The Essex Residence
Perks for the Parents
This colorful, charming family home with a petting zoo in the back yard is conveniently located between Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco near the San Francisco Bay Bridge. Located in Emeryville, a sought-after spot for its proximity to the city, it is close to parks and restaurants, shopping malls and movie theaters along with waterfront bike trails, hiking and picnicking. The house is well stocked to keep children of many ages happy and includes art supplies, toys, puzzles and a petting zoo with 4 chickens and 2 baby goats. Set up with a single bedroom next to the kids room upstairs, convenient for a nanny or au pair. The full kitchen has a kid-table; the dining room and side deck have dining tables as well.
Why Kids Love it
The urban farm/petting zoo in the back yard has 4 chickens and 2 baby dwarf Nigerian goats. Children love collecting the eggs and playing with the friendly, child-loving goats. A caretaker comes twice a day to tend them via a separate entrance, so there is no responsibility for you. The kids room is bright and colorful with a cozy pod swing. There are 2 parks and a new skate park within 2 blocks of the house and many other parks a quick drive or bike ride away. Child and adult bikes available for your stay. A high chair, pack’n’play and crib are available. Delicious kid-friendly restaurants and treats (bakery and ice cream) are just 2 blocks away. There is a basketball hoop in the driveway. The family bathroom has a tub and there is an outdoor tub and shower.
Things to Know
Minimum stay: 4 nights. There is play equipment in the back yard and 1 stairwell. There are steps going to the front door but also a ground level entrance on the side of the house. There are 2 driveways for parking cars. The MacArthur BART station is a 10-minute walk or a very quick bike or car ride away, and there is a free Emery-go-round shuttle that takes you to BART and many other stops. Car rental useful but not essential. The residence is as little as 18 minutes from SF by car, depending on traffic.
About the Location
The residence is in Emeryville, California, very close to IKEA and the Bay Street shopping mall with major stores, movies and restaurants. It is also very close to hip Old Oakland, Temescal Alley, Lake Merritt, Berkeley and the waterfront bike trails, hiking and picnicking. There are restaurants and parks very near the house - the best pastries and pizza are only 2 blocks away. Emeryville has excellent transport connections with San Francisco. SFO is a 30-minute drive away.
Accommodation Details
This 2-story residence has 2 sunny decks, a backyard playground and petting zoo, barbecue, garden, outdoor tub and shower. Inside, there is a master bedroom, a children's bedroom with bunkbeds, a single bedroom and a rec room with a sleeper couch with 2 single beds. The family bathroom has a tub for kids. The kitchen includes a breakfast bar, dishwasher and full refrigerator.
Style Notes
Colorful, eclectic global decor. The home is owned by a furniture shop owner and residential/restaurant contractor and is full of interiors flair. Custom concrete sinks and countertops sit beside unique accents, art and furniture collected from world travels. We love the joyful bohemian mix of textures and colors, the beautiful outdoor decks and the quirky and quite wonderful dwarf goats.
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Air Conditioning
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Baby Bath
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Baby Monitor
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Babysitter / Nanny
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Backyard / Garden
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Balcony
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Bathtub
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Bed Rails
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Bicycles
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Cabinet Locks
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Changing Table
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Chef / Catering
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Children's Dinnerware
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Corner Guards
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DVD Library
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DVD Player
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Dishwasher
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Elevator
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Fireplace Guards
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Game Console
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High Chair
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Housekeeper
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Outlet Plugs
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Parking
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Pet-friendly
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Pool
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Pool Gate
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Stair Gates
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Television
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Toys / Children's Books
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Washer / Dryer
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Wifi
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Window Guards

Emeryville, Oakland
Home to Nemo, Dory and The Incredibles
Right between Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco in the East Bay, Emeryville’s biggest claim to fame (certainly if you’re a child) is that Pixar is based here. Under 20 minutes from San Francisco, it is known locally as a big box store mecca and offers toddler-friendly playtimes at the Bay Street Mall, family-friendly restaurants and plenty of great playgrounds including Temescal Creek Park.