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Between this weekend and the approaching July 4th holiday, it’s time for some serious summer fun. So here are seven ways to enjoy the heck out of the Bay Area and beyond, from alfresco awesomeness to S.F. Pride Weekend to a rock star named Hootie.
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1 EAT: It’s alfresco dining season!
Summer brings soaring temperatures — and the joy of dining outdoors on a shaded patio, icy cocktail in hand. So here are 10 perfect hot spots for cool alfresco dining, from a luxe Four Seasons pop-up on the Peninsula to a Mexican terrace with epic margaritas in the East Bay.
2 CELEBRATE: S.F. Pride Weekend
With this being the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and the birth of the modern LGBTQ movement, expect S.F. Pride events to be more … everything … than usual this weekend. Here’s a primer on what you need to know about the Pride celebrations and parade this weekend. And remember that with thousands and thousands of folks headed into the city, San Francisco traffic is going to be a nightmare, especially on Sunday morning. Take public transport whenever possible.
3 HEAR: Hootie is back!
Yes, 2019 has given us climate disasters, political upheaval and too many face tattoos. But it’s also given us the Hootie & the Blowfish reunion. Even people who didn’t know they’d broken up until now are overjoyed. And NorCal gets into the act this weekend when the band led by Darius Rucker arrives for two shows. Here’s what you need to know about this and other great concerts this weekend, including Khalid and Carly Rae Jepsen.
4 PLAY: 4th of July events
Yes, Independence Day is not until next week, but you don’t want to wait until the last minute to figure out where to celebrate, so here’s our rundown of all the fireworks, parades and celebrations around the Bay Area (note that some events take place before the holiday).
5 SEE: Joan Didion’s masterpiece on stage
Beginning this week, Berkeley’s Aurora Theatre is hosting the regional premiere of “The Year of Magical Thinking,” an adaptation of Joan Didion’s award-winning memoir on grieving, starring the always-awesome Stacy Ross as Didion. Here’s what you need to know. And if it’s an outdoor theater experience you crave, you can find it all over the Bay Area — and here’s a rundown.
6 EAT & DRINK: Red White and Brews
Craft beer fan, gourmet food lover and/or roller coaster devotee? California’s Great America is hosting a Red, White and Brews fest this weekend at the Santa Clara theme park, complete with tasty barbecue bites and frothy suds. The deets are here.
7 WATCH: Creepy Annabelle wreak holy terror (again)
If you thought Chucky was one creepy plaything, get a load of Annabelle. The badass doll is back on the big screen in “Annabelle Comes Home.” Or you can watch a comedy about a guy duping the world into thinking he wrote all the Beatles’ songs. Your weekend cinematic options are here. And if you want to gather the family and head to an outdoor film screening instead, here’s where you can do that.
