Oakland, California is a place familiar with screaming and gunshots in the background of everyday life. To protect the innocent children, the color of their clothing is restricted to a limited number of colors. This is done to prevent gang violence. Unaware of Oakland’s diversity, most people avoid Oakland at all costs. People drive past Oakland never pulling over to stop for gas or to eat a meal, because of their fear of the violence and their disgust for the area. However, if one takes the time to look beyond the Oakland stereotype, they will find a whole new definition for Oakland.

     Just beyond the most populated areas of Oakland lies the secluded towering hills and refreshing forests of Oakland. A blanket of fog rolls through the trees covering the streets and modest homes. Rain trickling from the trees and making pools of water on the forest floors. This rich forest looks untouched by the public. There is no litter piling up on the sides of the winding streets going up the beautiful hills. Fresh, crisp air fills the lungs of every individual entering this secret haven. An exciting discovery in this safe forest, on top of a hill, is the Chabot Space and Science Center.

     Here, everyone can come to escape the rush of the city life. Just by driving to the Chabot Space and Science Center one can gaze over the city of Oakland. Every skyscraper building becomes miniature and the people in the city go unnoticed, blending in with the streets. This view highlights the achievements people have made together to establish Oakland. Violence cannot be observed from this view, making Oakland appear more serene, a quality all wish Oakland would achieve as a whole. By gazing over Oakland one can see all the different aspects of the city, the bay and the forest.

     Chabot Space and Science Center adds a whole other dimension to Oakland. Chabot’s MegaDome, exhibitions and telescopes are sure to grab everyone’s interests. The MegaDome is a 60-foot large screen theater. While watching a film, one feels transported into the movie because the screen wraps around the whole theater. This, for instance, makes someone who is watching Tales Of The Maya Skies feel as though they are experiencing walking through the villages of the Maya people. The booming surround sound is an additional theatrical effect helping transport visitors mentally into the feature films.

     Through the exhibitions one will develop a better appreciation for astronauts and space. Explore their thrilling exhibits, such as the one that creates a picture of you floating in space. Wanting to perform similar tasks to astronauts, try out their exercise gear or even eat dehydrated astronaut food. Fun facts and simulators are found in every exhibit.

     Enormous historic telescopes can be found in the Chabot Observatories. Leah and Rachel are large, off-white cylinder telescopes. These remarkable telescopes are used to teach and to show the public beyond our daily sky. The comical Chabot staff member even adds that Leah and Rachel are perfect additions for a date. One can bring their date to Chabot Space and Science Center to look through the telescopes at the beaming stars and glowing planets.

     Hunter green forests, fresh foliage covered mountains all exist and contribute to the secret identity of Oakland. By driving along the curving cliff side streets and by exploring the hidden forests one can discover a peaceful side to Oakland. Hopefully, by taking in the tranquility of the forest, the vast view of Oakland and by experiencing Chabot Space and Science Center one will have a new expanded definition for Oakland, a place encompassing diversity.

If You Go:

Chabot Space And Science Center:                               

Address: 10000 Skyline Boulevard,

                Oakland, CA 94619

Phone: (510)336-7373

Website: www.ChabotSpace.org

     Before heading to the wineries to sample the deep crimson and honey colored wines, one should make a trip to Sonoma Plaza. Here, the family can eat, shop and play. Sonoma, a historic place, has restored and non-restored buildings being occupied by restaurants and boutiques that line the streets. While walking around the Plaza one feels as if they have traveled into the past. The sidewalks are rough, rustic bricks and a few buildings still have burnt sienna adobe roofs. A clean, green park lies in the center of the square with a playground where children can run and play. One absorbs history from all over the town, not only from the buildings but also through the stories. Such as through learning about the Bear Flag Revolt and touring the San Francisco de Solano Mission.

     Cline Cellars is a winery with much diversity and a place where everyone will be sure to enjoy themselves. The winery has a rich history being the original location of the San Francisco de Solano Mission. At the winery, one can visit a wooden cross marking the location of the mission. One can also rest next to ponds with running, mossy fountains. Cline Cellars even has two fuzzy, charcoal donkeys to pet. The donkeys are sure to leave an impression because they look like they stepped out of the Disney movie Shrek. This winery also provides tours of their cellar where one can see the multiple stacks of bloated wine barrels, the colorful cases of wine and the conveyer belt of wines being packaged. The overall trip not only leaves one with souvenirs and fun memories, but also with a sense of California’s history.

If You Go:

Cline Cellars:

Number: (707) 940-4030

Address: 24737 Arnold Drive,

               Sonoma, CA 95476

Website: www.clinecellars.com

Sonoma Plaza:

Is located in the center of Sonoma

Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau:

Number: (707)996-1090 x106

Address: 453 First Street,

               Sonoma, CA 95476

Website: www.sonomavalley.com

As I waited for the Captain of Ride The Ducks tour I observed my surroundings. I had started my morning in a place where there were buildings instead of mountains. In a city that was filled with people from different locations all around the world. Every moment I heard the screeching from the over population of cars, the pounding and vibrating coming from the street musicians, and the sounds of peoples’ feet stomping on the pavement as they rushed from one place to another. I could not wait to start my adventure on the duck boat.

Since I have lived in the Bay Area my whole life, I have been to San Francisco countless times. However, this day was unlike any other because I was going see San Francisco in a different way. I was going to ride a duck boat. This would allow me to not only get a tour of San Francisco by land but also by water. I could not wait for my journey to begin.

Finally, the Captain arrived and welcomed my group aboard his duck boat. I had never imagined a vehicle of this sort, it was a crossbreed between a boat and car. As I climbed up the stairs to enter the duck boat the Captain introduced himself and sarcastically gave safety guidelines. I could tell this was going to be a humorous adventure when he introduced himself as Captain “Jess Kidin”.

The duck boat chugged off for the day’s adventure booming music through the decades, played over the intercom as we visited different areas of San Francisco. The exciting day would consist of seeing famous locations such as Lombard Street, Pier 39, and Union Square to name a few. The moment I smelt salty, expiring fish, I knew we had reached Fisherman’s Warf. The market had salmon pink prawns and fish lined in rows for the day’s customers. The duck boat was like a travel machine because in one minute I saw the bay and fish market. In the next minute I saw little cafes, smelt the aroma of coffee and sweet baked pastries. Captain “Jess Kidin” announced we were in Little Italy as he pointed out the Italian flags on every light pole.

Every moment on the duck boat was thrilling. If there was not something spectacular to see, Captain “Jess Kidin” would pull out his Wacky Quacker which made realistic duck sounds. He would turn up the music to a classic song and start making duck sounds along with the music. A few times everyone on the duck boat chimed in with their complementary Wacky Quackers. The boat sounded like a goofy flock of ducks trying out for the next audition of “American Idol”.  The duck boat was sure to make an entrance to every location.

The glorious duck boat stuck out like a sore thumb in China Town. The buildings were scripted with large Chinese symbols. Elegant columns with wintergreen and gold bases topped with a fragile lantern lined the streets. A string of red lanterns hung above the street to help distinguish China Town. For one second I believed my little duck boat had really taken me to China. As the Captain drove towards the bay my heart raced with excitement.

The duck boat plunged into the foaming water of the bay. Rolling waves of water and mist came towards the boat as we cruised to our next destination. To my surprise, I saw a family of sea lions perched on a massive cargo ship that made our boat look minuscule. Captain “Jess Kidin” explained this family of sea lions was unusual because, “most sea lions are boys” in this bay. Cool, thick, grey fog encompassed our boat as it sailed to AT&T Park. The stadium towered over the bay. I could just envision Barry Bond’s home run ball escaping the stadium and splashing into McCovey Cove. The fog made the bay seem infinite.

Seeing San Francisco from the bay allowed me to see the city as a whole rather than as many famous attractions in the same area. From viewing the outside of San Francisco I was able to understand that China Town, The Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, Lombard Street, AT&T Park and all the other historic locations give San Francisco its identity. The mountain tall buildings, foreign mimicking towns and the historic land marks are what make up not only my view from the bay but are what also make up San Francisco.

I invite everyone to read my articles about the places I have explored. I hope that through my articles everyone

will be able to learn about and enjoy the places I have been.