Divided Loyalties

[pantryslut]

Say there was going to be a potluck picnic party in a park.

Say there were to be many people invited.

Say the potluck picnic party host lived in Oakland but didn't have a car, and they knew many people who lived in both San Francisco and Oakland, only some of whom had cars.

Where should the picnic be held?

[Poll #1763305]

Comments

[19-crows.livejournal.com]

because the weather's better.

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

Hosts have responsibilities that mean that they should choose a location that is convenient to them. Hosts are also allowed to choose for something that they love and will make them happy. So if that means "favorite park, even though it isn't convenient to some friends" that is fine. It also is fine to chose for "park across the street from a friend who they miss terribly." They are the host, they get to do that.

[pantryslut.livejournal.com]

The host is aware of all of these points, but none of them settle the question.

[vgqn.livejournal.com]

Wherever they can find a nice park accessible by public transportation. (How is the host getting to the party anyhow?)

[pantryslut.livejournal.com]

If it's in Oakland, they might just walk :)

[voyeurprincess.livejournal.com]

Yup, somewhere transit-friendly for all non-driving parties.

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

I picked Oakland for weather-related reasons, not transit-related ones.

I live in SF but I would almost always rather picnic in Oakland, as the day is much more likely to be sunny and warm.

[ritaxis.livejournal.com]

Oakland is less likely (though still not guaranteed) to freeze your ass off. Also, Oakland has less brutal parking issues for the car people. Also, the parks are even-up: that is, you can find just as lovely parks on both sides of the bay.

Actually, if I could ever find it again or even figure out what to call it, I'd recommend this park largely made of shallow stone-lined canals kids were allowed to play in somewhere in the East Bay hills we used to go to when I was a kid and even though we went more than once, nobody in my family can remember where it was. Or what it was. It's the Kemnitzer version of the Lost Land of Happiness.

[bunnybutt.livejournal.com]

Alameda has several nice parks accessible by public transportation with easy parking. Washington Park has added beach feature.

[pantryslut.livejournal.com]

It's true, I am fond of several Alameda parks.

[savia.livejournal.com]

I would vote for Alameda as well. Easy to get to via BART+bus, people can carpool as well. There's plenty of parking, Washington Park is really nice and right on the bay with lots of space for kids to run around, there's playgrounds, etc.

[abostick59.livejournal.com]

Unless one goes up into the hills to Joachim Miller Park (which isn't very transitable) Oakland's parks leave something to be desired. There are some nice areas on the north side of Lake Merritt, not far from Children's Fairyland, but other than that, I don't like the choices.

Golden Gate Park, on the other hand, is marvelous.

[cindymonkey.livejournal.com]

for picnic-ing i have to disagree - both Mosswood, Dimond and Middle Harbor Shoreline Parks are all pretty great. Mosswood even has one of the Bay Area's best cafe's within a 5 minute walk. (and the SF Mime Troupe usually has a summer show there)

[pantryslut.livejournal.com]

I lurve Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, it's true. For this occasion I am leaning toward Mosswood, though. (Speaking of which, which cafe?)

[cindymonkey.livejournal.com]

SubRosa is around the corner on 40th and I hear a rumor that a cafe with seating opened up over there too...

man I love Mosswood.

there is also the Rose Garden Park right down the hill from y'all.

[pantryslut.livejournal.com]

I don't think the Rose Garden has picnic tables, though? I could be mistaken.

[cindymonkey.livejournal.com]

you make a good point there.

[reveritas.livejournal.com]

Holy Kalamazoo I didn't think The City would be that outnumbered.

[onyxlynx (from livejournal.com)]

NB: Bus fares go up August 1.

[postmaudlin.livejournal.com]

Of the people above, how many of you live in the east bay? just wondering.

[postmaudlin.livejournal.com]

i vote for anything with GOOD, EASY mass transit.

[pantryslut.livejournal.com]

Any place I choose will be either as or more accessible via transit than my back yard.