• Children's Fairyland
• Gondola Rides on Lake Merritt
• Junior Center of Art and Science
• Lake Merritt Boating Center
• Places to take kids in Oakland

Gondola Rides on Lake Merritt

March 1999

Looking for something fun to do for a birthday or anniversary? Here's a unique and romantic experience. Take a ride on a real authentic gondola on Lake Merritt. We went at sunset on the first day of spring, and it was heavenly! For $65, we were rowed about for an hour, and enjoyed a repast of cheese, crackers, grapes, etc. while we watched the night fall and the lights twinkle on the water. My husband said, "You know, we're the luckiest people in the world right now!" (You can also bring your own picnic, and it's $40). Jeff and his wife April have been operating this new rowing club on Lake Merritt only since Valentines' Day--they are young, sweet, and good at what they do. So give it a try--and be prepared to be serenaded with a few Italian love songs as well! Gondola Servizio: (5100 663-6603 or check out their web page at http://www.oaklandsports.org/boating/activities/gondola/index.htm Roxane

Lake Merritt Boating Center

I've managed to live in the East Bay with 2 kids for 13 years without ever finding out about the cool stuff at the Lake Merritt Boating Center. A couple of weekends ago, I went there with 3 other grown-ups and five kids ages 7-13. We all had a great time and I highly recommend it as an easy activity on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. I think kids older than 5 or so would really enjoy it.

Each of the kids rented a one-kid kayak ($8 hour) and the adults shared two canoes ($6 hour each). We all took off on our own, paddling around on the very placid Lake Merritt. The kayaks are highly colorful lightweight fiberglass and very easy to maneuver for a kid. The boat house attendant told me there is no minimum age, but it looked like a kid would need to be about bike-riding age to handle it. Lifevests are furnished, of course.

They also have rowboats, pedal boats, sailboats and catamarans for rent and they are open 7 days a week. Hours vary according to weather. They are located basically across the lake from Children's Fairyland; you turn in at the Fairyland parking area. And by the way if you haven't visited Fairyland it's a great place for little ones. Not to mention the bird sanctuary.

They also have sailing classes for children and adults, as well as week-long sailing and windsurfing camps in the summer, which I wish I had known about sooner! For more info, call them at 444-3807.

Ginger (1995)