Fun Summer Activities Around the Bay
Summer is here and San Francisco has “reopened”, as of June 15th. While that does mean that more places like museums, pools, and events will potentially be going back to normal hours and capacity it really depends on each individual place. We rounded up a few ideas of places and events to keep on your radar this summer break. We are still in a pandemic so we remind everyone to read about each places covid19 policy and to still have your mask handy, most public transit and many private indoor establishments still require them. Each individual is an expert on their own body, if you are vaccinated and still want to wear a mask or avoid crowds, do what feels the best for you.
“Museums For All” and Free Museum Days
SF recently expanded its “Museums For All” program to be year round. This means San Franciscans who receive Medi-Cal or CalFresh can now receive four free or reduced-price tickets for their visit. To see the full list of participating museums, click here. We also encourage people to check out each museums website to see if they have to book tickets online or in advance because of covid policies.
Museums also usually have monthly free days that are free to anyone, here are a few of those dates.
Image Credit: Bay Area Discovery Museum.
The Asian Art Museum is currently open and has free days on the first Sunday of the month.
The Cable Car Museum is currently open and always has free admission.
The Cartoon Art Museum is currently open and has pay what you wish days on the first Tuesdays of the month.
The Children’s Creativity Museum has plans to open for the summer, but the date of their official opening is unclear. The LeRoy King Carousel is open on Saturdays and Sundays and is $5 per person or free for Museum For All families.
The Conservatory of Flowers is currently open and has free days on the first Tuesday of the month.
The de Young Museum is currently open and has free entrance for all Bay Area residents on every Saturday. There are also free days on the first Tuesday of the month.
The Oakland Museum is having a free weekend to celebrate it’s reopening June 18-20th! They do ask for the reopening weekend that you reserve tickets. Also on the first Sunday of each month, they have a suggested donation entry of $5.
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is currently open and has free entry on the first Wednesday of the month, but they are asking you reserve ahead of time and they next date is August 4th. They also have an Open Door Policy where they do not turn away visitors due to lack of funds, families are welcome to visit the museum on a pay-what-you-can basis. To participate, families should fill out this Ticket Request Form at least 72 hours ahead of their visit and indicate that they wish to enter under the open door policy. To learn more about visiting the Bay Area Discovery Museum, click here.
Image Credit: Yerba Buena Gardens Festival.
Upcoming Events
MegaBlack SF’s “Juneteenth on the Waterfront” Festival, June 19th, 8AM-2PM, Embarcardero Ferry Terminal Plaza and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Celebrate Black-owned businesses and commemorate Juneteenth with a day of community and delicious food! Entrance is free and food will be available for purchase. Learn more at MegaBlack’s website, here.
Oakland Black Pride will be happening June 24th-27th with the theme “Inside/OUT!” and it will be in-person. There will be a Queer Expo, Skate for Pride Party, Virtual Workshops and a Queer Kickball Tournament, just to name a few things. Learn more at Oakland Black Pride’s website, here.
Stern Grove is happening again this summer, but with updated covid restrictions and policies. Learn more and check out the line-up here.
The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival is happening June-August with all free programming! They have a variety of events for all ages with circus shows, clown performances, and dance shows that will entertain kids. Learn more about their programming and events here.
The Solano Drive-In and the Capitol Drive-In will be having “Family Fun Night” on Tuesday nights, this means that adult entry fees are only $5.75. Kids from 4-11 are always a $2 entry fee. Most screens are double features so you get two movies with one entry fee. Learn more here.
Hayes Valley will be having a reopening celebration on Friday June 18th from 5-8 PM. Learn more here.
Saturdays through the month of June, music performances will grace the stage in Union Square. Learn more here.
Head to Golden Gate Park on Sundays from 12-5 PM and skate it out as people play music. Learn more here.