Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Commonly known as Berkeley Rep, this nonprofit theater group has been entertaining, informing and provoking the civic engagement of audiences with a diverse variety of live performances since 1968. Over the years, Berkeley Rep has won numerous awards for its performances, including six Tony Awards, seven Obie Awards, nine Drama Desk Awards, one Grammy Award and one Pulitzer Prize. Works featuring both established and up-and-coming artists are performed in two Berkeley venues, the 400-seat Peet’s Theatre and the 600-seat Roda Theatre. berkeleyrep.org
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
510.336.7300
Dedicated to the universe, planet earth and home to three observatory refracting telescopes dating from the 19th, 20th, and 21st century. Up on the Chabot Observation Deck, Sky Station, Sky Mirror, Sky Mosaic are three of the 12 interactive exhibitions. See the Big Dipper constellation clearly. There is also a 250-seat planetarium. From November 2021 in partnership with the NASA Ames Research Center, the center offers a completely new visitor learning experience that showcases the thrill of the people and the process behind space exploration. chabotspace.org
Jack London Square
472 Water Street, Oakland
510.645.9292
Attracting a mix of locals and visitors with a mix of shops, restaurants, outdoor activities and a scenic waterfront setting, Jack London Square is a must-visit destination in Oakland. Restaurants like the newest outpost of Left Bank Brasserie offer a perfect spot to enjoy a glass of rose and classic moules frites while enjoying the view of the bay; events like summer movie nights and a farmers’ market draw crowds; California Canoe & Kayak offers classes for paddling on the bay; Yoshi’s serves up jazz performances and Japanese fusion cuisine; and tours the USS Potomac provide a dose of culture. No visit to Jack London Square would be complete, however, without popping into Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon, a history-filled drinking den that has been attracting rabble-rousers, sailors, adventurers and literary types of all stripes (most famously, Jack London), since it opened its doors in 1884. jacklondonsquare.com
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak Street, Oakland
510.318.8400
“The museum of us,” tells the story of California and its people through 1.9 million objects in a collection that embraces art, history, and the natural sciences. There’s a focus on interactive and there’s something for everybody. Weekly programming such as Friday Nights and Family Sundays, features performances, workshops, and activities targeted to children and families. A full calendar of changing exhibitions and events indoors and outdoors mean that no two visits are the same. And conveniently, the museum is just one block from the BART station at Lake Merritt. museumca.org
Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland
510.632.9525
A century ago, the zoo was founded by a naturalist in partnership with an early conservation society. Managed by the Conservation Society of California, that dedication is apparent to today’s visitors. In addition to the Petting Yard and the ChIldren’s Zoo for younger visitors, the zoo has seven regional areas providing naturalistic habitat for over 850 animals: Adventure Landing, African Savanna, African Veldt, Flamingo Plaza, Tropical Rainforest, Wild Australia, and California Trail. The mammals include chimpanzees, sun bears, elephants, lions, giraffes and more. There are also amphibians, reptiles, birds, and invertebrates. oaklandzoo.org
Tilden Regional Park
2481 Grizzly Peak Blvd, Orinda
510.544.2747
“Enchanting” is the description frequently applied to this park in the Berkeley Hills. At the sight (and sound of the “toot, toot”) of a 15-gauge miniature steam engine trundling through, children heartily agree. There’s an antique carousel, an Environmental Education Center and Little Farm, too. Bring a kid and some lettuce to feed the animals. Take a train ride and a spin on the merry-go-round. Enjoy the views. Containing a botanical garden sanctuary for many of California’s rare plants, this is also a place for visitors to hike and wander, connecting to the much larger, 2,000-acre regional park system. Plus, admission is free! ebparks.org/parks/tilden
University of California Botanical Gardens at Berkeley
200 Centennial Dr, Berkeley
510.643.2755
Away from the urban sprawl, yet just above the city, these 34 acres established in 1890 are home to thousands of plant species and varieties collected from all over the Golden State and beyond. The botanical garden’s purpose is to create beautiful landscapes for our appreciation by displaying diverse plant life while providing a natural habitat for animal life as well. One of the nation’s largest and most diverse collections, this garden has more than 10,000 types of plants featuring nine geographical regions from Australasia to South Africa. There’s even a redwood grove in this living museum. Admission charges apply, online reservations required. botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu
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