17 ways to do Father’s Day better this year (on the SF Peninsula)

by Sarah Klearman June 11, 2019 268 Views

Don’t just buy your pop another beer at the bar: dive deep on our definitive guide to Father’s Day around the 6–5–0

We’ve been pretty deep in some serious research for this list, and it seems there are several competing lines of thought when it comes to Father’s Day celebrations: booze? barbecue? or brunch? (We came across a couple of other categories, but theirs didn’t begin with ‘b’, so we won’t be mentioning those.)

Jokes aside, we’ve searched the Peninsula high and low for all kinds of Father’s Day weekend celebrations. And yes, some of these go the stereotypical get-the-man-a-beer route, but we’re not here to just tell you to ply the old guy with IPAs: get him a coffee at a classic car show, bring him to beer yoga or spend the weekend together learning how to make wood-fired pizzas. It’s your call — and probably far better than a new set of cufflinks.

Start the celebrations early

Octane and Coffeebar in Menlo Park have partnered up to bring you Father’s Day Coffee and Cars on Sunday. (Tip: download the Octane app for a full list of cars attending.) Get an early morning start and some caffeine (maybe even on your way to brunch or elsewhere with your dad).

The Lick Observatory’s view of the stars. Photo via Lick Observatory’s Instagram.

For the Dad of all trades

We grew up assuming our parents were endless encyclopedias of knowledge. As a kid, Dad could be the expert on whatever you needed to know — why not spend Father’s Day learning something new with him? Take him to a weekend-long wood-fired pizza class at Seville Tapas ($150 for two days of artisan pizza making) or take a public evening tour of Lick Observatory in San Jose ($75 per person). Attendees will enjoy complimentary beverages alongside an expert guided tour of the stars.

Also on the radar: go bird watching with Sequoia Audubon Society in Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park, join Peninsula Open Space Trust for a moderate 6-mile hike Sunday morning or have him tag along to LuluLemon Burlingame for a free Father’s Day workout of the day hosted by Barry’s Bootcamp.

The setup at Porta Blu, left, and outside dining at The Village Pub. (Left: Photo via Porta Blu’s Instagram, shot by @justinavanessa. Right: Photo via Yelp).

We’re serious about brunch

(and to that your dad says — Hi, Serious About Brunch. I’m Dad…) Get this: at the intersection of all philosophical thought around Father’s Day is Porta Blu’s Brews & BBQ Brunch, featuring live music and a classic car show to match ($65 adults, $30 kids). You could also opt for a dads-and-kids putting session and brunch at Mullins Bar and Grill at Half Moon Bay Golf Links. $45 (adults, $15 for kids) gets you an all-you-can-eat selection of barbecue food and a draft beer to match. Or treat your dad to a three course brunch at The Village Pub in Woodside ($80 per person).

Pub in the Park…it’s like a jumpy house…with beer. (Image via Redwood City Events Facebook page)

Like we said…brews

Facebook is presenting Pub in the Park at Mezes Park in Redwood City this Saturday. Pull up a lawn chair to Father’s Day celebrations a day early and enjoy free live music, serious local brewery presence (Blue Oak Brewing, Freewheel Brew and South City Ciderworks) and food trucks galore.

Looking to depart from buying your pops a beer in an overly straightforward fashion? Hit Downward Drinking Dog’s Enlightened Yoga Series at Hotel Nia on Saturday morning, or try out Hop Dogma’s first Beer Yoga instead. You could also bring Dad along to the Hot Wing Contest at 47 Hills Brewing — and then take a free brewery tour, offered every half hour from 12:30 until 4:30 (reserve a spot here).

And if your dad might prefer a glass of wine, Domenico Winery is hosting live music on Sunday with wine to pair.

A full platter from Shoreline’s Father’s Day Barbecue spread last year. Now if only we could think of a terrible barbecuing-themed dad joke to set the mood. (Photo courtesy of Shoreline Lake)

BBQ

If you’d like to leave the grilling to someone else, Sunday is the annual Father’s Day BBQ at Shoreline Lake Boathouse & American Bistro. Enjoy barbecue plates ($13, $15 or $17 gets you one, two or three kinds of meats) and, for $15 a person, an all-day access pass to kayaking, canoeing — all the lake-related stuff your heart desires.

Alternatively, take a ride on the Father’s Day Steam Train at Roaring Camp, which is your train (literally) to excellent BBQ food (wings, specialty sausages, tri-tips sandwiches) and, of course, beer.

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