Take Dad out on the town for Father's Day this year

Last Updated On May. 17, 2022

A holiday with roots stretching back to the middle ages, Father’s Day is the perfect reason to celebrate the fathers – and father figures – in your life. This year the day to celebrate lands this Sunday, June 19, and we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite activities to do with the dads in your life, including live events, BARTable bike rides, walks, and more.

Image courtesy of the San Francisco Symphony.

Out on the town

Oakland baseball game | Coliseum

What better way to celebrate dad than a visit to the Oakland Coliseum for what promises to be a rousing game between Oakland and Kansas City? The game begins at 1:07pm with tickets available for purchase here. Take BART to Coliseum station and walk four minutes to the stadium.

Visit the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall | Civic Center

On Sunday evening, take your dad to the San Francisco Symphony for a night of classical music. Esa-Pekka Salonen will conduct Ottorino Respighi’s “The Pines of Rome,” along with piano concertos by Béla Bartók, “Strum” by Jessie Montgomery, and four original versions of “Ritirata notturna di Madrid.” Tickets can be purchased online. Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza and walk seven minutes to 201 Van Ness Ave.

“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” at the Curran Theatre | Powell St

Infuse your Father’s Day with a dash of magic. “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” the hit touring play, is playing at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco through the beginning of September. The show plays two performances on Father’s Day – one at 1pm and another at 7pm. Purchase tickets on the “Cursed Child” website. The theatre is at 445 Geary St and is just an eight-minute walk from Powell Street station.

Native Contemporary Arts Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens | Powell St

An annual Father’s Day tradition, the Native Contemporary Arts Festival at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens celebrates the culture and creativity of Native American people with live music, dance, spoken word, and arts and crafts. The festival will run from 12pm to 3pm and is free to attend. Located on Mission St between 3rd and 4th Sts, the festival is a three-minute walk from Powell Street station.

Exploratorium | Embarcadero

The Exploratorium offers scientific delights and discovery for the whole family. This weekend kicks off their "Art of Tinkering" exhibition with art, contraptions, exhibits, and experiences that will satisfy your inner inventor. Located along the San Francisco waterfront at Pier 15 on the Embarcadero, you can walk to the museum from Embarcadero station – about a 12-minute jaunt. Purchase tickets on the Exploratorium website.

Image courtesy of BARTable.

Outdoor fun

Bike with Dad along the Alameda Bay Trail | Fruitvale

The Bay Trail is a connected set of pathways and roads that access shorelines and waterside parks. Grab your bike – and your dad – and stop by the historic USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum or Spirits Alley, which is lined with breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Start the ride after taking BART to Fruitvale station and find BARTable’s bike-riding guide for the full Bay Trail here.

Grove Park in Berkeley | Ashby

Father’s Day is the perfect excuse for a picnic. Hop on BART to Ashby station, walk about six minutes, and you’ll land at a green oasis in the heart of Berkeley. In addition to lawn space, Grove Park has tennis courts, basketball hoops, and a playground for the kids. There’s also a barbecue area for grilling.

Walk from Union City to Fremont | Union City

Take dad for an educational, 7.5-mile stroll from Union City station to Fremont. On this 3.5-hour walk, for which BARTable wrote up a handy guide. Learn about the East Bay’s role in the early movie industry and the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Stop for antiques at the dozen antique shops around Niles and refuel at Bronco Billy’s Pizza Palace, where the slices are thick and the crust chewy.

Let's talk.

How are you spending your Father’s Day? Let us know via social media, @SFBARTable #SFBARTable! Keep up with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see all of the best BARTable (virtual) events, places to eat (grab take out from) and have fun (outside) around the Bay.