https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9S67wmC8uU&feature=youtu.be
Berkeley Kite Festival
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Cesar E Chavez Park
Berkeley, CA 94701 West Berkeley - Get Directions
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Let's Go Fly a Kite!
Fields of kites blanket the beautiful blue yet appropriately windy skies of Berkeley. Having gone to the Berkeley Kite Festival twice in two years, I am obviously an avid fan. Although most attendees are families with small children, young adults typically enjoy this event. ALERT ALERT: Great date idea!
Whether you fly a kite or simply watch the kites majestically fly through the sky, you will have a blast. Remember to pack a lunch. Don't bother taking the shuttles from the Berkeley Marina parking lot to Kite Hill; it's only a 15-20 minute walk. There are also food and drink vendors, a petting zoo, and a kid's bouncy activity area.
Must see if you live in Berkeley! -
- Melissa C.
- Emeryville, CA
- Elite ’14
- 42 friends
- 346 reviews
If you live in the area and are looking for some good family fun, this festival is a great way to spend a few hours. I can't really find anything to complain about...this festival is free to attend, after all. Lot's of great kite competitions and pretty kites to gaze at. The venue for it is great...along the water with the right amount of wind. There are a bunch of little booths selling artwork, cothes and of course kites. And then there are also a series of food stands selling your typical carnival type food...funnel cakes, bbq on a stick, etc. There are also plenty for the kids to do...pony rides (although i'm sure the ponies don't think it's that fun) and jump houses, an animal petting area...you have to pay admission to visit those areas, i believe, but i don't think the cost was super terrible. We live close enough to the park to where we didn't really have to worry about parking, but I would imagine that if you are driving, you'd want to get there early to grab a spot ($15 fee) that's within reasonable walking distance, although I did see that they had free shuttles if you parked in some of the further lots provided. If you can ride your bike here, do so to avoid car parking...it's a fun area to ride around in anyway and they had free valet bike parking on-site. Make sure to dress in layers as it could go from being chilly early in the day to being pretty warm depending on the fog/cloud cover.
We've lived in the area for a few years now and this year was the first time we've visited...after our experience here, we'll try to make this a yearly event. Great fun for everyone! -
There's something gratifying about seeing a community getting together and celebrating something so juvenile as kite flying.
From the high way you can see hundreds of kites dancing in the sky, all different shapes, sizes, colors - just from an outside perspective it's like seeing something in the movies that you'd never think you'd see in real life.
Parking is atrocious! The prices may vary from $15 or so but there are shuttle buses from the marina to the fields. The delta winds made the day perfect for flying and if you're wanting to join the crowd, they have booths set up with different types of kites to buy. The food vendors were pretty sketchy and there were games for kids to play.
I didn't stay as long as I wanted to but it's pretty limited to what you can do out there but if you do plan on going you may want to bring sunscreen, a blanket to sit on, and perhaps your own food since the vendors tasted like shit.
I promised my dad that I'd take him next year and I'm pretty much looking forward to it. -
- Annie L.
- Oakland, CA
- 27 friends
- 30 reviews
This is my second consecutive year attending BFK. Last year, I paid $15 and parked in the lot across from the event. This year, I parked in the parking lot behind the soccer field. I ended up walking 10 minutes on some back road in order to get to the festival. I was happy to see that they changed some of the big kites. I really enjoyed seeing Toothless from How To Train a Dragon.
I feel as though this festival is really geared towards children and families. I loved that there was a booth where children and any adults who are children at heart could decorate and make their own pinwheels and kites. Unfortunately, they ran out of kites by the time I got there, but it was fun to see many people proudly flying the kites they made.
My only gripe is that I wish they could figure out another way to organize the parking situation. In order for the shuttle to be of any use to people, you have to park in the Golden Gate Fields parking lot, which costs $15. I think I remember reading somewhere that the proceeds go to charity, but still, I think it's a bit pricey.
TIP: Bring some food and drinks for a picnic!
TIP: Bring sunglasses and wear layers! It's typically windy, but it's hard to predict if it'll be warm or cold so be prepared.
CON: Lots of traffic and limited parking. Expect to be around lots of people who don't really know what they're doing. -
- Red D.
- San Lorenzo, CA
- 52 friends
- 34 reviews
Great summer kite fest in Berkeley flying kite in afternoon with your firend and family . This is one of my event to do in the summer lots of sun great wind for fly kites awesome for kids great food over all a great afternoon
Here come on down and join us :3 -
- vic f.
- Oakland, CA
- 18 friends
- 221 reviews
Low key family fun. Food booths, kids activities, and lots of fresh air. Word the wise bring bikes, parking looked to be a nightmare. -
- Kenny W.
- Suisun City, CA
- 118 friends
- 4 reviews
If your looking for a fun family outing this is the place to be. Kites and piñata kites -
- David W.
- Danville, CA
- 8 friends
- 3 reviews
Five stars for the event. Such a great free festival for family. One star for the parking cost for convenient parking for out of towners like me. Make sure to bring a kite for your kids to fly!!! -
PARKING IS A NIGHTMARE!
Parking is $15
There are friendly shuttles provided by the city of Berkely. Took us about 45mins from the exit ramp to park due to the congestion. You could also park at Golden Gate Fields and take the shuttle -would probaly avoid that same traffic we were stuck in.
Will definately make it an annual event if we can make it! We had such a great time (minus the parking). We packed a picnic basket of goodies however there are a good handful of vendors and food trucks available.
No kite? No problem! There are booths where you can make your own kite, purchase a legitimate kite or heck there are a bajillion kites out you can enjoy the day without even having to fly your own! We didnt fly one this year, but next year when the little man is old enough maybe we'll fly one then.
Make it a picnic, bring your family, or bring a date. Its definately fun for all. Who doesn't like flying a kite? When the heck did you last fly one?
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