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Aquatic Park
80 Bolivar Dr, Berkeley, CA 94710-2211 · 510-981-5150
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Aquatic Park has the distinction of being Berkeley's largest public park, with about 32 acres of land and a 67-acre series of lakes and lagoons. One of a number of projects in town completed by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s, the park is a favorite with children, who love the huge "Dream Land for Kids" playground full of castles and bridges, swings and slides. Grown ups can enjoy a number of watery activities, like canoeing and motor-boating, as well as hiking, bicycling, and Frisbee golf.
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For flower fanatics, this is a definite must-see. The 3.5 acre terraced park features some 3000 rose bushes comprised of about 250 different species – truly a sight (and scent) to behold. Completed in 1937 by the Works Project Administration, the garden still features the original semi-circular amphitheater, plus four tennis courts, hiking trails, foot bridges, and if you time your visit right, a stunning view of the sunset behind the Golden Gate Bridge.
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NORTHWEST BERKELEY. What do you do with an unsightly landfill that has outlived its usefulness? Well, in Berkeley, you turn it into a public park. Built in 1991 and named for the founder of the United Farm Workers of America, one of the best features of the park today is a popular 17-acre off-leash dog park. Features of the remaining 70-odd acres include sports fields, hiking trails and lots of wide open space. The annual Kite Festival is held here the last weekend in July.
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Opened in 1941, Golden Gate Fields features two racecourses and is a favorite diversion during both the spring and winter meets. Check out the horses at the walking ring adjacent to the main track, and then place your bet. Most races are on the one-mile oval main track, but you may see some action on the nine-tenths mile Lakeside Turf Course as well.
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Founded in 2000 by a former physician and a former winery owner, Scharffen Berger has become a premier chocolate manufacturer. Free public tours are available every day and detail the chocolate making process from "bean to bar." After the tour, check out the factory store, and enjoy a fine meal or a fabulous dessert at Café Cacao. Tour reservations are strongly suggested.
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Tilden Park
Grizzly Peak & Shast, Berkeley, CA 94702 · 510-562-7275
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With over 2000 acres to explore, Tilden Park could keep you occupied for days. The sandy beach at Lake Anza is a great place to start – enjoy a lazy afternoon in the sun, under the watchful eye of the lifeguards of course. Then, take a little scenic train ride, or a whirl on the merry-go-round. Perhaps a round of golf or some putting practice is more your speed, followed by a bite to eat at the restaurant. Non-golfers can enjoy strolling through the botanic gardens, taking in a nature program at the environmental education center, hiking or bicycling miles of trails, fishing, or even equestrian camping.
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UC BERKELEY. Established in 1890, this 34-acre botanic garden has been in its present location since the 1920s. There's much to see here, so plan several hours if you have even the palest of green thumbs. Linked by meandering pathways and enclosed greenhouses, the gardens are divided into numerous individual climactic zones to nurture over 12,000 plants from all over the world. Perhaps the most noteworthy is the New World Desert, with cacti and succulents collected during the 1930s from North and Central American deserts. You'll also find a Chinese Herb garden, old roses from the 19th and early 20th centuries, a collection of monkey puzzle trees, and a wonderful array of fuchsias.
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UC. Berkeley is a respected academic institution, but it's also a great place to walk around and soak up some of the Berkeley vibe. Get a self-guided walking tour brochure at the visitor center, or join a guided tour of the campus. Either way, there are several places you won't want to miss. Sproul Plaza is the political and social hub, where you'll see a good cross section of the city's population, and maybe some impromptu speeches or concerts as well. Many of the buildings around campus are noteworthy as much for their turn of the century architectural styling as for what they contain (massive collections of everything from books to butterflies and film to fossils). Cart tours are available in the summer and the fall. Reservations must be made for the tours and they must be submitted at least two weeks before the desired tour date.
You want quality attractions and activities for your lesiure time. To that end, we've researched a diverse list of options, ruled out the wastes of time, and delivered only the 10Best. We provide quality information about historical sites, theme parks, sporting events, and city parks that you won't want to miss. Peruse our lists, see what grabs your fancy, and then head out for some personal time!
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