PARKS AND RECREATION

For regional parks, call the East Bay Regional Park District (925) 562-PARK. The district includes Alameda and Contra Costa County and owns about 53 parks covering about 69,000 acres. With golf courses, nature areas, about 800 miles of trails, lakes, playing fields, botanical gardens.

Bay Area Ridge Trails -- 5 miles long, from First Street on Benicia waterfront to Benicia State Recreation area. Connects with Benicia Ridge Trails, which runs 5 miles from Rose Drive near state park entrance through woodlands to Blue Rock Springs Park in Vallejo.

Benicia State Recreation Area -- 467 acres. Paved road leads around Southampton Bay 2.5 miles to Dillon Point. Excellent shore fishing. Picnic spots. Hiking and bicycle haven, numerous vista spots. Main entrance from Highway 780 on State Park Road near Rose Drive and Columbus Parkway, west end of Benicia. Free parking, pedestrian and bicycle paths at west end of Military Highway at K Street. (707) 648-1911.

Contra Costa Canal -- Popular 12 mile hiking trail. Winds mostly through the central county. Pathways for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding. Trail begins at Hidden Lakes Drive and Center Ave. in Martinez, follows canal south before turning east through Walnut Creek and Concord. Canal once supplied irrigation water to the farms.

East Bay Skyline National Trail -- 31 mile trail for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and bicycling. Connects six regional parks: Wildcat Canyon, Tilden, Sibley Volcanic, Huckleberry Botanic, Redwood, Chabot regional parks.

Lagoon Valley Regional Park -- 105 acres. On Lagoon Valley Road exit from Highway 80 in Vacaville. Picnicking, fishing, hiking, bicycling, plus windsurfing on the lake. At north end of park, via Pena Adobe Road exit from Highway 80, is Pena Adobe Historic Park and Museum with pavilion and large-group picnicking by reservation. (707) 449-5198.

Contra Costa County

Alexander Lindsay Junior Museum, Walnut Creek. A natural history museum specializing in the feathery, furry and scaly residents of Contra Costa. Also, a hospital for injured wildlife. Pet library: take a rabbit or other animal home. Great for children. Located in Larkey Park, which has a pool, picnic tables, tennis, basketball courts, playgound, Buena Vista Avenue and First Avenue. (925) 935-1978.

Alvarado Square, San Pablo. Early California, handsomely and accurately restored, the residence of a governor of California. Indian artifacts. Also, a 1920 farmhouse with iron stove and oak furniture. Maple Hall is popular for meetings and weddings, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Church Lane and San Pablo Avenue.

AMTRAK. Three stations in Contra Costa County. Located in Antioch, Martinez and Richmond. Bar car. View windows. Instead of driving to Sacramento to see the state buildings, take a train and double the thrill, or ride the rails to the Reno casinos.

Blackhawk Museums

Two museums, located at Blackhawk in Danville Hills. The Behring Auto Museum is an art deco building housing over 200 vintage vehicles, of which 120 are on display at one time. On display at the UC Berkeley Museum are anthropological exhibits. Take Sycamore Valley Road east of Interstate 680, about five miles to Blackhawk Plaza Circle. (925) 736-2280.

Concord Pavilion. This outdoor pavilion is used for top-name performers, musicals, jazz festivals, graduations, boxing and religious events. A relaxed family place. Picnics on the lawn, great view of Mt. Diablo. 2000 Kirker Pass Rd., Box office, 1870 Adobe St., Concord. Tickets are available at BASS and Ticketron. Phone (925) 67-MUSIC.

The Delta. A recreation paradise. Fishing (sturgeon, striped bass, catfish), hunting, boating, water skiing, swimming, houseboating. Rent houseboats and spend weeks cruising Delta waterways.To get a feel for what the Delta has to offer, take Highway 4 to Stockton or the Antioch Bridge up to Isleton or Highway 12 to Rio Vista. In the summer, farmers set up vegetable stands and, for a fee, allow city slickers to pick berries and other goodies. If dining out, try crayfish, a Delta delicacy. Many river cities have marinas, and some rent boats.

Regional Center for Performing Arts. Located at 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek. Phone (925) 943-SHOW.

San Pablo Dam. Located between El Sobrante and Orinda, the reservoir is stocked with bass and trout and equipped for picnics. A nice place to sail, hike or relax. Take a spin on Bear Creek Road, behind the reservoir. Picturesque. Entrance off San Pablo Dam Road. (925) 223-8489.

Shadelands Ranch Historical Museum, Walnut Creek. A turn-of-the-century ranch that gives visitors a look at how old-time Contra Costans lived and worked. 2600 Ygnacio Valley Rd. (925) 935-7871. Stop by the Walnut Creek Historical Society. In recent years, Contra Costa history has become popular. Several cities -- Martinez, Richmond, Pittsburg -- have museums.

Solano County

Benicia Arsenal. Former U.S. Army barracks, includes Guard House, Clocktower Arsenal, Commandant's Home, Camel Barns, Powder Magazine, Post Hospital, Post Cemetery. Admission Free. Main entrance off East Military Highway.

Benicia Capitol State Historic Park. Benicia, 115 West G St. Former state capitol, historically restored to look as it did when California's legislature met there in 1853 and 1854. Telephone #: (707) 745-3385.

Benicia Fire Museum. In City Park, First and Military streets, Benicia. One of five such museums west of the Mississippi. Rare and vintage fire-fighting equipment, including 150-year-old water grenades. Admission free, donations accepted. Open by appointment. (707) 745-1688.

Camel Barns and Museum. On Camel Road off Park Road in the former U.S. Army Arsenal, Benicia. Four pre-Civil War historic buildings -- camel barns, engine house, power magazine, museum with meeting hall. (707) 745-5435.

Jelly Belly-Candy Lane. In Fairfield, at 2400 Watney Way. The Herman Goelitz candy company is one of the largest manufacturers of jelly beans in the world. Billions are turned out annually at its Fairfield plant, which offers tours. (707) 428-2838.

Marine World-Africa USA. Located in Vallejo. Major theme park. Take I-80 to Highway 37, go west. (707) 643-6722.

Red and White Fleet. Ferry Terminal, 495 Mare Island Way, Vallejo. Commute and sight-seeing ferries. Phone (800) BAY-CRUISE or (415) 546-2700.

Rio Vista Museum. 16 N. Front St., Rio Vista. History artifacts of the town, delta and adjacent area. Open 1:30-4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Other times by appointment. (707) 374-5169.

Vacaville Museum. 213 Buck Ave., Vacaville. Solano County history, exhibits, also interpretive garden, gift shop, guided walking tours with advance reservations. (707) 447-4513.

Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum. In the former City Hall, 734 Marin St., Vallejo. Five galleries devoted to the local area and its maritime connections. Includes a working submarine periscope through the roof for an excellent view of Vallejo and Mare Island. Group tours, concerts, recitals, lectures, audio-visual presentations. (707) 643-0077.

Western Railroad Museum. Highway 12, midway between Fairfield and Rio Vista. More than 100 pieces of railroad and highway equipment from 1888 to 1952. Train rides around the grounds. Visitors also may visit the main car barn to view rail cars being restored. Picnic areas, book and gift shop. (800) 900-RAIL.

Alameda County

Children's Fairyland. Off Grand Avenue at the north end of Lake Merritt in downtown Oakland. Mother Goose, Alice in Wonderland, Chesire Cat, etc. Merry-go-round, ferris wheel. Puppets, clowns, slides, mazes. (925) 238-6876.

Lawrence Hall of Science. Science museum for adults and especially for the children. Hands-on-fun, computers, rabbits, snakes, brain games, astronomy, Nobel medals, classes, all fortified by strong connection to UC Berkeley. Often features robotic, life-sized dinosaurs and whales. Store sells science toys. Located in Berkeley Hills. Highway 24 to Fish Ranch Road, to Grizzly Peak Road, left on Centennial Drive. Also can be reached from rear of university. (925)642-5132.

Magnes Memorial Museum. Art and artifacts of Jewish culture. Library, history, tours. 2911 Russell St., Berkeley. Ph. (925) 549-6950.

Oakland Museum. Located at 1000 Oak St. in downtown. California art, history and natural history. First class. (925) 238-3401.

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