Show dad how much you appreciate all he does this year by spending the day doing what he loves most. Whether he’s into sports, cars, museums, or hikes, San Diego is full of family fun that is sure to make it the best Father’s Day ever. Read on for our top picks of San Diego Father’s Day activities to celebrate your rad dad!

Sports Fans

For a sports-loving dad, head to The Loma Club for a fun round of mini golf and maybe a hole-in-one! Walk around nearby Liberty Station, where you’ll find playgrounds and walking paths down by the waterfront and lots of eateries and restaurants to choose from.

The Loma Club
2960 Truxton Rd., Point Loma
619-222-4653
Online: thelomaclub.com

Liberty Station
2820 Historic Decatur Rd., Point Loma
619-487-9346
Online: libertypublicmarketsd.com

Car Shows

Get your pop’s motor running and take him out to a fun car show for the day. Here are some local spots that have car shows happening on Father’s Day this year.

Belmont Park Father’s Day FREE Car Show
June 19, 2022 from 10am-4pm
3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach
858-488-1549
Online: belmontpark.com

San Diego Automotive Museum Cars & Coffee
June 19, 2022 from 7:30am-9:30am
2080 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
Online: sdautomuseum.org

The Key Club San Diego Cars & Coffee
College Grove Center
Contact for more info: 619-988-6530

Belmont Park

Show Dad a good time on some roller coasters, go-karts and rides that spin around and go upside down at Belmont Park. They’re also having a Father’s Day Cruise this year with a fun and free car show, food and music.

Belmont Park Father’s Day
3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach
858-488-1549
Online: belmontpark.com

Museum Hop

Balboa Park is always a good time and with plenty of options for museum hopping together. Whether Dad likes planes, trains or automobiles, there’s a museum for him to explore. Grab some lunch or dinner on the outside patio at Panama 66, next to the San Diego Museum of Art.

Tip: Dads get free admission to the San Diego Automotive Museum on Father’s Day this year (with a paid adult admission)

Balboa Park
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
619-239-0512
Online: balboapark.org

Coastal Hike

Get back into nature with a good coastal hike at Annie’s Slot Canyon in Solana Beach. He’ll love hiking through the slots and climbing up the ladders for unforgettable ocean views at the top. Head to nearby family-friendly CUCINA enoteca Del Mar to fill up on Italian food after a day of hiking.

Annie’s Canyon
498 Solana Hills Dr., Solana Beach
760-436-3944
Online: thenaturecollective.org

CUCINA enoteca Del Mar
2730 Via De La Valle, Del Mar
858-704-4500
Online: urbankitchengroup.com

Walk Through History

Walk through the footsteps of San Diego’s founding fathers in Old Town and see how families lived when the pioneers settled here. Check out the old working storefronts, the courthouse, the one-room school house, the old jail cell, La Casa de Estudillo and other homesteads to get a glimpse back in time. For lunch or dinner head to Barra Barra Saloon for their outside dining, where kids 10 and under eat free everyday!

Old Town
4000 Mason St., San Diego, CA 92110
619-220-5422
Online: oldtownsandiego.org

Relax In Style

Chill out poolside at a luxury hotel resort for the day by booking a Resort Pass. You’ll find some with waterslides, zero entry for littles, poolside splash pads, cabanas and even poolside food & drink service.

Online: ResortPass.com

Here are some fun Resort Pass Hotels that kids would love:

Town & Country has 1 waterslide and pool service
500 Hotel Circle N, Mission Valley
619-291-7131
Online: towncountry.com

Hyatt Regency Mission Bay has 3 waterslides
1441 Quivira Rd., Mission Bay
619-224-1234
Online: hyatt.com

Omni La Costa Resort & Spa has waterslides and a splash pad
2100 Costa Del Mar Rd., Carlsbad
760-438-9111
Online: omnihotels.com

 

Scenic Train Ride

Hop on board a scenic train ride through the Campo countryside for an out-an-back adventure. The Pacific Southwest Railroad Museum offers several weekend-only train rides and even a sunset ride. Before or after your train ride, head to nearby Campo Creek Vineyards for a family-friendly mellow wine tasting. It’s only 10 minutes away and kids will love running around petting all the cats or playing bocce ball, while parents can order a charcuterie board to go along with your tastings.

Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
750 Depot St., Campo
619-478-9937
Online: psmr.org

Campo Creek Vineyards
29556 CA-94, Campo
619-933-1706
Online: campocreekvineyards.com

Bring Out The Bikes

Load up the bikes for a bayside cruise along the scenic Bayshore Bikeway. This is a closed biking trail, meaning it’s not alongside a road so it’s safer for kids to ride on without the worry of cars zooming by. You’ll have views of the South Bay and can ride it up through the Silver Strand. Either ride over or pack up the bikes and drive over to the Imperial Beach Pier for dinner. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and ice cream shops to fill up after your ride, but the Tin Fish at the end of the IB Pier makes for a unique dining experience over the ocean.

Bayshore Bikeway
There are many starting points, but this is a good spot to get on:
13st St. + Cypress Ave. near Trident Coffee, Imperial Beach

Play Tourist

It’s always fun to play tourist and the SEALS Boat Tour would be something you’ll never forget. Take this open-aired amphibious vehicle for a tour around the city and then be amazed as it drives right into the water for a tour around the bay. It boards at Seaport Village; which makes for a perfect place to grab a casual or sit-down dinner.

San Diego SEALS Tour
500 Kettner Blvd., San Diego 92101
619-298-8687
Online: sealtours.com

 

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You love a good porter, and the subtleties of a fresh hop IPA aren’t lost on your palate. Luckily, with the current craft beer movement, more breweries and pubs are opening their doors to parents with kids in tow, creating fun, relaxing environments for all. Sure, this won’t replace your need for trivia night at your local bar, but now you won’t be limited on when and where you can enjoy the newest microbrew. From working farms that serve up fantastic ciders to world-famous breweries and gardens, keep reading to discover our favorite spots to grab a brew with babes in tow.

Ballast Point Brewpub - Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, CA

Rohlin A. via Yelp

The "happiest place on earth" just got happier since the Ballast Point Brewpub moved into Downtown Disney. The brewery features a 4,000-square-feet, glass-enclosed bar and restaurant space, as well as a 3,000-square-foot outdoor beer garden with “cabana-style seating,” perfect for crowd watching as you relax with a meal. The 100 tap lines will offer more than fifty styles of Ballast Point’s adventurous beer including some exclusive brews. Not only is the restaurant kid-friendly, but it is also hoping to help those less fortunate by donating one dollar of every $10 kids meal sold to No Kid Hungry.

Online: ballastpoint.com

Twinpanzee Brewing Company - Sterling, VA

Twinpanzee Brewing Company

If you enjoy family game night, bring your crew to this Sterling, VA establishment for some beer and board games. Twinpanzee offers games for all ages, including Candy Land, Operation, Chutes and Ladders, Trouble, Sorry!, Clue and more. There is also a Nintendo Entertainment System with over 30 games to challenge your loved ones with. Kids 16 & under are treated to free chips and juice. The brewery frequently hosts family-friendly events like kart racing. 

Online: twinpanzee.com

Check out our full list of family-friendly breweries in the DMV area here!

New Glarus Brewing Co. - New Glarus -WI

Daniella D. via Yelp

While anyone is allowed to take the tour of the New Glarus Brewing Co., they have a strict policy where "anyone, regardless of age, who cries, spits, screams, fights or climbs on the machinery will politely be excused from our brewery tour." All kidding aside, visiting the brewery within Wisconsin's "Little Switzerland" is definitely a "must see." Located on a hilltop, you and the kids can take your own self-guided tour of the brewery's garden with plenty of photos opps. You will want to pack a few snacks since they do not offer food, but they do make their own root beer so everyone wins!

Online: newglarusbrewing.com

Gate City Brewing - Roswell, GA

Heather L. via Yelp

In what used to be two mechanic shops is now Gate City Brewing's two-story, brewhouse and taproom which is, as they say, "pro-friendly." Not only are kids and dogs welcome, but so is outside food (although local food trucks also make the rounds too.) The place offers nearly 20 house-brewed beers on draft and lots of fun including live music, brewery yoga, "paint and pint nights," comedy showcases and more.

Online: gatecitybrewingcompany.com

Old Irving Brewing Co. – Chicago, Il

Julie A. via Yelp

Some families boast that the Old Irving Brewery is a great place to cuddle up during a rainy day. Not only will you find a beer here, but also beer-inspired cocktails, ciders, bourbons, whiskeys, rums, tequilas and more. For the kids (and for those who don't care to drink) they also offer a variety of sodas (house-made and Coca-Cola varieties), ginger beer, lemonade and ice tea. If you can manage to pull them away from the indoor bean bag toss area, your kids will love mac and cheese with bacon of other great finds on the huge kid-friendly menu.

Online: oldirvingbrewing.com

Elliott Bay Brewing Company - Three locations in the Seattle area, WA

Brad R. via Yelp

If you walk in the doors of Elliott Bay Brewing Company around dinnertime, there will be no doubt in your mind that this is where beer-loving parents come to enjoy a pint—and you’ll love that Elliott Bay is pretty noisy so no one will be hushing your little ones through your meal. Ask to sit upstairs or in one of the booths along the edge of the brewery. The kids’ menu is tasty and the adult fare is a step above typical brewery grub, so come hungry. And now with three locations, it’s easier than ever to make this your new Friday night hangout!

Online: elliottbaybrewing.com

Check out our full list of family-friendly breweries in Seattle here!

Atlantic Brewing Company – Bar Harbor, ME

duluoz cats via Flickr

Atlantic Brewing Company was one of the first to hop (pun intended!) on the microbrew craze. Built on a 10-acre farm, the entire place was designed to create an experience where visitors could learn first-hand about small-scale beer production. There’s also a tasting room and beer garden, the very popular Mainely Meat BBQ restaurant, and a large outdoor courtyard area. The kids will love the playground in the back, and Atlantic Brewing even does flights of housemade soda tastings for the little ones! Also, check out ABC's Midtown location with Midtown Burgers (52 Cottage St.) and their sister winery, Bell Harbor Cellars (on Route 3) for their line of traditional red, whites, and local fruit wines.

Try this beer: Bar Harbor Real Ale

Online: atlanticbrewing.com

Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) – Portland, OR

Michael B. via Yelp

When it comes to being kid friendly, Hopworks Urban Brewery (aka HUB) goes the extra mile. There are three play areas with train tables, chalkboards, books and toys, and kids are handed a ball of pizza dough upon arrival. The kid’s menu is ample with offerings like pizza strips and the Little Brewer’s Burger. There’s even organic baby food available for $2 a jar! There are two HUB locations in Portland: Powell (2944 SE Powell Blvd.), Williams (3947 N Williams Ave.) and one in Vancouver (17707 SE Mill Plain Blvd.)

Try this beer: Hopworks IPA

Online: hopworksbeer.com

Check out our full list of family-friendly breweries in Portland here!

Port City Brewing – Alexandria, VA

Abigail W. via Yelp

Located right off the Holmes Run Trail, Port City Brewing is an ideal stop after that weekend family bike ride. It was awarded Best Small Brewery at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival, so you know the beer’s good here. There are ample picnic tables inside and out, there's a back room with seating/arcade games, and an upstairs bar area with darts, seating, and extra restrooms. There’s often live music on the weekend, and while they don’t serve food, you can usually find a food truck parked outside. 

Try this beer: Optimal Wit

Online: portcitybrewing.com

Check out our full list of family-friendly breweries in Washington D.C. here!

Oak Highlands Brewery – Dallas, TX

Oak Highlands Brewery via Facebook

Beer-loving parents in Dallas have a friend at Oak Highlands Brewery. Not only does the brewery have an airy tasting room with large glass windows that allow guests to check out the brewing area, but in the back, there’s additional seating with cornhole sets, a ping-pong table, a foosball table, an air hockey table, a large chalkboard and even a large Jenga set. When that’s not enough, wander over to the arcade games! The brewery hosts a ton of fun events, including family night once a month, BBQ cookoffs and fundraisers for local causes. Be sure to bring hungry bellies, too. You’ll find food trucks lined up and ready to serve.

Try this beer: Freaky Deaky

Online: oakhighlandsbrewery.com

Station 26 Brewing – Denver, CO

Devin C. via Yelp

Craft beer fans know Denver as the home of the Great American Beer Festival, but it’s also home to an impressive list of breweries creating their own suds. There are several kid-friendly joints, but Station 26 is at the top of the list. There’s no restaurant, but there are pretzels for snacking, and a revolving selection of food trucks show up every day. There’s a grassy area that’s great for kids, a bunch of communal picnic tables with plenty of shade, and live music. Plus, the building was actually a real fire station in a past life. Oh, and the beer? It’s pretty awesome, too.

Try this beer: Juicy Banger IPA

Online: station26brewing.co

Finnriver Farm & Cidery – Chimacum, WA

Daria S. via Yelp

It's not exactly a brewery, but this awesome cidery located on the Olympic Peninsula is totally worth the drive, even with wee ones.  Not only is the cider seriously legit, but space is a destination in itself. There’s a working farm, a tasting room, and family-friendly music concerts during the summer.

Head's up foodies! Finnriver takes the slow food movement seriously. During the week they offer local snacks and goodies to create your own picnic. On the weekends, the grill is open and serving tasty eats like local brats, with kraut, homemade cider mustard, and seasonal vegetables or salads. There are also food trucks serving up gourmet eats like crepes and oysters. 

Try this cider: Finnriver Black Currant

Onlinefinnriver.com

Check out our full list of family-friendly breweries in Seattle here!

Flossmoore Brewing Company – Flossmoor, IL

Courtesy Flossmoor Station

Stationed inside a 1906 train depot, this award-winning brewpub is located in the heart of historic Flossmoor, just 28 miles outside of Chicago. Kids love the Old Caboose Ice Cream Shoppe (open Thurs.-Sun. from Jun.-Sept.) that dishes up frozen yogurt and fun toppings like gummy bears, Snickers bar, and teddy grahams. There’s a kid’s menu with healthy options, and the adult fare is pretty tasty too. Think carving board charcuterie & cheese, burgers, baby back ribs, fish 'n' chips and more. Tiny guests also have a chance to write a story about Goober, the pub mascot (the two best stories are chosen once a month). The winner receives a free kids meal and the honor of having his or her story posted in the main entrance. There’s also a miniature train set that runs above the pub and bar area, and the brewery even does root beer tours for local second-grade classrooms!

Try this beer: Station Master Wheat Ale

Online: flossmoorstation.com

Marin Brewing Company – Larkspur, CA

Marin Brewing Company via Facebook

Marin County’s original brewpub has been a family hot-spot for years. There’s a large patio with picnic tables to fit large groups, and the menu (each kid menu comes with crayons) has everything from mac ‘n’ cheese for the kids to special salads and entrees for the adults. As an added bonus, the brewpub can be found at Marin Country Mart, which, from the play area and pond in the middle of the shopping center to the ice cream and toy shops that take up other storefronts, is perfect for an entire day of fun.

Try this beer: White Knuckle Double IPA

Online: marinbrewing.com

Maple Island Brewing – Stillwater, MN

Maple Island Brewing Company via Yelp

If the patio overlooking the beautiful St. Croix River and the view of the famous Lift Bridge doesn’t win you over, the impressive collections of games, the free popcorn, the yoga and fun family events (cornhole tourney, anyone?) will. This family-owned brewery is located in the heart of historic Stillwater, and the community vibes are real—every Monday, $1 of every pint sold goes to a local non-profit organization. They also have menus from nearby restaurants on hand, and there’s a candy store right across the street. Grab a bite from hotspots like The Grand, Victoriano’s and Chicago Dogs and settle in for a pint.  

Try this beer: I Scream (made with local Nelson’s ice cream!)

Online: mapleislandbrewing.com

Golden Road Brewing – Los Angeles, CA

Thedavis M. via Yelp

It’s pretty clear that Golden Road Brewing Company understands the perils of dining with kids in public. The hand-crafted Bavarian soft pretzel is a family favorite at the Atwater Village location (5410 W San Fernando Rd.). There are lawn games for little wiggle worms, you can catch a train going by every now and again (the brewery is housed inside a former Southern Pacific switching station), and there’s even a special patio just for dogs. And, here’s an insider tip: make use of the valet parking. It’s free and beats parking a few blocks away. Self-parking is scarce. Other locations can be found in Downtown Los Angeles (317 S Broadway) and Anaheim (2210 E Orangewood Ave.).

Try this beer: Golden Road Hefeweizen.

Online: goldenroad.la

Check out our full list of family-friendly breweries in Los Angeles here!

Asheville Pizza and Brewing – Asheville, NC

This brewery/restaurant has been a family-friendly operation since it opened in 1998. It’s a dine-in outdoor movie theater (Tickets are only $3, but they go quickly!), a restaurant serving up classic pub fare with fun Hollywood-themed names like Jedi Jalapeno Poppers, Lord of the Onion Rings, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Salad, plus, they make great beer. There’s also an impressive game room with foosball, pool, ping-pong, and vintage pinball and arcade games!

Try this beer: Ninja Porter

Onlineashevillebrewing.com

Lake Placid Brewery & Pub – Lake Placid, NY

Scott F via Yelp

Lake Placid Pub & Brewery is a parent’s dream. Not only do they offer cornhole in the front beer garden area, but—more importantly—there’s a 10’ x 20’ kids room on the third floor. There are games, puzzles and a custom-painted scavenger hunt on the walls (complete the hunt, get a prize!).  There’s a full kids menu and, the best part? They offer s’mores for dessert—kids of all ages can roast their own marshmallows right at the table. We think it all sounds like a dream dinner date with the littles!

Try this beer: Ubu Ale

Online: ubuale.com

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Garden – Escondido, CA

Diana T. via Yelp

Stone is a popular choice in the world of craft beer, and for a good reason. Their beer is excellent, and they take quality seriously. One visit to the Bistro and Garden in Escondido and you’ll see why. The kids will love the ponds, boulders, and the open space of the one-acre organic beer garden. You’ll love the awarding winning ales and the fact that Stone is the largest purchaser of local, small-farm organic produce in San Diego County. Kids can choose from menu options like teriyaki salmon and mini mac ‘n’ cheese, and you’ll fill up on impressive bites like Stone shrimp & grits, South American ceviche and Stone-style hemp seed soft pretzels. Looking for other family-friendly beer pubs in the San Diego area? Check out our guide here.

Try this beer: Stone IPA

Online: stonebrewing.com/visit/bistros/escondido

Terrapin Beer Company – Athens, GA

Fiona Hicks/Terrapin Beer Company

Visitors to Terrapin Brewing Company will be able to taste fresh brews and enjoy live music in a family-and pet-friendly environment. There's an indoor tasting room, a big outdoor space with tables, lawn chairs, and yard games that are perfect for little guests. No food is served here, but food trucks show up on the regular.

Try this beer: Liquid Bliss

Online: terrapinbeer.com/tasting-room-tours

3 Daughters Brewing – St. Petersburg, FL

Julie M. via Yelp

There’s plenty to keep your crew busy at family-owned 3 Daughters Brewing, which is located in the arts district of St. Petersburg, Florida. Enjoy "fast casual food" with their "3D Bites" and live music Thursday through Sunday every week. Other events include Art Walks and comedy shows. The tasting room has 18 taps, and since 3 Daughters also brews their own cider, there’s something for everyone! There’s also plenty of entertainment for the kids, including life-sized Jenga, Connect Four, shuffleboard, cornhole and more.

Try this beer: Beach Blonde Ale

Online: 3dbrewing.com

Laurelwood Brewing Company - Portland, OR

Ricky Pike via Flickrr

Self-described as “the place where friends and family meet,” it comes as no surprise that Laurelwood Brewing is ideal for a family gathering. With two patios, two kids’ play areas and a warm atmosphere, you can tell that this establishment was opened by parents with young children. Order the kids’ food first (long list of entrees, plus a side, drink and dessert) and get it earlier if your hungry children are chomping at the bit. Their additional locations welcome kids as well, each offering play areas created with toddlers in mind. You can be Laurelwood in Hollywood (5115 NE Sandy Blvd.) and Sellwood (6716 SE Milwaukie Ave.).

Online: laurelwoodbrewpub.com

Check out our full list of family-friendly breweries in Portland here!

— Gabby Cullen with Jeff Totey, Kelley Gardiner, Christina Montoya Fieldler and Chelsea Lin

Editor’s Note: Red Tricycle wants parents to have fun and be safe with their kids. Please drink responsibly and always designate a driver. 

 

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Autumn is a season of unmistakable change, as the days grow shorter and the sun moves south. It’s time to set aside the refreshing, playful beers of summer and explore more contemplative beers with greater character and substance. Our local brewers provide plenty of options to help you prepare for the longer nights and colder days; you can ease your way into the season with a crisp, traditional German-style Oktoberfest beer, or jump in with both feet and grab a bold, bodacious stout or rich and luscious brown ale. More and more brewers are experimenting with fresh pumpkin, discovering ways to infuse their beer with the meat of the gourd along with a variety of spices. This is also hops harvest season, so do not be afraid of beers with intense hop character. Here, we offer some beer recommendations for the fall of 2012.

Night Owl Pumpkin Ale
Elysian Brewing Company
Dick Cantwell, the brewmaster at Elysian Brewing Company, is obsessed with pumpkins. Each fall, Cantwell’s brew crew creates as many as 12 different pumpkin beers for Elysian’s annual Great Pumpkin Beer Festival (see page 49). The festival features dozens of locally produced pumpkin beers, along with beers from as far away as Norway. This style of beer is usually brewed using pumpkin meat along with the grains and hops normally used for brewing. Pumpkin beers frequently include spices that conjure visions of pumpkin pie, such as clove, cinnamon and nutmeg; tinges of ginger and allspice taste right for the season. Of all of Cantwell’s gourd-inspired creations, some of which border on the bizarre, Night Owl Pumpkin Ale is the most approachable. The beer pours in a beautiful shade of deep reddish orange and weighs in at 5.9 percent alcohol by volume. Night Owl Pumpkin Ale is widely available from August through October, so look for it now at most grocery stores or bottle shops in 12- and 22-ounce bottles. You can get it on tap at any of Elysian’s three Seattle brewpubs, but I recommend visiting the company’s flagship location on Capitol Hill (Seattle, 1221 E Pike St.; 206.860.1920; elysianbrewing.com)

Brave American Brown Ale
American Brewing Company
This beloved beer has just been rereleased after a discouraging dry spell. In the summer of 2011, American Brewing created an original brown ale to serve at the Brave Horse Tavern: Brave American Brown Ale. Those who enjoyed it at the tavern were not surprised when the beer brought home a coveted bronze medal from the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado, in September 2011. Soon thereafter, American Brewing Company suspended production of the beer. (Always leave them wanting more!) To commemorate the first anniversary of the victory, the brewery released a special version of the award-winning beer. This interpretation of traditional English brown ale with hop influences from the Northwest weighs in at 6.5 percent alcohol by volume and features rich, toasty caramel overtones balanced perfectly with a subtle hint of citrus as the beer finishes dry on the palate. The best place to enjoy Brave American Brown Ale on tap is at the Brave Horse Tavern, where it will be pouring through the end of October, or enjoy it straight from the source at the American Brewing taproom (Edmonds, 180 W Dayton St.; 425.774.1717; americanbrewing.com).

To read more about the best seasonal beers for fall, click here for the full story.

This is our weekly guest post from our friends at Seattle Magazine, which keeps readers on the pulse of restaurants, personalities, arts, entertainment and culture that reflect the tapestry of our dynamic landscape. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a weekly dose of fantastic Date Night ideas throughout greater Seattle.