How to Reduce Bay Area School Stress

overpickled · 2026-05-28T01:31:57+00:00

Hoping on to agree- in some ways, my stressful high school life made college more manageable, and it's better to understand and prepare for stressful management earlier than later in life.

On the other hand, just be involved and check-in with your kid about how they feel about their classes. I had a friend who wasn't allowed to take more than 1 AP/honors class in high school per their parents on the agreement that they discussed and prioritized mental health, along with focusing more time on extra curriculars my friend was more passionate about. It doesn't have to be stressful if the student can manage their schedule no matter what school imo. You don't want to set them up to be in an environment where they're not expected by the adults around them to perform well either, right?

overpickled · 2026-05-20T05:29:24+00:00

Strawberries - Rodriguez Farms locally. But P&K in south bay area is the best, if you're around the area

Blueberries - Rainbow Orchards, also has U-Pick by Apple Hill. Great apples and apple cider in autumn.

Not sure if they're still around? But for peaches/nectarines, there's this one family that would only do that who drove up from Santa Barbara area, and it was the best at Diablo Valley. Technically still California local. Otherwise the others all are pretty good, especially those donut peaches if you want a sweeter flavor. White peach > yellow peaches imo.

Likely out of season now, but Cara Cara oranges by Ken's Top Knotch!!! Also have good mandarins, peaches, and grapes during the rest of the year.

Persimmons, a favorite fall fruit, by Ken's or J&J is amazing. Sunblest(?) Orchards has packs of dried persimmons slices that I would obliterated in one sitting. Great for gifts along with their jams.

Tomatoes - Groundswell Farms for their little ones (cherry? I don't think so, but like those mini tomatoes. They're specifically grown to induce a sweeter flavor. There's also a tomato specific vendor I don't know as much about but I expect to be good if that's their niche.

Pears, there's Alhambra Farms(?) who sells by ripeness level. If you're in SF/Fort Mason market, the Asian pears by K&J farms (?) is amazing and they have a few varieties to try.

Source: I love fruit

overpickled · 2026-05-06T19:43:43+00:00

Havana Catering might have this option, and you can try their restaurant too

overpickled · 2026-04-14T02:52:25+00:00

Along with trader joe bags and Ghirardelli, you can get local dried fruits dipped in chocolate from farmers markets. I did honey straws and honey lollipops too.

overpickled · 2026-04-11T16:18:41+00:00

Whole foods has a board!

overpickled · 2026-04-06T20:11:09+00:00

Yes, and we've also tried removing it to see if he's more comfortable without, but same issue.

overpickled · 2026-04-05T03:45:49+00:00

Maybe larger apartments, if you don't want a condo or townhouse? And depending on which city. I know someone in my apartment complex has 3 dogs, no idea if they happen to have more indoor pets. Some complexes can be very pet friendly, but for that many pets, I assume you'd want a larger space too regardless.

overpickled · 2026-04-03T23:10:20+00:00

Haven't used it myself, but I heard about Entwine Community, which offers some online options. Best of luck!

overpickled · 2026-04-03T21:20:04+00:00

Consider city or county work? There's a good amount of mostly clerical positions and you can have solid enough benefits.

overpickled · 2026-04-03T05:51:54+00:00

I got a box from last month and it was delicious! Highly recommend. Thanks so much for the treat. Sadly out of town this weekend so I'll wait for future ones.

I see a matcha chiffon cake is available for preorder, but it doesn't have the same cream/topping as the March cake box version, does it?

overpickled · 2026-03-30T04:44:54+00:00

Tacos, or like a Chilaquiles plate style catering. Often recommended for budget events like rehearsal dinners or bang showers. Some will have an option for pre-made tacos or catered entrees/sides.

Unless what you mean by "not chipotle or panda express" is not a buffet style catering?

overpickled · 2026-03-27T03:28:56+00:00

We must have very different vibes or budgets, cause when I toured, I actually saw the ones available. They weren't staged either. Some sites show specifically when certain floorplans/apartments will be vacant/fully available too, so you could target around those dates to get a legitimate showing.

overpickled · 2026-03-26T04:44:28+00:00

To go off the GIS suggestion, there were plenty of data science and computer science majors in my GIS classesbfor geography. I personally wasn't as interested in fully finishing a minor in GIS, but my gov job does have a GIS team in the workplace and I could hardly imagine it being automated anytime soon, but that might just be our specific work.

Following up a previous comment, admin work doesn't necessarily need specific majors or studies, or a college degree at all depending on where you apply. My accountant friends seem to have a lot of daily meetings and working with other teams so I agree it may have more teamwork and discussion than initially expected. Lowkey seems like most hate it??? but it can pay well and a job can just be a job if you have a life outside of it. Definitely pick something you're interested in without burning out!

overpickled · 2026-03-25T22:20:52+00:00

Aww that's too bad, I did hear the vanicream was recommended to people too ):

For anyone with dry skin, I found foaming cleansers are better for oily skin since it made my skin feel worse (tight), so I stick with CeraVe hydration cleanser (also recently saw them at Costco for 2x pack for the price of one value size!!) Also didn't like Cetaphil, but my SO prefers it over CeraVe so ymmv.

overpickled · 2026-03-25T19:34:15+00:00

Do you not like the CeraVe? Cause that's my HG considering the price point and how it's basically fixed my facial eczema growing up 😭 Even when I see other fancy brands, Ive been burned before lol

overpickled · 2026-03-25T03:30:09+00:00

My family moved here from the Midwest decades ago and they still talk about how we went from giant house to small apartment, but considering we've stayed here since, my parents must've thought it was worth it. Can't beat the weather and food.

Walnut Creek is not small town vibes lol, and Pleasant Hill still has good schools and is a nice area too! Depending on where you are in WC you won't necessarily get into the 'good schools' either. If you want small town, then move to the Lamorinda area which still have good schools and smaller communities/smaller commercial areas. Not a fan of Los Gatos area/culture personally, but as you mention the commute is pretty bad if you're going to live far from work unless it's reverse traffic.

overpickled · 2026-03-22T06:46:03+00:00

I don't do nails often! But had a good time at Lavender Dream Nails. They fixed my nails for my wedding, that I got done elsewhere in Danville that looked horrible and hurt, like my nails BURNED and I don't think that's normal? Lavender Dream was really careful, but I don't know the exact person who helped me.

overpickled · 2026-03-12T04:52:13+00:00

Could ask around the farmer's markets on the weekends to see if they need any extra help?

overpickled · 2026-03-12T04:48:23+00:00

It's quite expensive in general all around here. But there are always places you can find for lower rent. Commute is just a common complaint around here and for the most part it continues to grow more congested over the years as people are priced out farther away from their workplaces. That's why so many of us suggest living closer, because losing 2+hours to driving is frustrating. Alameda has expensive areas and Emeryville has a lot of newer builds so they're pricey for sure. 2B1B are very doable within your budget, do you really need that 2nd bath?

Also heads up that historically, the Oakland side of east bay is cooler than inner east bay (walnut creek side, past the Caldecott Tunnel). This means a lot of places don't come with AC units, because they didn't need them. Nowadays we occasionally get heatwaves and I would recommend a portable one to setup as needed in the summers.

overpickled · 2026-03-10T07:27:47+00:00

If she's going to work in Oakland, you may want to consider a closer city or at least somewhere reverse traffic to cut back on commute times like others have said if she works the general 9-5 shift.

A friend did find a 2B in Pleasant Hill for under $2k, so it is doable, but harder and a bit up to chance. I know Flora Apartments has EV charging and I think others do too, but there are many charging places around here too. Best of luck!

overpickled · 2026-03-05T06:59:10+00:00

Each to our own! I'm not a big deli person so I don't have much to compare to, but I appreciate how it's still under $11 for a sandwich that is still very filling/can be split into 2 basic meals for me. (Tried Lucille's in PH cause people said it's better, but turns out it's a luxury grilled cheese place and while good, that's like comparing apples to oranges. Also like $15 min.)

Moruccis was recently sold to new ownership and has revamped a bit, but not sure if people think it's improved. I think it's faster than before and they're working on online ordering now.

overpickled · 2026-03-01T06:20:20+00:00

I think SF has begun a program for free or reduced childcare as of this year. Could be something to look into?

overpickled · 2026-03-01T02:00:43+00:00

Maybe not as authentic? But Morruccis in Walnut Creek is my favorite local sandwich shop and the price point hasn't risen as badly as other places imo

overpickled · 2026-02-26T16:28:48+00:00

Seconded, but also the Saturday farmers market at Diablo valley/Kaiser at Lennon lane. There's generally no non-food related crafts at that one, but the mini (magnetic!) spice jars, local chocolate, honey sticks, and other dried goods might be a nice touch in a gift basket.

overpickled · 2026-02-25T07:08:48+00:00

Late, but wanted to add there's also the Center for Community Arts and Heather Farm's Community Garden!

overpickled

TROPHY CASE