Outside Lands Music Festival

            Image From Wikimedia and Edward Betts

Outside Lands in San Francisco starts this weekend, and we are so excited for all of the great acts that are performing during this annual music festival. This year Outside Lands will be held at Golden Gate Park from Friday-Sunday. This festival brings thousands of people into San Francisco for one weekend only, but you are lucky enough to just live a short distance away from the festival. You do not need to worry about lodging or long distance transportation. Keep reading to learn more about this great music festival. 

Tickets

Do not get discouraged by the Outside Lands website. The tickets are sold out through the official vendor, but StubHub has some tickets for resale that you can purchase.  These tickets are at your own risk, but StubHub assures that the tickets are official festival passes. There are a few different passes and groupings that you can pick from on StubHub so make sure to check out what is available before this weekend.

Transportation To The Festival

Once you have your tickets, you have to figure out how to get there. Golden Gate Park is only 30 minutes from Berkeley Central, but parking is very limited in the park and the surrounding areas. This is why we recommend using the Muni. You have two options to get to the festival each day.

        1) Option one is to take the BART to Civic Center Station. Then, from McAllister Street and      

        Jones Street take Muni Bus #5 to 25th Avenue and Fulton Street. You can then enter the  

        park. 

        2) Option two is to take the AC Transit Transbay Express or F Line Across the Bay Bridge. 

        Then, from the Transbay Terminal walk to Montgomery Street Station. Finally take the Muni 

        Line N to 19th Avenue and Judah Street. You can then walk north on 19th avenue to 

        Golden Gate Park. 

Schedule

You have your tickets and transportation all planned, but what about which acts you want to see.  You can start Friday with Mumford and Sons performance on the Lands End Stage at 7:55 pm. Saturday afternoon is the perfect time to take a break from the music and laugh with the comedians of the Upright Citizens Brigade. Their set starts at 3pm on The Barbary Stage. Finally, you can see The Black Keys or Kendrick Lamar on Saturday night. The Black Keys will take the Lands End stage at 8:25 pm, and Kendrick Lamar will perform on the Twin Peaks Stage at 8:40 pm. 

We think you will have a great time at this year’s Outside Lands festival. Make sure to upload your pictures to the Berkeley Central Facebook Page. 

A Drink, A Meal, and A Patio

Image From Pixabay

We love being outdoors in the summertime. This includes dinners, baseball games, happy hours or even just for a hike. However, there are so many gorgeous patios to drink and dine on this seems like the perfect way to spend your time outdoors this summer. Berkeley Central is close to so many of these spots that we thought we would highlight a few of our favorites. Here are a few great establishments where you can enjoy your love of the outdoors and food. 

Perdition Smokehouse

Located right in Berkeley, about a quarter of a mile from Berkeley Central is the Perdition Smokehouse. This Texas-style BBQ is served on outdoor picnic tables for you to enjoy the weather on. They also have a great beer selection with 43 American craft beers on tap. You can get a meat plate, corn bread, two sides and all the craft beer you want at this great Texas-styled restaurant. If you are craving some good Texas food, this is the place to go in Berkeley.

Westbrae Biergarten

This biergarten is another Berkeley favorite. Located just five minutes from your home at Berkley Central this outdoor restaurant is perfect for the after work happy hour. You can enjoy a giant sun-soaked biergarten with communal tables and Adirondack chairs. Take in the Giants game with their big flat screen TV’s while enjoying one of the local German-style beers on tap. You can also grab some food at the permanent pop-up kitchen or the food trucks that stop by a few times each week. 

Missouri Lounge

Just five minutes away from Berkeley Central is the Missouri Lounge.  This chill atmosphere has a no-frills patio that matches the bar’s insides. You can bring your dog and enjoy the DJ Booth on the patio. For five dollars, you get a beer, a shot, and whatever they are grilling outside!

These are just three of the great outdoor spaces for you to enjoy during these summer nights. Do you have a favorite outdoor space to eat or grab a drink after work? Share yours on our Facebook Page under this post!

Relaxing Day at the Spa

Image From Pixabay

Work, relationships and friendships can all be rewarding but also stressful in our lives. One of our favorite things to do is pick a day that is only for ourselves. These “me days” are great for relaxing and letting your stresses melt away. 

Everyone has their own way of de-stressing, but we prefer massages and spas. We love being pampered from head to toe during our “me days” with massages, skin treatments and pedicure/manicures. Berkeley Central is close to many great spas that you can use for your own personal “me day”.

Ensoma SF

Ensoma San Francisco specializes in a complete day to help you relax. Their packages include waxing, facials and more in their all encompassing art and beauty lounge. These treatments at Ensoma are customized to your body and your concerns. This makes the experience unique to you and what you want to focus on during your “me day”. Make sure to make reservations early at their website for your preferred time and day. 

I-Spa San Francisco

Located in the Intercontinental Hotel, the I-Spa is the perfect “me day” paradise. Your treatments are customized to your personal body and what you want to focus on that day. A great day of stress relief at I-Spa starts with one of the various massages that they offer. After you are relaxed, show your skin some pampering with their many facial treatments. Finally, finish your day with giving your hands and feet a manicure and pedicure. Make sure to book ahead of time through their website to get your preferred treatment slots.

The Spa Oakland

This spa is a little further away from Berkeley Central, but it is worth the drive. The Spa Oakland has the motto of “Calm the Mind, Heal the Body, Renew the Spirit”, and that is exactly what will happen after your trip to The Spa. You will get the complete relaxation package with a massage and some time in their sauna. You will leave The Spa Oakland ready to conquer your professional and personal goals for the next year. 

These are just a few of the many spas in the Bay Area. We hope that you can take a day for yourself and relax at one of these great massage and spa centers. 

A Tasty Treat On A Hot Day

Image From Wikimedia

The weekend should be a time to relax and enjoy the beautiful city that we live in. It also should be a time to enjoy some delicious treats. San Francisco has hundreds of great places to enjoy a cold dessert or treat.  If you are in the mood for some ice cream or gelato, we have found a few great places that you can try near your home at Berkeley Central. 

Scream Sorbet

Scream Sorbet is known throughout the San Francisco area for their dense, creamy and delicious sorbet. Their key to this success is that they start with fresh ingredients with every batch. They use the Bay Area's farmers' markets to find the best organic seasonal ingredients to make their delicious sorbets throughout the week. They also hand make every quart of sorbet, because they want every single scoop to taste like the fresh ingredients that it came from. These qualities make Scream Sorbet the best treat for a hot summer's day. You can find Scream Sorbet at 5030 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94609.

Ici Ice Cream

When we want cold ice cream cone after a long day, we head to Ici Ice Cream on 2948 College Ave. in Berkeley. Ici Ice Cream is known for making all of their flavors right in the store. They are made in small batches using local organic ingredients each day so each bite tastes the same.  You can enjoy a simple ice cream cone at Ici Ice, or you can order a delicious treat for your next party or occasion. They have 11 flavors of ice cream to choose from each day that you can enjoy in multiple ways including their hand rolled chocolate dipped cones. This sounds like the perfect place to enjoy a perfect cold treat after a long week.

CREAM

In 2010, the Shamieh family opened the first CREAM location in Berkeley. Five years later, they are still making their one of a kind cookie ice cream sandwiches and other delicious treats. Besides their delicious desserts, CREAM is also known for it's spontaneity. Walking into any location could mean walking into a dance party or karaoke session at any time. CREAM has 20 flavors of ice cream to mix with their toppings and other desserts. You could create a new combination with each purchase. Start with your favorite flavor by checking out CREAM at 2399 Telegraph Ave. Berkeley, CA 94704.

Reading about all this ice cream makes us very excited for the desserts we will have this weekend. Try one of these great ice cream shops with your friends this weekend and see what flavor will be your new favorite!

San Francisco and Berkeley Fireworks

Image From Pixabay

Saturday we get to celebrate Independence day all across the United States. We love celebrating the Fourth of July in San Francisco and Berkeley. We are lucky enough to have one the best Fourth of July fireworks displays in the country. Watching the fireworks over the bay is something that every resident must do at least once. There are many viewing spots all throughout San Francisco and Berkeley. Here are a few locations to check out that are close to Berkeley Central.

Indian Rock Park

You can climb up onto a volcanic rock that is approximately 11 million years old in Berkeley. This formation is located in a residential neighborhood in Berkeley. The address is 950 Indian Rock Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707. This location gives you an unobstructed view of the entire bay area.

West Bluffs

Maybe you want to have an all day picnic for your Fourth of July festivities. The West Bluffs might be your ideal location for this Saturday. There is a big field picnic area on Crissy Field for you to use for your party. At this location on Marine Drive, you can view the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin Headlands and Angel Island. This gives you a great view of the fireworks you have been waiting all year for.

California HornBlower

Maybe you want a more elegant evening for the Fourth of July. The Hornblower's San Francisco Belle Cruise might be the perfect night away. This cruise costs $154 dollars, but it includes a dinner buffet, a hosted wine and beer bar and a three in a half hour cruise to enjoy the night and see the fireworks. This cruise includes live entertainment leading up the main event at dark. This gives you a rare up close and personal view of the bay area show. You can learn more and purchase tickets for the cruise here.

Twin Peaks

If you are looking for more of an intimate viewing area, consider driving up to Twin Peaks. You can bring a blanket to cozy up and not only watch San Francisco's fireworks but also Berkeley's and Sausalito's.

We hope that you have a safe and wonderful Fourth of July with your friends and family. Do you have a favorite viewing spot for the fireworks? Comment with your location on our Facebook Page under this post!

Your Perfect San Francisco Date Night

Image From Wikipedia

What is your ideal date night? Dinner and a movie is always a classic choice, but we have a few more creative ideas for you to try. San Francisco has great places to surprise your date any day of the week. Keep reading our blog to see a few of our great date night ideas.

Skeeball Tour

Are you a skeeball champion? Brush up on your arcade skills with a skeeball tour of San Francisco.  Joey the Cat is the national skeeball champion and he will help you improve your skills while trying out different skeeball machines around San Francisco. You can book this fun night out at joeythecat.com.

Mystery Bike Ride

Riding a bike around the city can be a cute romantic date. However, what about riding a bike to a mystery location that ends with an after hours party. This seems like way more fun.  Thanks to Midnight Mystery this could be your future date night. The locations and times of these fun events are announced the day of the event, so make sure to check their website often!

Roller Disco

Do you want to flashback to the sixites or seventies? The Roller Disco in San Francisco is the event for you. The Church of Eight Wheels holds a roller disco only a short drive from Berkeley. You can find their schedule at their website Church of 8 Wheels. 

Boat Ride

Are you looking for more of a relaxing romantic evening? Make sure to schedule a boat ride at Stow Lake. The gorgeous view and quiet environment will be the perfect setting for getting to know your date. Make sure to bring snacks and drinks that you can enjoy on your intimate boat ride. Learn more about Stow Lake by clicking here. 

These are just a few of the many types of date nights you can have in San Francisco. Trying something new is a great way to learn details about your friend or loved one. After you have tried these ideas, make sure to head to Thrillist for more great date nights.

A Relaxing Day Away

Image From Pixabay

Are you looking for a nice relaxing weekend? One that will let you get rid of all the stresses and worries you have during your professional life. San Francisco has many spas and retreats that will let you do just that any day of the week. Whether you want to pamper your skin or give your muscles a break, all of these spas will help you de-stress and unwind.

Ensoma SF

Just a short 20 minute drive from Berkeley Central you will find Ensoma SF. This spa is the perfect place to relax and unwind with the many different treatments they have available. You can get a massage catered to your personal needs to start off your day of pampering. Then, make an appointment for a facial to treat your skin at this art and beauty lounge. Make sure to make appointments ahead of time for all of their treatments. You can make reservations right on their website. 

The Spa Oakland

Only ten miles away from Berkeley Central is The Spa Oakland. The motto of this spa is "Calm the Mind, Heal the Body, Renew the Spirit". This motto is perfect for this spa that specializes in relaxation and tranquility. You can start your day off with a massage. You can pick from the many options that they offer for this treatment. After your massage, take some "me time" and visit their sauna to forget about all the stresses that life is throwing at you. Make sure to book ahead because these appointments can fill up fast.

I-Spa San Francisco

I-Spa, located at the Intercontinental Hotel, is just a short drive over the bay from Berkeley. This spa and hotel is perfect for a girls weekend away from everyday life.  This spa offers many different services to pamper your every need.  You can start your day with a massage that is customizable to your personal tastes and needs. Then, treat your skin with one of the many facial treatments that are offered at the salon. Finally, pamper your nails with a manicure and pedicure to complete your perfect day away. Make sure to book ahead of time through their website to get your preferred time.

These are just three of the many spas in and around the Berkeley/San Francisco area. We think that you can find your perfect day of relaxation with the treatments these spas have available.