It’s been a crazy few weeks and our family needed a break, so we did what any typical red-blooded American family does on the weekend. We headed to the mall. We don’t have one in Oakland, so we hopped in the car to drive down to the Stoneridge Shopping Center in Pleasanton to beat the heat and enjoy a little retail therapy.

We hadn’t been to a real mall in so long that I forgot how much fun it was. Terrence, Ayva, my brother and I spent four hours walking around, eating, and spending quality time together. Stoneridge Shopping Center would make a great outing if you have little children. There’s a lot of open space, and it wasn’t too crowded, even on a Saturday.

When we walked in the mall, we saw chairs that gave two minute massages for $1, so we stopped there before going anywhere else. It was the best dollar I’ve spent in a long time! After that we went to Brookstone to check out the tech stuff and got a few more massages, spent way too long in Claire’s where Ayva picked out a diary (with a lock!), ate a sit down lunch at Buckhorn Grill, and went crazy filling up bags of candy in the Sweet Factory. I’d say it was a pretty awesome day.

If you’re looking for something chill to do with your children this summer, I highly recommend spending the day at Stoneridge Shopping Center in Pleasanton!  Visit the mall Monday to Saturday from 10a-9p and 11a-7p on Sundays.

Kid-friendly places to eat at Stoneridge Shopping Mall:
Berry Delight Frozen Yogurt
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
Panda Express
McDonald’s
California Pizza Kitchen

Fun things to do in the mall:
Color Me Mine (paint it yourself pottery)
Build-A-Bear Workshop
Join the Kidgits Club (at Guest Services) and spin the prize wheel
Children’s Play Area – lower level near Sears
Coin-op Kiddie Rides – lower level near H&M

Places to shop for kids at Stoneridge Shopping Mall:
UNIQLO
Gap Kids
LEGO
The Children’s Place
Gymboree
Kids Foot Locker
Justice and Brothers