Pam Ben Rached, her husband, Mourad and their staff pride themselves on their conscientious, personalized training of athletes and would-be athletes at all ability levels and stages of life. Good nutrition and moderation are central to their approach. A credentialed exercise instructor since 1991, Pam became certified as a trainer in 2006 and soon afterward opened her well-equipped, pleasant studio just north of the Castro Valley BART station. It is open by appointment only. Access is from Pine Street and parking is in back.
Graceland Equestrian Center is located near the end of Crown Canyon Road at the San Ramon boarder. Graceland is only available by appointment and offers training for beginning, intermediate and advanced riders of all ages in dressage, eventing and/or jumping disciplines. Graceland also breeds and sells young, riding and older horses. Boarding is available at this location. Call or visit the website for more information about pricing and availability.
This small private pool tucked into a hillside neighborhood is very safe and secure. Keys are required for members to enter, and the gate is kept double-locked. Members are required to do regular gate-guard duty. There is a pool house and there are several mature trees for shade; parking is on Seven Hills Drive.
Palomares Hills Community Club House is a community pool and recreation center based in Castro Valley. The center offers basketball courts, tennis courts and a rectangular, heated pool.
The Castro Valley Soccer Club is an affiliate of the California Youth Soccer Association. Kids ages four to 18 from Castro Valley and nearby cities compete in the official club colors of green, white, gold and black. Divisions hold weekend games so kids can compete on the field on Saturdays and Sundays, and stay focused on competing in the classroom during the week. Divisions for special needs players, and recreational and competitive players means there's a team for everyone.
The YMCA at Castro Valley Elementary offers K-5 childcare as part of the larger YMCA East Bay's pre- and after-school program. Located on grounds that include a playground, a new skate park, and clean public restrooms, this YMCA allows for a lot of outdoor play. The Castro Valley Elementary YMCA is one of 46 YMCA childcare centers in the East Bay, connecting parents with a network of other East Bay parents.
Castro Village Bowl is a bowling alley located on Village Drive in Castro Valley. In addition to bowling, the alley has a cocktail lounge, snack bar and league play for bowlers of all ages. Castro Village Bowl also plays host to bowling birthday parties. Be sure to call for more information.
This small private club in the hills has courts for tennis, basketball and volleyball, well-kept lawns, free wi-fi and lots of barbecue gear. It's very clean, family-friendly and well supervised, with fully certified lifeguards on deck at all times. The pool is open seasonally, generally from spring break to October. Kids can join the Chabot Marlins swim club and there's a lap swim program for adults.
Hung Sing Gung Fu Martial Arts is conveniently located right off Redwood Road on Grove Way in the old Hild TV building. A focus on responsibility, self esteem, self defense and the philosophy of martial arts is instilled in students. Murals adorn the main practice floor, which is dwarfed by the vaulted ceilings, giving students a truly unique experience.
This private, members-only pool near Heyer Avenue and Center Street is open during warm weather, generally May through October. The facility includes a lap pool, wading pool and changing house. There's also a small lawn for sunbathing. Please call for membership information.
Golden Tee Golfland is home to miniature golf courses that are fun for the entire family. In addition to mini golf, Golden Tee also has arcade games and a prize counter for children to enjoy. Golden Tee also plays host to private birthday parties and group events. Be sure to view the website or call for more information.
Apple Creek Farms is a horse boarding and training facility that also offers horseback riding lessons of varying degrees of difficulty.
Area Cycles is a sporting goods and bike shop. It offers all types of products and services, including for fixed-gear bikes, mountain bikes and single-speed bikes. Some products and services include bike parts, accessories, custom wheels, painting as well as powder coating and bike builds. The location also holds weekly ride nights if the weather cooperates. Various brands include Fuji, Eastern, Animal, Soma, SE Bikes, Norco, Colony, Chrome and more.
Charles Wilhelm Training Center, a horse-riding training facility, is located on Crow Canyon Road, near the Castro Valley and San Ramon border. Chares Wilhelm has been training riders since before 1975. The facility is located on 60 acres of land.
Michelle's Dance X-Plosion is located behind Quik Stop on Grove Way in the Grove Way Plaza. Dance classes include: ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, musical theater and technique. All group lessons are 50 minutes, except ballet classes, which are one hour. Solo classes are available and tuition is paid on a monthly basis.
This affordable, secluded course on the road to Moraga is managed under contract to the East Bay Municipal Utility District, which owns it and the surrounding watershed. There's a pro shop, bar and restaurant.
Castro Valley Performing Arts offers more than 110 classes a week in jazz, tap, hip-hop and ballet dancing, as well as tumbling, music, voice and theater arts. Group and private instruction options are available, and the center's students often hit the stage for local productions and recitals.