Things to do with kids in Oakland

Things to do with kids in Oakland

1. Eat

   Cactus Taqueria

   A family-friendly Mexican restaurant dedicated to freshness and sustainability while maintaining traditional flavors. Everything at Cactus Taqueria is made from scratch with no artificial ingredients or fillers. Top your taco, burrito, quesadilla, or enchilada with one of the multiple house-made salsas, and cool your mouth with a delicious glass of horchata.

   Daily 11AM-8PM

2. See

   Chabot Space and Science Center

   Opened in August 2000, the Center is a state-of-the-art science and technology education facility on a 13-acre site in the hills of Oakland. Visitors can watch planetarium shows and/or Megadome movies, simulate space missions in the Challenger Learning Center, explore a variety of changing hands-on exhibits and observe the sky through the center's telescopes. In addition, the Science Discovery Lab (for children 7 and under and their parent/guardian) is fantastic. Discounts for first Fridays of the month, during evening hours.

   Wed-Sun 10AM-5PM·Members free, adults $24, children and seniors $19

3. Do

   Children's Fairyland

   Mixed seasonal hours, almost always open on weekends. Amazing, dynamic playground and destination for children, right on Lake Merritt. Fairyland was one of the earliest themed amusement parks, and was an inspiration for everything from Disneyland to the Jejune Institute. Please note that only adults with children can enter. Make sure you get a Magic Key to activate audio stories on the various displays.

   Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-5PM

4. Eat

   Fentons Creamery and Restaurant

   This hundred-year-old ice cream parlor is a cornerstone of Oakland culture—one of those places that East Bay folks point to as making the region special. The parlor is mentioned in the 2009 Pixar film Up. Huge bowls of ice cream and sundaes of various sorts are served in this always-crowded eatery. Sugar-amped kids roam the aisles all day and into the evening, and although the place attracts a cannabis-enhanced college crowd towards the end of the night, it always has a sweet and wholesome atmosphere. An expensive treat, but the servings are huge. Online reservations. Private parties and full catering available.

   Mon-Thu 11AM-11PM, Fri Sat 11AM-midnight·$5-15 large sundae or entree

5. Eat

   Miss Saigon

   Great family-run Vietnamese restaurant with good food at good prices, and a ridiculously good beer selection. Local delivery, but it's always better fresh out of the kitchen. Online ordering.

   Mon-Tue Thu-Sun 11AM-11PM

6. Do

   Museum of Children's Arts

   MOCHA

   A hands-on art workshop aimed at kids ages 6-15, covering topics like illustration and architecture and sculpture and even DIY art to wear!

   Wed-Fri 10AM-1PM, Sat Sun private events only

7. See

   Oakland Aviation Museum

   Civilian and military aircraft both large and small, even the Flying Boat. Flight simulators, flight lessons, even open cockpit days make this stop in Oakland Airport's old North Terminal a memorable one for anyone interested in flying or the history of aviation.

   Wed-Sun 10AM-4PM·Adults $15, seniors (60+) $12, military/student/teen $10, children 5-12 $8, children under 4 free

8. See

   Oakland Zoo

   The mission of the Oakland Zoo is to inspire respect for and stewardship of the natural world, while providing a quality visitor experience. At the Oakland Zoo, you can explore together, learn together, and have fun together.

   Seasonal·Adults $24, kids and seniors $20, age 2 and under/76+ free

9. See

   Pardee Home Museum

   The home of the Pardee family, beginning with a California State Senator in 1868, and made into a museum in 1981. The main attraction is the accumulation of knick-knacks that the family gathered from traveling the world, as well as the history of the family, and the vintage of the house and grounds.

   By appointment only·$10/person

10. See

    Peralta Museum of History and Culture

    Peralta Hacienda Historical Park

    Check website for tour hours and special events. Once headquarters of the Rancho San Antonio Spanish land grant, this six-acre park contains the 1870 Antonio Peralta House and interpretive exhibits, a native plant garden, and changing exhibits on history and culture.

    Wed Fri Sat 2:30PM-5:30PM·$5 admission, free for Fruitvale community members, members, and children 10 and under

11. Do

    Regal Jack London Stadium 9

    Very large theater that shows first run movies, and usually has weekly rebate days that tend to lead to the place being full of kids.

12. Eat

    Shimizu Sushi

    A small sushi house with a wide range of choices for specialty sushi, as well as more standard Japanese fare. Popular with locals, family friendly, and laid back.

    Mon-Thu 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5-9:30PM; Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5-10PM; Sat noon-10PM; Sun noon-9:30PM

13. See

    The Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate

    The Dunsmuir House

    An out of the way large mansion and grounds dating to the sunset of the 19th century, the Dunsmuir House is home to a variety of events year-round, from classic car shows to Scottish Games. Open from March–September.

    Tue-Fri 11AM-4PM·Adults $10, seniors $8, children $6

14. See

    USS Potomac

    Historic cruises on the bay are available Apr-Oct Th & Sa, while dockside tours run year-round. Book on the website or by phone. The Potomac was built as a Coast Guard cutter, and remodeled as Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidential yacht in 1936. It served in that role until his death in 1945. In 1941, a fishing trip on the Potomac served as a cover story for Roosevelt's secret meeting with Churchill in Newfoundland waters; this meeting led to the Allied partnership during World War II and eventually to the formation of the United Nations.

    Appointments and special events only·Dockside tours $10, $8 seniors, free for children 12 and under

15. Do Not mapped

    Día de Los Muertos Annual Festival

    An outdoor festival that draws 100,000 people to celebrate Hispanic history and culture in the Fruitvale neighborhood. Live music, family-friendly games, rides and activities, traditional Latin American artisans, and the altar artistic installations created by community members. October 31.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Oakland (CC BY-SA 4.0).