Oakland: Monsters and circus arts and crafts, oh my!

Visit Oakland, the seventh largest city in California, and you just might spot the "Oak-ness Monster." The creature supposedly lives in Lake Merritt, the only natural salt water lake in the world that can be found inside of city limits. You'll need your camera to capture a shot of the famous monster and to take pictures of all the other fun family-friendly attractions that Oakland has to offer. 

Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium
This stadium facility opened in 1923. The beautiful Berkeley Hills are visible in the east, and the San Francisco Bay and three bridges can be seen in the west. You're sure to have a stunning view of the field and the surrounding area when you drive your Oakland rental car to this stadium. The University of California Golden Bears football team calls this facility home. Their fans come out in navy and yellow droves to the recently remodeled stadium. The latest renovation was completed in 2012 and added necessary seismic upgrading, new restrooms, wider concourses, better accessible seating for people with wheelchairs and more. The historic facade at the entrance was also redone, along with the addition of a more modern press box and more seating. Head to this state-of-the-art facility to catch a Golden Bears game and take in the stunning scenery.

Rock Paper Scissors Collective
Oakland is famous for being a diverse arts community. Take in the arts community while making some creative crafts of your own at this location on Telegraph Avenue. Events and classes take place here almost daily. Attendees can learn how to make multimedia collages, costumes, write letters to prisoners, compete in a bake off, make their own terrariums and much more. The collective has partnered with many community organizations, like the Oakland Public Library, Berkeley Art Museum and The Bikery, to work on bringing the arts community to areas that are not so artsy. Don't worry if you aren't a super crafty person, classes are accessible to all levels of experience. Check the web calendar to see what exciting activities are going on when you visit. 

Trapeze Arts
Do your kids have dreams of flying through the air as a part of the circus? Drive your Oakland rental car to Trapeze Arts for some family-friendly fun that's sure to be remembered. Students from this exciting school perform in Cirque du Soleil, Barnum and Bailey and Ringling Bros. Circuses. But don't worry, you can take a class or two without the fear of having to perform. Adults and kids as young as age 2 can partake in exciting circus classes to learn the flying trapeze, aerial arts (think swinging on a trapeze and climbing on an aerial silk), double trapeze, trampoline, Chinese acrobatics and more! If your kids love jumping around the house and are always climbing trees, this is an awesome attraction for them. They'll be in a safe and controlled environment while enjoying the fun, high-flying circus activities they've always dreamed of!