From a Coastal Bike Cruise to the Biggest Little Air Show, there’s a lot to do this weekend around the 6–5–0

In Bloom: summer scenes at Filoli. (Image via Filoli website)

Why is it that sometimes four-day weeks feel even longer than the regular five-day ones? We hope you spent Memorial Day Weekend enjoying the extra time, and here’s to hoping that the rest of your week hasn’t dragged on so far. Fear not, though — almost the weekend again, and (by our standards) this is the first official weekend of summer. That’s why we’ve got this one mapped out for you — so without further ado, here’s our guide to kicking off summer around the Peninsula.

The floral scenery at Filoli (Photo via Instagram)

Get outside (duh)

Filoli’s annual flower show is happening this weekend. This year’s theme is ‘California Kaleidoscope’: designers plan to honor California’s history and environment with their floral displays. If you’re not familiar with Filoli, this is your chance to explore a beautifully preserved part of the Peninsula and enjoy flowers, some sunshine, and some food and drinks. Tickets are $30 for Filoli members and $35 for nonmembers.

San Mateo’s Color 5K Run (or walk) is this Sunday. All proceeds from the event support the JDRF, a charitable organization funding type 1 diabetes research. Bring a friend, the kids, or run this one solo, and spend a little time in the sunshine getting some color along the way. Literally. You can register here.

Scenes from a previous Urban Diversion Adventures outting. (Photo via Instagram)

If you’re looking for a way to take advantage of the weather and move your (regular?) exercise routine outside, Urban Diversion Adventures is hosting their Coastal Bike Cruise along Highway 1 in Half Moon Bay on Sunday morning. The path is flat, paved, and stops along the way include a brewery (our kind of bike ride) and a picnic (remember to bring your own packed lunch). You have to be a member of the club to join, but registering is easy (and, if you’re looking to keep your outdoor exercise simple, it’s only 5 dollars to attend 3 events per month. See for yourself here).

Doesn’t get more “family farm” than this. (Photo via Instagram)

You might be vaguely familiar with Markegard Family Farms’ various grass-fed products if you’re a frequenter of local farmer’s markets. The actual farm is up in Half Moon Bay, and they’re hosting their Ranch Day this Sunday. Now’s your chance to get outside, take a tour of the farm itself, and learn a thing or two about where your meat comes from.

Tea for two at JY’s Leaf. (Photo via Facebook)

Date night

If you’re still recovering from the long weekend and in pursuit of a more peaceful kind of date night, JY’s Leaf in Menlo Park is hosting a Tea Tasting Saturday afternoon. Participants will learn about, make and try different types of teas and snacks to go with it. Tickets are $28 a person.

Bachata Sentimiento, a dance studio in Stanford, is once again hosting its very popular Bachata Sentimiento dance social and dance class this Saturday night. Bachata is a kind of Latin dance with roots in the Dominican Republic, but if you don’t know the history behind it (or anything about it, for that matter) no stress — there is no experience is required. And, actually, no partner is required either. Bring a date for a fun time, or go solo for a chance to meet new people — partners will rotate throughout the event.

The view from the ground at last year’s Biggest Little Airshow. (Photo via Instagram)

Take the Kids

Saturday is the Hiller Aviation Museum’s Biggest Little Airshow. Nothing says summertime fair season better than a good old-fashioned air show. Bring the kids, enjoy the food trucks, and don’t miss your chance to see Alan Eustace,the world record holder for highest parachute jump (and former Google executive), join the show. Talk about reaching new heights.

If you’re looking for something with a little less altitude, the Palo Alto Children’s Theater will host their Buoyancy Teen Music & Art Festival this Sunday. There’ll be free food, live music, carnival style-attractions and an art gallery. And admission is free.

In honor of its 46th anniversary and the arrival of a new executive director, Environmental Volunteers, a Peninsula-based non profit that works to promote hands-on science and environmental conservation, is having a BBQ by the Bay Saturday afternoon. The menu will offer real deal barbecue food (tri-tip, grilled chicken, macaroni salad, and garlic bread, to name a few options), and attendance is donation based. RSVP for a chance to promote environmental responsibility in a family-friendly way.

Theater, art, music & film

This weekend may not be a three-day deal (we know, it’s a let down) but you can still relax with The Actor’s Conference’s Let go with Abstract Art in San Bruno. The class will be taught by abstract artist Ken Thrift: tickets are $45 and include materials. Enjoy some watercolor paints and a chance to chill out.

Music (and a crowd) in the square in RWC last summer. (Photo via Instagram)

Redwood City’s Music in the Square starts up this Friday night, and nothing says the beginning of summer like an outdoor concert. This Friday will feature The Peelers Band, a San Francisco-based cover band with a wide range of musical tastes.

University Arts2018 UCreate Day is this Saturday in Redwood City. The day includes hands-on demonstrations from artists and vendors as well as samples and discounts on art supplies. If you’re the type to enjoy making art as well as viewing it, this is right up your alley.

Speaking of making art, Palo Alto’s Unitarian Church is offering up a class on exploring the mind, hands, spirit and and heart through art on Sunday afternoon. Worried about your minimal artistic ability? No worries — the class is for everyone, and a cathartic way to get artistic.

Learn something new

If you’re still thinking about your minimal artistic ability, now’s your chance: Red Rock Coffee in Mountain View is having an Intro into Watercolor Calligraphy class. Class includes instruction from a lettering artist on how to properly use watercolor paint, letter your name, and direction how to keep practicing at home, as well as a take-home set of paintbrushes and tubes of paint. Tickets can be found here.

Also in the way of relaxation, this Saturday is Postures for Peace in Palo Alto, a chance to attend classes about yoga and harmonizing the body with the mind. There will be talks on meditation and yoga as well as food and music — tickets are free.

“Doctor Wine” himself. (Photo via Instagram)

On a slightly different note (though still a relaxed one), the San Francisco Wine School in South San Francisco is hosting Daniel Cernelli (also known as Doctor Wine — and no, we’re not kidding) for his Ultimate Guide to Italian Wine. There are two opportunities to attend a wine tour (one at 11 a.m and one at 2:30 p.m.) as well as a book signing. Learn something new about Italian wines and have a sip (or a few). Tickets are here.

Help your neighbors

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company is hosting the Dog Days of Summer on Sunday, an event honoring both the adoption of furry friends and the kick off of warm weather at the same time (what more could you ask for?). Proceeds will go to the Peninsula Human Society. The night will include live music, a chance to adopt a pet on site, and a special dog-friendly menu. A suggested $5 donation for entry gets you a goodie bag of dog treats and entry into a raffle for a sitting portrait of your pup.

The Magic of the Coastside Summer Shrimp Boil is also this weekend. The annual event is hosted by the Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay, and proceeds will go to local coastside organizations including programs for the homeless, early math training, and meals on wheels (specifics on the event page linked above). Enjoy summer weather, music, food, an auction and a raffle in the name of supporting a Peninsula community.

Finally, if all this summer talk has you thinking about working on your “summer bod”, why not do it in the name of charity? SoulCycle in San Mateo will host a Spin for a Cure charity ride for Parkinson’s awareness on Saturday morning. Form a team or go solo — there are also prizes for top fundraisers. If you’re gonna break a sweat, might as well be for philanthropy.

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Sarah Klearman

East coast transplant working her way through all things Peninsula. On Twitter @SarahKlearman

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