Came here as a stop to enjoy our pastries and coffee while watching our grandson play. Love that…read morethere is a lot of shaded areas. Looks like there is a hiking/walk path nearby. Love the area and we relaxed and enjoyed the calmness.

Had an amazing day in the park yesterday watching taming of the shrew. The park is always so…read moregorgeous with such beautiful trees and well maintained. The event was well organized and everything went very smoothly. The actors were incredible and our family had such a great time being outdoors in the amphitheater watching a show.

Lots of parking nice walking trail…read moreI saw some picnic tables with bbq pits Beautiful view of the bay Park was clean Bathrooms were also clean

A beautiful spot!…read more The Berkeley Marina quickly became one of my favorite weekend spots while going to school in the city. There is something here for quite literally everyone of all ages and physical capabilities. I visited on a warm Saturday afternoon and was pleased to see there were people literally everywhere. On the land, there were dozens of children playing on the playgrounds. My friends and I were walking by the Adventure Playground (a wooden, quite industrial-looking play area), where we heard what sounded like the hammering of wood. I jokingly asked, "what is that noise? Are the kids in there building the playground themselves?" To my surprise, they literally were. This playground offers the unique opportunity for children to build and design the play area themselves. There are forts, towers, and even a zipline. This is a great way for kids to build community and work with their hands. Right next to this is a more "traditional" playground with slides, swing sets, and all the works. There are also many walking/running trails around the whole marina. Along these paths there are benches and tables where you can have a picnic and enjoy the beautiful view of the bay. You'll see people being active throughout the whole area. The main paths are paved so they are accessible to those with mobility issues. There are public restrooms available that are relatively clean. The water activities are endless here. There are kayak rentals, sail boats, and just plain swimmers. There are multiple docks to launch small crafts and to take a dip. In the shallower beachy areas, there were children swimming. If you look off to the distance, you'll see the strong open water swimmers practicing in their wetsuits. You may even see people learning how to use a hydrofoil board. People are often flying their kites off the bay's breeze too. I believe this is truly a spot for everyone who enjoys the outdoors. But, must I warn you...beware of the squirrels because they WILL run up to you and they sure aren't shy.

If you've ever fantasized about spending the night in a Bernard Maybeck structure here's your…read morechance. The Faculty Club, on the UC Berkeley campus, was designed by the legendary Berkeley architect and is many things to many people. Most notably, it's: * A place to eat and drink; * A venue to rent out for events; and * A place to spend the night. I ate and drank there* but I also spent the night there and that's the reason for my 3-star rating and the focus of this review. The Faculty Club rents out rooms, some with private bath and some with communal bath, all situated along a long hallway up a set of stairs. If you've drank too much below, are in town to visit a student at UCB, or are just hankering to spend the night on campus it's not a bad option. The rooms for rent are functional (not fancy) and clean (but not new). "Utilitarian" is an apt description. A friend and I stayed in a room with 2 beds and its own bathroom and shower at a cost of $215. Rooms with shared baths are (obviously) less and an additional $15.40 will buy you a parking pass valid until 2 p.m. the following day at a nearby, on campus lot. I don't track the cost of lodging in the Bay Area but this rate seemed reasonable, especially considering the inclusion of a continental breakfast for 2 the following morning. Before falling asleep the night of my stay my friend wondered whether the Campanile's toll would wake us. Fear not; it didn't. Instead, 52 beeps from a garbage truck backing up was followed by the crash of glass recyclables being collected, all before sunrise. So, be sure your room is on the west side of the building if you desire a quieter experience. I can't imagine returning for an overnight here but I'd certainly be comfortable recommending it to others. It was fun and serene to step outside in the morning, right onto the beautiful Faculty Glade of the UCB campus. I can well imagine others enjoying the reasonably-priced experience. * Food and drink are reviewed under Faculty Club Kerr Dining Room

I stayed at The Faculty Club for one night for business. The setting is beautiful, serene, and in…read morethe middle of the Berkeley campus. The atmosphere I loved, the hotel room not so much. I tried to embrace the history and think of all the families and students who have stayed here over the years, and that worked somewhat. I did have a good stay and ultimately enjoyed my room for what it was. Things to know: - The building is challenging to find and GPS is marginally helpful. - There was no place available to park to check-in so I had to risk it and park in a 30 minute loading zone up the hill. - It was hard to find the right door to get the lobby - no helpful signage at all. - After checking in you have to navigate to one of the parking lots they allow you to park in, which is not right at the Club. - You have to navigate your way back to the place after parking - I was lugging my bags. - You have to lug your bags up a significant flight of stairs to get to the rooms - no elevator. - The rooms are like an old cabin - not updated, dark wood, very basic accommodations. - If you get a room with your own bathroom, the bathroom is tiny with nowhere to set your toiletries or even hang your hand towel. - The bed is just okay - nothing like nicer hotels. The bedding is very thin and looks like something you'd find in a Motel 6. They could at least give you a nice mattress and comfy bedding even while keeping the basic/historic look of the rooms. - There is a flatscreen tv, but it's small and uses Dish network - remote is somewhat confusing. - There was a small fridge, but it wasn't plugged in. - There was a glue trap for rodents in my room which didn't instill confidence. Some positives: - The room was very spacious and had a high ceiling. Although it felt very old, it was clean. - The windows open wide letting in a nice breeze and adding a serene feel. - The price is reasonable in my opinion. - The atmosphere is relaxing and the area is safe. - The restaurant has good food and also reasonably priced in my opinion. - Free breakfast.

What a special place for El Cerrito. The wonderful family behind Juku are so sweet and truly care…read moreabout bringing quality service and hospitality to their immediate community. Unfortunately but I guess fortunately there is always work being done in and/or around our streets, and last month I had to frequent somewhere outside of the home work office to go Monday-Friday for consistent internet service. Located across from 711 and next to Jenny K (the cutest local gift shop) and Well Grounded (our local coffee and bagel spot), Juku feels like a comforting sanctuary and home away from home to get work done. If you're looking to have a private conversation or work meeting, they have two private rooms but also comfy digs for open coworking/solo working. What I love most is the feeling upon entering. They offer coffee, sparkling water, packaged snacks, and just overall great community love. It feels like you're going into the office with water cooler talk without going into an office. I noticed a few regulars bringing their meals from home to microwave around lunch time. Most recently I was presenting on a work call and they ensured I had everything needed for me to be successful (and with solid internet!) Check out their website for events like game nights at their beautiful space, and if you're ever in a pinch, (for a fee), they have ya covered!

My kiddo raved about the ramen he had at this co-working and event space that he went to one year…read moreduring a city camp outing. I checked it out recently for a pop-event I'm planning and found it clean, bright and spacious. It is a nice spot for co-working and they also have a few private rooms that can be used for meetings. Extra points for their complimentary snack bar with refreshments and light nibbles for customers.

This is a really nice place to come for a walk. I discovered it after a trip to Andy's which is a…read moregreat market. It's about a mile and a half from the beginning of the parking lot to the end and back. There are bathrooms at Andy's as well at the beginning of the trailhead. The trail is along the water and you can see Mount Tam, the Richmond Bridge, and the East Bay in the distance as well as East and West Marin Island which are close in distance. Many birds like herons flock to this area. It's great for a stop to walk around if on a drive through China Camp.

Some marinas are well-managed. Loch Lomond is not one of them…read more The location is charming--the weather's usually pleasant, the views are lovely, and Andy's Market next door is a gem. But none of that makes up for the absolute disaster that is this marina's management. Power at the slips is unreliable--often dipping as low as 206 volts on a 50-amp pedestal, well below safe standards for sensitive equipment. Report basic maintenance issues, like leaky spigots, and you'll be met with silence. Maybe it's a revolutionary self-cleaning dock feature that I'm not privy to. Far more troubling, though, is the culture of selective rule-making and enforcement. Pat, the harbormaster, zips up and down the dock on a scooter, seemingly deciding who gets harassed and who gets a pass. Christine splits her time between marina duties and bartending at the yacht club, bringing inconsistency and attitude to both. In fact, the dysfunction here is so pronounced that it made headlines. A Marin Independent Journal article from 2013 (with several follow-up updates) details a surreal incident in which a marina regular bit off Pat's finger during a dispute in the vacant lot next door (now occupied by the housing development known as "The Strand"). The man had been building a catamaran out of Home Depot parts--destined for Hawaii. Sounds unbelievable--until you've spent time here. Then it just feels like another day at Loch Lomond. I briefly served as the entertainment director for the yacht club, and while the members were gracious and welcoming, their warmth couldn't compensate for the mismanagement that defines the harbor itself. Avoid--unless you're nostalgic for chaos.

The Hotel Mac (built in 1911) is a historic hotel and restaurant located in Point Richmond. The…read moremain hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. The hotel originally closed due to a fire in 1971, but it reopened in 1978. The hotel came under new ownership in 2013 and had a brief shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant space was leased out in 2023 and reopened as Biancoverde at Hotel Mac. [Check in]: Our party had one of the most interesting hotel check-in experiences. I originally booked through the Capital One Travel portal. Unlike other standard hotels, this hotel has no front desk. Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours are supposed to receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and an access code. The hotel does not allow check-in after 12 AM and the room is ready at 3 PM. Our party arrived at the Hotel Mac at 8:45 PM only to realize that the front entrance (Washington Ave) is for the restaurant (Biancoverde) while the side entrance (Cottage Ave) is for hotel lodging. I pushed the "Ring for Manager" button but received no immediate response. After waiting for two minutes, a lady got out of her parked car on the street and said that she had been out and heard the doorbell ring. [Issues with check in]: Apparently the manager said she was unable to send me instructions by phone or email because I booked through Capital One Travel and the platform didn't show my actual email and phone number. Once I gave the manager my phone number, I received the full instructions. It was not until this moment that I realized our party was going to stay in the Hotel Mac Annex rather than the actual Hotel Mac. Our party had no trouble getting into the Hotel Mac Annex as the entire check-in process was contactless. The building's front door code, room code, location of the annex, location and entry codes for the designated parking lot, and Wi-Fi password were provided by text. [Parking]: The parking lot right next to the Hotel Mac restaurant is for restaurant customers only. The actual hotel parking lot is a gated lot just steps away (21 Washington Ave) with a gate entry code and a separate pedestrian gate code. [Price]: Approximately $185 per night for a queen bed at the Hotel Mac Annex (36 Railroad Ave). [Experience]: I was able to hear railroad sounds, so I recommend not leaving the window open. Our party could not hear much outside noise once the windows were closed and the hotel also provided disposable earplugs next to the bed. The old-school central AC controls was functional and the room was nice & cool at 70°F. The shower water pressure was good and the water was hot. It would have been nice if one of the bottles had been labeled as body wash or conditioner. Hang the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door to skip housekeeping service. The text message included a number to text for any issues. No microwave, but there was a K-Cup machine. The hair dryer and mini-fridge were in the drawers and the room also had a small TV. The text message also included a website about what to do while visiting Point Richmond ( https://www.pointrichmond.com/ ) and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park was at the top of the list of recommended places to visit. [Check-out]: Check-out is at 11 AM. I went back to the Hotel Mac and pushed the "Ring for Manager" button for check-out. The manager popped her head out of a window above and said that I did not have to do anything for check-out and can just simply leave. [Conclusion]: The one word to describe this hotel is charming. This hotel pays attention to small details from the towels, toilet paper (yes you heard that correctly), mirrors, vase, bookshelf, bathrobes, etc. There was a slight noise issue from the railroad, but once the window was closed it became a non-issue. The room was a bit small, but it had all the essential items. Overall, it was a pleasantly positive and memorable stay.

A nice cozy historical spot to meetup with friends for dinner and drinks, or a romantic night out…read more I enjoy coming to this side of Pt. Richmond, so rich in history. You're almost transported to an old spot in Virginia City, but it's in the Bay Area. The entrees are savory, the drinks are strong, and staff are attentive. Very welcoming restaurant, except when it's super quiet right after the holidays, live music may not happen. One day, I want to stay here and have breakfast in bed or simply walk downstairs. It's adorable, glad the new owners re-opened after Covid, be a waste not to. 'Til next time ~ cheers and see you on Yelp (SYOY)!

Have held meetings in the space and will be holding a workshop in the very near future.read more

I was recently in for the Christmas blessings for my children, I am so thankful! All the woman…read moreworking or volunteering I'm not sure, that were there that day were amazing, kind, sweet & welcoming! The energy and vibe were there! Thank you! I have yet to hear all what's offered here, i heard they have spaces to rent for meetings, I have connections that can benefit from places like this but I'd like more information please. To these woman keep doing what your doing! Thank you & happy holidays.

6 Stars The Town of…read moreMuir Beach is a very small, unincorporated village of about 105 residences and 300 people in Marin County, California. It is situated along Highway 1 in between the cities of Mill Valley and Stinson Beach. There is an actual ocean beach named Muir Beach, in the town of Muir Beach . . . just to be clear. This community is comprised almost entirely of residences. The only two non-residence structures are the Muir Beach Community Center and The Pelican Inn and Restaurant. I was extremely fortunate to live at the very top of Seacape Drive just yards away from the world famous, Muir Beach Overlook, at the very top of the hill. The views of Mount Tamalpais, surrounding hills and valleys, and the sounds of ocean breakers outside my cottage seem as if from a dream---experiences I will cherish indefinitely. Some may know I am an author of metaphysical fantasies, and I can safely say that a chapter or two in my next novel will take place in Muir Beach. For me personally, I made meaningful friendships with my two very special housemates, in Muir Beach. This has added to the mystique and adventure of my Muir Beach experience. This is a short review, because my rating of 6 stars says it all---Muir Beach is a metaphysical fantasy. Review 0163 Feel.

I've photographed hundreds of weddings and this is an amazing wedding venue. The view is epic!! It…read morehas such a fresh and rustic vibe. And it's isolated so it feels private and intimate. https://www.cailichung.com/single-post/2017/10/03/Brittany-Karl-Muir-Beach