John Ellis Speaks

It's a race to the finish line at the International Dragon Boat Festival. Come watch spectacular boats adorned with colorful dragon heads and tails manned with 20 or more paddlers as they reenact a Chinese tradition to appease the river dragons. Today it's one of the fastest growing watersports in the world.

It's zenful at the Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve. Maintaining the fragile nature of this Oakland ecological treasure is of the utmost importance due to its relic plant life found only in a few areas along the California coast. Outdoor enthusiasts and nature photographers alike enjoy traveling across the 240 acres to discover the rare native plants and flowers.

Families love to chill at the Oakland Ice Center. Slide into some family fun together at the indoor ice rink that sports year round public skating, hockey lessons, and free style figure skating classes. Enjoy fun on the ice, eating rink side, and watching the rink Sharks play hockey.

Ain't life Grand! Discover the coal baron Dunsmuir family, their gracious home and elegant lifestyle at Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate. This attraction allows you to step inside a Neoclassical Revival mansion with 37 rooms standing on a 55-acre estate. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride across lush gardens, around a scenic pond and stop at the Carriage House Crafters for some tea and the Dunsmuir Gift Shop for unique mementos.