Who's ready for the fair?! The 76th annual Marin County Fair opens on Friday, June 30, at the Marin County Fairgrounds in San Rafael, near the Marin Civic Center. This year's Marin County Fair theme is "Let the Funshine In!"

This year, the Fair celebrates the 50th anniversary of 1967's Summer of Love with special competitions like tie dye, macrame, and "flower power" floral art; a special exhibit on the KFRC Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival; headline concerts featuring '60s bands like Sons of Champlin and the 5th Dimension; hands-on art making; and even psychedelic virtual reality. Of course you'll also find the usual thrilling rides, popular concerts, farm animals, family activities, amazing exhibits, and a spectacular nightly fireworks display.

In the last five years, many in Marin have become accustomed to the San Rafael Pacifics calling Albert Park home from June through August. With their sixth season right around the corner, they're back for 2017, and this year young sports fans can hold their birthday parties with the Pacifics at Kirby’s Kid Zone presented by Marin County Credit Union at Albert Park!

Kirby’s Kid Zone is the perfect spot for children's birthdays, and can accommodate anywhere from 10 to 75 guests. Party guests will enjoy activities like wiffle ball games, classic party games, a basketball hop, and more! Pacifics players and team mascot Sir Francis the Drake will drop in and visit parties to say hello and sign autographs, too! Birthday parties are not complete without cake, and party guests will enjoy a slice to celebrate the occasion, courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes. To commemorate the fun experience, party bags are also available to complete the birthday package.

When it's summer and school's out, there's no better time to experience the outdoors in Marin County. Gather up the kids, lace up those hiking boots, fill your water bottles (very important in the summer heat!), slather on the sunscreen, and hit the trail.

All of these hikes are easy enough for everyone in the family to tackle, and many are manageable with a sturdy jogging-style stroller. We've included our favorite summer hikes from all parts of Marin.

Follow the links in the titles to read more about each hike. You can also visit our Outdoors page for more ideas for family hikes and outdoor adventures this summer.

Samuel P. Taylor State Park

Shaded by redwoods and nestled alongside a peaceful creek, this state park in West Marin is an ideal place for a hike and picnic when the weather's hot. It's also one of Marin's premiere camping spots, and has something to offer for everyone.

Summer means it's time to fire up the grill and cook something delicious for dinner. One of the hardest things to cook on the grill is whole chicken. It's too easy to end up with a birds that's charred on the outside and underdone on the inside, but I think this technique is almost foolproof and results in a perfectly cooked chicken every time. It also speeds up the cooking time.

I like to marinate the chicken for a few hours—or overnight, if I'm thinking ahead—in a citrusy, herb-laded mixture that's full of great Mediterranean flavors. I can't say that it's purely Greek or Italian, but it uses flavors common in each cuisine. It helps to have an herb garden just steps from the kitchen door, too!

Feel free to vary this recipe to suit your taste. For example, I sometimes replace the oregano with fresh chopped rosemary for something equally delicious. Whatever variation I decide on, this is one of my go-to dishes for a summer cookout.

Sunday, June 18 is Father's Day, so start planning something special for Dad! There are many fun and exciting events, outings, and activities available for families in Marin and the Bay Area, and here are our favorite picks for a memorable Father's Day outing. Please keep in mind that many of these events require advance reservations, and may change at the last minute, so make sure you contact the organizer before you go.

• Super Father Son BBQ
  Corte Madera Community Center
  Friday, June 16, 7-–9 pm
  Have fun at the superhero themed BBQ at the Corte Madera Community Center, Rooms: Main Hall. The event is for all ages and will feature games, activities, and a BBQ.
• Learn to Pier Fish on Father’s Day Weekend
  Paradise Beach Park, Tiburon
  Saturday, June 17, 10 am–12 pm
  Join rangers and a few experienced local anglers on Father's Day weekend to learn the secrets and tricks of the trade when fishing from a pier. A limited amount of poles will be available on a first come, first-served basis. A valid California fishing license is required when fishing from the shore, not from the pier. Don't forget to bring your dad and a fishing pole! Find more info here.
continue reading »

Father's Day is Sunday, June 18. Pack a picnic and celebrate Dad's day outdoors at one of the many great picnic spots in and around Marin and Sonoma County. Here are some of our favorite places to bring our lunch (or brunch) and dine al fresco.

Bear Valley, Point Reyes

• Bear Valley in the Point Reyes National Seashore is home to the park's visitor center as well as a large picnic area complete with tables, restrooms, charcoal grills,  and drinking water. Have a leisurely lunch outdoors, and then take a hike—there are a number of different hikes and walks you can do here that are suitable for everyone in the family, including the Earthquake Trail, the Bear Valley Trail, and the trail leading to the Morgan horse ranch. Read more about Bear Valley in our article here.

Find a great deal on clothing, toys, and gear for kids of all ages at the MPOMC Garage Sale this Saturday.

Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families this weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.

Friday, June 2

• Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival
  Sonoma Raceway
  Friday & Saturday, 8 am–6 pm, Sunday, 8 am–5 pm
  Over 400 racers will take center stage for this invitational event. Some of the world’s finest racing machines will take to the track, some of which date as far back as pre-WWI. Featuring an incredible collection of race cars, including Bugatti, Lotus, Corvette, Ferrari, Jaguar, and Alfa Romeo. Tickets: $15–$60. For more info, visit their website.
• Children's Garden Series: Alphabet Rockers
  Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
  Friday, 11–11:30 am & 12:15–12:45 pm
  This free event is part of the Children's Garden Series at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. Over the past decade, the Alphabet Rockers have honed a supremely engaging hip-hop act designed for children and families. This powerhouse group makes the world come alive through beats, rhymes, songs and dances. For more info, visit their website.
• French Storytime (L'Heure du Conte)
  San Anselmo Library
  Friday, 11–11:30 am
  For children of all ages and their parent or caregiver. Talk, sing, read, and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music in French. No registration required. Parents/caregivers are expected to stay with children during all storytime sessions. Free. Location: 110 Tunstead Avenue, Council Chambers, San Anselmo. For more info, visit their website.
• Friday Nights at the de Young
  de Young Museum, San Francisco
  Friday 5–8:45 pm
  Friday Nights at the de Young are after-hours art happenings that include live music, dance and theater performances, hands-on art activities, and exhibition tours. Families welcome. Free. Location: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. For more info, visit their website.
• Parents Night Out: Inside Out
  Rolling Hills Club, Novato
  Friday, 6–9:30 pm
  There are a lot of things to be happy about! Parents Night Out is one of them! Join us as we create stress balls, candy necklaces, and get moving with parachute play. We will watch Inside Out. A pizza dinner will be served. All children must be potty trained. Ages: 2.5–10. Cost: $24 member and $34 guest. Register here. Location: 351 San Andreas Drive, Novato. For more info, call (415) 897-2185 or visit their website.
• Jazz & Blues by the Bay
  Gabrielson Park, Sausalito
  Fridays, 6:30–8 pm
  Jazz & Blues by the Bay at Gabrielson Park in Sausalito is a free event. Lawn seating available (first-come first-served). This Friday: The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra. Food available to purchase. For more information, visit their website

Saturday, June 3

• Free Access to All Parks
  Marin County Parks
  Saturday, All Day
  Marin County Parks is offering free access to all parks on the first Saturday of the month all year long! Includes Black Point Boat Launch, McInnis Park, McNears Beach Park, Miller Boat Launch, Paradise Beach Park, and Stafford Lake Park. For more info,  .
• Museums on Us Free Day
  Various Museums
  Saturday & Sunday
  Bank of America cardholders can visit the following Bay Area museums for free! Enjoy the Contemporary Jewish Museum, de Young Museum, the Legion of Honor, and the Chabot Space and Science Center. Photo ID and a valid Bank of America/Merrill Lynch credit or debit card must be presented. For more information, visit their website.
• Free Saturday Morning Yoga
  Old Mill Park, Mill Valley
  Saturday, 9–10 am
  Practice a modification of alignment-based anusara-inspired Hatha yoga with a combination of breathing, standing, and seated postures in front of the beautiful redwood trees. Prepare to sweat, breathe, align, and stretch. Enjoy a fun unique environment of mindfulness and acceptance while strengthening your core, balance and long muscles. For all levels. Bring a mat and water bottle. Location: Meet at Old Mill Park Amphitheater, 10 minutes prior to start of class. For more info, visit their website.
• Marin Parents of Multiples Club Garage Sale
  Marin Catholic High School
  Saturday, 8 am–2 pm (closed from noon–1 pm)
  Marin's largest garage sale for babies and kids has clothes for pregnant moms, babies and children up to age six. Other items include toys, baby equipment, and furniture.This sale has the reputation for providing clean, high quality items at excellent prices. Designer clothes racks too. Admission $1 per person; free for children 12 and under. They offer an early-bird admission at 7:45 am for $15 per family. Closed from noon to 1 pm for lunch and then there's a half price sale from 1–2 pm. Marin Catholic High School is located at 675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Kentfield. For more info, visit their website.
• National Trails Day Events
  Various locations in Marin and the Bay Area
  Saturday, times vary
  National Trails Day is the nation’s largest celebration of trails and the outdoors. Events take place at parks throughout Marin, including the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed, Point Reyes National Seashore, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, as well as in other outdoors spots on the San Francisco Bay Area. Help enhance our trail systems, meet fellow park lovers, and enjoy a celebration of our great park! Learn more and find an event near you on their website.
• Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
  Larkspur Landing
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  Enjoy the best local and organic produce, flowers, pastured meats, seafood, organic cheeses, yogurt and milk, breads, baked goods, pasta, confections, olive oil, and brunch and lunch offerings! Wildcare will be at the Mart from 10 am–2 pm and a Flamenco Kids Performance at 3 pm.  For more info, visit their website.
• Freighter Tots with Suzanne Fox
  Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
  Saturday, 10 am
  In this song circle, we’ll sing, dance to, and act out folk songs about things kids care about: things like animals, nature, vehicles, their bodies, family, friends and being silly. Little children can start to understand tempo and rhythm using toy instruments; parents and other caretakers can learn songs to sing and games to play with their children. Make music part of their lives! Music builds community. For ages 18 months to 6 years. Cost: $10 per family. Reserve your spot now.
• Bay Area Book Festival
  Downtown Berkeley
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  This indoor-outdoor festival of all things literary features a roster of diverse authors and speakers for all ages, including children and teens. Other family activities include live music and performances on the Showtime Stage, tons of hands-on activities, and a Fun & Games Carnival. Admission is free, but there is a fee for the keynote speakers. Location: Downtown Berkeley. For more info, visit their website.
  
• 41st Annual Union Street Music Festival
  Union Street from Gough to Steiner, San Francisco
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
  This year's event will have feature live bands performing in small entertainment areas throughout the site. Five different genres: Jazz, Blues, Country, Bluegrass and Local Bands! The Festival will also include Arts and Craft Exhibitors, unique Sponsors, Festive Food Vendors and Community Groups, as well as beer and wine. Free; tickets required for craft beer and wine pavilions. For more info, visit their website.
• Biggest Little Airshow
  Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos
  Saturday, 10 am–1 pm
  
  Join the festivities as the Biggest Little Air Show matches a thrilling aerobatic performance by airshow pilot John Collver and his full-sized 1944 SNJ along with demonstrations of exceptional radio controlled models. San Carlos Airport will close to regular traffic from 10:30 am to noon to allow realistic jet- and propeller-powered model aircraft to roll down the runway and into the sky to take their part in a unique aerial extravaganza, including aerobatic helicopters, drones, quadrotors and more!! Free with museum admission. Location: 601 Skyway Road, San Carlos. For tickets and more info, visit their website.
• American Girl Birthday Party
  Williams-Sonoma, Corte Madera
  Saturday, 10 am
  Let's throw a birthday party, American Girl style! Join us as we prepare some yummy treats that will make your gathering memorable. Cost: $30 per child includes American Girl Apron Suitable for ages 8-13. Call the store to reserve your spot: (415) 924-6799. Location: The Village Corte Madera. For more info, visit their website.
• Headlands Treasure Hunt
  Point Bonita YMCA, Sausalito
  Saturday, 11 am–12:30 pm
  Find clues and explore fun! Say goodbye to Google Maps and experience the Marin Headlands as explorers of the past! Find your way to fun clues and challenges as you explore Point Bonita. Y marks the spot and we'll see you here!  Free. After, enjoy a great lunch and amazing ocean views for only $10 adults and $5 children under 12. Location: 981 Fort Barry, Sausalito. For more info and to register, call (415) 331-9622 or visit their website.
• Creative Family Fun: Mexican Metal Art
  Presidio Officers Club, San Francisco
  Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–4 pm
  rop in for imaginative craft-making based on the Presidio’s natural and cultural heritage. Featuring different crafts every weekend! The Presidio was under Mexican control from 1822–1846. To celebrate the Presidio’s Mexican heritage, join us in making a repujado craft. Repujado is a traditional Mexican art form where metal is raised and decorated to create beautiful designs. Registration preferred but not required. For more info, visit their website.
  
• How to Draw Peanuts
  Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa
  Saturday, 11 am
  Learn to draw your favorite cartoon characters with cartoonist Robert Pope. Pope has worked for Peanuts, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo, and many more. Pope will discuss his creative process and teach you how to draw some of your favorite characters! Free after museum admission. For more info, visit their website.
• The Traveling Spectacular at Cornerstone
  Cornerstone, Sonoma
  Saturday & Sunday, 11 am & 2 pm
  The Traveling Spectacular is a surrealist vaudeville experience inspired by the dreams and dust of a bygone age. Allow your sense of wonder to ignite as we take you on a journey into the imagination: Grand illusions, a sword-swallowing prestidigitator extraordinaire, vaudevillian comedy, a bevy of dancing beauties and the fire-breathing Devil himself! All set to original music by our Gypsy-Klezmer orchestra, the Oddjob Ensemble. $20, children under 4 free. For more info, visit their website.
• Wonder Woman Day Celebration: Special Storytime
  Barnes & Noble, Corte Madera
  Saturday, 1 pm
  Join us for a specially-scheduled Wonder Woman Storytime at 1pm! We'll hear about one of our favorite heroes and make our own WW tiaras, and all are invited to stay for the Wonder Woman/DC Comics cosplay event at 2 pm! Costume categories for ages 0-12, 13-18 and 18+. Our first 25 guests at this event will receive a free exclusive Wonder Woman tiara and wristband set from DC Comics! Location: Town Center Corte Madera. For more info, visit their website.
• Science Saturday at Environmental Discovery Center
  Spring Lake Regional Park, Santa Rosa
  Saturday, 1–4 pm
  Families are welcome to stop by and join a Discovery Center naturalist for fun, hands-on activities with a different theme each month. Activities start on the hour at 1, 2 or 3 pm. Science Saturdays feature tangible experiments and projects that let children explore the world around us. Free; parking is $7 or free for Regional Parks members. Location: 393 Violetti Road, Santa Rosa. For more info, visit their website.
continue reading »

June is here, which means the end ofthe school year and summer vacation! It's time to start thinking of fun and affordable ways to keep the kids occupied when they're finally out of school. Fortunately, parents in Marin and the San Francisco Bay Area will find plenty for kids to do!

Here are suggestions for great affordable summer activities and outings in Marin and the Bay Area taking for each day in the month of June. From hiking to swimming to movies to concerts, everything listed here is inexpensive or even free. You don't have to break the bank to have a great time!

All Month

Summer Reading Challenge
Marin County Free Library Branches
Join the Summer Challenge for Kids & Teens at the Marin County Public Libraries. Kids earn a Book Bucks for every 100 minutes of reading which can be redeemed for a variety of prizes. Kids who complete the Learning Challenge wil receive a Gold Medal Reader button. Teens can earn scratcher tickets by checking out books, writing book reviews, and attending teen events. Check with your local library branch for details.

Thursday, June 1

Presidio Twilight
San Francisco Presidio
5–9 pm
Presidio Twilight is the Bay Area's largest community campfire! Enjoy a large selection of international cuisine from the food trucks of Off the Grid, live music, sunset activities, and the ambiance of San Francisco’s national park for a one-of-a-kind experience. Lantern-lit cabanas and fire pits are available free on a first come, first-served basis. Additional activities include traditional games such as bean bag toss, hula hoops, and giant Jenga. More information.

Did you know you can visit most of the Bay Area's major museums and cultural attractions for free every month? Just about all museums have one day a month set aside as a free day. They all aren't on the same day, too, so if you plan it right you can take in several museum outings without having to pay a thing.

Note that most museums charge for admission to special exhibitions and usually only the special exhibition fee is charged on free days; see details with each museum listing in our ultimate guide to San Francisco Bay Area museum free days below.

Also, groups are generally not admitted on free days; check with each museum for their free day group policy.

First Thursday of the Month—June 1

• Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive

Bank of America Museums on Us—June 3 & 4

Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card holders get free general admission on the first full weekend of every month. Present your card and a photo ID for admission (one free general admission per cardholder). Get full details here. Participating museums include:

• de Young
• Legion of Honor
• Contemporary Jewish Museum
• Oakland Museum of California
continue reading »