event
Hikes for Tykes: Redwood
Drop-in kids' hike at Reinhardt Redwood, 10:30am.
- Dates
- Oct 20, 2026
- Where
- 7867 Redwood Road, Oakland, CA 94619
County guide
Things to do in Alameda County
30 outings for families, couples, seniors and groups, each linked to its source.
Outings near you
🌳18 picks
Family Outings
Parks, museums, kids' events and free days.
event
Fall Fest at Children's Fairyland
Autumn celebration with arts and crafts, nature activities, seasonal flavors and a giant leaf pit, 10am-4pm.
- Dates
- Oct 24, 2026 – Oct 25, 2026
- Where
- 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
event
Tarantula Meet and Greet at Del Valle
Drop-in tarantula meet-and-greets, 12:30-1pm and 2-2:30pm.
- Dates
- Oct 25, 2026
- Where
- 7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore, CA 94550
event
Mad Magic at Children's Fairyland
Fairyland's Halloween trick-or-treat event with bounce houses, crafts, live performances and STEM activities, 12-7pm. Costumes encouraged, not required.
- Dates
- Oct 31, 2026
- Where
- 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
event
Dia de los Muertos at Children's Fairyland
Mariachi performances, a book celebration with author Sara Andrea Fajardo and an art exhibition, on Nov 1 and Nov 7-8.
- Dates
- Nov 1, 2026 – Nov 8, 2026
- Where
- 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
farm
Ardenwood Historic Farm
Working historic farm. Patterson House tours and train rides run Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays through mid-November and are included with admission. Free parking.
- Hours
- Tue-Sun 10am-4pm
- Cost
- Thu, Fri, Sun: $6 adults, $5 seniors (62+), $4 children (4-17); Tue, Wed, Sat: $4/$3/$2; under 4 free
- Where
- 34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont, CA 94555
museumFree hours
Chabot Space & Science Center
Space and science center, home of the NASA Ames Visitor Center. Free telescope viewings Friday and Saturday evenings. Free parking.
- Hours
- Wed-Sun 10am-5pm; free telescope viewings Fri-Sat 7:30pm-10:30pm
- Cost
- Adults (12+) $24; Children (2-12) & Seniors (65+) $19
- Where
- 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619
amusement
Children's Fairyland
Ten-acre storybook park on the shore of Lake Merritt with playsets, puppet shows, rides and animals, designed for families with little ones.
- Hours
- Wed-Sun 10am-4pm, weather permitting
- Ages
- 0-8
- Cost
- Children (1-17) $18; Adults $20; Seniors (65+) $17; under 1 free
- Where
- 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
park
Coyote Hills Regional Park
1,266 acres of marshland and grassy hills on the bay shore, popular for hiking, biking and bird watching. Visitor center open Wed-Sun 10am-4pm.
- Cost
- Parking $5 per vehicle
- Where
- 8000 Patterson Ranch Road, Fremont, CA 94555
park
Crown Memorial State Beach
A 2.5-mile bay beach with the Crab Cove Visitor Center and drop-in programs such as Story Time and Fish Feeding. Beach wheelchairs are free, first come, first served.
- Cost
- Parking $5 per vehicle (card only)
- Where
- Eighth Street and Otis Drive, Alameda, CA
park
Del Valle Regional Park
A five-mile lake for swimming and boating, surrounded by 4,395 acres for hiking, riding and nature study. Boat rentals at the East Beach marina.
- Cost
- Parking $5 per vehicle; no fee at Arroyo staging
- Where
- 7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore, CA 94550
park
Lake Chabot Regional Park
A 315-acre lake with picnic areas, a grassy play area and trails for hiking, biking and running. Swimming is never permitted.
- Cost
- Parking $5 per vehicle
- Where
- 17600 Lake Chabot Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546
museumFree days
Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)
California art, history and natural sciences under one roof. Galleries and special exhibitions are free on the first Sunday of every month. Closed Wednesday, Oct 28.
- Hours
- Wed-Sun 11am-5pm; open late Fridays until 9pm; closed Mon-Tue
- Cost
- Adult (18-64) $25; Senior 65+ $22; Youth (13-17) $18; Child 12 & under free
- Where
- 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA 94607
libraryFree
Oakland Public Library - Main Library
One of the largest public libraries in the Bay Area, between downtown and Lake Merritt, with regular free events. Closed Nov 11 and Nov 26-27.
- Hours
- Mon-Thu 10am-8pm; Fri 12pm-5:30pm; Sat-Sun 10am-5:30pm
- Where
- 125 14th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
zoo
Oakland Zoo
Zoo in Oakland; the gondola is included with admission. Ticket prices vary by day, so book early for the best price. Children under 2 are free.
- Cost
- Parking $15 per vehicle in advance, $20 at entry
- Where
- 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, CA 94605
arcade
Pacific Pinball Museum
Unlimited play on more than 100 classic pinball games set to free play, in five rooms arranged by decade. Admission is good all day.
- Hours
- Tue-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-9pm; closed Mon
- Cost
- Adults $22; Seniors (62+) $15; Children (5-12) $12; Family Pass $55
- Where
- 1510 Webster Street, Alameda, CA 94501
park
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
A redwood forest a few miles over the ridge from downtown Oakland. Part of the Stream Trail is closed for repairs through Oct 31. Parking fees are cash only.
- Hours
- October 8am-7pm; November-December 8am-6pm
- Cost
- Parking $5 per vehicle (weekends and major holidays, April-October)
- Where
- 7867 Redwood Road, Oakland, CA 94619
park
Roberts Regional Recreation Area
Redwood-shaded picnic area with a barrier-free, wheelchair-accessible children's play area, playfields and a sand volleyball court. The pool reopens for the 2027 swim season.
- Cost
- Parking $5 per vehicle
- Where
- 10570 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619
🌅9 picks
Date Ideas
Evenings out, views, live music and classes.
event
Monsters' Ball at Children's Fairyland
An adults-only Halloween night at Fairyland, with DJ heyLove and adult elixirs, 6-10pm.
- Dates
- Oct 23, 2026
- Ages
- 21+
- Where
- 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
museumFree days
BAMPFA (Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive)
Art galleries and downtown Berkeley's only movie theater. Galleries are free for all on the first Thursday of each month.
- Hours
- Wed-Sun 11am-7pm; closed Mon-Tue
- Cost
- $18 general; $12 seniors (65+); children 0-13 free
- Where
- 2155 Center Street, Berkeley, CA
theater
Bankhead Theater
Livermore Valley Arts' downtown theater for concerts, jazz, dance and speakers. Upcoming: Al Jardine and The Pet Sounds Band (Oct 24) and Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno (Oct 25).
- Hours
- Box office Wed-Sat noon-6pm and 2 hours before performances
- Where
- 2400 First Street, Livermore, CA 94550
museumFree hours
Chabot Space & Science Center
Space and science center, home of the NASA Ames Visitor Center. Free telescope viewings Friday and Saturday evenings. Free parking.
- Hours
- Wed-Sun 10am-5pm; free telescope viewings Fri-Sat 7:30pm-10:30pm
- Cost
- Adults (12+) $24; Children (2-12) & Seniors (65+) $19
- Where
- 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619
live music
Fox Theater
Concert venue on Telegraph Avenue; see the calendar for upcoming shows.
- Where
- 1807 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
gardenFree
Gardens at Lake Merritt
Seven acres of themed gardens in Lakeside Park, including the Bonsai Garden, Japanese Garden and Sensory Garden. Free entry. Closed Nov 26-27.
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 7:30am-3pm; weekends 8am-4pm
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- 666 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
garden
Hayward Japanese Gardens
Japanese garden next to the Hayward Senior Center, with on-site parking and restrooms. Open every day except Christmas Day.
- Hours
- Daily 8:30am-4pm
- Where
- 22373 N 3rd St, Hayward, CA 94541
park
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
A redwood forest a few miles over the ridge from downtown Oakland. Part of the Stream Trail is closed for repairs through Oct 31. Parking fees are cash only.
- Hours
- October 8am-7pm; November-December 8am-6pm
- Cost
- Parking $5 per vehicle (weekends and major holidays, April-October)
- Where
- 7867 Redwood Road, Oakland, CA 94619
garden
UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley
34 acres and over 10,000 kinds of plants. Docent-led drop-in tours Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30. Some paths are unpaved, narrow or steep. Closed Tuesdays.
- Hours
- 10am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm)
- Cost
- Adult $18; Seniors (65+) $12; Youth (5-17) $8; 4 and under free
- Where
- 200 Centennial Dr, Berkeley, CA 94720
🌷11 picks
Senior Outings
Accessible gardens, senior discounts, community centers and quieter museums.
tour
Paramount Theatre public tours
Interactive 90-minute guided tours of the Paramount, starting 10am at the 21st Street box office entrance. Some areas are not wheelchair accessible and there is no elevator. Card payment only.
- Dates
- Oct 24, 2026 – Nov 7, 2026
- Hours
- Saturdays Oct 24 and Nov 7
- Cost
- Adults $10; youth (8-17) $5; 7 and under free
- Where
- 2025 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
market
Alameda Point Antiques Faire
Northern California's largest antique show, with over 800 dealer booths, on the first Sunday of every month. Free parking.
- Dates
- Nov 1, 2026
- Cost
- VIP 6-7:30am $20; Early 7:30-9am $15; Morning 9am-1pm $10; Afternoon 1-3pm $5
- Where
- 3900 Main Street, Alameda, CA 94501
farm
Ardenwood Historic Farm
Working historic farm. Patterson House tours and train rides run Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays through mid-November and are included with admission. Free parking.
- Hours
- Tue-Sun 10am-4pm
- Cost
- Thu, Fri, Sun: $6 adults, $5 seniors (62+), $4 children (4-17); Tue, Wed, Sat: $4/$3/$2; under 4 free
- Where
- 34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont, CA 94555
museumFree days
BAMPFA (Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive)
Art galleries and downtown Berkeley's only movie theater. Galleries are free for all on the first Thursday of each month.
- Hours
- Wed-Sun 11am-7pm; closed Mon-Tue
- Cost
- $18 general; $12 seniors (65+); children 0-13 free
- Where
- 2155 Center Street, Berkeley, CA
theater
Bankhead Theater
Livermore Valley Arts' downtown theater for concerts, jazz, dance and speakers. Upcoming: Al Jardine and The Pet Sounds Band (Oct 24) and Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno (Oct 25).
- Hours
- Box office Wed-Sat noon-6pm and 2 hours before performances
- Where
- 2400 First Street, Livermore, CA 94550
park
Crown Memorial State Beach
A 2.5-mile bay beach with the Crab Cove Visitor Center and drop-in programs such as Story Time and Fish Feeding. Beach wheelchairs are free, first come, first served.
- Cost
- Parking $5 per vehicle (card only)
- Where
- Eighth Street and Otis Drive, Alameda, CA
gardenFree
Gardens at Lake Merritt
Seven acres of themed gardens in Lakeside Park, including the Bonsai Garden, Japanese Garden and Sensory Garden. Free entry. Closed Nov 26-27.
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 7:30am-3pm; weekends 8am-4pm
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- 666 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
garden
Hayward Japanese Gardens
Japanese garden next to the Hayward Senior Center, with on-site parking and restrooms. Open every day except Christmas Day.
- Hours
- Daily 8:30am-4pm
- Where
- 22373 N 3rd St, Hayward, CA 94541
museumFree days
Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)
California art, history and natural sciences under one roof. Galleries and special exhibitions are free on the first Sunday of every month. Closed Wednesday, Oct 28.
- Hours
- Wed-Sun 11am-5pm; open late Fridays until 9pm; closed Mon-Tue
- Cost
- Adult (18-64) $25; Senior 65+ $22; Youth (13-17) $18; Child 12 & under free
- Where
- 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA 94607
libraryFree
Oakland Public Library - Main Library
One of the largest public libraries in the Bay Area, between downtown and Lake Merritt, with regular free events. Closed Nov 11 and Nov 26-27.
- Hours
- Mon-Thu 10am-8pm; Fri 12pm-5:30pm; Sat-Sun 10am-5:30pm
- Where
- 125 14th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
garden
UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley
34 acres and over 10,000 kinds of plants. Docent-led drop-in tours Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30. Some paths are unpaved, narrow or steep. Closed Tuesdays.
- Hours
- 10am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm)
- Cost
- Adult $18; Seniors (65+) $12; Youth (5-17) $8; 4 and under free
- Where
- 200 Centennial Dr, Berkeley, CA 94720
🎳11 picks
Friends and Groups
Escape rooms, bowling, trivia nights and festivals.
event
Monsters' Ball at Children's Fairyland
An adults-only Halloween night at Fairyland, with DJ heyLove and adult elixirs, 6-10pm.
- Dates
- Oct 23, 2026
- Ages
- 21+
- Where
- 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
tour
Paramount Theatre public tours
Interactive 90-minute guided tours of the Paramount, starting 10am at the 21st Street box office entrance. Some areas are not wheelchair accessible and there is no elevator. Card payment only.
- Dates
- Oct 24, 2026 – Nov 7, 2026
- Hours
- Saturdays Oct 24 and Nov 7
- Cost
- Adults $10; youth (8-17) $5; 7 and under free
- Where
- 2025 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
market
Alameda Point Antiques Faire
Northern California's largest antique show, with over 800 dealer booths, on the first Sunday of every month. Free parking.
- Dates
- Nov 1, 2026
- Cost
- VIP 6-7:30am $20; Early 7:30-9am $15; Morning 9am-1pm $10; Afternoon 1-3pm $5
- Where
- 3900 Main Street, Alameda, CA 94501
park
Coyote Hills Regional Park
1,266 acres of marshland and grassy hills on the bay shore, popular for hiking, biking and bird watching. Visitor center open Wed-Sun 10am-4pm.
- Cost
- Parking $5 per vehicle
- Where
- 8000 Patterson Ranch Road, Fremont, CA 94555
park
Del Valle Regional Park
A five-mile lake for swimming and boating, surrounded by 4,395 acres for hiking, riding and nature study. Boat rentals at the East Beach marina.
- Cost
- Parking $5 per vehicle; no fee at Arroyo staging
- Where
- 7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore, CA 94550
live music
Fox Theater
Concert venue on Telegraph Avenue; see the calendar for upcoming shows.
- Where
- 1807 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
park
Lake Chabot Regional Park
A 315-acre lake with picnic areas, a grassy play area and trails for hiking, biking and running. Swimming is never permitted.
- Cost
- Parking $5 per vehicle
- Where
- 17600 Lake Chabot Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546
park
Mission Peak Regional Preserve
A steep, 3-plus-mile hike to Mission Peak with views of Mount Hamilton and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Allow about five hours to reach the summit and return.
- Where
- 43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont, CA
arcade
Pacific Pinball Museum
Unlimited play on more than 100 classic pinball games set to free play, in five rooms arranged by decade. Admission is good all day.
- Hours
- Tue-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-9pm; closed Mon
- Cost
- Adults $22; Seniors (62+) $15; Children (5-12) $12; Family Pass $55
- Where
- 1510 Webster Street, Alameda, CA 94501
park
Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area
Former gravel quarry turned lakeside park, with boating, kayaking and fishing. Swimming reopens for the 2027 season.
- Cost
- Parking $5 per vehicle
- Where
- 2500 Stanley Boulevard, Pleasanton, CA 94566
parkFree
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
Trails around Round Top, the remains of a 10-million-year-old volcano. No parking fee at the main staging area.
- Cost
- Free parking
- Where
- 6800 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611
🎟️8 picks
Free and Cheap
Free entry, free days and free hours from the sections above.
market
Alameda Point Antiques Faire
Northern California's largest antique show, with over 800 dealer booths, on the first Sunday of every month. Free parking.
- Dates
- Nov 1, 2026
- Cost
- VIP 6-7:30am $20; Early 7:30-9am $15; Morning 9am-1pm $10; Afternoon 1-3pm $5
- Where
- 3900 Main Street, Alameda, CA 94501
farm
Ardenwood Historic Farm
Working historic farm. Patterson House tours and train rides run Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays through mid-November and are included with admission. Free parking.
- Hours
- Tue-Sun 10am-4pm
- Cost
- Thu, Fri, Sun: $6 adults, $5 seniors (62+), $4 children (4-17); Tue, Wed, Sat: $4/$3/$2; under 4 free
- Where
- 34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont, CA 94555
museumFree days
BAMPFA (Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive)
Art galleries and downtown Berkeley's only movie theater. Galleries are free for all on the first Thursday of each month.
- Hours
- Wed-Sun 11am-7pm; closed Mon-Tue
- Cost
- $18 general; $12 seniors (65+); children 0-13 free
- Where
- 2155 Center Street, Berkeley, CA
museumFree hours
Chabot Space & Science Center
Space and science center, home of the NASA Ames Visitor Center. Free telescope viewings Friday and Saturday evenings. Free parking.
- Hours
- Wed-Sun 10am-5pm; free telescope viewings Fri-Sat 7:30pm-10:30pm
- Cost
- Adults (12+) $24; Children (2-12) & Seniors (65+) $19
- Where
- 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619
gardenFree
Gardens at Lake Merritt
Seven acres of themed gardens in Lakeside Park, including the Bonsai Garden, Japanese Garden and Sensory Garden. Free entry. Closed Nov 26-27.
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 7:30am-3pm; weekends 8am-4pm
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- 666 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
museumFree days
Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)
California art, history and natural sciences under one roof. Galleries and special exhibitions are free on the first Sunday of every month. Closed Wednesday, Oct 28.
- Hours
- Wed-Sun 11am-5pm; open late Fridays until 9pm; closed Mon-Tue
- Cost
- Adult (18-64) $25; Senior 65+ $22; Youth (13-17) $18; Child 12 & under free
- Where
- 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA 94607
libraryFree
Oakland Public Library - Main Library
One of the largest public libraries in the Bay Area, between downtown and Lake Merritt, with regular free events. Closed Nov 11 and Nov 26-27.
- Hours
- Mon-Thu 10am-8pm; Fri 12pm-5:30pm; Sat-Sun 10am-5:30pm
- Where
- 125 14th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
parkFree
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
Trails around Round Top, the remains of a 10-million-year-old volcano. No parking fee at the main staging area.
- Cost
- Free parking
- Where
- 6800 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611