Explore: Temescal

Let’s face it, sometimes you’re itching to get the kiddos out of the house but you’re just not up for a crowded event. Each week in our newsletter we explore a new neighborhood, park, hiking trail or other Get Out adventure. We cover destinations throughout the Bay Area and you’ll find insider tips on great restaurants, activities and other kid-friendly suggestions for each area. The best part? These tips don’t expire after the weekend, so you can visit this page anytime your little monkeys are climbing the walls and you need ideas for a field trip.

Explore: Temescal

Sandwiched between Rockridge and West Oakland, Oakland’s Temsecal used to be labeled “up-and-coming.” With gourmet restaurants, high-priced condos, and strollers clogging the sidewalks, we’d say it’s arrived. The boom started with the opening of eateries like Dona Tomas (famous for fresh-squeezed margaritas and seasonal Mexican food), and the family-friendly Pizzaiolo (home to wood-fired pizzas-we love the one topped with nettles), along with the down-the-block lines for the fried chicken sandwiches and strawberry shortcakes at Bakesale Betty’s. Then some family-friendly retail anchored the neighborhood’s status: the locally-designed kid’s fashions at Ruby’s Garden top our list. The Farmer’s Market on Sundays in the DMV parking lot on Claremont is THE scene for the stroller set, and for kids who behave–bopping to performing musicians while their parents pick out salad greens and stand in line for Blue Bottle lattes-there is often a trip to nearby Frog Park as a reward. The park has the most amazing wooden play structure with a bouncy bridge, “thinking nooks,” and an adjacent dog park. Maybe you missed your window to buy into the “new Rockridge,” but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy visiting! www.temescaldistrict.org

More to Explore (with kiddies in tow):

Tennesee Valley Trail

Union Street

Tilden Park

Westfield Center

Solano Ave Part 2

Solano, Part 1

Hyde Street Pier and Aquatic Park

the Presidio and Crissy Field

Farmer’s Market & China Camp State Park

Marin Organic, U-Pick

Elmwood

Presidio Heights