10 Ways to Relieve Stress and Relax in the East Bay Area

10 Ways to Relieve Stress and Relax in the East Bay Area

From working a full-time job, to making sure the kids have their homework done, to keeping up with friends and extended family, sometimes daily life can feel like a juggling act. However, when you start to overdo it, the level of stress can start to take a mental and physical toll. According to a 2018 Gallup survey, almost 25 percent of full-time employees feel burnout very often or always. Not only are you not as focused while performing your daily tasks, but you start to feel more pessimistic and less motivated overall.
 
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having a job and other commitments, but it’s important to keep them in check in order to avoid burnout. From practicing gratitude to keep you centered, to working on mental exercises to stay sharp, to carving out more time to unplug and rejuvenate, there are many ways to relieve stress in your daily life.
 
So, how do you go about unplugging? Sometimes, the answer is as simple as stepping out of your front door and exploring your surroundings. For example, there are plenty of relaxing activities in California’s East Bay area to try, from bike riding along a waterfront to hiking through a regional park. Read on for other ways to relieve stress in the East Bay area.

Checklist of Outdoor Activities in The East Bay Area to Relieve Stress

There are many different ways to relieve stress, depending on your unique interests and activity level. Maybe exercising helps you burn off steam and find motivation, or going to an event with friends helps you recharge, or simply relaxing in nature helps you disconnect for a while. Ready to kick burnout to the curb? Here are 10 ideas for relaxing things to do in the East Bay area:

1. Take a stroll along Lake Merritt

   1. Spend a relaxing afternoon on the shores of this pleasant city lake, where you can go for a jog, take a walk, or relax while you watch the boats go by. Grab a bite in downtown Oakland, or have a picnic on the lawn—at Lake Merritt, you can really get a taste of what the lakeside living experience would be like.

2. Explore Tilden Regional Park

   1. Located in the city of Berkeley, Tilden Regional Park has something for everyone in the family to enjoy. With a petting zoo, an antique carousel, a beautiful lake, and endless trails for hiking and jogging, Tilden Regional Park is a great place to recharge as you experience nature.

3. Hike to the top of Mt. Diablo

   1. Challenge yourself to reach the summit of 3,848-foot Mt. Diablo. Located in Walnut Creek, Mt. Diablo boasts panoramic views, native wildlife, and ancient fossils pressed into the rock sides. From the ground, Mt. Diablo itself is breathtaking to look at, especially from nearby Brentwood new home communities that can claim this peak as their backdrop.

4. Experience Mission Peak Regional Preserve

   1. For those looking for a more strenuous climb, getting up Mission Peak in Fremont can be quite the thrilling afternoon adventure. Be sure to get a picture with the iconic “Mission Peeker” marker pole at the summit, then watch the hang gliders and paragliders take off from the 1,950-foot launch point.

5. Delve into Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve

   1. One of the East Bay Regional Park District’s oldest parks, the Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve in Oakland gets its unique formations from the lava and volcanic debris of a 10-million-year-old volcano. Take a pleasant hike up Round Top Loop Trail, or explore the strange labyrinths at the bottom of the quarry canyons.

6. Have fun in the sun at the Berkeley Marina

   1. This oceanside spot in Berkeley is a great place to go for a jog, ride your bike, fish off the marina, or even fly a kite across the grassy park. With several restaurants nearby, the Berkeley Marina offers a day’s worth of family fun, whether you’re visiting the area or waking up to this California east bayfront lifestyle every day.

7. Stop and smell the roses at the Berkeley Rose Garden

   1. Another beautiful and unique Berkeley attraction is the Berkeley Rose Garden, home to over 3,000 rose bushes and 250 different rose varieties. Relax as you take in the sweet aroma, marvel at the rows of flowers, or even enjoy a midday picnic before watching the sun set behind the Golden Gate Bridge.

8. Go back in time at Ardenwood Historic Farm

   1. Tucked away in the city of Fremont, the Ardenwood Historic Farm is a delightful place to take the family. With a stunning Victorian mansion and garden, live farm animals, a train ride, and many wide paths to stroll along, Ardenwood Historic Farm takes you back to a charming 19th-century California.

9. Lafayette Reservoir

   1. Enjoy a nice walk with the pup on a three-mile paved trail, or grab one of the many barbeque pits to enjoy a cookout in the park with friends and family. Located in the small town of Lafayette, the Reservoir is a great place to take a paddle boat out on the water, and soak in that California sun.

10. Crown Memorial State Beach

    1. In the city of Alameda, on the shores of the San Francisco Bay, Crown Memorial State Beach is a hidden gem of a place to get away to. Go for a relaxing swim while watching the windsurfers, gather for a meal outside at one of the picnic tables, or visit the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary at the east end of the park.

Other Relaxing Things to Do in the East Bay

While there are tons of outdoor activities in the East Bay area to explore, there are other relaxing things to do to promote self-care if staying inside is more your style.

1. Visit a museum

   1. The East Bay is home to many unique museums, each boasting its own special charm. From the Berkeley Art Museum, to the Chabot Space & Science Center, there’s a lot to be inspired by, whether you love art, architecture, film, or all of the above.

2. Take a historical landmark tour

   1. As an area deeply rooted in the history of California, there are many historical landmarks and buildings in the East Bay area that you can still explore today. From gardens, to libraries, to estates, you can spend a relaxing afternoon learning about a California past.

3. See a show

   1. The Bay Area has always had a rich tradition in the performing arts—but did you know you can experience the country’s most popular shows in a local East Bay venue? From community productions to Broadway-scale musicals, a night at the theater is a great way to unwind.

4. Go wine tasting

   1. With the famous Napa Valley only a short distance away, there are many wineries and tasting rooms to enjoy in the East Bay area, drawing wine enthusiasts from all over the world. Explore our new home communities in Rio Vista to get a taste of how locals can experience the best of city and country.

The Right Partner to Help You Find a Relaxing New Home in the East Bay

While there’s many ways to relieve stress—from high activity to quiet relaxation, outdoor to indoor adventures—what’s important is that it works for you and your own needs. Thinking about finding a new home to really kickstart this next life stage? At Shea Homes, not only do we pour a lot of thoughtfulness and attention to detail into the design of every home, but we carefully select the locations that we build in, so you can live the lifestyle you want. Explore a new home community near you  today, or sign up for email updates to learn more.