Warmer days and longer nights are approaching. Get a head start on the fun with these Bay Area events, openings, and getaways.
This week, learn to make bibimbap with the Kimchi Queen of San Francisco or snag a reservation for a collaborative dinner between Rooh and Berber. Mendocino Grove opens for glamping this week, Sebastopol's Apple Blossom Festival returns for the 77th year, and Top Gun: Maverick is screening in Duboce Park.
Have a good one.
Geek out while dining out at La Cocina's Marketplace Trivia. Sip on something sweet from La Paloma during happy hour and fill up on Venezuelan comfort food from Andina while playing trivia with gift cards up for grabs; Mondays, 6pm to 8pm. // La Cocina Municipal Marketplace, 332 Golden Gate Ave. (Tenderloin); RSVP at eventbrite.com
Join the fight for health justice by Dining Out for Life. Get dinner at a participating restaurant in San Francisco—The Progress, Mission Bowling Club, Il Casaro, Abaca, Peaches Patties, and more—and 25 percent or more of your bill will be donated to the SF Aids Foundation; Tuesday. // See participating restaurants at diningoutforlife.com.
Get your Souvla fix at home from Good Eggs You can now order “granch” and meal kits inspired by some of Souvla’s most popular menu items for delivery in SF and Napa Valley. // goodeggs.com
Get your hands (and your mouth) on a non-traditional but utterly delicious muffuletta at Sandy’s. The highly anticipated Haight Street shop is finally open and slingin’ all kinds of meat and mushroom muffulettas alongside cookies, coleslaw, chips, and beverages; Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm. // Sandy’s, 1457 Haight St. (Upper Haight); details on instagram.com
Show your pride at the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Welcome Castro. The new neighborhood visitor center and fabulously queer retail experience—including many gift items from local queer artists and designers—will open its doors Thursday and celebrate with wine, hors d'oeuvres, music, drag queens, and special guests; Thursday, 4pm to 7pm. // Welcome Castro, 525 Castro St. (Castro); details at facebook.com
Head to Silverado Resort for a five-course culinary event paired with wines from Faust—think tiger prawns paired with sauvignon blanc and venison with cabernet; Thursday at 6pm. // Silverado Resort & Spa, 1600 Atlas Peak Rd. (Napa); tickets at eventbrite.com
Groove with the fishes and sing with the finches at Cal Academy’s Party After Dark. You’ll enjoy a spectacular night of science, VR experiences, an exclusive planetarium show, tasty bites and cocktails, silent disco, and more. Catch live music from Thievery Corporation's Rob Garza and Madame Gandhi. Plus, hear featured speakers Marie Christina Kolo and Selina N. Leem on the importance of island biodiversity; 8:30pm to midnight Thursday. // California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music ConcourseDr. (Golden Gate Park); for more info and tickets, go to calacademy.org.
Thank you to our partners at California Academy of Sciences.
Learn how to make bibimbap and kimchi stew with the Kimchi Queen of San Francisco. Join Volcano Kimchi founder and fermentress Aruna Lee for a 90-minute workshop where she'll walk you through the process; Wednesday, 6pm to 7:30pm. // Volcano Kimchi, 2325 3rd St. (Dogpatch); tickets at feedapp.com
Award-winning progressive Indian cuisine meets a modern North African oasis. The chefs behind Michelin-recognized restaurants Rooh and Berber are pairing up for a collaboration series that will highlight the diverse culinary lineage—and modern reinvention—of India and North Africa; Thursday at 6:30pm. // Berber, 1516 Broadway (Nob Hill); reservations at tock.com
Stock your bookshelves with discounted finds at The Friends of the Oakland Public Library spring book sale; Friday to Sunday, 10:30am to 5:30pm. // The Bookmark Bookstore, 721 Washington St. (Oakland); details at fopl.org
Glamping season is officially open at Mendocino Grove. Work from the forest or unplug (that’s what we’ll be doing) at the chic coastal destination with 60 fully furnished safari-style tents (some are dog-friendly!) with redwood decks. The property has some new amenities this season including reliable WiFi zones, a cedar wood sauna, and daily yoga. The 2023 season opens Friday with reservations currently being accepted through November 26th. // Mendocino Grove, 9601 California 1 (Mendocino); reservations at mendocinogrove.com
Keep the kiddos entertained at Chinatown’s Family Fun Fest. The free-to-attend, carnival-style block party will include circus acts, dance workshops and performances, a petting zoo, balloon artist, arts and crafts, and much more; Friday, 2pm to 6pm. // Waverly Place (Chinatown); details at eventbrite.com
Celebrate three years of a car-free JFK Promenade with a picnic and party. Bring a blanket and spread out some food truck grub. There will be special celebratory activities for all ages; Friday, 4:30pm to 6:30pm. // JFK Promenade at Pompei Circle (Golden Gate Park); details at walksf.org
Determine your D.D. then get on over to Compline for the annual all-you-can-drink Mr. Pink Patio Party. Bringing together more than a dozen favorite local producers—including Scribe, Frog’s Leap, and Ashes & Diamonds—you’ll get to meet the people behind the wines while raising funds to benefit the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area; Saturday, 1:30pm to 4:30pm. // Compline Restaurant, 1300 1st St. (Napa); tickets at complinewine.com
Hold back your tears as Symphony San Jose performs the music from Pixar’s Coco live alongside the film; Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm. // Symphony San Jose, 325 South First St. (San Jose); tickets at symphonysanjose.org
Pair your sushi with some Hanson Ginger Vodka. To celebrate the distillery's 2023 release, the spirit makers are partnering with Sushimotos for a three-course sushi or Korean-style meal paired with cocktails and tastings; Saturday, noon to 2pm. // Hanson of Sonoma Distillery, 22985 Burndale Rd. (Sonoma); tickets at exploretock.com
Go behind the scenes of the Bay Area’s beloved public media station at KQED Fest. KQED has teamed up with Noise Pop for a block party and open house at their Mission HQ. Groove all day to live music, taste local bites, take newsroom tours, test your skills in media-making workshops, and mingle with KQED journalists and personalities; Saturday, 11am to 6pm. // KQED HQ, 2601 Mariposa St. (Mission); details at kqed.org
Celebrate the season at Sebastopol’s 77th Annual Apple Blossom Parade and Festival. The weekend-long fest has live music, arts and crafts vendors, food and drink, and a kids area. The festivities kick off on Saturday at 10am with a wholesome parade; festivities run through Sunday afternoon. // 265 South Main St. (Sebastopol), appleblossomfest.com
Gather the crew for weekend brunch in Wine Country. On Gloria Ferrer’s Vista Terrace, you’ll overlook the Carneros estate vineyard while enjoying a four-course meal paired with an exclusive selection of Sonoma-grown sparkling wines; 10am to 11:30am Saturdays and Sundays. // Gloria Ferrer, 23555 Arnold Dr. (Sonoma); make reservations ($85 per person) at gloriaferrer.com. Thank you to our partners at Gloria Ferrer.
Pull up a stool: Sadie Barnette’s "The New Eagle Creek Saloon" is “open” for business at SFMOMA. In this innovative installation, the Oakland artist reimagines SF’s first Black-owned gay bar, which was opened by her father in 1990. The experience will come to life with performances, storytelling, and bar service every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday through May 11th. // SFMOMA, 151 3rd St. (SoMa), sfmoma.org
Choose your own adventure during Ridge to Bridge. Take in the beautiful scenery of Mt. Tam and the Marin Headlands via a hike, bike ride, or equestrian ride while raising funds to complete the Bay Area Ridge Trail. By registering, you get a fully supported day with a shuttle, route guides, goodie bags, aid stations, and catered lunch; Saturday, start times vary. // Fort Baker (Sausalito); tickets at ridgetrail.org
Bundle up for a free outdoor screening of Top Gun: Maverick. See Tom Cruise in the highest-grossing film of 2022 under the stars; Saturday at 8pm. // Duboce Park Upper Lawn (Duboce Triangle); details at friendsofdubocepark.org
Stuff your face with unbeatable views from Charmaine’s rooftop at the Paella & Rosé Day Party; $30 gets you unlimited paella (seafood and veg), DJ beats, and access to refreshing wine and cocktails; every other Sunday from 11am to 2:30pm. // Charmaine’s Rooftop Bar & Lounge, 45 McAllister St. (Civic Center); tickets at opentable.com
