Lawrence Hall of Science
Design Quest for building and testing things, an Animal Discovery Room, and one of the best views of the bay from the terrace. Open Wednesday to Sunday; $20 covers everyone from three upwards.
1 Centennial Dr, Berkeley, CA 94720
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Under-6s get in free, and the draw for that age is not the plants so much as the lizards and spiders they will find along the paths. Lots of climbing up and down.
Terraces of 250 rose varieties with views to the Golden Gate Bridge, and a tunnel under Euclid to the concrete slide at Codornices Park.
Home of the 40-foot concrete slide big kids bomb down on cardboard, plus a creek, a fenced toddler area, and a tunnel under Euclid to the rose garden.
Counterculture hot dog stand on Durant since 1966, with a board of griddled sausages from kosher-style franks and bockwurst to lemon chicken and a veggie wienie.
Big, cheap plates of pasta you build at the counter, a long enough menu for picky eaters, and tables outside.
Game store stocked with games, puzzles, D&D and miniatures, plus open gaming and rooms to rent for a group to play.