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Health & Fitness

Family Fun this Memorial Day Weekend

Here is a small sample of the many choices families can enjoy a Bay Area staycation this weekend.

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer and a great time to plan some fun family activities.  Whether you choose to stay close to home or head into the city, the Bay Area offers lots of great options.  Here are a few ideas to get you started making plans:

 

Keeping it Local:

Find out what's happening in Pleasant Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Bay Area KidFest is happening this weekend for 3 full days of non-stop entertainment and activities with rides, shows, games, food, vendors and more. Kids can meet SpongeBob SquarePants, see the Live Shark Encounter, get their faces painted and so much more from 10am-6pm each day this weekend at Mt. Diablo High School.  Admission is $5 with a canned food to donate to the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano.  

If it's Sunday 5/27, head to downtown Pleasant Hill after the festival and relax by the lake for a free concert at City Hall at 6pm.  Grab a blanket, a picnic dinner or take-out from local restaurant and the band East Bay Mudd.

Find out what's happening in Pleasant Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

Take a Drive Down 680:

Enjoy the San Ramon Art and Wind Festival which features professional kite flying demos, arts & craft booths, two large kids' activity areas, entertainment and more. There will be an early morning hot air balloon launch on Monday, May 28th at dawn when you can watch hot air balloons rise up to the sky.  Admission is free. There is a charge for rides, food, and parking in the main lots.

After the festival stop at Zachary's Pizza in San Ramon to get a preview of the culinary delight we will enjoy if Pleasant Hill gets their very own Zachary's restaurant (fingers crossed).   If it is Sunday night and your kids still need to burn off some energy, skip Zachary's  and head to Golden Skate for the All-You-Can-Eat Skate Night.  For $12 per person you get pizza, soda and admission to skate from 6:30 - 9pm.  Skate rental is additional for $4-$5.  

 

Fun for the Younger Set in Tilden Park:

Young families can have a day of fun visiting the Little Farm, Steam Train and Merry-Go-Round in Tilden Park.  Check out the Open House at the Little Farm on Memorial Day from noon - 3:30pm.  Admission is FREE.  

If your kids still have some energy you can take a ride on the Steam Train or Merry-Go-Round.  

 

A Special Day in the City by the Bay:

The 75th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge is happening this Sunday, May 27th.   Celebrate the anniversary with an array of activities happening all along the waterfront in San Francisco.  This could be a spectacular event for families prepared to take public transportation, be flexible and brave the expected crowds. The highlight of the day will be fireworks over the bridge at 9:30pm.  See the schedule of events and other details here

If the bridge anniversary is not your style, you can head to Golden Gate Park for a visit to Plantosaurus Rex at the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, rent a paddle boat on Stowe Lake and watch the sunset at Ocean Beach.  

 

Get more details about these outings and more by visiting Macaroni Kid Walnut Creek.  You can subscribe to the weekly e-newsletter and receive lots of great ideas each week.  Have a great weekend!

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