Go Bowling this Winter Break

Christmastime is very busy for my family. Both my and my husband’s immediate family (including parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and assorted nieces and nephews) live locally, so there are lots of parties and get-togethers during the season. After all of this holiday togetherness, I need to take a break and forget about Christmas and do something fun with friends.

One fun, active, and indoor family activity for Winter Break is bowling. I used to bowl at Nave Lanes in Ignacio when I was younger, but since it was torn down and replaced by a Safeway, we often head up to Southern Petaluma and go to AMF Boulevard Lanes, which is spacious and clean with a friendly staff. For the kids, they offer bumper bowling, which consist of metal barriers on either side of the lane so the ball can’t go in the gutter. We've even seen families use a special slide like ramp, so small children could roll their balls down the lane instead of facing the dreaded prospect of having their ball lose momentum and stop halfway to the pins.

Any proper bowling alley is going to have food and drink service, making bowling a sort of all-in-one outing. So if want decide you want a bucket of beer (for the adults, of course), burgers, and some chili cheese fries, you don’t even have to leave your lane, they’ll take your order and bring it right to you. AMF Boulevard Lanes' sound system also usually blasts out a non-stop stream of ‘80s rock hits. There’s nothing like a little Journey to improve your bowling score.

AMF Boulevard Lanes is located at 1100 Petaluma Boulevard South. To get there, take 101 north to the Petaluma Boulevard South exit. Follow Petaluma Boulevard South toward town. AMF Boulevard Lanes is located just after McNear Avenue next to the Veterans Memorial Building. For more info about AMF Boulevard Lanes, go to their website or call (707) 762-4581.

San Rafael is also home to a bowling alley (the only one in Marin). Country Club Lanes can be found off East Francisco Boulevard at 88 Vivian Way. It's smaller than AMF Boulevard Lanes, but offers similar amenities, including bumper bowling for no additional charge. There's an on-site restaurant serving pizza and other bowling alley staples in case you get hungry. For more info, visit www.bowlmarin.com or call (415) 456-4661.