Friday, October 30, 2015

Halloween and fall events- 2015

Halloween in the San Francisco greater bay area has lots of fun events, here are a few highlights this year!

I.  Petaluma trick or treating on D Street, the most amazing street for trick or treating I've ever seen!

Includes:

Dia de La Muerta themed house with a taco truck, huge snack wrapped around tree, movie with chairs in backyard playing "Day of the Dead," photo shooting booth area and amazing decorations!

My son loved the house themed cavity cove, also on D street.  There was a voice as you walked up saying, "I'm going to get you!"  It was such a scary voice that I think I, as an adult, will have
nightmares about it!

II.  Petaluma Pumpkin Patch corn maze, during the day or the night.

My son experienced his first ever corn maze today, on Sunday, November 1, 2015.  Though they usually close after Halloween day, they stayed open today since it is Sunday.  It took under an hour to get through the maze, it was fun!

III.  Dia De La Muerta parade in Petaluma, CA.

The Dia de la Muerta parade is from 2 to 8PM.  It is a candlelight procession with giant puppets and musicians.  I smelled incense in the air.  The parade starts at Water Street Bistro, which is at 100 Petaluma Blvd.   Water Street Bistro closes early, but is a delicious spot to pick up sandwiches, soups, salads, and lattes!  The parade ends at 20 4th Street, at the Petaluma Historical Society.

III.  Driveway Follies, off Park Street in the Glenview neighborhood of Oakland.  This is a Glenview legend, a driveway puts on puppet shows.  See Facebook page, Driveway Follies, for more information.




Thursday, October 29, 2015

Visiting a haunted house, or aircraft ship in Northern California this Halloween

Last night I was looking up haunted houses and other haunted Halloween attractions for this Halloween.  I found a website, http://www.californiahauntedhouses.com/halloween.  On this website, I found lots of choices, one interesting one was the Haunted USS Hornet in Alameda!


Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Oakland, CA Heritage Alliance, Fall 2015 Tours and Presentations

THe Oakland Heritage Alliance offers tours and Presentations, see http://tinyurl.com/oha-events for call (510) 763-9218 more information.


Upcoming events:

November 12, 2015
7PM Presentation
Oakland Tales, with Summer Brenner
Chapel of the Chimes, Oakland, cA

Tuesday, November 17, 2015
5:45PM
Dinner and Presentation
San Francisco's Jewel City:  The Panama-Pacific Exposition of 1915, with Laura Ackley
Scott's, Jack London Square.

Thursday, December 10th
7PM Presentation
Christmas Pageant Memories with Kathleen Di Giovanni
Chapel of the Chimes

I love Philz Coffee, including the heavy cream they put in the coffee!

The first time I had Philz Coffee, I noticed something very different, it tasted like dessert.  Then, on another visit, I noticed they use HEAVY CREAM!  Now, when I go to Philz, I have them put in half almond milk and half heavy cream!  Yum!

One criticism is why the coffee isn't organic, it is so expensive!

Monday, October 19, 2015

Grand Fare Market on Grand Avenue in Oakland, CA- coffee trailer, bakeshop, restaurant, flowershop, etc.

What's new on Grand Avenue in Oakland, CA?  I stopped by Grand Fare Market today for a cup of coffee in the 1940's coffee trailer on site!  It is a blue trailer and is all decked out!  They also open for lunch at 11:00AM and there is a 1200 square foot garden, which is the dining room.  There are no dogs allowed in this outdoor garden area.  I would love to have lunch or dinner at this beautiful site!

Grand Fare Market
www.grandfaremarket.com
opens for lunch at 11:00
(coffee trailer, ice cream, lunch at 11, dinner and wine menu, flowershop, bakery, take out deli.)

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Touring the Winchester Mystery House with a flashlight during this Halloween season

Sarah Winchester spent years of her life building on to her Victorian Mansion in San Jose, CA.  There are doors going to walls, hidden passageways, and even a seance room.  Millions of people have visited Sarah Winchester's home and heard her story.  Some even report sightings of ghosts after visiting her home.

Special 55 minute flashlight tours of the Winchester Mansion are given every Friday the 13th and on selected evenings this month in October!

In tribute to Mrs. Winchester's fascination with the number 13, celebrity Bell Ringers will sound the old tower bell 13 times at 1300 hours (1:00PM) every Friday the 13th.  On tour, you will see signs of Mrs. Winchester's fascination with the number 13.

Resources:
Winchester Mystery House
special flashlight tours this month
http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/specialevents

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Visiting Apple Hill 2015

Visiting the High Hill Ranch:














Visiting Rainbow Orchards - Best donuts on Apple Hill:

















Visiting Mill View Ranch - great kids' play area:








Dinner at Smith Flat House (above an old gold mine):









Sunday, October 11, 2015

Rockridge Out and About Festival is today, October 11, 2015- live music, gourmet food, kids crafts

Today is the annual Rockridge Out and About Festival in the Rockridge District of Oakland, cA.  This is a free event.  It is less than a block from Rockridge bart station, and festivities run from noon to 6PM along the 12 block stretch of College Avenue between Claremont and Manila.  There is live music from 12:30 to 5:30PM.

A kid zone is available with free pumpkin painting and an insect petting zoo.

Resources can be found here:
http://rockridgeoutandabout.com/

 The rock wall:





 On the Rockridge Midway (under BART):





Painting pumpkins:



Investigating bugs:






Artwork:



The circus/acrobatic performers:



 Drawing with ink;



Dogs!



More from the acrobats:


Near the end of the afternoon: