Posts Tagged ‘pier 39’

As the short winter melts into early spring, the opportunities for outdoor fun keep flowering.

Free King Tut Weekend

The de Young Museum’s blockbuster Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibit is free all weekend; the lines will be huge when the box office opens at 9 a.m. to distribute the free tickets. The de Young’s permanent collection is also free.

When: Sat. & Sun., 2/20-21, 8:30am-4pm; Age 3+; Free.

Where: de Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Drive (at Music Concourse Drive in Golden Gate Park), San Francisco; 415-750-3600; tutsanfrancisco.org.

Tulipmania

Thousands of tulips in just about every color of the rainbow decorate the pier at this annual event. Free tours are available at 10am daily.

When: Sat.-Sun., 2/20-28, 10am-5pm; Age 4+; Free.

Where: Pier 39, Embarcadero Street (at Grant Street), San Francisco; 415-705-5500; pier39.com.

Lunar New Year Celebration

Celebrate the Year of the Tiger with Chinese lion and folk dancing, seasonal crafts, and a Chinese zodiac tour around the zoo.

When: Sun., 2/21, 10am-3pm; All Ages; Free-$15 (guests born in the year of the tiger get free admission).

Where: San Francisco Zoo, Great Highway (between Sloat and Skyline), San Francisco; 415-753-7201; sfzoo.org.

Dance, sing, listen, or tinker, the holiday season is upon us.

11th Annual San Francisco Hip Hop DanceFest

A grand total of 22 hip hop dance companies to blow your mind.

When: Program A, Fri., 11/20, 8pm & Sun., 11/22, 2pm; Program B, Sat., 11/21, 8pm & Sun, 11/22, 7pm; Age 8+; $35 for one program; $62 for both.

Where: Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon Street (at Bay Street), San Francisco; 415-392-4400; sfhiphopdancefest.com.

Pier 39 Tree Lighting Celebration

Costumes characters from Disney and live entertainers caper from 2 to 4pm, and at 5:30 the giant Christmas tree blazes to life.

When: Sun., 11/22, 2-5pm; All ages; Free.

Where: Pier 39, Embarcadero (at Grant Street), San Francisco; pier39.com.

Tinkering

Every invention, Coyote Point reminds us, came to be due to tinkering. This newest exhibit shows viewers how an innovation springs from a good idea and lots of tries. of innovation.

When: Exhibit opens Sat., 11/21, 10am; Age 3+; Free-$7.

Where: Coyote Point Museum, 1651 Coyote Point Drive (at Airport Boulevard), San Mateo; 650-342-7755; coyoteptmuseum.org.

Fresh Trade Agreement

A good choice for hipper middle and high schoolers, this party includes live music, DJs, b-boy battles, custom-built bikes, and vendors of streetwear and accessories.

When: Sat., 11/21, 11am-5pm; Age 7+; $10 ($7 with two canned goods).

Where: CellSpace/Crucible Steel Gallery, 2050 Bryant Street (at 18th Street), San Francisco; fresh-trade.org.

The Glorious Fourth edition! Use yourself up on the fireworks and festivities, take the rest of the weekend off.

Fourth of July Waterfront Celebration

You never know, this could be the year when there’s no fog and you can actually see the fireworks. Before the big booms begin, come down for live music, food, and kiddie activities.

When: Fri., 7/4, 2-10pm (Fireworks begin at 9:30pm); All ages; Free.

Where: Pier 39, Embarcadero (at Grant Street), San Francisco; pier39.com.

4th of July Jumpin’ & Jivin’ Jubilee

A sweet holiday celebration for smaller kids, the Jubilee features crafts, bounce houses, and obstacle course to get little legs tired. Come early to watch Alameda’s old-fashioned Fourth parade, which begins at 8am a few blocks away from the Jubilee site.

When: Sat., 7/4, noon-4pm; Age 5+; $10-20.

Where: Rittler Park, Otis Drive (at Grand Street), Alameda, ci.alameda.ca.us.

San Francisco Symphony at Shoreline Amphitheatre

Perhaps the fanciest and most relaxing of Bay Area Fourth options, this party includes kid-friendly music with simulcast fireworks that you can watch from a seat or from a blanket on the lawn.

When: Sat., 7/4, 8pm; Age 3+; $15-29.50 ($17.50 for four seats on the lawn).

Where: Shoreline Amphitheatre, One Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, 650-967-3000; livenation.com.

Old-Fashioned Independence Day Celebration

Celebrate the Fourth by taking up the pastimes of a bygone century at this fest, with patriotic and fiddle music, and games, contests, and races including a pie-eating competition, egg tosses, and a watermelon-seed-spitting match.

When: Sat., 7/4, 10am-4pm; Age 3+: Free-$7.

Where: Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard (at Newark Boulevard), Fremont, 510-796-0663, ebparks.org.

If you’ve got an Alice in Wonderland costume, there’s little doubt where you’re going this Saturday.

Alice in Wonderland Spring Faire

Games and fun with an Alice theme on the big, velvety Falkirk lawn. Play croquet, make a mad hat, meet costumed characters and join in the costume parade.

When: Sat., 4/4, 1-4pm; All Ages; $5.

Where: Falkirk Cultural Center, 1408 Mission Avenue (at E Street), San Rafael, 415-485-3328; falkirkculturalcenter.org.

Supernanny Casting Call

Scouts from the parenting show starring the crisp British Jo Frost are looking for San Francisco families. Bring the whole family and audition on the spot.

When: Sat., 4/4, 12-4pm; All ages; Free.

Where: Pier 39, Beach Street (at Embarcadero Street), San Francisco, abc.go.com.

Confessions of a Refrigerator Mother

Faced with a nine-year-old boy locked in the mysterious grip of autism, one mom doesn’t know what to do but spill her guts in this one woman show at peerless rising-stars theatrical venue The Marsh.

When: Ongoing each Thu.-Sat., 4/4-Sat. 4/25; 8pm; 14+; $15-50.

Where: The Marsh, 1062 Valencia Street (at 22nd Street), San Francisco; 415-826-5750; themarsh.org.

Richardson Bay Mudflat Festival

Walk through fields of springtime wildflowers and see marine creatures in their cold tidepools at this nature-lover’s fest. There are watershed walks, Bay science experiments, and composting demos, too.

When: Sat., 4/4, 10am-2pm; Age 2+; Free.

Where: Richardson Bay Center & Sanctuary, 376 Greenwood Beach Road (at Tiburon Boulevard), Tiburon, 415-388-2524; tiburonaudubon.org.

It’s cold out there. Bundle up and drink some cocoa.

Fisherman’s Wharf Holiday Lights Boat Parade

Stand on the shore and watch more than 100 boats from the St. Francis Yacht Club and the Fisherman’s Wharf Fishing Fleet parade by, alight with holiday decorations and illumination. The best places to stand are Pier 39 and Aquatic Park. Dress warmly!

When: Fri., 12/19, 6-9pm; All ages; Free.

Where: Pier 39, Embarcadero Street (at Beach Street), San Francisco, 415-673-3530, pier39.com.

Family Holiday Sing-Along

Strike the band and join the chorus– the Pacific Boychoir that is, which sings your favorite carols as the audience sings along.

When: Sat., 12/20, 11am; Age 3+; $5-25.

Where: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street (at Taylor Street), San Francisco, 415-392-4400, gracecathedral.org.

Winter Solstice at Muir Woods

Celebrate the season (and the shortest night of the year!) with a solstice party at the famous redwoods park. Participants will make a redwood wreath, sing holiday songs, and take a lighted walk through the dark woods.

When: Sun., 12/21, 3-8pm; Age 4+; Free.

Where: Muir Woods, Panoramic Highway (at Frank Valley Road), Mill Valley, nps.gov/muwo.

Family Hanukkah Celebration

Latkes are a featured player at this Hanukkah party, at which partygoers will also sing traditional Hanukkah songs, dance, spin the dreidel, and enjoy a special holiday performance. Linger afterwards for a community candle-lighting at 4:30pm.

When: Sun., 12/21, 2-4pm; All ages; Free (suggested donation $5-7 per family)

Where: The Jewish Community Center, 3200 California Street (at Presidio Avenue), San Francisco, 415-292-1299; jccsf.org.

We’re riding, skating, lighting, and drumming our way through the weekend.

Golden Gate Express Model Train Exhibit

Take a miniaturized tour of San Francisco as tiny trains wend their way through San Francisco landmarks like Coit Tower and Chinatown’s dragon gates, set amongst the Conservatory of Flowers.

When: Tue.-Sun. beginning Thu., 11/20 and running through 4/19/09; 9am-4:30pm; Age 2+; Free-$5.

Where: Conservatory of Flowers, JFK Drive (at Conservatory Drive) in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco; 415-666-7001, conservatoryofflowers.org.

Reindeer Romp and Ice Skating

A third ice rink opens in San Francisco for the holidays, and at this special skating party kids can meet reindeer and watch animals enjoying holiday treats.

When: Daily beginning Sat., 11/22 through 12/31, 11am-5pm; Age 3+; $12-25 (skate rental is an additional fee).

Where: San Francisco Zoo, Great Highway (between Sloat and Skyline), San Francisco, 415-753-8124, sfzoo.org.

Holiday Tree Lighting Party

Watch the big Pier 39 tree come to life at this celebration with Christmas-, Hanukkah- and Kwanzaa-related song and dance. Santa will be around for photos and requests, and kids can get their face painted and make holiday crafts.

When: Sun., 11/23, 1-6pm (tree-lighting is at 5:30pm); All ages; Free.

Where: Pier 39, Beach Street (at Embarcadero), San Francisco, 415-705-5500, pier39.com.

International Taiko Festival

Kids love to hear the thundering drums pound and boom. The Sunday afternoon concert is a good choice for smaller kids.

When: Sat., 11/22, 7pm; Sun., 11/23, 3pm; Age 2+; $38-49.

Where: Zellerbach Hall, Bancroft Avenue (at Dana Street) on the UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley, 415-928-2456, tickets.berkeley.edu.

Everyone’s favorite candy-soaked, costume-wearing holiday is next week, but most of the events happen this weekend. Slip on something strange and join the fun.

Pumpkin Patches

One of the best holiday events for small kids, pumpkin patch days involve haunted houses, hayrides, bounce houses, Halloween games and picking out the biggest, roundest pumpkins to take home and carve. Most of the Bay Area’s pumpkin patches can be found on Highway 92 in Half Moon Bay; particularly glorious examples include the Arata Pumpkin Farm and Lemos Farm Pumpkin Patch, which counts a petting zoo, pony rides, and a train ride amongst its wonders. But just driving down Highway 92 and sighting patches from the road will net you a good time. You can also find plenty of patches in Marin; just motor along 101 and look for telltale spots of orange. Happy hunting!

Jack o’ Lantern Jamboree

Come in costume to this annual Halloween party, which boasts a pirate school (!), pumpkin crafts, face painting, and the festive, make-believe atmosphere of Fairyland.

When: Sat. & Sun., 10/24-25, 10am-5pm; All ages; $10 per person.

Where: Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Avenue (at Lake Merritt), Oakland, 510-452-2259, fairyland.org.

Gardens Halloween Costume Walk

Music, clownery from the Unique Derique, and group games like ghost stories and Monster Mash are highlights at this costume party, where kids can trick-or-treat the nearby merchants. Kids in costume receive free admission to Zeum’s Haunted House Experience (with parents). The costume walk is at noon, giant pumpkin carving at 2, and Children’s Garden planting/composting at 3.

When: Sun., 10/26, 12-2pm; Age 0-10; Free.

Where: Children’s Garden at Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission St. (between 3rd and 4th Streets), San Francisco, 415-543-1718, ybgf.org.

Pumpkin Pandemonium

Watch ’80s Halloween revue “It’s Like, Halloween,” trick-or-treat the many, many shops, and wander the pumpkin patch to pick a free pumpkin. Kids will be invited onstage to show off their costumes.

When: Sun., 10/26, 12-4pm; Age 2-12; Free.

Where: Pier 39, Embarcadero Street (at Beach Street), San Francisco, pier39.com.

The Glorious Fourth edition! Enjoy looking at the colored fog!

San Francisco’s Fourth of July Waterfront Celebration

When people ask “When do the fireworks start?” this is what they mean. The family-friendliest place to watch may be from the room of your apartment building, but failing that, the party at Aquatic Park has live music, food, kids’ activities, and, of course, fireworks that may or may not be visible. KISS-FM provides the simulcast soundtrack, should you care to tune in.
When: Fri., 7/4, 2-10pm (Fireworks begin at 9:30pm); All ages; Free.

Where: Fisherman’s Wharf Aquatic Park, Jefferson Street (at Hyde Street), San Francisco; 415-674-7503, fishermanswharf.org.

San Francisco Mime Troupe in Dolores Park

Even if your kids are too young to get the political references, they’ll love lying on a blanket in the park and taking in the show.

When: Fri.-Sun., 7/4-6, 1:30-3pm; All ages; Free.

Where: Dolores Park, between 18th and 20th Streets and Dolores and Church Streets, San Francisco; sfmt.org.

Pier 39 Fourth of July Waterfront Celebration

Best for kids who want something zippier than face-painting, this party’s main attraction is lengthy sets by two popular San Francisco cover bands, Big Bang Beat and Tainted Love, along with the glittery touristy allure of Pier 39’s shops and restaurants itself. Unless the fog rolls in, Pier 39 is an excellent spot to view the city fireworks show. If the fog rolls in, of course, no one’s going to see the show.

When: Fri., 7/4, 1-10pm; Age 7+; Free.

Where: Pier 39 , Embarcadero Street (at Beach Street), San Francisco, pier39.com.

July 4th Family Festival at the Cannery

A family-friendly alternative to fireworks shows that don’t even start until long past bedtime, the Cannery party features live music, face painting, and food booths.

When: Fri., 7/4; 11am-3pm; All ages; Free.

Where: The Cannery at Del Monte Square, 2801 Leavenworth Street (at Columbus Street), 415-771-3112, delmontesquare.com.