Community Corner
Budget-Friendly Day Trips in the East Bay
From playing pinball to watching beer being made, these trips won't eat up much gas and should be fun for all.
Written by Bill Zavestoski
Sure, we all want to be home for the holidays. But if home is here in the Bay Area and you just want to get away for a day as 2013 winds down, try one or more of these budget-friendly trips around the East Bay that anyone from kids to empty-nesters will enjoy. The best part? They're all a tank of gas (or less) away.
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1510 Webster St.
Alameda
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(510) 769-1349
Why Go? Forget the quarters. Play to your heart's content on more than 85 classic pinball machines for the price of admission.
Insider Tip: If you don't want to pay to enter and or have just a few minutes to stop by, some recent machines (AC/DC, Transformers, Iron Man and others) are outside the admission area and playable for a small donation to the Pacific Pinball Museum.
Must Do: Check out the pinball art displays and the vintage and antique collection of games dating back to the late 1800s. The working games range from the 1950s to present, so if you were raised on pinball, you're likely old enough to show the kids or grandkids a thing or two about how to run up the score.
The Fine Print: Admission is $15 for teens and adults and $7.50 for those 12 and under. The museum is open from 2 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 2 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
1035 Castle Rock Rd.
Walnut Creek
(925) 943-5860
Why Go? Time marches on, but not at this former ranch that belonged to Walnut Creek pioneer Frank Borges. See what farm life was like at the turn of the 20th century in a complex that features a blacksmith shop, barn, some outbuildings and various displays of farm equipment. The Borges family home, dating back to 1901, houses historical displays from the era.
Insider Tip: Bring your walking shoes, bike or even a horse to take advantage of more than 30 miles of trails for biking, hiking and riding through oak woodlands and grassland savannah at the foot of Mount Diablo. The ranch is the base for activities in Walnut Creek's Shell Ridge Open Space.
Must Do: Let the kids get up close and personal with some of the ranch animals, which are cared for by Pleasant Hill 4-H members and include goats, sheep, pigs and chickens.
The Fine Print: The ranch area is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Pick up a self-guided tour brochure at the Ranger Station, which is on the ranch. Free weekend tours by the park ranger are offered on the fourth Saturday of every month at 2 p.m. Meet at the Hanna Grove Activity Area parking lot.
UC Berkeley Visitor Services, 101 Sproul Hall
Berkeley
(510) 642-5215
Why Go? The 307-foot structure, which turns 100 in 2014, is the third tallest bell-and-clock tower in the world. The observation platform is 200 feet up. And you can't beat the view of the campus below and it's mural that stretches out to the west of the bay and beyond.
Insider Tip: After leaving the elevator, there are still 38 steps to the observation platform, and no wheelchair accessibility. Backpacks or large handbags are not permitted in the Campanile and there's no storage area nearby.
Must Do: When you visit the campus, go for more than just a look from the tower. Visitor Services in Sproul Hall arranges guided campus walking tours. Even when the office is closed on weekends, representatives will be on hand in the Campanile to answer any questions.
The Fine Print: Open 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4:45 Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $3 (18 and older), with a dollar discount for seniors, Cal Alumni Association members and those 17 and under. UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff, and children under 3 enter for free.
3101 Busch Dr.
Fairfield
(707) 429-7595
Why Go? See all the steps in the brewing process on this complimentary tour. All ages are welcome, but only those 21 and older will then have the chance to sample suds afterward in the Hospitality Room.
Insider Tip: Don't imbibe and drive. If your designated driver gets bored waiting, a free tour at the nearby Jelly Belly factory can fill some time.
Must Do: The real beer connoisseur will want to sign up for either the Beer School ($10 for an adults-only beer-appreciation class) or Beermaster Tour ($25 for those 21+ and $10 for ages 13 to 20 to take a more in-depth look at the facility).
The Fine Print: The brewery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The basic tour is free, but you can purchase food and Budweiser-related items in the gift shop.
