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It’s a weekend to thank and honor our military veterans and be grateful for all the fun, beautiful, tasty, even silly things that life in the Bay Area affords us. So here are seven awesome ways to enjoy this holiday weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, from Veteran’s Day freebies to a fabulous light show for kids to a festival devoted to bacon and beer (’nuff said).
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Now onto the good stuff.
1 EAT: For free
Bay Area restaurants are rolling out Veterans Day deals this Sunday, Nov. 11, offering freebies and BOGOs for active and retired members of the military at 26 coffeehouses and eateries. Well, actually it’s eatery chains, so that 26 is more like eleventy-kajillion Chipotles, California Pizza Kitchens and Starbuckses. Check out the giant list here.
2 SEE: A dazzling interactive light show for kids
Sure, nothing quite sucks the fun out of a family outing like kids getting suspicious that they are supposed to learn stuff. But the new interactive and immersive light show at the CuriOdyssey Museum and Zoo in San Mateo dresses its lessons on science and nature in a blanket of brilliant colors. Details on the show are here.
3 EAT & SIP: Mmm, bacon. And beer!
Sip suds, pork out and party the day away in San Francisco this Saturday, when the Bacon and Beer Classic takes over AT&T Park. We’re talking unlimited bacon deliciousness, craft beer, music and games. Find the deets here, and check out all the other fun food and boozy events in the Bay Area in our food-fest roundup.
4 CATCH: The holiday spirit at these two dance performances
Yes, it’s only the second weekend in November, but some of us are already feeling the holiday spirit (good, stiff eggnog, in; pumpkin-spice anything, out). Fortunately, Diablo Ballet traditionally gets a jump on the season with its festive, family-friendly “A Swingin’ Holiday and More” show. For a holiday performance with a more contemporary beat, Oakland native Mike Fitelson brings his “Hip Hop Nutcracker,” a retelling of the classic holiday dance, to his hometown for a performance at the Paramount Theatre. Details on both shows are here.
5 SEE: A new “Grinch,” or a iconic badass computer hacker
It’s another far-ranging weekend for new movies. Theaters are offering everything from a rebooted “Grinch,” starring that green, grumpy Dr. Seuss character (voiced this time by Benedict Cumberbatch) to the return of Lisbeth Salander, the butt-kicking computer hacker (played this time by Claire Foy) with a penchant for settling the score with abusive men, in “The Girl in the Spider’s Web.” And we are just scratching the surface. A complete rundown of your movie options is here.
6 PLAY: Surf breaks and clifftop hikes
You don’t actually have to dip a toe in the chilly Pacific waters to enjoy the spectacle of Santa Cruz’s surf scene — and this fun urban hike captures it all, from gorgeous views and surf breaks (and a surf museum!) to a hot spot for breakfast quesadillas.
7 WATCH: One of rock’s hottest bands circle in for a landing
The enigmatic pop/rock duo known as Twenty One Pilots became global stars with their last album “Blurryface” and supporting tour. Now they are back with a new release, “Trench,” and follow-up trek that lands in the Bay Area on Nov. 11. They top our list of the week’s best concerts.
