A Drink, A Meal, and A Patio

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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

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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

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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

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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!