Best Fireworks in the East Bay for Families

1) Tilden Park road. This is probably better for slightly older kids since most viewpoints are between the two lane road and a drop off. I'm not sure about night access but the plaza at the Lawrence Hall of Science would provide a great vantage point. Can see multiple cities from here: Oakland, Berkeley, and SF.

2) Secret Alameda spot to see Oakland fireworks: Windriver office park. "Secret" so that's all the info you get.

3) Jack London Sq. Sometimes the Oakland Symphony plays there.

4) Berkeley Marina. Views of Berkeley and SF (fog permitting!)

5) Millionaire option: boat on the bay. The 4th is often a little rowdy so I'd love to have my family safe on our own little "island".

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1. Tilden Regional Park

Tilden Park
Berkeley, California

reviewed on: March 18 2009

"So much fun"

Tilden has always been a favorite even before we had kids. Now our destinations there are different. Now first stop is always - CHOO CHOO! The steam trains are so much fun and only $2. Next stop typically will be Little Farm, armed with celery and lettuce for the critters. If the little one is still holding on we like to decompress in the Botanical Garden which is surprisingly entertaining for a toddler.

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2. Jack London Square

Broadway and Embarcadero
Oakland, California

reviewed on: December 13 2009

"In-town vacation"

Our family loves taking a quick "vacation" to Jack London Square.

Top tips for toddlers:

1) Amtrak  station. Our little boy loves him some trains so this is an obvious stop for us. Watch the big diesel engines pull up to let people on and off. There is even a pedestrian bridge that crosses above the tracks for a birds eye view of the massive machines. Sure, there are some homeless people sleeping on the benches in the station but all in all it's a fun activity for parents and kids.

2) Barnes and Noble with a Starbucks. Enough said. 3) Everett and Jones BBQ joint. Our son loves eating at restaurants (yes, I know we're lucky) and we love BBQ so...match made in heaven.

3) Lots of room to run around without worrying about cars.

4) Weekend farmer's market (I forget which day).

5) Boats, boats and more boats.

6) Easy parking - underground lot for the lazy and street parking for the cheapskates.

7) Also a Ben and Jerry's and a movie theater for the older kids.

Like I said, an in-town vacation just 10 minutes from home.

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3. Berkeley Marina

201 University Ave.
Berkeley, California

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4. San Francisco Bay

1 Embarcadero
San Francisco, California

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5. Windriver

500 Wind River Way
Alameda, California

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