WHAT: Peace, tranquility and family bonding (fairmont.com/ claremont-berkeley) WHERE: Claremont Club & Spa, Berkeley WHY: Indulge yourself as a grown-up parent while treating your offspring to a fun-filled staycation that happens to include New Year’s Eve. You cannonball into one the hotel’s three swimming pools, and let your 10-year-old demonstrate how to whack a mean serve on the tennis courts. Since the resort offers childcare that includes three complimentary hours for one offspring, take advantage of some “me time” inside the spa’s eucalyptus steam room. In addition to its remodel of the guestrooms and public areas, the hotel has just announced the opening of its new Limewood Bar & Restaurant, which offers locally sourced fare and inventive cocktails. This grand legacy resort on the hill, now owned by the Fairmont, features 276 rooms and a host of family activities. Rates: $487 and up. GUIDE TO NON-DRIVING TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ON NYE According to highway experts, the last thing you want to do is to be driving on the road on New Year’s Eve. It’s just not safe! Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report that more than 10,000 people die annually in alcoholimpaired crashes. That is one death every 51 minutes. As little as one drink can impair vision, steering, braking, judgment, and reaction time. In another survey, Drinking and Driving.org reports “since the September 11 terror attacks, over 190,000 men women and children have died in America as a result of drunk driving.“ AAA also notes that a first time DUI conviction in California can cost up to $12,000 in fines, penalties, restitution, legal fees, and added insurance expenses. You can’t put a price tag on a crash that causes an injury or death. Just in case you find yourself a too tipsy or too tired from the evening’s festivities, the following transport systems are providing their services to get you home in one piece. Let the trains, buses, and rapid rail systems be your designated driver! Here is a sampling of the transportation services we have found in the Bay Area: AAA Tipsy Tow Program (aaa.org) offers a free tow to its members and nonmembers from 6 p.m. December 31 until 6 a.m. January 1. Call 800-222-4357 (AAAHELP) for a free tow home of up to ten miles. Tell the operator, “I need a Tipsy Tow,” and a truck will be dispatched. The service provides a one-way ride for the driver and vehicle to the driver’s home. Additional passengers will be taken to the same destination if there is room in the tow truck. Reservations are not available. BART (bart.gov) promises to extend its hours and provide transportation until 3 a.m. Trains will run every 20 minutes after midnight. Extra trains will be standing by after the San Francisco fireworks show. Call 415.989.2278. CalTrain (caltrain.com) intends to provide free rides from 8 p.m. until 2:15 a.m. on the San Francisco to San Jose route. No open alcohol is allowed on board. Disruptive passengers will be asked to disembark. Contact 800.660.4287. VTA (vta.org) offers free bus and Light Rail rides from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. throughout its Santa Clara County lines. To confirm times and stops, call 408.321-2300. n KING OF THE BERKELEY HILL December 2016/January 2017 91 COURTESY OF CLAREMONT CLUB & SPA
South Bay Accent - DecJan 2016
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