something much more exciting and adventurous about tromping along these dirt paths (in our case muddy paths since we went while it was raining).

Path #2, Betty Old's Path

Our third path, Whitaker Path. The kids loved the "tree tunnels".

The perfect stones for jumping!

Planning an urban hike along the paths was pretty easy. When viewing google maps, you can see the dashed lines cutting between the neighborhoods that represent the paths, and if you zoom in you can see the name of the path. As far as spotting the paths when you are up in the hills, they are all clearly marked with signs, just as you would expect at the intersection of two streets.

Two of our favorite paths along our hike were the Upper and Lower Covert path. It almost felt as though we were trespassing into a secret forest (the feeling of trespassing may also be because you are passing through people's side yards!). The lower Covert path had us crossing a small creek and ended with a water fall running down the hillside!

Upper Covert Path

On a clear day, there would be views of the bay from here.

Lower Covert Path, on our descent to the creek!

Crossing the creek

For the most part, as soon as we got to the bottom of one path, we could look down the street and quickly spot a sign for the next path. At the bottom of the Covert Paths, we had our longest stretch of walking along the road. It was only a couple of blocks and gave us a chance to admire the beautiful homes. 

Perhaps the cutest carport in Berkeley!

After our short detour, we arrived at the Tamalpais Path, by far the steepest path of them all.

The Tamalpais path runs along the northern most edge of Codornices Park and weather permitting, is a stop worth making. Aside from a lovely grass area for picnicking, it has THE BEST cement slide in the Bay Area (The. Best.). The park also has a short tunnel that passes below the road and provides access to the Berkeley Rose Garden, which has stunning views of the bay on a clear day, and of course hundreds of roses in the Spring and Summer.

If you have never been on a cement slide, they are amazing. You sit on a piece of cardboard (the park has tons, so you don't have to bring your own) and you FLY down the slide. It can be a little dangerous if you are going down with a kid in hand, be sure to tuck the little arms in and use your feet for brakes if needed (the added weight of an adult adds some serious speed!).

Once you reach Codornices Park, you are just a short distance to Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto, where you will find countless temptations for delicious ways to fill your belly. This portion of the walk also gives you a little insight into what locals refer to as "quirky Berkeley". Keep an eye out for interesting art installations and creative decor.

My youngest had a lot of fun with this home on Summer street, and insisted on taking a photo with the props. This home also had one of the more creative mailboxes I have seen in town.

Our last path of the day was the Berryman Path, which leads you to Live Oak Park where you will find lots of great picnic spots as well as an easily accessible creek for the kids to stomp around in.

While the hike in itself is a wonderful way to spend the day, it also happens to lead you to some of the best food in the East Bay. There are lots of fantastic options in the Gourmet Ghetto, and I would venture to say that you really can't go wrong with anything you choose. One of our favorite spots is the Cheeseboard Collective. Yes, it's insanely popular and there will be a line 50 people deep during the lunch hour, but the line moves quickly and it's well worth the wait. They serve one vegetarian pizza option each day with a small assortment of side salads and drinks. There is typically live music and some of the best people watching in town. So settle in at an outdoor table and reward yourself with some tasty pizza and wonderful music.

Any suggestions for future hikes along the Berkeley Paths?

Details: For information on all the Berkeley Paths, check out BerkeleyPaths.org. AC transit is free for kids under 5 (half off for youth), and adults can get a day pass for $5 that allows for unlimited rides for any given calendar day. You can either purchase the pass when boarding the bus, or by using your clipper card (which automatically stop charging you after you reach the $5 threshold for a day). We took the 65 bus from downtown Berkeley Bart and got off at the Stevenson stop along Grizzly Peak. Slices at Cheeseboard are $2.50, half a pizza is $10, whole is $20. This is the most budget friendly option in the neighborhood, but Gregoire is another casual option and if you just want dessert, then be sure to grab a mini cake from Masse's Pastries.

Guide to Elmwood/Claremont

One of my favorite parts about Berkeley and Oakland are all of the unique neighborhood shopping districts. While there are a lot of great choices, the Elmwood is one of my favorite places to spend time in Berkeley. Whether it's taking a walk to admire the beautiful homes and tree-lined streets, or grabbing a bite to eat and a little shopping, you can easily spend a morning or afternoon getting to know this charming couple of blocks.You can check out a guest post of all my favorite spots I recently did for local parents block 510 Families, here. Enjoy!

Guide to West Berkeley

It's been a busy couple of months for us! Both of our girls had birthdays (officially 2 and 4 years old now!) and we unexpectedly found ourselves in the midst of a kitchen remodel that started with me casually removing the dishwasher and ended with my husband and I tearing out most of our kitchen (I blame this entirely on our recent addiction to HGTV's Fixer Upper!). With all that said, we have been spending a lot of time at home and the itch to get out and do something has been growing! After throwing around some ideas we landed on a day trip right here in Berkeley! We live in such a great city and while we regularly find ourselves traveling all over town, we rarely devote an entire day to just one neighborhood. Since we love a good beer, we decided to center our day in West Berkeley, which just so happens to be home to two fantastic breweries (and so much more!). Below are some of my favorite places to drink, eat and play in West Berkeley.

Where to get coffee:

Let's start off with the most important part of the day, your morning coffee! Berkeley has no shortage of coffee houses and a few of my favorites happen to be in West Berkeley. In no particular order;

1) Artis Coffee: Artis strives to offer the freshest coffee by roasting sustainably and ethically sourced coffee beans in small batches. I love the selection of brewing equipment that they sell as well as the option to get a coffee subscription and have their freshly roasted beans mailed right to your home!

2) Catahoula Kaffeegarten: This artisan coffee roaster offers a range of fair-trade coffees and has a laid back feel. Their goal is to offer a high-end coffee at a moderate price (horray!). An added bonus is the nearby Aquatic Park where you can let the kids loose on the play structures while you enjoy your morning cup of jo.

3) Philz Coffee: This is where I head when I want a more decadent cup of coffee. Philz offers specialty blends of coffee and offers unique options such as fresh mint and cardamom. I feel like their coffees are more of a dessert than the standard cup of black coffee that I get most places. And if you start your day off here, then you must head next door to Doughnut Dolly!

Where to eat:

This beautiful contraption is used to fill each donut with your choice of gourmet filling.

1) Doughnut Dolly: If you opted for Philz Coffee, then doughnut dolly is the only next logical step in your day! This lovely little shop serves up gourmet donuts hand-filled with delicious choices such as Naughty Cream, Dark Chocolate, Coffee Malt and a rotating selection of seasonal jams. (Light breakfast)

2) Acme Bread: If you are willing to wait in line, this place offers some delicious fresh breads and pastries. The storefront is very small, so there is almost always a line out the door. (Light Breakfast)

3) Tomate Cafe: (Brunch/Lunch) This cafe is a great spot for your morning brunch and has a nice outdoor seating area that is both kid and dog friendly. They also have a well priced kids menu that our kids love!

4) 900 Grayson: There is a reason they were voted one of America's top 25 burgers by USA Today. In addition to the burgers being delicious, I highly recommend the Demon Lover which consists of homemade waffles and fried chicken with gravy or syrup. I had some reservations about combining waffles and chickens, but it turns out it's absolutely amazing! (Brunch/Lunch) The lines can get long here, so it's best to either get there right when they start serving breakfast or lunch OR try visiting on a weekday.

5) Vik's Chaat & Market: Tucked behind Vik's market, this local favorite offers Indian street food at reasonable prices. It's a great way to try items that you might not find at your typical Indian restaurant. The atmosphere is very casual and easy to enjoy with kids. (Lunch/Dinner)

6) The Pasta Shop: This is hands down my favorite place for prepared foods. I have been going here since I was a kid and everything is always top notch. Some favorites include the spicy tofu with brocolli, chinese noodle salad, kale caesar salad, farro salad, white bean salad, curried chicken salad... The list goes on and on and I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong with any of your selections.

7) Tacubaya: Located right next door to The Pasta Shop, this is a great option for healthy and fresh mexican food.

8) Farm Burger: One of the newer additions to the area, Farm Burger is one of my favorite spots to take the kids for a meal. The burgers are 100% grass fed beef and the kids menu is great. There is also an indoor area for kids to play while you eat your meal! (Bonus: if you didn't already stop by Doughnut Dolly's in the morning...it's just next door and would make a great after-lunch treat!).

9) Anchalee Thai: This is my favorite thai food in Berkeley. Great curries and quality ingredients including a number of organic, vegetarian and vegan options.

10) Berkeley Bowl: Last, but not least, is Berkeley Bowl. Yes, it's a grocery store, but it's famous in these parts for the amazing selection of fresh produce (and don't forget the bulk bins!). The West Berkeley location also has a cafe if you are looking for an affordable and casual place to have a meal. The breakfast burritos (served in the morning) are a hit with our family.

Where to shop:

1) 4th street district: The strip of 4th street that runs between Hearst Ave and Virginia Street is lined with plenty of stores to keep you busy for an afternoon. They range from chains such as Anthropology, Apple and CB2 to local boutiques. My favorite shop to browse is The Gardener, which has a beautiful selection of home goods and a wide range of prices, so there is something for everyone! If you happen to be in the area on a Sunday, make sure to stop at Cupkates mobile truck for a delicious treat (pictured below).

2) The North Face Outlet: The name says it all. You can find deeply discounted North Face gear at their outlet located on the corner of Gilman and 5th street.

Where to play:

1. Aquatic Park: This park has a great playground for kids as well as a walking path around the water. I recommend grabbing a cup of coffee at Catahoula and then walking down to the playground to let the kids run free while you enjoy your coffee.

2. Cesar Chavez Park: This is a beautiful spot in the Berkeley Marina to enjoy your breakfast or a picnic lunch and take in the views of the Bay and SF. There is a level path that wraps around the park, making for an easy and peaceful walk. There are a good number of benches along the way to sit down and enjoy the views. The park is dog friendly and good for strollers and kids on bikes. It's also a popular spot to fly kites, so bring yours along or just enjoy watching others!

Where to drink:

I began this post with places to get your morning coffee, so it seems only right to end the post with where to enjoy a beer! These are two of my favorite kid-friendly breweries with excellent beers on tap.

1. Fieldwork Brewing: This is one of my favorite new additions to West Berkeley. The beers are fantastic and the vibe is very laid back. There are both indoor and outdoor seating options and there are usually a couple of families with kids enjoying a beer. An added bonus is the table of games that you can borrow from (Jenga can definitely entertain the kids long enough for me to enjoy a beer).

2. The Rare Barrel: If you enjoy sour beers, then you will LOVE this place. I'm not normally a fan of sour beers, but they make some excellent options here. The venue is aesthetically pleasing and nobody seemed to mind our kids running around. They also have a pretty tasty grilled cheese on the menu for just $5 which was a hit with everyone. If sour beers aren't your thing, don't worry! They have a rotating selection of non-sour beers from guest brewers. Check the website for hours as they are limited at this time.

Now what?

So now that you have a list of all my favorite places it's just a matter of building your perfect day trip! If you're like me and you get a little overwhelmed by a laundry list of great places to visit then I've put together a few options below!



Option #1:
Coffee: Catahoula
Pastries or Brunch: Tomate Cafe
Play: Let the kids run free at Aquatic Park
Lunch: Vik's Chaat for Indian street food or 900 Grayson for a delicious burger or Chicken and Waffles (note that if you choose 900 Grayson you might want to drive, it's a bit of a walk). All other options are walkable.
Afternoon drink: The Rare Barrel is a must stop if you enjoy sour beers! And the $5 grilled cheese are a bonus if you or your kids get hungry.

Option #2:
Coffee: Artis
Pastries or Brunch: Betty's Oceanview Diner (note: The Pasta Shop is currently renovating to add a full service bakery!)
Play: Browse the shops along 4th street and make sure to stop in at The Gardener.
Lunch: The Pasta Shop is a great casual option. Grab your food to go and sit outside. Tacubaya is a nice option for a casual sit down meal.
Afternoon drink:  Fieldwork is your closest option. Enjoy a beer while you play a game of Connect Four or Jenga. *You will probably want to drive to Fieldwork, so since you will be in the car, The Rare Barrel is also a great option.

Option #3:
Coffee: Philz
Pastries: Doughnut Dolly is right next door!
Play: Drive over to Cesar Chavez park and enjoy your coffee and doughnuts on one of the many benches that offer beautiful views of SF and the bay. *This option is best on a warm and clear day, since it can get windy down by the water and the views aren't the same with the fog.
Lunch: Since you are already going to be in the car, any of the options on the list above are great!
Afternoon Drink: Rare Barrel or Fieldwork.


Haven't had enough of Berkeley? Here are a few other posts on things to do in the area.

Cheeseboard Pizza and Tilden Park
Visit the UC Botanical Gardens
6 Things to do on the UC Berkeley Campus
5 Things to do in Tilden Park

Here's a google map with all the locations above included so you can map out your day accordingly!

A summer day in Berkeley

This past Father's Day weekend was also our 6 year wedding anniversary, and since we had a big day planned in Sonoma for Sunday, we spent Saturday enjoying the wonderful city we get to call home. With an ever-growing list of places to visit, we decided to tackle a couple of Berkeley classics. 

The morning started off with a trip to The Cheeseboard Collective, arguably one of the best bakeries and pizza spots in Berkeley. Surprisingly, this was our FIRST visit to the bakery! We regularly visit Cheeseboard for pizza, but had never made it over in the morning for pastries. Oh what a treat it was! With almost 400 types of cheese to choose from and a beautiful selection of pastries, we had no problem finding something for everyone. We settled on an assortment of scones and muffins and settled down at an outdoor table to enjoy our breakfast.

Despite being in the midst of a vibrant and bustling neighborhood, on one of Berkeley's busiest streets, the sidewalk seating outside The Cheeseboard is one of the most calming places in the city for me. If it weren't for the people patiently waiting to steal your seat when you leave, I think I could spend the entire day just people watching and enjoying the amazing food.

Next on the agenda was a drive up the hill to Tilden Regional Park. This is one my favorite places to explore with the kids, and a real hidden gem when it comes to affordable family fun. Our first stop was the Redwood Valley Railway, which is a scaled-down steam train that takes you on a 12 minute ride along the scenic ridge-line of the Berkeley Hills. It always puts a smile on my face to see how much the kids enjoy the ride.

After our train ride, we drove a short distance down the road to Lake Anza. One of my favorite parts of living in Berkeley is how quickly you can find yourself in nature. Just a short drive from the streets of downtown Berkeley and you can be relaxing at a lake! We quickly settled into a nice spot on the sand and had a picnic lunch before playing in the water.

What does a summer day look like where you live?

P.S. Some more fun places to explore in Tilden Regional Park.

Details: Scones/Muffins at The Cheeseboard Collective: $2.25 each. Redwood Valley Railway: $3/ride or 5 rides/$12 (kids under 2 ride free). Lake Anza : Admission is $2.50 for kids (under 1 is free), and $3.50 for adults.