20 ways to make the most of your summer weekend on the Peninsula, for June 8–10

Brew beer, birdwatch, paddle board, and much more with the 650’s curated events guide.

It’s the time of year we spend pretty much all of our time from November through March dreaming about — the sun’s out, the weather’s gorgeous, and the Peninsula is at its best. There are only so many weekends in the summer, which is why we’re out to help you make the best of this one (easy, since there’s plenty to do and see). Take the time to get outside for a hike in the hills or paddle board session on the water, enjoy a taste of Italy or New Orleans, and check out some birds (either with the Audobon society or Alfred Hitchcock—your call.) It’s all here on the Peninsula this weekend.

Get outside

There are plenty of ways to take advantage of the good weather on the Peninsula. If you’re the adventurous type, Be Mobile Wellness is offering a stand up paddleboarding class Sunday morning. Hey, it may not be ideal beach weather this weekend, but you can still get out on the water. Rent a paddleboard for the hour for $25 and enjoy a stand up time.

If you’re trying to get your steps in and spot some wildlife while you’re at it, the Sequoia Audubon Society is hosting a birdwalk through Pearson Arastradero Preserve in Palo Alto Saturday morning. Participants will walk two to four miles at birding pace (read: plenty of breaks) and observe the finest of the Peninsula’s avian kind, including Western Bluebirds, Acorn Woodpeckers, and different species of hawks.

In the way of getting your steps in, Canopy, a nonprofit that works with communities to promote environmental conversation, is hosting a Community Center Tree Walk through the the Lucie Stern Community Center and neighborhood surrounding it. Enjoy the beautiful weather and learn about the local flora and fauna (and why Canopy is working to preserve it).

Date night

The San Francisco Italian Language Meetup Group is hosting Italian Summer Nights on Saturday night at the Stanford Barn’s Vina Enoteca — no knowledge of the Italian language necessary (though it could be worth looking into if you’re really trying to impress your date). If you’re asking yourself what exactly encompasses an Italian Summer Night, we have good news: live music, an Italian-style dance party, and, of course, a full menu including Italian food and drinks. Admission is free — dress up a little, grab your date, and enjoy the closest thing to a romantic night in Italy the Peninsula has to offer.

The aptly-named band Date Night will perform at American Legion Post 474 in Half Moon Bay. Enjoy a Saturday night complete with a coast-side jam, some drinks, and good company.

If you’re trying to wind down the weekend on a romantic note, bring a date to the London Tea Club’s tea ceremony & tasting Sunday afternoon at Samyama Yoga Center in Palo Alto. The ceremony will include 5 teas from around the world — come with questions or simply enjoy the tastings and Samyama’s meditation room for a peaceful afternoon with your date.

Take the kids

Stanford’s Cantor Arts Center is hosting their Second Sunday this weekend. Enjoy a family-focused day of art talks, art-making and gallery tours with kids of any age. Choose your own schedule based upon the day’s festivities, which include gallery talks, drop-in studio sessions, activity tables and family tours.

Gamble Garden is hosting Monet in the Garden this Sunday, a chance to do some painting and get outside at the same time. Each family can choose their own spot within the garden and get to sketching using watercolor pencils (read: mess free). Once sketches are complete, participants will turn them into true works of watercolor art all together. Admission is $25 for members and $35 for non-members.

Continuing on with theme of kid-friendly art, The Marvegos Fine Art School in San Mateo is hosting their Annual Student Art Exhibit this Sunday. While the event is a student art show, it also includes a day’s worth of children’s activities, like floor painting, and a reception with refreshments. Bring the whole family to admire art and create some of your own.

Theater, art, music & film

Stanford Theatre is still on their Hitchcock kick, and we couldn’t be more excited about it. This week is their showing of Psycho — which is playing Friday through Sunday at 7:30 each night (and includes a weekend matinee at 3:20) — and The Birds, set in our very own Northern California, which playing through the weekend at 5:20 and 9:30 p.m.

Dance Attack Studios is hosting Illuminate at Cubberley Community Center in Palo Alto this weekend. Come see an exhibition of the talents of various choreographers and dancers exploring the theme of illumination, working with concepts like tangible light and self discovery.

This is the second week of Redwood City’s Music in the Square summer series – Friday night is 80s rock covers, and the headliner is Metal Shop (yup) an 80s cover band from San Francisco. Let loose with some classic tunes from the era of big hair and neon tights.

Learn something new

West Elm in Palo Alto is hosting a living terrarium class, complete with succulents from Highway 92 Succulents located in Half Moon Bay. Class is for ages 14 and up, and a percent of the proceeds (tickets are $65 each) will go to the Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto. Included in the ticket are succulents, the terrarium vessel, rocks, sand, moss, and a set of Japanese terrarium tools. Learn how to create your own little environment while supporting local businesses and philanthropy.

If you’re in the mood to buckle down and work on your marketable skill set, the Midpeninsula Media Center is hosting a class on editing with Adobe Premier Pro this weekend with workshop session on both Saturday and Sunday. Classes last for four hours and go for $100.

Speaking of marketable skill set (well… kind of) B&S Brew Club is offering Learn How to Brew, a class on home-brewing beer, at Freewheel Brewing Company in Redwood City on Sunday. Watch from afar or join in — and feel free to bring your own home brewing kit, if that’s something you’ve got in your arsenal.

If you’re just looking to get creative and unwind, the Half Moon Bay Library is hosting Paint Like Picasso as part of their “paint like” series. The class is free and includes canvas, brushes and paints — no experience necessary. You can register by calling the number listed on the event page.

Help your neighbors

Cake4Kids, a nonprofit that works with underserved children to help them celebrate their birthdays, is hosing Cake-Off4Kids on Sunday afternoon. The event is both an amateur baking contest and a marathon cake-tasting. There are five categories — best tasting, best decorated, secret ingredient, made by kids (6–10) and made by kids (11–16) — and the baker with the best cake receives a $100 prize. If you’re not much for pastry making, no sweat: just bring your appetite so you can help judge the line-up. You can register as a baker or an attendee here.

Facebook is hosting Bayou on the Bayfront Saturday afternoon at its Menlo Park Campus, a New Orleans-esque festival including a long line up of live jazz music and southern, Creole and Cajun themed food trucks and stands as well as a pretty impressive drink menu. There’ll also be an art and vendor showcase as well as a health and wellness pavilion by Kaiser Permanente. The event is free and open to the public, and proceeds benefit local community non-profits. Nothing we love more than having a great time in the name of a great cause (besides maybe an updated privacy policy).

This weekend is the 15th Annual Ryan Phua Memorial Kids’ Ride, a children’s bike ride for kids twelve and under taking place in Burlingame that varies in lap length by age group (you can find more details here). The ride benefits Ryan’s Fund, which funds cancer-related programs. Same day registration is available, but you’re encouraged to sign up here beforehand. You can donate here, regardless of whether or not you or your child will be hoping on a bicycle. Every participant gets a medal, and there are prizes for top fundraisers.

We never pass up a chance to get outside this time of year, especially in the name of a good cause. If you’re right there with us, check out the habitat restoration being hosted by Half Moon Bay State Beach on Saturday morning. The restoration, which will focus on removing invasive species from Half Moon Bay’s coastal habitat, runs from 9 a.m. — 12 p.m., but participants will be given a a free State Parks parking pass good for the day, snacks, and any necessary tools. Register here.