Dad digs the homemade cards, the polos and the crazy ties, for sure. But what he really wants is some time to hang with his favorite side-kick. That’s you, kid! From beer brunches to wild bike rides and u-pick berries, we’re sharing 16 ways to rock father’s day together.
Photo credit: Father Fitness Camp
Off the Grid Picnic in the Presidio
Unfold your blanket for Father’s Day and enjoy live music and free games. Over 25 food trucks will be in attendance, offering up tasty food cart nibbles. Kids get free stickers and temp animals tats. There are yoga classes and cool staff-led, nature-based arts and crafts activities featuring materials found at the Presidio, too.
Date/Time: Sun., June 19, 11 a.m.-4 p.m
Cost: Free
Main Post Lawn
Lincoln Blvd. and Anza St.
San Francisco, Ca 94129
Online: offthegridsf.com
Photo courtesy SF Zoo
Father’s Day BikeAbout at the SF Zoo
Take Dad on an adventure this Father’s Day with a docent-led bike tour of the SF Zoo. Not only do you get to cruise around the zoo before it opens to the general public, the early morning is a time when the animals are active so you’ll likely see some tiger stretches and monkeys swinging! Advance registration required. All ages.
Date/Time: Sun., June 19, 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Cost: $25, members; $30 non-members (per bike)
SF Zoo
Sloat Blvd. at the Great Hwy.
San Francisco, Ca 94132
Online: sfzoo.org
Father’s Day Beer Brunch Cruise
Gather the whole family for Hornblower’s Father’s Day Beer Brunch Cruise. Treat dad to an enticing buffet, free-flowing beer and a keepsake pint glass on this two hour yacht cruise. There’s also champagne and mimosas, soda, OJ, coffee and tea along with the brunch, live entertainment, and breathtaking SF views. Seats are assigned and you even get a keepsake photo.
Date/Time: Sun., June 19, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cost: $87/adult; $73.80/senior (55 and up) or military with ID; $49.20/child 4-12; children 3 and under are free
Departs from Pier 3
Embarcadero at Washington St.
San Francisco, Ca 94111
Online: hornblower.com
East Bay
Photo courtesy Norcal Pirate Festival
Northern California Pirate Festival
Let Dad be captain for the day, at the Northern California Pirate Festival. Dress in your scallywagging best and ship off to enjoy pirate encampments, gourmet food, four stages of continuous entertainment and a special kid’s area complete with a School of Piracy and a 30 ft. slide. Plus you just gave him carte blanche to eat a turkey leg while gazing at mermaids. Epic win, pirate style. All ages.
Date/Time: Sat. & Sun., June 18 and 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: $10/general admission; free for children 11 and under
Vallejo Waterfront Park
298 Mare Island Way
Vallejo, Ca 94590
Online: norcalpiratefestival.com
Photo credit: Mindful Fathers Workshop
Dads and Jazz at the Historic Dunsmuir-Hellman Estate
Dad can put one of those annual neckties to good use at this swanky jazz concert located on a beautiful, historic estate. Be sure and tour the mansion after the concert, and take in the beautiful grounds. This event encourages families with father figures of all kinds—stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, big brothers—so book your spot and enjoy a day with dad. Seating provided, and food and drinks for sale. This year the concert is held at the South Pond. All ages.
Date/Time: Sun., June 19, 2-6 p.m.
Cost: $20/adults; $10/children 10 and under
Dunsmuir Hellman Estate
2960 Peralta Oaks Court
Oakland, Ca 94605
Online: dunsmuir-hellman.com/events
Father’s Day Weekend at Playland Not-at-the-Beach
Head with Dad into Pinball Alley for his special day where he can play all the pinball he wants. Let him win at skee-ball, arcade games or Fascination or treat him to peeks in the Penny Arcade. Dad not only gets $2 dollars off admission this weekend, he can bring in the worst neck tie he has and win prizes! All ages.
Date/Time: Sat. & Sun., June 18 and 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $15/adult; $10/child
Playland Not-at-the-Beach
10979 San Pablo Ave.
El Cerrito, Ca 94530
Online: playland-not-at-the-beach.org
Photo credit: Dina Uretski Photography
Unleash Your Inner Maverick At Open Cockpit Day
Wanna know what it would be like to fly Korean War MiG-15? You can find out at Open Cockpit Day at the Oakland Aviation Museum. Get a glimpse of flight training in a simulator and let the imagination run wild in the Navy A-3 Sky Warrior. You can even tour the Solent Flying Boat from Raiders of the Lost Ark. There’s a food vendor area on site, too so you can grab lunch before or after exploring. All ages.
Date/Time: Sun., June 19, noon-4 p.m.
Cost: $10/adults; $7/Military & Teens; $5/Kids 6-12. Kids 5 and under are free.
Oakland Aviation Museum
5252 Earhart Rd
Oakland, Ca
Online: oaklandaviationmuseum.org
Take Dad on an Ice Cream Tour
Kids will definitely want to treat their dads to this sweet tour. This one-hour guided walking tour takes kids of all ages through this cute Oakland hood to sink their teeth into a variety of chilled confections. Highlights include three taste locations and demos as well as the sweet histories behind these treats. In addition to satisfying their sweet tooth, tourists will leave with a tasting guide map and ice cream coupons.
Date/Time: Sun., June 19, 3-4 p.m.
Cost: $7.50/kids; $15/adults
Dreyer’s Ice Cream Parlor & Cafe
5925 College Ave.
Oakland, Ca
Online: rockridgefoodtour.com/tours/ice-cream-tour
Peninsula
Photo Courtesy of Autry Museum
Palo Alto World Music Day
Take dad on a trip around the world without leaving the Peninsula! Check out musical acts and performers from across genres and around the world at the 7th Annual Palo Alto World Music Day. University Avenue and King Plaza are filled with the sounds of jazz, blues, classical, pop, rock, klezmer, Greek, Balkan, Indian, World Music, choral, dance, and more. And musicians of all ages and levels are invited to join in.
Date/Time: Sun., June 19, 3-7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
King Plaza
250 Hamilton Ave.
Palo Alto, Ca 94301
Online: pamusicday.org
Photo credit: Sudanshu Goyal via Flickr Creative Commons
Discover This Secret Garden With Dad
Dads and their mini mes can get their daily dose of nature during a guided walk about the Filoi Garden with a nature docent. Perfect for children of all ages, little nature explorers will learn all about the amazing plants that grow as well as some cool secrets about the animals that live in the garden (from their favorite hiding spots and how to find them). Walks times vary from morning to afternoon, either 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Date/Time: Jun 19 at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Adult/$15; Child/$5
Filoli
86 Canada Rd.
Woodside , Ca
Online: Filoli.org
Photo credit: Summer Scamper
Summer Scamper 5k, 10k and Kids Fun Run for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
Spend Father’s Day in the fresh air doing something fun and fit, and give something back to the patients and families at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. Run or walk the 5k/10k on the Stanford campus, and kids 3-10 can also participate in the kids’ fun run on Cobb Track.
Date/Time: Sun., June 19, 6:30-11 a.m.
Cost: $40/10k; $35/5k; $15/kid’s fun run
Stanford Campus
270 Galvez St.
Stanford, Ca 94305
Online: summerscamper.org
South Bay
Photo credit: Olive Berry Acres
Pick the Berry-Best With Dad
It’s berry season in California and Swanton Berry Farm is opening its fields for u-pick Olallieberries. Farmers anticipate the season will start Friday June 17th but it could be postponed to the following week, Friday, June 24th. Make sure to pop into the market to play board games or read stories. Don’t forget to check out the treats including fresh berry pies, strawberry shortcakes, delicious hot soup, strawberry lemonade, strawberry apple cider and more. The farm accepts cash and check only.
Date/Time: Fri., June 17, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free; berries per pound
Swanton Berry Farm
25 Swanton Rd.
Davenport, Ca
Online:swantonberryfarm.org
Take Dad on a Coastal Hike
Lunch, snacks, binoculars, water bottle, SPF, all check! You’ll want to pack all these goodies for Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks. On these two hour natural history excursions you will explore the plants, animals, and geology of the spectacular coastal bluffs. Meet at the Wilder Ranch Interpretive Center.
Date/Time: Sat., June 18, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Cost: Free; Parking/$10
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast Rd.
Santa Cruz, Ca
Online: Wilder Ranch State Park
Photo by Dave Parker via Flickr Creative Commons
Father’s Day Overnight Camp at Gilroy Gardens
Grab your tent and sleeping bags and drive down to Gilroy Gardens for an overnight camp with Dad. Arrive at the Gardens Saturday afternoon, enjoy dinner in the picnic grove, stroll the grounds in the evening, and then spend the next day romping around the park. Price includes three meals (Saturday dinner and breakfast and lunch on Sunday) and unlimited soft drinks and water, a docent tour and education activities on Sunday morning, and access to the theme park. Win! All ages.
Date/Time: Sat., June 18, 4 p.m.-Sun., June 19, 3 p.m.
Cost: $60/person
Gilroy Gardens
3050 Hecker Pass Rd.
Gilroy, Ca 95020
Online: gilroygardens.org
Marin County
Photo credit: Vinegar Hill House
Treat Dad to a Pancake Breakfast
Dad won’t be bummed after you butter him up with this breakfast of hot cakes, sausages and coffee at the top of Mt. Tam. Families can hike or bike up to this scenic spot where breakfast is served with live music. Proceeds help maintain the West Point Inn. O.J. and cantaloupe are an extra $1.
Date/Time: Sun., June 19, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Cost: $10/adults; $5/children
West Point Inn
100 Old Railroad Grade Fire Rd
Mill Valley, CA
Online: WestPointInn.com
Photo credit: Don DeBold via Flickr Creative Commons
Learn to Fish With Dad
Get hooked on fishing at the pier with tips and tricks from ranger and local anglers during Father’s Day Weekend. A valid California fishing license is required when fishing from the shore, not from the pier. Don’t forget to bring your dad and a fishing pole. All skill levels are welcome and no experience is necessary. Parks and Rec will provide bait and a limited amount of fishing poles, thanks to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Date/Time: Sat., June 18, 10 a.m.- noon
Cost: Free
Paradise Beach Park
3450 Paradise Drive
Tiburon, Ca 94920
Online: marincountyparks.org
What’s your plan with Dad this weekend? Let us know in the comments below!
