California

In case you didn’t receive our email with directions to the event and other important information you will need to make it there (gate code, etc), click here to see a copy.

TIME
Saturday September 30, 2017
4:00 PM

ATTIRE
Camping Cocktail

LOCATION
Anthony Chabot Regional Park, Lookout Ridge Group Campground
9999 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94552

Click here for more information about directions and parking; you will need the enclosed gate code from the park service to drive into the campsite area. We also kindly ask that you carpool if you can. We’ve set up a carpooling site to help coordinate this.

Please be aware that cell service is limited at the campground, and the lake is not safe for swimming (especially for pets). More info about camping and transportation is provided below.

PICNIC!
We’ll have (another) dramatic re-enactment of our matrimonials at 4pm.
Dinner will served at 5pm.
Games, music, and a campfire until midnight. Quiet hours start at 10pm.

REGISTRY
We are not registering anywhere – we just want you to picnic with us!
If you would like to contribute something, please consider making a donation to one of our favorite organizations.

CAMPING INFO
Join us camping overnight (Friday and/or Saturday) if you please! You can arrive to the campsite starting Friday at 5pm (just know we’ll probably be busy getting things set up on Saturday morning/early afternoon). In addition to Lookout Ridge Campground where we’ll be celebrating on Saturday, we also have a second group campsite reserved nearby if you would like more peace and quiet.

Some information to be aware of:

  • See below for very important information about transportation and parking
  • You may not have any cell reception once you enter the park
  • Fires are only allowed within the BBQ pit / designated fire ring
  • Beer and wine are allowed, but hard alcohol is prohibited in the park
  • Dogs are welcome, but there is a $2/night/dog fee (drive past the group campsite gate for less than a mile and pay at the entrance to the main campground) and they are technically supposed to be on a leash when not in a tent.
  • The lake is not safe for swimming or pets due to toxic algae blooms

If you have extra camping gear you’re willing to loan, or you’d like to borrow gear, check out this spreadsheet.

We’ll provide snacks, dinner and drinks on Saturday, and other folks are generously making dinner Friday and brunch Sunday. There are BBQs, drinking water, and chemical bathrooms onsite (no electricity).

ACCOMMODATIONS
September is a busy travel month for the Bay Area, so if you don’t plan to camp with us, we recommend booking your accommodations soon.

We don’t have a block of rooms reserved at any specific hotel, but our top recommendation is to check out the variety of reasonably affordable options for houses and private rooms on Airbnb. Locations in East Oakland and San Leandro will be a 30-40 minute drive from the campsite. If you want to stay in a more lively area, there’s a lot going on in Downtown Oakland which is ~40 minutes from the campground.

If hotels are more your style, the Oakland City Center Marriot has some reasonable deals currently; and there are also some more affordable options in the same general area.

TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION
As mentioned above, you will need a code to unlock the gate to the group camping area (which we won’t get until late September). We also have a limited number of parking permits, so if possible we encourage everyone to carpool and arrive with a full car. You should have received an email in late September with full directions and the gate code.

Please be aware that Redwood Rd. is closed south of the park entrance, so you must drive in from the North (Oakland) side.

If you won’t have a car (or just don’t feel like driving), Lyft and Uber are very convenient and affordable ways to get around town. A ride from Downtown Oakland to the campground should cost about $25. (Just remember to bring the gate code, and keep in mind that hailing a ride out might be more difficult than getting in.)

If you don’t want to camp but want to drink, please arrange a sober driver.

THINGS TO DO
Eat

Drink

Explore