Whether you want to try making croissants from scratch, pick up the techniques of cuisines from around the world, or just get better at those knife skills, North Berkeley's Kitchen on Fire is the place to become a better cook. A $400 gift certificate - presented in a Kitchen on Fire tote bag - will let you pick classes that open a whole new world of culinary fun! Accompanied by a copy of The Heart of the Plate, a vegetarian cookbook by Mollie Katzen.

Enjoy a round of golf for four at the Berkeley Country Club, and a $25 gift card to Sports Basement.

Located in the Berkeley Hills above the community of El Cerrito, California, Berkeley Country Club offers its members a challenging course for players of all abilities. From the grounds, visitors can delight in spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay and its surroundings, including the Bay Bridge, San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Sausalito. As an open space landholder, the club takes its environmental stewardship seriously and has adopted agronomic practices that support conservation and protect the natural habitat. Certificate must be used after 11am, Tuesday through Friday.

Sports Basement started as a one-off shop in a San Francisco warehouse, and it now has 11 fully stocked Bay Area locations, including a rentals program, ski shops and bike shops in-house. Sports Basement redistributes 10% of its earnings into the community through its Basementeers program, partnering with thousands of local schools and nonprofits.

Looking for a community of book-lovers outside the library? Book Society on College Avenue is a unique spot where you can browse books, enjoy a glass of wine, and attend events with authors and other fun special guests. This one-year membership in the Book Society entitles you to perks like in-store discounts, special access and rates for ticketed events, a birthday surprise, and invitations to members-only activities. It's a bookish home-away-from-home in the Elmwood!

Love the library? Then represent with this Berkeley Public Library hoodie and a curated bag of books by past Authors Dinner honorees!

This hard-to-get green hoodie features a stunning illustration of the iconic Central Library drawn by Marissa Wu. Wu's original artwork celebrates kindness and the heart of our community. Crafted in a versatile size XL (note: it runs small), the hoodie combines cozy warmth with a vibrant tribute to Berkeley's creative spirit. Whether you're a library lover, art enthusiast, or simply love standout apparel, this piece is a perfect blend of style and story.

Books to curl up with include Moonglow by Michael Chabon; Bury What We Cannot Take by Kirsten Chen; Ink for the Beloved by R. C. Barnes; The Boys by Katie Hafner; The Palace of Eros by Caro De Robertis; The Golem of Brooklyn by Adam Mansbach; The Neopolitan Sisters by Margo Candela; We Are Pirates by Daniel Handler; and The Fifth Book of Peace by Maxine Hong Kingston.

Planning a birthday party? Wondering what to do with your visiting friends? Try a mug-painting party for five at Berkeley's Brushstrokes art studio! Get creative in a fun, artsy space - your mugs will be fired and ready for pickup (and for filling with hot cocoa) within a week.

If you've never been to the unique, three-acre Western Hills Garden in Occidental, California, get ready for a treat. Ten guests will enjoy a guided tour and lunch (soup, salad and bread, made by the owners, Hadley Dynak and Kent Strader).

The garden delivers a sensory explosion of textures, colors, shapes, and sounds and is a stunning example of cultivated biodiversity, home to rare and important plant species, many of which are nearly extinct in nature. It includes five ponds, 34 bridges, a magnificent folly inspired by the British garden designer Penelope Hobhouse, rare conifers, a camellia forest, endangered Chinese maples, dozens of fern varieties, and perennial shrubs as far as the eye can see. Two garden cats roam the property. Abundant frogs share their songs, and river otters make the occasional appearance. Western Hills Garden is part of the American Public Garden Association and the Artist Communities Alliance. Availability dependent on final agreement with owners. Valid through February 2026.

Includes a book inspired by this auction item.

A rare treat for movie lovers! Don't miss any of the latest films and special presentations with this annual pass for two people to Berkeley's beloved Elmwood Rialto Theater. With this one-of-a-kind VIP offer, you and a friend can have a cinematic escape as often as you'd like for one year. Just bring your pass, your ID, and add popcorn! Valued over $2,000.

Note: Cardholder must be present each time pass is used. Unlimited entry tickets must be used by the named pass holder and his/her/their guest(s).

Splash in the pool and lounge over lunch at an award-winning private home in the Napa Valley. Bring up to 20 friends to this beautiful home, which was featured in the New York Times. This package includes a buffet lunch with beverages and snacks. It's a rare opportunity to enjoy splendid views in a magnificent setting with your friends. Party hours are limited to 11 am to 4:30pm. Does not include an overnight stay. Availability dependent on final agreement with owners. Valid through February 2026.

Includes a book inspired by this auction item.