Sun, Splash & Summer Adventure—Your East Bay Escape

The days are long, the sun is shining, and East Bay families are on the hunt for the best summer thrills! From creative camps that spark imagination to refreshing dips at community pools, and the wonder of the circus under the big top, we’ve lined up everything you need to make this season unforgettable. Pack your sunscreen and your sense of adventure—summer starts here!

Summer Spotlights:

Ready for seasons of sun-soaked adventures? Dive into our curated lineup of enriching summer camps that spark curiosity and build lifelong skills, then chill out at East Bay hotspots—whether you’re cooling off poolside or catching the circus under the big top, we’ve got all your seasonal favorites covered.

🏕️ Summer Camps

🌞 Summer Hotspots

Dive into summer fun at Martinez’s aquatic center—our top pick for big splashes on a budget! Don’t miss the giant yellow bucket’s epic water dumps, a beach-entry splash zone for little ones, lap lanes, and a diving board for thrill-seekers. Chill under shaded picnic spots or explore nearby Rankin Park, and join Friday Family Nights with themed fun, swim lessons, and water aerobics. With lockers, clean bathrooms, and outside food allowed, it’s everything you need for a splash-tastic day!

Step right up to “Decade of Dreams”—a dazzling, nostalgia-fueled spectacle under the big top! Venardos Circus brings critically acclaimed human performers (no animals here) from around the globe to thrill you with high-flying aerialists, gravity-defying trapeze acts, and laugh-out-loud clown routines. Each 90‑minute show (with a brief intermission) is packed with jaw-dropping feats, vintage carnival charm, and gourmet treats like house-made pink lemonade and classic cotton candy.

🎨 Creative Escapes: What’s Happening This Week

Get ready to geek out over your favorite authors and discover new voices—this festival is East Bay’s ultimate literary playground! Over two sun-drenched days in Downtown Berkeley, BABF brings together four can’t-miss headliner talks, eight hands-on Writers’ Workshops, and a buzzing outdoor BookFest Block Party. Dive into six indoor stages featuring everyone from award-winning novelists and firebrand journalists to groundbreaking poets and social-justice storytellers.

Hold onto your helmets—FuelFest roars into town with an all-makes-and-models car show, live drifting demos, fan ride-alongs, a concert stage, VIP lanes, and more! A portion of proceeds benefits Paul Walker’s Reach Out WorldWide. Don’t miss the Bay Area debut of this global gear-head extravaganza.

The 42nd Annual Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival moves to Civic Park with 200+ artisan booths, a craft beer garden, award-winning wines, nonstop live music, kids’ zones, and food trucks—a longtime East Bay summer kickoff.

Clayton Pride’s 4th Annual Parade & Festival “Now More Than Ever, Love Matters” rolls down Main Street at 10 AM, then blossoms into a festival with local vendors, live drag performances, food trucks, and a kids’ corner—community spirit on full display.

Oakland First Fridays returns for “Black Essence,” celebrating African American creativity with live music, spoken word, art exhibits, and soul-food delights along KONO. A free, monthly street-party that’s pure Oakland.

🍽️ Local Flavor

A buzzy newcomer from the team behind The Morris, Sirene blends shellfish charcuterie, anchovy-broth mussels, and buttermilk-brined fried chicken in a vine-draped space. By day, sip Hydrangea-roasted coffee and nibble house-made doughnuts; by night, indulge in creative cocktails and marquee seafood dishes in Temescal’s heart.

📚 Home Organization Pitfalls

🏡 Featured Listings

🌅Summer Send-Off

From creative challenges at Camp Edmo to cannonball contests under Martinez’s giant yellow bucket and high-flying feats at Venardos Circus, we’ve kicked off summer with all the sun-soaked fun you can handle. Here’s to endless days of curiosity, community, and cool-down dives—East Bay’s summer adventure is just heating up! See you next week for more camps, poolside escapes, and big-top thrills under our golden skies.

Stay local & stay inspired,

Ryan DeAmaral

Co-Writer, Twin Oaks Insider

[email protected]