Parents' Miniguide to East Bay Fun

Check out these ideas for ages one to 21.

Everybody knows the suburban East Bay is a kiddie wonderland. How would you like a cheat sheet of ideas for how to get the most out of summer with your family? We searched for East Bay offerings that emphasize simplicity, enjoying the outdoors, experiencing something new, and just plain getting in on the good stuff.

1-year-Olds:

Now’s the time to float around with your little fish at parent-tot swimming lessons at the Robert Livermore Community Center. (925) 373-5751, www.larpd.dst.ca.us.

2-year-Olds:

The car strollers at Broadway Plaza are free to rent, your child will squeal with delight at their colorful paint jobs, and you don’t even have to like shopping to take one for a spin. Did we mention they’re free? Broadway Plaza Concierge, across from Yogurt Park, $20 refundable deposit, www.broadwayplaza.com/guestservices.asp.

3-year-Olds:

Grab some celery or a bunch of romaine, and head to the Little Farm at Tilden Park to let your child feed the animals and enjoy a beautiful bit of farm livin’. (510) 525-2233, www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden.

4-year-Olds:

Kids who learn a foreign language before age 10 have a much better chance of becoming fluent, and Spanish lessons at Viva el Español! are known for their fun factor, so ¿por qué no? 3451 Golden Gate Way, Lafayette, (925) 962-9177, www.vivaelespanol.org.

5-Year-Olds:

What better way to cool your jets in summer than with ice-skating at beginner-friendly Dublin Iceland? 7212 San Ramon Rd., Dublin, (925) 829-4444, www.dubliniceland.com.

6-Year-Olds:

The perfect setup for junior explorers is hiking the Rim Trail at the Lafayette Reservoir. Travel the whole 4.7 miles, or bail out fast—at any of five junctions—and head for the playground. Get a map at the boathouse. (925) 284-9669. Go to www.ebmud.com/services, then click on “Recreation,” then “East Bay,” then “Lafayette Recreation Area.”

7-Year-Olds:

The two-story REI climbing wall dwarfs the walls found at local playgrounds, and REI employees will suit up your little monkey in a harness so the ceiling’s the limit. Most Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons, free for members, $5 for nonmembers, 1975 Diamond Blvd., Ste. B-100, Concord, (925) 825-9400, www.rei.com/stores/concord.

8-Year-Olds:

What’s not to like about the $2 child-size ice cream cone at Loard’s Ice Cream and Candies. Summer flavors include blueberry cheesecake and peach pistachio. Twenty East Bay locations, www.loards.com.

9-year-Olds:

Night at the Museum shows Saturday, June 7, at dusk at Movies Under the Stars at Heather Farm Park. The film’s main character is a security guard who discovers that the exhibits come alive at the museum after everyone has gone home. Ballfield No. 1, Heather Farm Park, Ygnacio Valley Rd. and N. San Carlos Dr., Walnut Creek. Go to www.ci.walnut-creek.ca.us, then click on “Recreation,” then “Spring 2008 Activity Guide.”

Animal Rescue Foundation

Photograph by Katie Cooney

10-Year-Olds:

How about a family bike ride on the Iron Horse Regional Trail? We recommend a race from Civic Park in Walnut Creek to Cherubini Coffee House in Alamo. Just picture Cherubini’s cupcakes dangling like carrots in front of your bikes. www.ebparks.org/parks/trails/iron-horse.

11-Year-Olds:

A two-week summer camp at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) will qualify your 11-year-old to be an ARF volunteer and take care of furry friends awaiting adoption. Open to students in sixth through eighth grades. (925) 256-1273, www.arf.net/programs/camp.html.

12-Year-Olds:

There’s nothing like climbing and clambering at Mount Diablo’s Rock City to bring out the little kid in your big kid. Go to www.parks.ca.gov, click on “Find a Park” on the right-hand side, and select “San Francisco Bay Area” from the drop-down menu, then select “Mount Diablo.”

13-Year-Olds:

At 13, your child might be looking for a new perspective on where you live, and the views as you hike Pleasanton Ridge could provide it. Foothill Rd., Pleasanton, (925) 862-2963, www.ebparks.org/parks/pleasanton.

14-Year-Olds:

Exploring our own beautiful backyard feels new and different astride a 1,200-pound animal, which is just one reason to go horseback riding at Las Trampas. Las Trampas Stables, San Ramon, (925) 838-7546, www.ebparks.org/parks/las_trampas.

15-Year-Olds:

Midsummer swimming at Lake Anza in Tilden Park is the closest we in the East Bay get to experiencing a mountain lake, so go ahead and pretend you’ve traveled to Vermont. Tilden Park, Berkeley, (510) 843-2137, www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden.

16-Year-Olds:

Our favorite place to go camping on Mount Diablo is the Juniper Campground, where just watching night fall over the valley below makes the trip worthwhile. Juniper Campground, located two miles below the summit on Summit Rd., www.mdia.org/spcamp.htm, or call (800) 444-7275 for reservations.

17-Year-Olds:

The Treasure Island Sailing Center’s Summer Sailing and Adventure Camp offers weeklong programs so your young adult can learn to sail on San Francisco Bay. 698 1st St., Building 112, San Francisco, (415) 421-2225, www.tisailing.org.

18-Year-Olds:

Whether performed by one of the school’s own groups or a celebrity who’s been brought in, ongoing concerts at the Jazz School are inspirational. 2087 Addison St., Berkeley, (510) 845-5373. Go to www.jazzschool.com, then click on “Concerts & Events” for the schedule.

19-Year-Olds:

Connect over art and fashion created by your kid’s peers by checking out the art exhibits and sales at California College of the Arts. 5212 Broadway, Oakland, (510) 594-3600. Go to www.cca.edu for schedule of ongoing events.

20-Year-Olds:

The twenties don’t come with an instruction manual, so you might want to check in with your young adult and help imagine the bigger picture. That should be easy as you stroll beneath one of the largest stands of sycamore trees in California at Sycamore Grove Park. Sycamore Grove Park, 1051 Wetmore Rd., Livermore, www.larpd.dst.ca.us.

21-Year-Olds:

If you can get your 21-year-old to celebrate his or her birthday with you, at least go to the classic restaurant of the East Bay and have a birthday dinner at Chez Panisse. 1517 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, www.chezpanisse.com. Call (510) 548-5049 for café reservations, (510) 548-5525 for restaurant reservations.