Pride sweeps through San Francisco every June, but lets not forget it's also the month when we honor the dads out there. If you're still wondering what gift to get that will thrill his socks off, look no further.
Spirit Works Music Barrel Whiskeys
Listen up! The clever folks at Spirit Works Distillery in Sebastopol have garnered well-deserved attention for their vodka, gins, and wheat and rye whiskeys. Never one to rest on their laurels, the all-female team has been tinkering with distillation processes in surprising ways. Their newly-released music barrel whiskeys have been aged for three years in American white oaks barrels all the while "listening" to music. Speakers placed on the wooden barrels played recordings of The Nutcracker performed by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra for one release and bluegrass trio Devil Makes Three (from Santa Cruz) on another, which changes the process of absorption and aging through vibration. // The Barlow (Sebastopol); spiritworksdistillery.com(Courtesy of Spirit Works)
Bloom Farm's New Rose Gold Vape Pen
Gift the chill father in your life some portable bliss with Bloom Farm's chic rose gold vape pen. Just released this month, the device carries a 500mg cartridge of their Anytime cannabis hybrid blend and a USB-rechargable battery. It's a stylish way to look good while feeling good. // $65; getbloomfarms.com(Courtesy of Bloom Farms)
Yuba Electric Cargo Bike
As SF becomes ever more bike-friendly, commuter dads are turning to two wheels to get them to work and their kids to school. Enter Yuba, the Cotati-based electric bike manufacturer and their Spicy Curry Bosch cargo bike. The rechargeable battery provides the extra oomph he needs to get up SF numerous hills while still letting him get his workout on. The frame is customizable to allow for child seating. Various Bay Area cycle shops carry the brand, but we're fond of locally-owned San Francyclo in Lower Haight. // $4,500; yubabikes.com(Courtesy of Yuba Bikes)
Wildman Skincare Kit
Help him take care of that dad bod with the Wildman skincare kit created by Megan Taber of Among the Flowers based in Placerville. The products are all sourced from fair trade dealers and plants from her own back yard. The kit includes cold-processed soap, body butter that smells of citrus and fir, hydrating and anti-bacterial after shave, and Wood Pile cologne that hints at a primal existence deep in the woods. // $60; makersmarket.us(Courtesy of Maker's Market)
Big Basin Duffel
We can never get enough of the modern gear created by Alite Designs, and this duffel bag is big enough to pack just about everything you need for an extended camping trip with the family. It's got tons of nifty little pockets, plus backpacker straps so you can haul it along the trail without added burden. // $90; 744 Alabama St., #1 (Mission); alitedesigns.com(Courtesy of Alite Designs)
Allbirds Wool Loungers
SF-based shoe designers Allbirds are known for their sleek and simple footwear made from organic New Zealand wool. These just-released slip-ons make the perfect gift for fathers who want to look good while relaxing at home. They come in two colors, but we're particularly drawn to the SF Grey, a foggy tone perfect for chilly days this summer when you just want to stay inside. // $95; 27-99 Hotaling Place (Jackson Square); allbirds.com(Courtesy of Allbirds)
TeeBlox Subscription
For the dad who codes and loves comics, throw him a gift subscription to TeeBlox. Each month he'll receive a nerdtastic T-shirt, a comic book, and various swag items like totes and stickers all following a theme--choose from DC or Marvel universes, games, sci-fi and more. // $120 for a 12-month subscription; teeblox.com(Courtesy of girlmeetsbox.com)
Belcampo Meats
Fire up the coals and grab Belcampo's "Dressed to Grill" package for the back yard chef in your life. It includes four-and-a-half pounds of organic meat (grass-fed ground beef, hot dogs, hot links, and two kinds of jerky), stainless steel grill tongs by Oxo, and a waxed cotton apron from Iron and Resin to protect your dear papa. // $164.99; 1998 Polk St. (Russian Hill); belcampo.com(Courtesy of Belcampo Meat Co.)
Anki Overdrive Superdrive Starter Kit
Here's something for boys who love toys—a remote controlled robot car that learns as you race it. Developed by FiDi-based Anki, these little robot roadsters sport artificial intelligence and adapt to their physical environment. You control everything from an app downloadable to your smart phone or tablet. Kits include two cars, a track system, and chargers. Have fun—until they become self-aware and take over. // $150; anki.com(Courtesy of Anki)
Chocolate-Making Classes
What's sexier than chocolate? Learning to make your own. Get your man to school with chocolate-making classes from Dandelion. The two-hour Chocolate 101 class takes you through the different types of cocoa beans and processing, while the four-hour Chocolate 201 course teaches you about flavor profiles and bean roasting. Of course, you'll taste to your heart's content throughout each. // $50-$150; 740 Valencia St. (Mission); dandelionchocolate.com(Courtesy of Dandelion Chocolate)
Kala Ukelele
Pick up a Petaluma-produced ukelele for the music man in your life. Kala offers multiple models, from the inexpensive Makala line that's perfect for novices who are eager to learn, to the more expensive Kala Elite ukes that will make a grown man cry upon opening. All instruments are hand-made, and the higher-end models are custom-built from some exquisite woods such as koa, mahogany, and maple. They're perfectly portable to add a little music to your life wherever you may be. // $80-$2,500; kalabrand.com(Courtesy of Kala)
Fly Fishing School
Up his hunter-gatherer status with a rod and reel and a half-day fly fishing class. The SF Fly Fishing School teaches a four-hour course on the basics of the sport once a month at their San Carlos location. Their full-day course gives you the works including assembling your gear, to fly entomology, knot-tying, and casting lessons in Golden Gate park. // $95-$175; 1125 Industrial Road, Suite H (San Carlos); sanfranciscoschoolofflyfishing.com (Yellowstone National Park via Flickr)
Upcycled Skateboard
For the dad who still enjoys time on deck, give him an upcycled skateboard from Scrap Dog Skateboards. Makers Michael Ammon and Dylan Hosey repurpose koa, maple, oak, and walnut into one-of-a-kind decks that look super stylish and are environmentally-friendly. Each board comes complete with trucks and fat Penny wheels. //$220; 635C Texas Street (Dogpatch); scrapdogskateboards.com(Courtesy of Scrap Dog Skateboards)
Reboot Cryotherapy
Take chill to a whole new level with cryotherapy sessions at Reboot's Oakland spa. Place dad on ice with a three-minute nitrogen-immersed session that kicks off the body's cold-shock response, promoting claims of reduced inflammation and improved mood. Warriors point guard Steph Curry is a regular customer. Make it extra trippy and add a session in one of their flotation tanks. // $178 for two sessions; 6239 College Ave. (Rockridge); rebootfloatspa.com(Courtesy of Reboot Float & Cryo Spa)
Sedition Pinot Noir Allocation
Robert Parker scores this new label a 93 and for good reason. Jigar Winery's Sedition label Pinot Noirs are made from two old-school Green Valley vineyards in Sonoma, Chenoweth and Graham Family farms. The production quantities are low for each lot, making them harder to come by and are sold by allocation only, so get dad's name on the list now for the 2014 vintage release. Or, make it a day-trip to taste in their Forestville location, where they throw parking lot parties with live music and food. // $75; 6615 Front St. (Forestville); seditionwine.com(Courtesy of Sedition Wine)
Cashmere Hoodie
Drop by Unionmade to pick up this 100% pure cashmere hoodie by President to treat pops like the lounging head of estate he is. It comes in a gorgeous navy blue and zips up the front. // $658; 493 Sanchez St., (Castro); unionmadegoods.com(Courtesy of Unionmade)
Interact with Nature Cologne Sample Set
Made from ingredients foraged by Juniper Ridge staff in the backcountry, these colognes draw from the nature of the Bay Area to perfume your life. This portable kit includes three scents: Desert/Mojave, Coast/Big Sur, and Mountain/Siskiyou. All-natural and perfect for a woodsy dad. // $35; makersmarket.us(Courtesy of Maker's Market)