We had a great experience staying at Liz & Chris's place! They were great hosts, very accommodating and quick to respond to any questions or issues we had.
Our plan was to drive up from So Cal to spend the weekend exploring downtown Oakland and catch the Raider game, so we wanted to arrive as early as possible to have enough time to do that. I was very thankful that Liz was able to let us access the place at 5am, so we could get a nap in and still have all day to explore! Upon arriving, her detailed instructions were perfect and all was as listed about the place. Their house is in a beautiful neighborhood up in the hills, where every home is unique. There's a fabulous view from the back deck overlooking Oakland, the (actual) bay, and out to the SF peninsula! The in-law place actually opens out to the back deck, and you walk thru it to access the place, so it kinda feels like it's all your own space. There's plenty of outdoor seating, tables and a heating lamp for you to hang out there. We kept talking about having a meal & drinks out there, but between the cold and exploring so much, we ran out of time! There's also a lower backyard with a grassy lawn to hang out/play.
The interior of the in-law space was perfect for what we needed. There were four of us, so my wife and I took the bedroom, and my sis-in-law and our friend took the futon in the living room. The place is set up to accommodate families w/kids and guests who want to stay for longer stretches, as there's toys inside/outside for kids, there's a washer and dryer, and a full kitchen w/plenty of supplies for cooking full-on meals.
Liz & Chris's place is in a great location if you want to explore the Bay Area. For us, Downtown Oakland and the coliseum was minutes away. We also took their advice and checked out College Avenue which was just down the hill and plenty of shops and restaurants to check out, as well as the Berkeley area! We're a little bummed we didn't get to explore the trails near by that Liz mentioned, but we'll definitely save that for next time!
Overall, we really enjoyed our experience at this place. We even forgot something there so my wife reached out to Liz, and she's sending it down to us. So much appreciated! This might have to be our new spot to stay at next time we come to the Bay. Thank you Liz, Chris & Kids! Loved your place and your hospitality!