I adore Barnes and Noble and they always offer such a great children's selection and adults. I have always been a reader for as long as I can remember and my children are following suit! They have such big smiles on their faces when I say lets take a trip to barnes and noble and get a new book! Its such a special time to read them a goodnight book and this barnes and noble always has what im looking for and great service! My children naturally gravitate towards their family friendly children's section and spend at least 30 minutes looking around.
My husband and I love to go to Bay Street Emeryville to watch a movie there after dinner. We like going to Zao, Pasta Pomodoro, California Pizza Kitchen, Elephant Bar and PF Changs. There are lots of shops there aswell. We also go to the Barnes and Noble, Apple Store, Gap, Gymboree, Godiva Chocolates and Cold Stone Creamery. It's a nice little mall area for the whole family to enjoy. There is a parking garage. You can stroll your kids around. It's very open and a fun place for the family to go.
This outdoor mall is well located just off the Bay Bridge Maze and accessible via free EmeryGoRound shuttle from Macarthur BART Station or walk a quarter mile from the Emeryville Amtrak Station. There's a few nice hotels so with Amtrak you could make this area a shopping destination without having to rent a car. Some parts are always closed to car traffic, with street performers on weekends, but occasionally we find the whole strip closed for a craft festival.
The mall itself is mostly chain stores including an Apple Store, Gap, and Old Navy, anchored by a large movie theater and Barnes & Noble. The restaurants deal wonderfully with small children -- we are partial to Zao Noodle House but don't miss the cupcake shop or Santa Cruz style pizza. The public restrooms don't have changing tables but are generally clean and have counters large enough to use for that purpose. However, if someone in your brood is potty training, get thee to the family restroom near the theater -- there's a child size toilet there.