Posts Tagged ‘crissy field’

Tricycle Music Fest

Who knew the library was such a rocking location? Local kid-oriented faves such as the Devil-Ettes, the Time Outs, and Charity and the JAMBand.

When: Sat., 10/10, 10am-2pm; All ages; Free.

Where: San Francisco Main Library’s Fulton Street steps, Fulton Street (at Larkin Street), San Francisco; tricyclefest.org.

Mamma Mia Sing-along

Bring blankets and layers of warm clothing to this festive outdoors movie showing. Music and short films screen from 6 to 7:30pm; Mamma Mia begins at 8pm.

When: Sat., 9/10; 6-10pm; Age 4+; Free.

Where: Precita Park, Folsom Street (at Precita Avenue), San Franicsco; bhoutdoorcine.org.

Pumpkin Patches

All over the Bay Area, pumpkin patches are open for business, offering an array of fun from picking your own pumpkin to kiddie rides and corn mazes. One of the most fertile areas for pumpkin patches is Highway 92 in the Half Moon Bay area, where there are literally dozens. Drive until you see one you like.

When: Ongoing each weekend (many patches are also open weekdays at it gets closer to Halloween) until 10/31; All ages; Admission is usually free but attractions cost from $2-7.

Where: Various locations in the Bay Area. See Pumpkin Patches and More for a thorough list of addresses, attractions, and opening times.

Fleet Week

If displays of military muscle are what turns your cranky, you’ll be in heaven during this long-weekend event, which features airshows from the Blue Angels, a parade of ships and more things that move and go boom.

When: Thu.-Sun., 10/8-11; various times (see site for details); Age 3+; Most events are free (VIP seats run $30-150).

Where: Various locations on the San Francisco waterfront including Crissy Field, Mason Street (at Halleck Street); see website for more details, military.com/fleetweek.

There’s a sudden chill in the air, but some of the best weather of the year means outdoor festivals and fun proliferate.

Victorian Days

Lots of people in eye-candy costumes and a family rotunda with crafts, a scavenger hunt, and kid-oriented tales about local personages.

When: Sat., 9/26, noon-4pm; Age 3+; Free.

Where: San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway Street (at Middlefield Road), Redwood City; 650-299-0104; historysmc.org.

Kidsfaire

Fifteen acres of loud & shiny stuff of interest to parents and kids, including live stage shows (Barney, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), kids’ pavilions such as a princess pavilion and an ice skating rink, rides, and TV/movie characters in costume.

When: Sat.-Sun., 9/6-7, 10am-5pm; All ages; $5-8.

Where: Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Avenue (at Valley Avenue), Pleasanton, 925-426-7559, thekidsfaire.com.

Salsa Festival

Four stages with live music and dancers, free dance lessons for kids and adults, and lots of bounce houses.

When: Sat., 9/26, noon-8pm; Age 2+; Free.

Where: Downtown Redwood City, Broadway & Marshall; 831-457-1141; redwoodcity.org.

Mega Gay Dads BBQ and Picnic at Crissy Field

Meet every gay dad in town at this giant multi-group picnic. Bring food to share and participate in face-painting and parachute games.

When: Sat., 9/26, 11am-4pm; All ages; Free.

Where: Crissy Field, 983 Marin Street (at Illinois Street), San Francisco; dadspicniceventbrite.com.

 Now that the holidays are over, you can have some real fun.

Family Appreciation Day

Dozens of San Francisco museums and attractions throw open their doors for this city-sponsored shindig, offering free admission for families with children up to age 18. All you need to participate is some type of proof that you’re an SF resident, like a driver’s license or utility bill, and you’re in. Given that admission to the Academy of Sciences is so pricey, and the place is still so new, it’s going to be a huge draw for families. Escape the crowds there (and the runoff crowd at the nearby deYoung, also free), by hitting SFMOMA, the Exploratorium, taking a tour of Chinatown, or exploring the fascinating old ships at the Hyde Street Pier.

When: Sun. 1/11, time varies by location; All ages (at least one adult must accompany children); Free.

Where: Various locations in San Francisco, visit dcyf.org for details.

River of Words: The Natural World

This year’s iteration of the annual River of Words contest asked children to consider the natural surroundings in the place where they live, everywhere from California to the Ivory Coast. The resulting artworks and poems provide a moving picture of a child’s world.

When: Ongoing daily through 1/31/09; 9am-5pm; Age 3+; Free.

Where: Crissy Field Center, Building 603 in the Presidio, Mason Street (at Halleck Street) 415-561-7752, crissyfield.org.

Playhouse Disney Live

Peek in on the Mickey House Clubhouse at this sing-along show, where Mickey is planning a musical party for his friends: Pooh, Tigger, Darby, Hanny Manny, the Little Einsteins, and other faves.

When: Fri., 1/9, 3:30 and 7pm; Age 2+; $20-47.

Where: Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway Avenue (at Grand Avenue), Oakland; 510-465-6400, paramounttheatre.com.

Earthcapades

It’s like Cirque du Soleil, but instead of being menaced by angry French clowns, you learn stuff about the planet.

When: Sat., 1/10, 10:30am; Age 3+; $4-5.

Where: La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue (at Ashby Avenue), Berkeley, 510-849-2568, lapena.org.

Sorry, holiday haters: it’s pretty much all winter holidays, all the time from here on out. But we did find an option for those who are allergic to all seasonal cheer.

Lunatique Fantastique’s Wrapping Paper Caper

Styrofoam peanuts, wrapping paper, and other packing materials take on a life of their own in Lunatique Fantastique’s annual show. Puppeteers dress in black and fade into the background as they shape objects into impromptu puppets that spin a holiday tale in live 3D “animation.”

When: Ongoing through 1/4/09; weekends and Monday 12/22 and 12/29 at 3:30pm; Age 1+; $10.

Where: The Marsh, 1062 Valencia Street (at Hill Street), San Francisco, 415-271-3256, themarsh.org.

Christmas At Sea

Holiday fun with a nautical bent. The event starts at 3pm with sing-along sea chanteys, followed by ornament-making, a holiday story, followed by tours of historical vessels staffed by costumed actors playing captains and crews from Christmas of 1901. Santa himself will arrive at the pier at 4:20pm.

When: Sat., 12/13, 3-7pm; Age 3+; Free for children under 16, $5 for those over 16. Reservations are required for the evening boat tours.

Where: Hyde Street Pier, Hyde Street (at the Embarcadero), San Francisco, 415-447-5000, nps.gov/safr.

Winter Wonderland Villages

Use recycled materials to create small snowbound houses and villages.

When: Sat., 12/13, 1-3pm; Age 2+; $5 per person or $15 for a family of four.

Where: Crissy Field Center, 608 Mason Street (at Halleck Street), San Francisco, 415-561-5418, crissyfield.org.

Wee Scotty Fashion Show

Meet the tastemakers of tomorrow at this fashionable event at which young designers aged 7 to 17 will show off their designs. Live music, refreshments, a display of handmade duds culled from the 2008 Project Junior Runway competition, and a raffle for a sewing machine signed by Metallica further liven up the evening.

When: Sat., 12/13, 7pm; Age 4+; Free.

Where: Wee Scotty, 1807 Divisadero Street (at Bush Street), 415-345-9200, weescotty.com.

San Francisco is not a town known for its fabulous beaches. Yeah, sure, there’s Ocean Beach and Baker Beach, but if the sleeper waves don’t kill you, the freezing cold water will.

All that changed for parents with little kids when Crissy Field was renovated, and sand strewn at the northernmost shoreline of the Presidio. Suddenly what was a barren wasteland became a tiny (less than a mile long), jewel-like beach, with mild, gentle waves thanks to its sheltered Bay location. The area’s so small and compact that parents can just throw down a blanket and let the kids wander; on any sunny day the beach is crammed with dogs, moms, and preschoolers, all wading in the water, digging in the sand, and taking in the fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Parking at the Marshall lot (Marshall Street at Mason Street) is free and just steps from the beach; restrooms and the Warming Hut are conveniently located nearby if you should need to visit the facilities or grab a snack. Best of all, your exhausted children will probably fall happily asleep in the car on the way home. And isn’t that what outings are all about?