Marin Weekend Family fun for April 12–14

Explore, picnic, hike and visit some friendly farm animals at the newly opened to the public Tolay Lake Regional Park in Petaluma.

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

Friday, April 12

• Tolay Lake Regional Park
  5869 Cannon Lane, Petaluma
  Daily, 7 am to sunset
  You may be familiar with Tolay Lake Regional park from the annual Tolay Fall Festival in October, but did you know it's now open to the public seven days a week? We paid a visit to this amazing park near Petaluma this week and had a great time exploring the trails and taking in the spring scenery. It's a great destination for a family outing, with picnic areas, miles of paths and trails, and even some friendly farm animals to visit. Admission is free, but there's a $7 per car parking fee which is waived for Sonoma County Regional Parks members. Find out more here.
• David Love Vintage Races
  Sonoma Raceway
  Friday–Sunday, 8 am–5 pm
  Sonoma Raceway hosts several vintage racing events throughout the year. The next event is the Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) David Love Memorial Vintage Car Road Races on Saturday and Sunday, April 7 and 8, 2018. The David Love Memorial Vintage Car Road Races honors the late Bay Area car collector and racer David Love and kicks off CSRG's 2019 racing season. Admission costs $14 advance. Children 12 and under, seniors, and active duty military are admitted for free! Event details
• Visit with a Beekeeper
  Children's Museum of Sonoma County
  Friday, 1–2:30 pm
  We all know how crucial bees are to our food supply, gardens, and beyond. Shouldn’t we learn more about the importance of these fantastic creatures? Come chat with a real Sonoma County beekeeper and learn more about these amazing insects. Museum admission applies. Location: 1835 West Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. Event details.
• LEGO Play Day
  Mill Valley Library
  Friday, 2:30–4 pm
  Get in touch with your inner engineer and build with colorful Lego! We bring out our collection of over 10,000 bricks, and kids can build whatever they imagine. Event details.
• Wildlife Awareness Hour
  San Anselmo Library
  Friday, 3:30–4:30 pm
  Kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to learn about the importance of wildlife conservation with high school student volunteers. They will show videos, lead art activities, teach science, and play games with young nature activists. Free. Location: 110 Tunstead Ave, San Anselmo. Event details.
• Point Bonita Family Camp
  Pt. Bonita Outdoor Conference Center, Sausalito
  Friday, 5 pm–Sunday, 10 am
  Come join the YMCA in the Marin Headlands for a weekend of family activities and fun. Our program will begin with a Friday evening check-in and dinner and end with lunch on Sunday. All meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch, as well as dorm accommodations for the entire family of up to 5 people, are included. Prices start at $320 for the entire family. Register here. Location: 981 Fort Barry, GGNRA, Sausalito. Event details.
• Friday Night Jazz Concerts
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
  Friday, 5:30–8:30 pm
  Meet us at the Mart this Friday night to enjoy some jazzy tunes! Grab a drink, grab a snack, and settle in for music by the Mark Lewis Trio. Free. Location: Larkspur Landing. Event details
• Pippin
  Berkeley Playhouse
  Friday, 7 pm, Saturday, 1 & 7 pm, Sunday, 2 pm
  Prince Pippin, son of King Charlemagne the Great, is on a quest for the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. Unable to gain insight from his father, Pippin decides that experience and adventure is the path to enlightenment. He heads into war as a soldier, explores relationships without love, tries his hand at artistry—he even becomes the king of the land! And yet happiness eludes Pippin. Tickets: $20–$45. Event details

Saturday, April 13

• Spring Eggstravaganza & Bunny Breakfast
  Mill Valley Community Center
  Saturday, 8:30 am–noon
  Join Mr. E. Bunny for a breakfast your child will never forget! You will dine on a special spring time breakfast, and have a chance to take a photo with Mr. E. Bunny (don’t forget your camera). The breakfast will include french toast, sausages, orange juice and coffee. Get your tickets early! An adult must accompany children. After breakfast you can follow Mr. E. Bunny out to Friends Field for our annual Egg Hunt. After your breakfast with the Bunny. Hop on out to Friends Field for Mill Valley Recreation’s annual Egg Hunt Kids delight in searching for surprises left in the grass by that rascally rabbit and his friends. Event details
• Spring Trash to Treasures Flea Market
  Margaret Todd Center, Novato
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  This community flea market is held indoors, rain or shine. Admission is free and treats from the snack bar will be available for purchase. Come shop for unique treasures! Location: 1560 Hill Road, Novato. Event details.
• Earth Day Open House at China Camp
  China Camp State Park, San Rafael
  Saturday, 9 am–3 pm
  All ages welcome. Volunteer with us from 9:00am - noon to help remove invasive plants and repair split rail fencing. After the volunteer work day, join us from 9:00am - 3:00pm at our Open House! This family friendly event welcomes you to learn more about China Camp State Park. Activities include: Spanish language bird watching hike with naturalist Marco Berger (9:30am), all ages exploration of the Turtle Back nature trail with Sarah Ferner from National Estuarine Research Reserve (10:30am), Chinese Games, museum tours, wildflower walks, soccer relays (ages 6 and up), scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, and more! All ages welcome (volunteers ages 17 and younger must bring a waiver signed by a legal guardian). Please register here. Event details.
• Cal Day
  UC Berkeley
  Saturday, 9 am–4 pm
  Create your own path as you join the next generation of engaged thinkers at Cal Day. Cal's annual open house welcomes prospective students, current students, kids, and families and the community to explore the beautiful campus and enjoy hundreds of exciting free events. Event details
• Tomatomania
  Cornerstone Sonoma
  Saturday 9 am–4 pm & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
  Tomatomania returns to Cornerstone at the Sunset Outdoor Test Kitchen this weekend. Event details
• Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
  Marin Country Mart, 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! Kids can take a pony ride and visit the petting zoo (10 am–2 pm), try out some arts and crafts (9 am–2 pm) and kid's storytelling, 9:30–10:30 am. Event details.
• Community Easter Egg Hunt
  Pickleweed Park, San Rafael
  Saturday, 10 am
  Egg hunts begin at 10 am sharp! Different time slots for kids ages 1–2, 3–4, 5–6, and 7–8. Egg hunt takes place in the Pickleweed Park gymnasium. Event details
• Eggstravaganza
  Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
  Saturday, 10 am–3 pm
  Celebrate spring at San Francisco Recreation and Park’s annual Eggstravaganza event at Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park. This family-friendly event features egg hunts, carnival rides, games, live entertainment, kids’ activities and free Mobile Recreation activities, including BMX bikes, climbing wall, skateboards, and more. Free. Location: 320 Bowling Green Drive, Golden Gate Park. Event details.
• Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival
  Ives Park, Sebastopol
  Saurday, 10 am–6 pm & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  The 73rd Annual Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival celebration kicks off at 10 am with a parade on Main Street followed by a festival for all ages. Admission: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students (11–17); kids under 11 are free. Event details
• Tinkerfest
  
  Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland
  Saturday, 10 am–5 pm
  Bring the family to the 3rd annual, all-day Tinkerfest designed to inspire and reveal the tinkerers and inventors in everyone. Tinkerfest will bring together makers, artists and tinkerers from the Bay Area and across the US to showcase their work while inviting the public to join in the DIY fun. Cost: Tinkerfest is included with regular admission; Adult: $22, Youth (ages 3 -12): $14. Location: 10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland. Event details.
• Kule Loklo Open House and Workday
  Point Reyes National Seashore
  Saturday, 10 am–11:30 am
  Visit a replica Coast Miwok village that offers a glimpse of life in pre-European California. Park staff or volunteers will be present talk about Coast Miwok history and culture, walk around the village with the public, and may be able to share or demonstrate activities representative of Coast Miwok life. Visitors to the open house are not required to participate in volunteer workday activities. All are welcome. Event details
• Children's Music: Breakfast with Enzo
  Sports Basement, Novato
  Saturday, 10 & 11 am
  Enzo Garcia plays guitar, banjo, accordion, musical saw, Jew's harp, enzotar, Appalachian dulcimer, slide flute, percussion and more. Recommended for children 7 and under. Drop in any time. Admission: $7 per person, siblings under 7 months free. Location: 100 Vintage Way, Novato. Event details.
• Kid Flix One
  Lark Theater, San Francisco
  Saturday & Sunday, 10:30 am
  Enjoy three weekends of “the best of” short films from the New York International Children’s Film Festival. Each program lasts 60–90 minutes and features mostly animated shorts that range from 2–10 minutes. Tickets: $5, including free popcorn! For all audiences, including parents. Event details
• Annual Spring Fête
  Let Petit Jardin, Sonoma
  Saturday, 10:30 am–1:30 pm
  Join Le Petit Jardin at their Sonoma campus for their annual Spring Fête, featuring the Easter bunny, photo booth, face painting, crafting, freshly made crêpes, Sweet Scoops ice cream cart, telling of the Story of Easter Sunday, and and Easter egg hunt. Le Petit Jardin will also lead guided tours of their French Immersion preschool throughout the morning! Free, RSVP required. Location: Le Petit Jardin at First Baptist Church, 542 First Street East, Sonoma. Event details
• Bay Area Children's Theatre: Press Here the Musical
  BACT Berkeley Center, Berkeley
  Saturday, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm & 4 pm and Sunday, 10:30 am & 1:30 pm
  Colorful dots cavort and juggle onstage, while audience members take an ever-changing, magical journey with the actors in this original production of Press Here the Musical, inspired by Hervé Tullet's award-winning picture book, Press Here, about the power of imagination and interactivity. Great for all ages, 3 and up. Tickets: adults $30 and $26 children (ages 2–14) and seniors $28 (65+). Purchase tickets here. Location: 2055 Center Street, Berkeley. Event details.
• Earth Day Celebration
  Quarryhill Botanical Garden, Glen Ellen
  Saturday, 11 am–3 pm
  Bring the entire family (all ages welcome) for a day of fun and celebrate Earth Day at Quarryhill Botanical Garden. Activities include arts and crafts, face painting, wildlife and farm animal displays, music and dance performances, lion dancers, fire engine tours, a nature scavenger hunt, slime and paper flower making, and more. Free admission; $10 parking fee per car (cash only). Location: 12841 Highway 12 in Glen Ellen. Event details
• Petaluma Mothers Club Egg Hunt & Spring Festival
  McNear Park, Petaluma
  Saturday, 11 am–2 pm
  We are so excited for our annual Egg Hunt! This year will feature a bake sale, food and local business vendors, prizes, games, bounce houses, crafts, face painter, hair braider and live animals! Egg Hunt for ages 0-5. While the egg hunts will be limited to children ages 0-5, there will be plenty of other activities for the whole family. Egg Hunt schedule coming soon! Location: 1008 G Street, Petaluma. Event details.
• Chinatown Spring Festival
  Waverly Place, San Francisco
  Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
  Bring your kids for a scavenger hunt through Waverly Place for free activities including a petting zoo, arts and crafts, and face painting. Event details
• Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
  Japantown, San Francisco
  Saturday & Sunday, 11 am
  The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival is one of California’s most prominent celebrations of Asian traditions and the biggest on the West coast. Starting in 1968, the festival serves to cultivate the continued alliance between Japan and United States using culture as its bridge. Each year, over 220,000 people attend this dazzling display showcasing the color and grace of the Japanese culture and the diversity of the Japanese American Community. Event details
• Bay Area Children's Theatre: Gold: The Midas Musical
  BACT Berkeley Center
  Saturday, 11 am, 2 & 4:30 pm, Sunday, 11 am & 2 pm
  Motherless Princess Lydia yearns for her father's love, but King Midas grows meaner, more distant, and greedier by the day. A modern musical re-telling of the Greek legend of King Midas who learns a valuable lesson about family when the gods grant him the power to turn everything into gold. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Tickets: $28 adults, $24 children, $26 seniors. Location: 2055 Center Street, Berkeley. Event details
• Mark Foehringer's Alice in Wonderland
  Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco
  Saturday & Sunday, 11 am & 2 pm
  Mark Foehringer Dance Project|SF announces the return of Mark Foehringer's Alice in Wonderland, inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventure in Wonderland. Following the same format as Foehringer's Nutcracker Sweets, this production is a 50-minute dance theater version based on a children's classic. However, this version is very much Foehringer's own personal interpretation of Alice as a heroine who faces challenges and solves them. Foehringer's Alice is a fearless character with girl power. Featuring colorful sets, costumes, puppets, live music and a small cast of 8 dancers, and no intermission, the performance is ideal for the young child's attention span. Tickets: $20.50 to $42.50. Event details
• Family Art Making
  de Young Museum, San Francisco
  Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
  Family Art Making offers a free, drop-in art project led by professional teaching artists. Projects change every 3-4 weeks and connect to our permanent collections or highlight our special exhibiton. Make sure to pick up a Discovery Guide to explore the galleries. Artists of all ages are welcome to join. Free and open to the public. Museum admission required for gallery activities found in the Discovery Guide. Location: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco. Event details
• Cesar Chavez Holiday Parade & Festival
  Lower 24th Street between Treat & Bryant, San Francisco
  Saturday, 11 am–6 pm
  Celebrate labor leader Cesar Chavez's birthday with a parade, live music, dance, arts and crafts, a classic car show, and more. Parade begins at Dolores Park. Free. Event details
• Renegade Spring Craft Fair
  Fort Mason Center Festival Pavillon, San Francisco
  Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–6 pm
  Shop the very best in handmade from 250+ local and national Makers and Designers while enjoying views of the Golden Gate, cocktails, vinyl DJ sets, interactive features, and local food trucks. Location: 2 Marina Blvd., San Francisco. Event details
• Music for Families: Music, Magic, and Mystery
  Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
  Saturday, 2 pm
  Did you know you don’t need a wand to cast a spell? Think about the magical powers of music! Even without pictures, music can paint colorful stories in our minds, make us feel different emotions, and transport us to a different time and place. Join us for a concert that is all about magic and myths--you’ll hear the music of Harry Potter as well as the thrilling Russian tale of The Firebird. Recommended for ages 5 and older. Tickets start at $7.50 and up. Purchase tickets here. Location: 201 Van Ness, San Francisco. Event details.
• Meet the Animal Keepers
  Randall Museum, San Francisco
  Saturday, 2 pm
  On Saturdays a special selection of the Randall Museum’s animal ambassadors venture from their cages, pens, and perches to greet visitors up close. These animals help visitors learn about and appreciate California’s wonderfully diverse wildlife. Kids and their families can meet mice and lizards; check out a Barn Owl; and maybe even touch a tortoise! Admission is free. Event details
• Kids Night at the Museum
  Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa
  Saturday, 5–9 pm
  Drop your kids off for after-hours fun at the Schulz Museum! Kids will have the Museum to themselves for pizza dinner, games, art, crafts, and cartooning. Discount of $5 off for siblings. Advance registration required—register online or call (707) 284-1272. Fee(s): $25 for Member, $32 for Non-member, $20 for Sibling Member Discount, $27 for Sibling Non-member Discount. Register online here. Location: 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa. Event details
• Novato Live: Hella Fitzgerald Quartet
  Novato City Hall
  Saturday, 6–8 pm
  Novato live is a free indoor concert series that takes place inside Novato City Hall every second and fourth Saturday of February, March and April. We hope you can join us for these wonderful live musical performances. This Saturday: vintage jazz, blues, R&B, and more with the Hella Fitzgerald Quartet. Event details
• Indoor Power Play
  Cal Star Gymnastics, Novato
  Saturday, 6–9 pm
  Drop the kiddos ( K-8 th grade) for some indoor fun. They can run, jump and play in an open gymnastics environment. Bring the kids in on a rainy day or any day to burn some energy. Cost: $30 per child. Location: 70 Digital Drive, Suite #3 in Novato. Event details

Sunday, April 14

• Civic Center Farmers' Market
  Marin Civic Center, San Rafael
  Sunday, 8 am–1 pm
  There's lots of organically grown produce, breads, eggs, and fresh cut flowers, as well as live music, bounce houses, and more. This farmers' market is a great one to take the kids to. It’s located in the main Civic Center parking lot. Event details.
• The French Market
  Marin Civic Center, San Rafael
  Sunday 9 am–3 pm
  Come shop at this French-style street market for antiques, books, clothes, toys, and much more. Enjoy crepes, live music, and more! Free admission and parking. Event details
• Earth Day 2019
  Oakland Zoo
  Sunday, 10 am–3 pm
  Celebrate our beautiful planet, and the power of your own voice and actions with over 50 hands-on Earth Stations and local environmental organizations! Enjoy live music, performances, activities, and more. Get a free train ride by turning in a cell phone to recycle. Free after zoo admission. Event details
• Songs & Stories with Megan
  Book Passage, Corte Madera
  Sunday, 10:30 am
  Megan is a children's music teacher, performer, and recording artist, offering classes and events across the north bay and San Francisco. She graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston with a degree in music therapy. Free. Learn more about Megan at www.musictimewithmegan.com. Event details.
• Spring Bud Break Festival
  Copia, Napa
  Sunday, 11 am–1 pm
  Celebrate the beginning of spring and wine grape growing season in Napa Valley! The Spring Bud Break Festival is fun for the whole family and features our annual Easter Egg Hunt as well as seasonal food and libations, kids’ activities, music, shopping, and more. Admission to the event is free, but can purchase food and drink. Location: 500 1st Street. Napa. Event details.
• The Music of Tom Petty for Kids
  
  The UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall, Berkely
  Sunday, 11 am–1:30 pm
  Using the songs created by the most iconic musicians in rock history, The Rock and Roll Playhouse offers its core audience of babies and kids games, movement, and stories and an opportunity to rock out. The Rock and Roll Playhouse is an early and often first introduction to a child's lifelong journey with live music and rock and roll. Tickets: $17.50. Purchase tickets here. Location: 2036 University Avenue, Berkeley. Event details.
• Off the Grid Food Trucks
  Larkspur Landing
  Sunday, 11 am–3 pm
  Come enjoy Off the Grid’s delicious mobile gourmet food market on Sundays. Eat your way through the largest gathering of mobile food trucks in Marin, listen to live music, and take in great views of the bay and Mt. Tam. Location: 2257 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur Landing. Event details.
• Presidio Picnic
  San Francisco Presidio
  Sunday, 11 am–4 pm
  Presidio Picnic is a great family event that takes place Sundays on the Presidio’s beautiful Main Parade Ground, a seven-acre lawn with views of the park, the city, and the San Francisco Bay. Presidio Picnic features a rotating lineup of 30+ international mobile food creators, ​free yoga class, free Presidio Y Bike learn to ride lessons for kids on the first Sunday of the month, a cultural dance program every 4th Sunday, and more. For more info, visit their website.