This is Day 2 of our 31 Days in SF Bay series. To read all the posts in order, start with this post, then visit the Landing Page to see the outline for the whole series.

We are starting our series off with some places to visit in our hometown of Castro Valley. We are an unincorporated area, but there is a lot of history and fun traditions here.

Golfland

The first time I came here was in high school with friends. The girls went for the first time earlier in the summer. I can’t believe we didn’t take them sooner since it is a few minutes from our house! Here is our post on Golfland (with photos captioned by Emily). Melody also recently attended a birthday party here. You can see more photos HERE and HERE.

Castro Valley Farmers’ Market

CV Farmers’ Market isn’t the biggest around these parts, but since it is only a 10-minute walk from our house, we do go there from time to time when it is open from May to October. The girls enjoy the music there, and it’s interesting when the honey people bring the honeybees. You can see more photos from 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Rowell Rodeo Ranch Parade

In May, there is the Rowell Rodeo Ranch Parade. It is always fun to watch the different floats and groups that come by. The girls’ favorite every single year are the horses and dancers. You can see more photos HERE.

Castro Valley Fall Festival

In September, there is the Castro Valley Fall Festival. It is one of the two times in the year that we indulge in fair food. There is always great music and demonstrations going on. You can read our posts about the festival in 2010 and 2011. You can see more photos from 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Castro Valley Bowl

I think my sister got a coupon for free bowling, so she took the girls bowling. I hadn’t been back to this bowling alley since college days. It was pretty early on a Saturday morning, so we had the whole place to ourselves, until a birthday party started, and then we got some fun music playing and lights shining. You can see more photos HERE.

Lake Chabot Regional Park

So, in the 5 years that we have lived in Castro Valley, we have not taken the girls to Lake Chabot. This is crazy because it is not far from us, and I used to go here every single week for our water project for chemistry class in high school. Yes, rain or shine, we would walk the mile to our site to test the water, etc., and then walk back. We went paddleboating. It was a workout, but also super fun. It is a great place to walk, bike, hike, or camp too. You can see more photos HERE.

Castro Valley Park & Community Center

We are always on the hunt for fun playgrounds to play at. Castro Valley Community Center is great. There are, however, always a ton of people here. There are 4 play areas, softball field, plenty of areas for birthday parties, and a water play area. The kids seem to enjoy the gated area with a structure, swings, and sand for little ones. I wish the restrooms were closer to the playground, but at least it is available. You can see more photos from 2010 –  21, 23; 2011 – weeks 4, 14, 15, 29, 46, 49; 2012 – weeks 24, 40; and 2013.

Greenridge Park

Greenridge is where we go with our MOPS group for playdates. We pretty much take over the whole park, especially during Popsicles at the Park. It is somewhat of a hidden jewel as playgrounds go. You have drive up, up, and up the hill to get there. There is a fabulous view of the Bay from this park. This is not the best if you little ones who like to run off as there are sides where they can tumble down. I haven’t been to the other parts, but I think there is a basketball court and a field. You can see some photos from 2011 and 2013.

Castro Valley Library

We LOVE LOVE LOVE our library!! There are so many great things that go on at the CV library. The children’s area is great, and there are lots of computers to use. There are storytimes, Lego club, and lots of fun workshops. There are also wonderful programs like tutoring and training for teenagers and adults. We also love the Friends of the Library, where you can get new-ish books at a low price. And there is also a cafe. You can see photos from the library pocket park, cafe, we always run into friends HERE, gardening workshop, Sulphur Creek and HERE, random photos HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE, the bridge, summer reading program HERE and HERE, theme showcase in the lobby HERE and HERE, GRAND OPENING of the library HERE, music classes,
The girls each got their own library card on their 4th birthday: Melody and Emily.

Moore’s Pumpkin Patch

Although, we don’t actually ever purchase pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, this is a tradition that we love. The girls’ most favorite part of Moore’s? The Super Slide!! They are nervous about going down every year, but after it’s done, they are thrilled! My suggestion is to go earlier in the season so that you will get pumpkins in your photos. :p And go on a weekday so that you will not end up with lots of other families in your photos. :p You can read the blog posts from 2009 and 2010. You can see more photos from 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. We can’t wait to go again this year!

I will probably add photos later, but here are some restaurants that we enjoy in Castro Valley. We have written reviews of some of these restaurants, so they are linked up.

• Knudsen’s Ice Creamery
• Koyomi Japanese Cuisine
• Aroma Cuisine of India
• Genghix Asian Fusion – Super yummy! I can’t believe we haven’t written a review for this place yet. Chinese food and Japanese food for the win!
• Quickly – If you want to hang out with the teenagers after school. :p
• Top Thai
• Tofu House
• Silver Spoon Chinese Gourmet – I think there is karaoke or music night on Thursdays. Good service, good food.
• Jenny’s Cafe – We went here as a last resort in salvaging our St. Patrick’s Day meal, because you know, we’re almost Irish.
• Swiss Delices – The girls went here for a friend’s birthday celebration. There is a cool kids’ area with books and some toys and I think a chalkboard.
• Rigatoni’s
• Big Apple Bagels – If you want to hang out with the teenagers during lunch break. :p
• Starbucks – You know all about this place already.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill – A few blocks from us, but we don’t frequent it that often. But, if you look inside at any time, there are always lots of patrons. I think my brother goes here quite a bit. 😉
• Doug’s Place – The only true breakfast joint here in Castro Valley.
• Los Molcajetes – Right by our church. We did a to-go order. I think next time we will try eating in and see if we have better luck.
• Loard’s Ice Cream – We came here for an almost quadruple date with friends. Fun place to hang if you are out late for dessert.
• Papa Murphy’s
• Cafe Rumi – Yum! Good food and good service.
• Luccas Italian Delicatessen – Typical deli sandwiches
• Hong Kong BBQ Restaurant – Good but pricey, but only because I am used to SF Chinese food prices.
• Dampa Filipino Food – We had it awhile ago, so I can’t really remember, I know it was good.
• Norman’s Grill – We went there for Norm’s birthday. It was okay.
• Full Belly Chinese Cuisine – Also pricey for Chinese food prices, but yummy.
• Togo’s, Subway, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Shari’s, Carrows – all typical of chain restaurants

Other places to visit… (I will link photos and such later on. Come back to visit!)

• Aran Art Studio – We came here as part of the bachelorette celebration for my sister. Not as bright and “happy” as Color Me Mine, but same concept.
• Trader Joe’s – We love TJ’s!! Our church owns the building that it is in, so we go here after church for a quick lunch, and to buy groceries.
• Eden Medical Center – Not a typical “places to visit” item, but we love the new facilities! We took a tour of the new building before it was opened to the public, and it is super nice. Even the cafeteria has fancy food, and there is a nice outdoors area to enjoy a meal if you happen to be there. We did have to make use of the ER, and they were accommodating. They changed the channel to a kid’s cartoon.
• Adobe Park – You can see a few photos HERE.

This is part of our 31 Days in SF Bay series.