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The transition from fun-in-the-sun summer to back-to-school scaries can be hard to handle for both kids and parents alike. August signifies a shift in routine from freedom and fun to early mornings and extracurriculars. Gone will be the days of leisurely lounging and dinners on the deck to make way for more structured schedules and snacks on the go. A great way to relish the last few weeks of the season is by partaking in the breadth of activities the Bay Area has to offer, both in our own backyard and beyond.
From the North Bay to the South Bay, The Pulse has compiled 20 amazing ways for you and your family to enjoy these last lazy summer days. Whether your schedule allows for activities of a few hours or a full day, there’s something for everyone on this list.
In Town
Thursdays, August through September 21, 5 – 8 pm
Slow down, smell the roses and watch the sun dip behind the mountains. Grab a drink at the Bluebird Bar or relax on the lawn with your family. Dine from a local food truck or one of the pop-up cafe locations, as acoustic tunes drift through the air. New this year: lounge in the Vegetable Garden with a drink from the Hummingbird Bar! You can bring a blanket, but no outside chairs. Outside food and alcohol are not permitted (unless on picnic tables before Filoli entrance). Online advanced tickets are suggested.
Music On The Square, Courthouse Square
Fridays, August through September 1, 6 – 8 pm
Enjoy FREE music for 14 weeks throughout the summer on Friday evenings! With top-quality local and national musical performers — from rock and reggae to Americana and much more — music fans of all ages will be thrilled to discover and enjoy the most popular summer concert series on the Peninsula. Glass bottled beverages are NOT allowed. This policy will be enforced.
Pub In The Park, Red Morton Park
Saturday, September 9, 11 am – 4 pm
Lounge in the park, listen to bluegrass, sip local brews and enjoy lawn games! During 4 Saturdays from June to September, we stock our British-style pub with quality beers and ciders on tap. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for a picnic-style afternoon, complete with FREE live music and lawn games. Each event will be stocked with a variety of microbreweries and food trucks.
Rock The Dock, Port of Redwood City
Saturdays, Through November 25, 4:30 – 7 pm
Come join neighbors, friends and family for lively evenings of live music, dancing, food and fun under the stars! The Port of Redwood City sponsors and hosts Rock the Dock concerts on the beautiful South Bay waterfront every Saturday from April through November 2023 from 4:30 to 7 pm. All concerts are held at the Port of Redwood City (475 Seaport). Concert-goers should bring lawn chairs, blankets, jackets and refreshments. On-site food vendors will be available. Parking is available on-site.
San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Red Morton Park
Saturdays and Sundays, August 12 – 27, 6 – 7:30 pm
Cymbeline, Shakespeare’s epic romantic adventure, is considered one of his final plays and features a dazzling mix of comedy, tragedy, and fairy tale. The show is suitable for all ages and lasts 90 minutes without an intermission. Public restrooms are onsite. We do not offer concessions but encourage you to visit a local business for your food and drink items.
Bay Area Lebanese Festival, Courthouse Square
Saturday, August 26, 11 am – 10 pm
Immerse yourself in authentic Lebanese culture, food, dancing, and entertainment at the 13th annual Lebanese Festival in downtown Redwood City. Food, drinks and raffle tickets are available for purchase via their website. This is a free event and is open to the public.
Skate Open Spaces, SportsHouse Redwood City
Saturday, August 26, 6 – 7:45 pm (ALL AGES) & 8:15 – 10 pm (18 +)
Skate Open Spaces is hosting a public skate night at SportsHouse Redwood City. The four volleyball courts will be turned into a roller rink for the night. All ages and abilities are welcome! If you’d like to participate in a beginner skating lesson, it will take place from 6:15 – 6:45 pm and is included in the price of admission. Rental skates and protective equipment are available, or you can bring your own.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Moss Beach
Daily, 8 am – 7 pm
You can explore the tidepools for at least an hour before and an hour after low tide. There is no cost for individual admission or parking. Visitors who are not with a large group (15 or more) can explore the Reserve without a docent guide. Groups of 15 or more must make a reservation through the San Mateo County Parks website. There are picnic facilities and bathrooms near the main entrance. No food, drinks, beach toys, tents, buckets, shovels, ball-playing or other activities that might disturb the natural habitat are allowed.
Board Games Night, Game Kastle Redwood City
Fridays, 6 – 10 pm
Bring your favorite game to teach the group, or feel free to come empty-handed and learn the games that others will have brought. You may bring food and drinks. The facility just asks that you dispose of your trash outside.
Day Trips
Daily Tours, 9 am – 4 pm
Discover the wildest Africa in the heart of wine country! At Safari West, every day means adventure as we journey out in search of herds of wildebeest, romping rhinos and towering giraffes. From ring-tailed lemurs to the dazzling zebra, nearly 900 animals from over 90 unique species roam through our 400-acre preserve. While traversing our natural landscape aboard one of our custom-outfitted M37 Power Wagons, you might find yourself eye-to-eye with a curious giraffe! The adventure continues on foot with an exploration of our lower grounds, where you will see and learn about our cheetahs, servals, lemurs, and monkeys and view our aviaries, which house a varied international bird collection. Reservations are required.
Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
Wednesdays – Mondays: 10 am – 4 pm, Closed Tuesdays
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a space for imaginations to run wild! Located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge on 7.5 acres of National Park land in Sausalito, Bay Area Discovery Museum features exhibition spaces and daily programs for children 6 months of age to 8 years. At Bay Area Discovery Museum, we create playful learning experiences that inspire a passion for discovery in every child. Tickets are required for admission except for members, guest passes, and discounted tickets.
California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
Mondays – Saturdays: 9:30 am – 5 pm, Sundays: 11 am – 5 pm
The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. We’re an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park—and a powerful voice for biodiversity research and exploration, environmental education, and sustainability across the globe. Save an average of $3 per ticket when you purchase 3+ days in advance.
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco
Daily, 8:40am – 3:50pm
Tour the inside of the Alcatraz prison cell house. Step back in time and experience the legendary island that has been a civil war fort, a military prison and one of the most notorious federal penitentiaries in US history. Enjoy the historical gardens of Alcatraz, views of the San Francisco Bay, and the exhibit: “Red Power on Alcatraz – Perspectives 50 Years Later”. Buy tickets in advance here. The roads and walkways on Alcatraz are steep. Wear comfortable athletic or walking shoes.
Daily, 11am – 6pm
Minutes from downtown Berkeley but a world away, Tilden Regional Park is a must-see natural attraction. Tilden’s recreational activities have become a happy tradition for generations of youngsters. From a merry-go-round to a steam train to swimming and a picnic at Lake Anza, Tilden has enough variety to delight everyone. Yet there are plenty of quiet places in its 2,079 acres to shelter the wildlife and preserve natural beauty, like its Botanic Garden and Native Nursery. Most attractions are open from 11 am – 6 pm.
Daily, 11am – 4pm
Drop in, or book a tour. Visit us anytime between 11 am and 4 pm daily. You can walk around the public spaces of the farm and see animals through the fencing. The farm shop sells farmstead cheese, honey, pantry foods and farm swag. Book a tour if you would like to go into the fields and closer to the animals. If you would like to meet and cuddle our baby goats, ask about private tours. Tours are $55 per person (all ages).
Daily, 10 am – 10 pm
Featuring thrill rides, live entertainment and South Bay Shores waterpark, California’s Great America is a top destination for thrill-seekers and families alike. Great America has you covered with more than 60 rides, thrilling roller coasters, kid-sized fun in Planet Snoopy, and South Bay Shores – the only amusement park in Northern California that has a waterpark included with park admission. Get daily, season, group and military passes here.
Children’s Discovery Museum, San Jose
Tuesdays – Sundays: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm Play Session or 1:30 – 4:30 pm Play Session
At the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, kids explore and discover through open-ended, play-based learning. Over 150 hands-on exhibits and programs in the sciences, humanities, arts, nature and health spark curiosity and ignite family fun where children build life skills in creative and critical thinking, problem-solving and confidence. Welcoming more than 10 million visitors since 1990, the award-winning museum inspires creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning inside a stunning 52,000-square-foot space. A limited number of tickets are available daily for walk-ups, so reservations are recommended.
Winchester Mystery House, San Jose
Daily, 10 am – 7 pm
The mansion that Sarah Winchester built is world-renowned for its many design curiosities and innovations (many ahead of their time) and for the reported paranormal activity that resides within its walls. These mysteries and more are what have drawn over 12 million guests to visit the Winchester Mystery House since its doors opened to the public in June of 1923. Tours are offered daily from 10 am – 7 pm. Purchase tickets here.
Through August 13, 11 am – 9 pm (shorter hours thereafter)
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is recognized as the best seaside park in the world. Our vibrant, bustling amusement park is renowned for its great rides, remarkable history, spectacular beach setting and friendly attitude. The Boardwalk has been operating since 1907 and hasn’t missed a beat! We believe in affordable family fun – that’s why admission is free, summer entertainment is included, and ride tickets are affordable. Our indoor arcades offer the largest selection of games in Northern California, with the latest video and redemption games, pinball machines, a vintage game collection, a two-story miniature golf course and a laser tag arena. Buy online to save on tickets.
Weekdays, 11 am – 5 pm, Weekends, 11 am – 6 pm
Gilroy Gardens is a magical wonderland! Discover our majestic gardens, unique rides, water attractions, and over 10,000 trees – including our whimsical world-famous Circus Trees. Gilroy Gardens was created and designed to educate guests and foster a greater appreciation of horticulture. The park features over 40 rides, attractions, educational exhibits and majestic gardens. Buy online for discounted tickets.
