8 Ways to Hop Into Spring in the East Bay

As we bag jelly beans in Abio colors and blow up balloons for the Lamorinda Moms Spring Egg Hunt, which we are helping host on April 9, we started thinking about all the other spring fun that awaits the East Bay.

Wildflower walks. Patio brunches. Sailing. Farmers markets. Spring has sprung, and we have 8 ways for you to enjoy it!

1. Eggs, Eggs and More Eggs That busy bunny is hiding eggs all over Alameda and Contra Costa counties, according to this great round up we found on 510families.com. The list includes the Alameda South Shore Center's Eco Easter Eggstravaganza on April 15, 12-4 p.m., and the Tilden Park breakfast with bunny and egg hunt on April 16.

2. Wildflower Walks Poppies, Indian paintbrushes, mustard, irises and larkspurs are on full display. The San Francisco Chronicle's outdoors writer Tom Stienstra says the best viewing (not picking!) prospects in the Bay Area are in our East Bay hills. So, hike through Mt. Diablo State Park. And stroll through the 10-acre Regional Parks Botanical Garden in the Berkeley Hills. Briones Regional Park's rolling hills can be reached from entrances in Martinez and Lafayette. And don't miss the Ohlone Trail in Sunol.

3. Drink & Dine Al Fresco The East Bay is filled with sunny restaurant patios with Bay views or intimate gardens. And so many biergartens! Some notable patios: Plank in Jack London Square is a restaurant/beer garden that includes bocce courts, fire pits and views. Comal in Berkeley features a hidden back patio, sangria and modern interpretations of Mexican dishes. Get buzzed on Highwire coffee while planning your spring garden in the laid-back patio of Albany's Flowerland Nursery. Do brunch at La Note in Berkeley, and dock for dinner at Lake Chalet at Lake Merritt. For more ideas, check out this 7X7 list of lounge-worthy spots.

4. Berkeley Bay Festival On April 8, spend the day at the Berkeley Marina taking free sailboat and dragon boat rides, listening to music and enjoying food. Adventure Playground also will be open, zip lines and all. Get more info here.

5. Baseball is Back! The Oakland A's played their home opener on April 3, showing off the Coliseum's spruced up interior, new outfield signage and the new Shibe Park Tavern with more than 50 beers on tap and historic artifacts on the walls. Get the team schedule and ticket info here.

6. Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Grand Opening Farmers markets that took the winter off are returning with fresh fruits, veggies, flowers, honeys, live music and more. This Emeryville market on Bay Street reopens on April 15 at 3 p.m. and runs every Saturday afternoon through September.

7. Lafayette Earth Day Festival Love your planet at the 12th annual Lafayette Earth Day Festival on April 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. This year's theme is "Sustainable Youth," and the event promises lots of activities for children and teens, including a petting zoo provided by the Lamorinda 4-H. Located at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Get more info here.

8. Lyrid Meteor Shower Spring isn't just about soaking up sunshine. The annual Lyrid meteor shower is expected to shoot overhead from about April 16-25, peaking during the night of April 21 or near dawn on April 22.

Do you have more suggestions for wildflower trails, outdoor brunch spots or other springtime activities? Share your insider tips with us!

-----

You know what else spring is good for? Real estate. The housing market gets hopping when the weather gets good. If you are buying, selling or investing, contact Abio Properties at 888-400-ABIO (2246) or email us at [email protected].

Photo credit: Jay Huang