Wi-Fi Wonderland

How to go the whole day in the East bay with free internet access.

Alejandro Cardenas

REMEMBER THE world before the Internet came along? Remember how lame it was? Fortunately, there are heaps of Diabloland hot spots that offer free wi-fi. Phew. Here’s how to spend a day in the East Bay online, paying exactly zero dollars for the privilege.

 9 a.m. > Update your blog with a cup of java at any of 29 East Bay Peet’s Coffee locations. They all offer free wi-fi.
10 a.m. > Wash your whites and send some e-mails at the Wash and Dry Lavanderia in Concord.
11 a.m. > Climb a rock wall at the Diablo Rock Gym in Concord. Check your bank balance at the top.
Noon > Enjoy panini while watching YouTube trampoline accidents at the Panera Bread in Concord and Dublin.

1 p.m. > Chat with Facebook friends anywhere in downtown Pleasant Hill.
2 p.m. > Bump The Color of Money to the top of your Netflix queue at Masse’s Billiards Bar & Grill in Walnut Creek.
3 p.m. > Check your car’s value on bluebook.com while having it washed at the Lafayette Car Wash.
4 p.m. > Return your library books and read Craigslist’s haiku forum at any of the Berkeley, Contra Costa, or Livermore public libraries.
5 p.m. > Sip a latte and shop for eBay antiques online, then browse the Friendship Farms Antiques store next to Alamo's Cherubini Coffee House.
6 p.m. > Tip back a pint of Hefeweizen while Googling home brew how-tos at Pyramid Alehouse in Walnut Creek.
7 p.m. > Update your fantasy basketball team while watching a Warriors game at the Sunshine Saloon in Pleasanton or the Hopyard Alehouse & Grill in San Ramon.