20 Free Things to Do for Families in August
The Curtain Theatre presents Shakespeare's As You Like It in Old Mill Park in Mill Valley, weekends, August 9–31.
August is here—and with it the last few weeks of summer vacation! You don't have to break the bank to have a great time with the kiddos, either! Here are 20 great ideas for affordable activities and outings in Marin and the Bay Area in August, all of which are free or really inexpensive. Keep in mind many of these free activities still require advance registration, so check before you go.
- See Pixar's Luca in Mill Valley's Old Mill Park. Friday, August 1, dusk.
- Go for a swim at McNears Beach pool in San Rafael, open Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–6 pm.
- Explore the Marin Art & Garden Center in Ross, open daily, sunrise to sunset.
- Enjoy Concerts on the Green in Novato with the Wolf Jett and Sol Horizon, Friday, August 1 & 15, 6–8 pm.
- Take a hike at Roy's Redwoods, open Monday–Sunday, 12:30–3:30 pm.
- Goodie's Back to School Fair in Mill Valley features a petting zoo, arts and crafts, face painting, a bounce house, and more, Sunday, August 3, 10 am–2 pm.
- Take a family walk with Marin Parks naturalists at Kehoe Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore, Wednesday, August 6, 10 am–1 pm.
- Celebrate summer with a festive cookout, face painting, bubbles, and fun activities for all ages, Mill Valley Library, Smart Garden, Thursday, August 7, 3:30–5 pm.
- Kids 12 and under get in free to the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa on Wednesday, August 6 and Friday, August 8, 11 am–11 pm.
- Enjoy the last two Creekside Friday event with Maddy and the Mayors and Fog Lifter at the Tennessee Valley Cabin. Friday, August 8 & 22, 5:30 pm.
- Learn all about bats at Bat Night at Olompali State Historic Park in Novato, Saturday, August 9, 6–9 pm.
- The Curtain Theatre presents Shakespeare's As You Like It in Old Mill Park in Mill Valley, Saturday & Sunday, August 9, 10 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 & 31, 2 pm.
- Join librarian Riva for outdoor storytime at Robin Sweeny Park, Sausalito, Tuesday, August 12, 11–11:30 am.
- Create fun beads, animals or anything with colorful modeling clay, Fairfax Library, Wednesday, August 13, 2:30–3:30 pm.
- Visit the sea lions at Marine Mammal Center in the Marin Headlands in Sausalito, Monday August 18. Reserve free tickets here.
- Explore Tilden Park in Berkeley: admission is free at the Nature Area, Little Farm, and Botanic Garden. Open daily.
- Enter your amazing creations in the Point Reyes Sand Sculpture Contest at Drakes Beach, Saturday, August 23, 9 am–4 pm.
- Meet live owls and enjoy live music and petting zoo at the Nature and Community Fair at Sonoma State Historic Park, Saturday, August 23, 4–7:30 pm.
- Bring the little ones for an interactive bilingual Spanish and English storytime, Belvedere Tiburon Library, Thursday, August 28, 10–10:30 am.
- You Should Be Dancing performs a free concert in Belvedere Park, Sunday, August 31, 4–8 pm.
