take the kids Archives - until suburbia!

Ride the Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round

August 19, 2026Silvia

Up in Tilden Regional Park is a hidden gem – one of the few working antique merry-go-rounds in the United States. Built in 1911 by the Herschell-Spillman Company of Tonawanda, New York, the handcrafted wood animals still enthrall kids and adults alike. Before it settled in 1949 at this location, one of the previous stops was Griffith Park in Los Angeles.

A single ride is $4, but they also offer party packages. A branch of Fenton’s Ice Cream is connected to the building and offers not only desserts but some diner classics.

Find the Tilden Park merry-go-round at Central Park Dr, Berkeley, CA 94708.

Regular hours are, weather permitting, Friday – Sunday: 11 – 5:30 pm and from June 15th – August 14th open daily, 12 pm – 5:30 pm. Check their website for more information.

Counter at the 'ammatka cafe at Lawrence Hall

Dine on Native American Food with a View

August 10, 2026Silvia

The Lawrence Hall of Science is bustling with kids during the summer camp classes. We came here to have lunch with a view at the ‘ammatka, an Ohlone cuisine inspired cafe. Since we weren’t here for the exhibits, we found ourselves taking a quick walk downstairs to the cafeteria.

The menu is quite unusual with duck sandwiches and an Ohlone salad. But fear not, there are also the usual kid-friendly items such as grilled cheese and chicken nuggets.

The view overlooking Berkeley is also spectacular. It was easy to grab a table next to the window.

‘Ammatka means “the dining hall” in Chochenyo, the first language spoken in the East Bay.

Their opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am – 3 pm. It is part of UC Berkeley’s ‘ottoy Initiative, whose mission is to foster an understanding of Ohlone culture and its people.

A person taking a picture of the flower fields and a sign saying: Pick Your Own Bouquet today

Pick Some Flowers, Park Winters, Winter, CA

March 27, 2026Silvia

If you only plan on picking your next bouquet at the flower farm in Park Winters, you are missing out. They also have an amazing brunch where everything can be made vegetarian. Wandering around the beautiful estate, before and afterwards, is required.

Even with events going on, you can visit the gift shop near the estate. You may walk away with some olive oil, soap, or a cute greeting card.

Picking flowers on most Saturdays or Sundays can be a relaxing way to spend your weekend. You can just ‘walk-in’, but they recommend that you reserve a spot online. Take the kids, but make sure they are supervised at all times. Kids under 12 are not allowed to handle the shears. Please leave your dog at home. Each bouquet costs $38, not the most frugal experience, but an extraordinary one. Get inspired by nature, relax, and let your creativity bloom.

Not a fan of fresh flowers? No problem! The flower farm also offers to create a bouquet of dried flowers. Want to learn something? Sure, just book one of their workshops, like wreath making. Or book one of their garden tours and learn what’s in bloom.

Park Winters is located at 27850 County Road 26, Winters, CA. The flower picking experience is offered Saturdays and Sundays from 9am – 1pm.

Flowers blooming overlooking the Davis Cemetery

Gaze at the Bloom in the Davis Cemetery

March 13, 2026March 13, 2026Silvia

A cemetery might not be the first place you think of when looking at blooming trees. But the Davis Cemetery, established in 1855, is also a level 2 arboretum. With over 150 species of trees, it’s a great place to take a walk. Right now, some of the trees are in bloom. A wonderful stroll that is augmented by unique headstones and other memorials.

Besides that, they also have one of the nation’s first tributes to COVID-19. The walkway with some colorful arches ends in a cluster of benches that are ideal for social distancing.

If you prefer a meditative walk, they offer a labyrinth that is uniquely shaped.

The all-denominational cemetery is open every day of the week from sunrise to sunset. Located at 820 Pole Line Rd. in Davis.

Explore Art by Native Americans, Gorman Museum, Davis

January 16, 2026Silvia

Contemporary art by Native Americans, First Nations, and Indigenous Peoples is the focus of the Gorman Museum in Davis, CA. This museum, located near the arboretum, is part of the UC Davis campus. Established in 1973, it has a large collection of earlier indigenous art – baskets, ceramics, and sculptures. The exhibitions now, however, present artists of contemporary Native American arts. Rick Bartow’s solo exhibit ends January 18th, 2026. Shelly Niro will be the next solo artist opening on January 28th, 2026.

I highly recommend the Indigenous Futurisms exhibit, where nine artists redefine their relationship with aliens and superheroes. The Star Wars theme is catchy and invites the viewer to reflect. My absolute favorite was Resistance by Andy Everson. Darth Vader wearing Native American symbols makes him stand out. Is it a ridicule of the powerful? Or a display of dark forces being rejected? The Indigenous Futurisms collection can be seen until September 2026.

The museum doesn’t allow taking pictures of the artwork. You can visit their website to browse their collection.

The Gorman Museum of Native American Art is located at 181 Old Davis Road, Davis. Opening hours are Wednesday to Friday from 11 am – 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from noon – 5 pm.

Parking is always challenging at the campus, but if you visit on the weekends, the parking lot 5a has free spots available. During the week, you can use the 7 metered spots in lot 5a, but they might fill up.

The Years in Review – Untilsuburbia’s 10 Year Anniversary

December 27, 2025Silvia

In November 2015, a new blog was conceived: untilsuburbia.com.

The idea: What can you do in the Bay Area outside of San Francisco? It turns out a lot!

Here are a few numbers from the last 10 years:

Over the last 10 years, I posted

487 blog posts
9 collections about 50 things to do in Bay Area cities

With an average of 240 words, each blog post isn’t extensive, but it presents you with an appetizer version of what you will find.

A huge thank you to Sharon, who reads every blog and makes the best suggestions! Many thanks go to the people who join me on my exploration adventures – you know who you are! And last but not least, thank you for reading this blog. Please like and subscribe!

For 10 years, this has been my hobby. A way to keep me writing and committed to an (almost) weekly blog post. I haven’t gotten any compensation for it. In fact, the frugal sightseeing category is part of the concept. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money. The most expensive experience was the oyster shucking at Tomales Bay, a birthday gift for my husband.

Over the years, I wrote about 90+ cities. In addition to the Bay Area counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma, I recently added Yolo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey County.

My favorite find

My personal favorite find was Victor Arnautoff’s murals on the former Palo Alto health clinic. Arnautoff was a disciple of Diego Rivera. His depiction of medical procedures caused a traffic jam in the 1930s, mainly because of the topless woman in one mural.

I only posted twice about the same place. Both are special finds! The first is the Arizona Cactus Garden on the grounds of Stanford University. A fascinating, if not magical, place with a myriad of cactuses and succulents. The second place also has magical qualities. The redwood grove in Los Altos is a truly hidden gem. Not many people frequent this grove, and it is a quick, meditative, and calming place.

Do you have a favorite post?

Did you ever get inspired to explore after reading one of my posts? Let me know in the comments!

Admire Old Toys, Hayward Toy Museum

December 12, 2025Silvia

We came for the giants and found the toy museum, too! Last week, I reported on the Muffler Man and other giant statues at Bell Plastics in Hayward. To my surprise, this is also the place to see toy banks, banned toys, and Pez.

If you missed your chance to go to the Pez Museum in Burlingame, head over to Hayward to see this extensive collection! Bruce Kennedy, the avid collector who acquired the plastic statues for Bell Plastics, got his collection bug started as a kid with toy banks. First, it was glass banks. But it evolved into all things antique. Now there are molds for antique toy banks, all kinds of birth banks, and glass baby bottles. When he took over the Pez collection from his friend Gary Doss, he installed a colorful floor that reflected the dispenser’s uniqueness. You can still take a photo with the world’s largest Pez dispenser. Also, the collection of banned toys is on display, with my favorite: the Atomic Energy Lab. This museum also holds some collector’s items like the first comic book (Famous Funnies No. 1) and the first wireless remote control (Zenith Flash-Matic).

I opted for the tour included in the price and received an extensive presentation. The museum is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 12 to 17, or $24 per car. You can find the Hayward Toy Museum on 2020 National Ave. in Hayward. Opening hours are Monday through Friday from 4:30 pm to 7 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am to 6 pm.

Look up at the Muffler Man, Hayward

December 5, 2025Silvia

Big Mike, aka the Muffler Man is, at 20ft, a true roadside attraction. At Bell Plastics in Hayward, many of the old fiberglass attractions found a second home. Collector Bruce Kennedy has been restoring and preserving these giants since 2011.

Big Mike was originally installed in the 1960’s on Mission Boulevard at the Morris Car Wash in Hayward. Kennedy, who has now quite a collection of these oldies around, saved him. From a waving Santa to the octopus that formally decorated a car wash, it’s a trip to yesteryear.

There is also a Paul Bunyan statue, a giant lumberjack. The funniest I found was the Alfred E. Neuman giant, of MAD comics fame (he is sometimes called Half Wit)! This one got restored with a Hawaiian shirt and was briefly featured in the 2008 movie “Semi Pro.”

All statues seem to be missing the axes they once carried. There is one axe in the office that was left there by an anonymous donor. But it was too big for Big Mike.

I’m so glad that these statues found a savior! What a great roadside attraction.

Big Mike and all the other statues can be seen for free at Bell Plastics, located at 2020 National Ave., Hayward, CA. Opening hours are from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and Saturday, 10 am to 6:00 pm.

Thank you, Joel Baker, the founder of American Giants, for the comprehensive article on Bruce Kennedy’s collection.

The entrance to the Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito

Value the Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito

November 28, 2025Silvia

Do you know you can visit the World’s Largest Marine Mammal Hospital right here in the Bay Area? It is in the Marin Headlands, a 15-minute drive from downtown Sausalito.

Visiting the center is free, but you have to reserve tickets through Eventbrite. To enhance this experience, I highly recommend you book a tour. They are participating in the Discover & Go program through your local library, and we got a 50% discount. Our tour turned out to be a private tour. We were taken to the hospital and the seal restaurant which prepares the specific food needed for each species to heal. Which animals you will see depends on the season. February to May is pupping season for the northern elephant seal and the California sea lion pups. June to October is sea lion season and November to January is usually quieter. Current patients are posted on the website. In addition, you can do extra things such as touch the various seal and sea lion skins to see how different they are.

They do amazing research and take in seals from Monterey Bay to San Lois Obispo.

Stop by the gift shop to give some extra love. You can also donate or shop online. For delivery before Hannukkah, shop before December 4th; for delivery before Christmas, get your order in before December 9th.

The Marine Mammal Center is open Friday to Monday, 10 am – 4 pm (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day). It is located at 2000 Bunker Road, Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito. You must book a ticket online.

Extra Impact

For an extra impact, they asked if you’d like to leave a comment in favor of the Endangered Species Act. These protections are likely to be removed in order to allow oil drilling. The government is soliciting public comments on the four proposed rules now through Sunday, December 21.

A haystack minion with his arms stretched open

Drive by the Minions, I-80 near Dixon

October 31, 2025Silvia

When you travel south on I 80, between Dixon and Vacaville, you will go past an unexpected sight. Minions, from the popular movie, stacked three haystacks high. Juan Ramirez, a seasonal farmworker, is the creator of these hay sculptures. They have been popping up to greet the drivers on I-80 for years now. And if you travel up and down regularly, you can be part of watching them fall apart. I know this sounds gruesome, but it is actually part of the natural process, like seeing someone age.

Cooley Farms, where the minions are displayed, is no stranger to big attractions. They are the people behind the largest corn maze in the area. In fact, they held the Guinness World Record for the largest maze twice!

It’s such a great advertisement that brings momentous joy and something to look forward to every time I pass by there.

The Sacramento Bee interviewed the creator last year:

Minions made of hay delight millions driving on California’s I-80. Meet man who made them