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Got plans for this scorcher of a weekend? You do now! Here are seven fab ideas for ways to play around the San Francisco Bay Area, from an Oakland A’s exhibit at OMCA — what’s this we hear about a trans-bay series this weekend? — to hot new movie openings, hidden beaches and a charcoal food fest. (Yes, really!)
1 EXPERIENCE: Oakland baseball, movies, exhibits, munchies.
It’s a big weekend for lovers of all things Oakland. First, the Oakland A’s and S.F. Giants square off all weekend at Oakland Coliseum for Round 2 of the Bay Bridge Series. Fans might want to stop off at the Oakland Museum of California to take in the new exhibit celebrating the A’s and three of the team’s most iconic players. And top the day/night off with a stop at Oakland’s hot new sports bar, The Athletic Club. Meanwhile, you can catch the new Daveed Diggs/Rafael Casal film “Blindspotting,” which serves up a heartfelt and authentic view of the city and which our critic says is one of the best movies of 2018 so far. Along with the new Boots Riley film “Sorry to Bother You,” it’s helping make Oakland a center of the movie universe right now. (Both movies are playing at Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater this weekend, by the way.) And while we’re on the subject, here are 6 more great Oakland movies.
2 PLAY: Explore a hidden beach
Everyone’s been to Stinson Beach. You certainly know about Ocean Beach. But what about San Gregorio, Heart’s Desire and Crown? The Bay Area has more than a dozen beautiful, uncrowded, beaches that most people have never even heard of. This weekend, escape the heat at one (or more!) of these 14 Bay Area gems.
3 HEAR: A guitar genius masquerading as a country singer
With his dashing looks, his movie star wife (one Nicole Kidman) and his carefully crafted studio sound, you could totally miss the fact that Keith Urban is a freaking beast on the guitar. But on stage, it’s a different story. Head to the Shoreline Amphitheatre this weekend and find out for yourself (don’t worry, he’ll play his hits and the cuts from his new album, just with more sizzlin’ guitar solos).
4 EAT: 50 Shades of Charcoal
Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey aside, this is a trendy food fest — and it’s happening this Sunday in San Francisco. The SoMa StrEat Food Park is hosting the Bay Area’s first-ever charcoal eats and drinks fest, serving up everything from Choux SF’s black and white charcoal pastry puffs to Batter Up’s charcoal-battered corn dogs. For reals. Powdered charcoal-infused cocktails and bites are an actual thing! (Actual things?) Those deets are here. And if you’d prefer something more colorful, the second season of Undiscovered SF — a Filipino Night Market with food, drinks, music and maker booths — launches Saturday on San Francisco’s Minna Street.
5 HEAR: A great classical music summer tradition
The Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco is an annual treat — it’s hard to go wrong with free music by A-List artists in a gorgeous setting. But hearing the San Francisco Symphony on these divine grounds adds even a little more magic to the mix. The orchestra will be there Sunday afternoon, and details are here. Meanwhile, the classical music summer festival season is in full bloom, and there are plenty of options. Same goes for free concerts, which are offered all over the Bay Area.
6 SEE: A powerful tale of resistance
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley is hosting a riveting solo stage performance that tells the story of one man who stood up to the U.S. government’s tragic decision to lock up Japanese Americans during World War II. “Hold These Truths” plays in Palo Alto through Aug. 5 and it is a rich, if distressingly relevant, night of theater, says our reviewer.
7 PLAY: 10 cheap (but awesome) date ideas
A retro dance in Golden Gate Park, water taxi rides and Shakespeare in the park? You don’t have to deplete your pocketbook to wow the girl, the boy or the gender-neutral individual. We’ve got 10 sensational ideas for summery Bay Area dates that are free or nearly so, including an outdoor Lindy Hop that includes dance lessons, as well as the chance to bop Roaring ’20s style. (Psst, no flapper attire required. But that would be awesome.)
