Let’s venture across the bridge and while away the end of the summer in Berkeley, one of my favorite Bay Area cities! While I love the charms of Berkely’s streets, I’m here to whisk you into the verdant Berkeley Hills for a day of laughter and flirtation from miniature steam trains, hilly golf courses, and botanical gardens. 

Let’s begin by grabbing a boxed lunch from Tokyo Fish Market on San Pablo Ave. They use wonderfully fresh tuna for their in-house poke, and have a varied sake and Japanese soda selection as well. If we can resist the temptation of scarfing down the poke down in the car, let’s enjoy our picnic lunch and clandestine kisses amongst the hibiscus bushes in bloom at the Tilden Park Botantical Garden. 

After lunch, let’s stretch our legs and our minds by heading to the Berkeley Country Club golf course. I’ve always passed by these lush hills, but I haven’t found the right teacher. Golf shouldn’t be gate kept by bros teeing off while knocking back beerskis. It’s time for us to take back the golf course, one coquettish swing at a time.

After bidding aidieu hello to the local coyotes and turkeys guarding the golf course, I believe it’s time to celebrate my first tee in the privacy of our room at the Claremont Club and Spa.