Posts Tagged ‘dunsmuir’

Parade through the streets or put down a blanket at the park: outdoor opportunities are everywhere this weekend.

87th Annual May Fete Parade

Vintage charm abounds in the oldest children’s parade in Northen California. Traffic is halted on University Avenue to allow the passage of hand-pulled floats, and thousands of kids temporarily set free from the need to obey traffic rules gaily skating, cycling, and strolling through the streets in a free-form parade. If your kids want to be in the parade, they should show up by 9:30 ready to be slotted into one of three categories: Kids in Costume, Kids on Wheels or Kids with Pets.

When: Sat., 5/2, 10am; (a fair follows the parade and ends at 1pm); All ages; Free.

Where: Parade begins at 10am at the corner of Emerson Street and University Avenue, Palo Alto; 650-463-4921, cityofpaloalto.org.

Music for Families

The San Francisco’s series of free concerts for families winds up with an exploration of how four creative forces (the composer, the conductor, musicians, and the listening audience) combine to make beautiful music.

When: Sat., 5/2, 2pm; Age 4+; Free.

Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue (at Grove Street), San Francisco; 415-552-8000; sfsymphony.org.

Cinco de Mayo Festival

Celebrate Latin America in this yearly revel set in lush, green Dolores Park. Live music, food, and educational activities for the madding crowds of kids.

When: Sat., 5/2, 10am-6pm; All ages; Free.

Where: Dolores Park, between 18th and 20th Streets and Church and Dolores Streets, San Francisco, sfcincodemayo.com.

Let’s Play Games Day

Play old-fashioned games like hoop-rolling and croquet at the historic Dunsmuir estate. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic lunches to eat on the Great Meadow.

When: Sun., 4/3, 11am-3pm; Age 2+; Free with admission ($5 for adults; Free for children 11 and under).

Where: Dunsmuir House & Gardens, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court (at Peralta Oaks Drive), Oakland, 510-562-0328, dunsmuir.org.

If you’re not hunting eggs and wearing bonnets, you’ll be riding a Big Wheel down a rain-slicked curvy street this weekend. Or at least watching it happen.

Bring Your Own Big Wheel

The annual skid-a-thon is held on San Francisco’s real curviest street: Vermont Street on Potrero Hill, where dozens of adults meet each Easter to pilot Big Wheels and other toddler-type trikes down its dangerous slope. Small or even medium-size kids should not participate in the ride, but it’s fun to gather and cheer on the soon-to-be-injured riders.

When: Sun., 4/12, 4pm; 3+; Free.

Where: Vermont Street (at 20th Street), San Francisco, jonbrumit.com.

Nun World Order

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s Easter Day celebration is just a little more celebratory today, the 30th anniversary of this party in Sloat Park. If you have easily shocked children, be sure to leave before the Hunky Jesus contest at 3:40pm–the Children’s Easter part of the celebration from 11am to noon is suitably decorous. The 1pm Easter Bonnet contest, however, is not to be missed.

When: Sun., 4/12, 11am-4pm; Age 2+; Free.

Where: Dolores Park, Dolores Street (at 18th Street), San Francisco, thesisters.org.

Old-Fashioned Spring Egg Hunt

The streams and green hills of the historic estate are a wonderful place to hunt for eggs, play games, dye eggs, watch a puppet show, maybe even catch some face-time with the Big Bunny.

When: Sat., 4/11, 11am-3pm; Age 1+; Free-$5 ($12 for a family of four).

Where: Dunsmuir House & Gardens, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court (at Peralta Oaks Drive), Oakland, 510-562-0328, dunsmuir.org.

India Basin Spring Egg Hunt

San Francisco’s newest recreation area celebrates the green season by hiding hundreds of eggs for neighborhood children to find. A dozen of them will be prize eggs. The Easter bunny, neighborhood goats, and fire fighters will all make an appearance.

When: Sat., 4/11, 11am-noon; All ages; Free.

Where: India Basin Shoreline Park, 301 Hunters Point Boulevard (at Hawes Street), San Francisco; indiabasin.org.

Family First Sunday — Let’s Play Games

Try out Victorian pastimes like rolling a hoop, walking on stilts, and playing hopscotch at the vintage-cool house and gardens. Picnic lunches are encouraged.

When: Sun., 9/8, 11am-3pm; Age 3+; Free with museum admission ($5 for adults, free for children age 11 and under).

Where: Dunsmuir Historic Estate, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court (at Peralta Oaks Drive), Oakland, 510-615-5555, dunsmuir.org.

San Francisco Bike Coalition’s Family Day

Strap on your training wheels and toddler seats and pedal down to Golden Gate Park for a bike parade, a scavenger hunt, and other fun on wheels.

When: Sat., 9/6, 10am-2pm; All ages; Free.

Where: 14th Avenue Picnic Area (JFK Drive at 14th Avenue in Golden Gate Park), San Francisco, 415-431-BIKE; sfbike.org.

San Francisco Birth & Baby Fair

Rev up for parenthood at this information blitz featuring representatives from local birth and parenting groups, maternity and baby gear, and teach-ins on birthing options, cloth diapering, and health during pregnancy.

When: Sat., 9/6, 10am-3pm; Age 18+; $5.

Where: Fort Mason Center Buildings A - E, Marina Boulevard (at Buchanan Street), San Francisco, 415-867-0291, birthandbabyfair.com.

Kidsfaire

Fifteen acres of loud & shiny stuff of interest to parents and kids, including live stage shows (the Lion King, Strawberry Shortcake), kids’ pavilions such as a pirate’s cove and an ice skating rink, rides, and ten million, zillion bounce houses.

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.