Explore: Gourmet Ghetto in Berkeley

Even if your kids aren’t quite ready to sit through a multi-course meal at Chez Panisse, they can still partake in the bounty of Berkeley’s “Gourmet Ghetto.” The stretch of North Shattuck between Rose and Hearst streets is lined with amazing restaurants using uber-seasonal ingredients, from slices and take-and-bake pizzas at the Cheese Board to the special kids’ menu at authentic New York-style deli, Saul’s.

This Sunday, however, the cocoa bean is king at the annual Chocolate and Chalk festival. Sample everything from chocolate ganache cupcakes from the Virginia Bakery to chocolate jalapeno gelato from Ciao Bella. You can even pick up a carob banana organic dog cookie for Fido. Clowns, face painters, musicians, capoiera artists perform up and down the street all day, as artists of all ages transform the sidewalks into works of art. Kids can run off some of their chocolate-induced energy at Live Oaks Park before the trip home. If you need some retail therapy, cute, colorful kids’ clothes can be picked up at Tadpoles and Frogs, and maternity clothes for every “haute” momma at Pickles and Ice Cream.