Here Comes the Sun!
There’s promise of clear sky…but the earth is still saturated with water. Here are some ideas for how to get outdoors this week in the fresh air, stay on the paved paths, and avoid initiating a mudslide. Goodness knows we need the sunlight!

Tilden’s Inspiration Point provides a lovely drive through the green, green park that in itself is worthy of an outing. If you park in the Inspiration Point lot, you will see a fantastic view due East. The Nimitz Way trail is paved for four miles, and has some fantastic views in all directions.

Berkeley Marina’s Cesar Chavez Park is on a peninsula jutting into the bay, and has fantastic views along its perimeter trail. There is an off-leash dog park in the center, that we advise you to steer clear of—unless you are fine with muddy paw prints.

There is always Golden Gate Park in all its glory, where you can wander into museums like the DeYoung and California Academy of Sciences, visit the bison, the lakes or the carousel. And there are great places a lot closer to home.

Lake Merritt, with its 3.4-mile path around the tidal lagoon, contains a bird sanctuary, playground, Gardens, and Children’s Fairyland. Plus, you are certain to see many Oakland residents gleefully soaking up the sun’s rays.

Berkeley Path Wanderers Association is a great research for self-guided walks. They even published a book, Secret Staircases of Berkeley and Oakland—learn more about it in this Berkeleyside article.

Or just take yourself on an urban stroll and explore the intricacies of your neighborhood…or one you’re curious about. This Walking Tours of Oakland wiki hosts a good list for researching where you might want to go.

And, if you find yourself in the vicinity of Piedmont Grocery, (and we do think our neighborhood is wonderful for an urban adventure), please stop in!