Family Friendly Landmarks

Fun Things To DO With Your Kids

The UC Berkeley Bear Cub Map with a complete listing of Family Friendly spaces can be found HERE.

  • See the Tyrannosaurus rex exhibit at the Valley Life Sciences Building
  • Dance to the Cal Marching Band
  • See the spectacular view of Bay Area at the top of the Campanile. Entrance is FREE to UC Berkeley students with Cal ID and children under 3. Ages 3-17 and seniors $3. General admission (18 and over) $4.
  • Somersaulting on Memorial Glade.
  • Get tie-dyed t-shirts, cool rocks, hair wraps, henna tattoos, and more on Telegraph Avenue.
  • Visit Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley's public science center. The Hall features interactive science exhibits, engineering activities, a planetarium, animal discovery room, 3-D science theater, special events, and the best view in the Bay Area. Admission is free with your Cal 1 Card, M-Su, 10am-5pm; accessible by Campus Shuttle and AC Transit buses, personal transport with parking lots for a small fee; 1 Centennial Drive; Phone: (510) 642-5132.

UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAM/PFA) is the primary visual arts center at Cal. One of the largest university museums in the country both in size and attendance, BAM/PFA presents approximately 15 exhibitions and about 380 film screenings each year. The museum's 1960's Modernist building has 10 galleries and houses a collection that spans 3000 years of Eastern and Western art, and a film archive with over 14,000 films. Admission is always free for Cal students; W-Su, 11am-5pm; L@TE Fridays, open until 9pm; 2626 Bancroft Way; 510/642-0808, recording, or (510) 642-8734, TDD.

The Museum of Paleontology has fossils ranging from foraminiferan to plesiosaurus. The collections are only open to the public for one day a year (during Cal Day, in late April), but you can see a full-sized T-Rex and other fossils on display in the VLSB foyer year-round; 1101A Valley Life Sciences Building; (510) 642-1821.

Adventure Playground is recognized as a "Top Ten" playground by National Geographic. Climb on the many unusual kid-designed and built forts, boats, and towers. Ride the zip line or hammer, saw and paint. (Parks, Recreation & Waterfront).

Aquatic Park provides opportunities for bird watching, boating, hiking trails and biking trails around the lake. A Frisbee Golf Course plays through in the meadows. There is also a fitness exercise course, "Dram Land for Kids," a playground featuring extensive wooden castles, walkways and other structures, as well as a habitat for avian and aquatic life. Limited parking available on the east side of the park.

Berkeley Ironworks is one of the largest Touchstone gyms and boasts incredible climbing terrain along with a varied assortment of additional offerings.

Berkeley Playhouse is a theater for all ages presenting a year-round season of musicals, as well as a music conservatory offering a range of educational instructional classes in music performance skills. Situated in the Elmwood District, with many restaurants and shops nearby. Visit our website for schedules, information and tickets.

The East Bay Vivarium is one of the largest reptile specialty stores in the Nation. We offer the most diverse selection of reptiles in the U.S. with quality service and experience. Our inventory includes snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, tarantulas and much more! Not only do we offer healthy, high quality animals, but we also have all the supplies you need to keep your herp healthy and happy. Hours: Monday - Friday, 11am-7pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am-6pm.

Habitot: The East Bay's Discovery Museum for young children. Our hands-on exhibits and drop-in art activities are perfectly tailored for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and families. Habitot offers children's classes and camps, preschool field trips, birthday parties, parenting classes and parent support groups. Come and play! Check website for upcoming events and free admission days. PRICES: Adults & Children- $12.00 (under 12 months free); Seniors 65+ & Disabled $10; Call for Groups.

Indian Rock Park, one of Berkeley's rugged rock parks providing great views and challenges for early-level rock climbing. Indian Rock was dedicated for park purposes in 1917. Dick Leonard, the "father of modern rock climbing," and noted environmentalist David Brower, founder of "Friends of the Earth," learned rock climbing and developed their own mountaineering techniques at Indian Rock. Park facilities include picnic area with BBQ, fireplace and grassy play areas.

Lake Anza, just up the hill from North Berkeley, Tilden Park's Lake Anza is a favorite getaway. Its sandy beach is open to the sun and sheltered from the wind, with lifeguards posted during the swim season. Ample parking, wheelchair accessible. There is a beach access fee to the swim area, which has changing rooms. Cafe on site. Swimming is generally prohibited November through March. Beach Access Fees: $3.50 age 16-61; $2.50 ages 1-15; $2.50 seniors 62+ or disabled; FREE under 1 year.