Best Places For Father's Day Gifts In San Francisco
North Beach Festival (credit: sresproductions.com)
Do you have a deserving dear old dad, grandfather, father of your children or father-in-law? If so, mark your calendar for Sunday, June 15 for Father's Day. And, if not, join the celebration with a tribute to the best father-like figure you know. In a tradition that dates back to 1910, the third Sunday in June has been dedicated to both the father and fatherly supporters in one's life. We've got five in-city ideas with shops to match for those with a father or a father sub nearby.
North Beach District
San Francisco, CA
www.sresproductions.com
Date: June 14-15, 2014
One of the best places for Father's Day gifts isn't a shop at all. It's an event, and by all reports, one that he'll enjoy. The 60th annual North Beach Festival takes place on both Saturday and Sunday. When you've had your fill of beer and wine gardens, gourmet food and street trucks, live entertainment, sidewalk art displays and the blessing of the animals, buy him something that catches his eye from one of the many independent arts and crafts vendors. Two tips: book ahead and avoid driving into the city.
Schroeder's
240 Front St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 421-4778
www.schroederssf.com
Is there any chance at all that dad likes beer? How about 22 international tap and bottled selections including German, Czech and Belgian? Be the first to let dad know that one of San Francisco's oldest, largest and most revered Financial District historical spots has just re-opened following a big renovation under new ownership and with a German-born chef. Best of all, the new Schroeder's is all about bringing the traditions of the 120-year-old Schroeder's Bavarian beer hall back to life. Book for Saturday night dinner on Father's Day Eve and buy him a stein to take home and recall fun times.
Exploratorium
Pier 15, The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 528-4444
www.exploratorium.edu
If your family day is a multi-generational one, spend it at the Exploratorium. Perhaps you've been thinking about getting there since the new venue opened last spring. If you have been to the new space, you already know how truly amazing it is and the appeal it has across all age groups. Don't miss the interactive Tinkering Studio and the great bay views from the top floor. Take advantage of discounted admission for San Francisco Bay Area residents throughout a nine-county region and find easy access, too. Two restaurants and a fabulous museum shop packed with oddities and discoveries round out a visit, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Father's Day.
AT&T Park
24 Willie Mays Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 972-2000
www.sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com
Date: June 15, 2014 at 1:05 p.m.
Don't just get dad a tie, get him a ball game with his tie. It's the Giants' giant Father's Day Necktie Giveaway Day. If your pop is among the first 20,000 and has a promotion ticket in hand, he becomes the proud owner of a very special black and orange San Francisco Giants logo tie. When they holler "Play Ball!" versus the Colorado Rockies at 1:05 p.m. on Father's Day at AT&T Park, be there. If the promo tie doesn't work out, there's always official gear and apparel shopping at the Giants Dugout.
Jazz Brunch at Campton Place Restaurant
340 Stockton St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 955-5555
www.camptonplacesf.com
Perhaps you caught the buzz; Sunday jazz brunch debuted here in April. The acclaimed one-star Michelin restaurant is hidden in plain view just a block from Union Square inside the Taj Campton Place Hotel. In a play on words around the Cal-Indian cuisine for which Chef Srijith Gopinathan is so well-regarded, they call it warm spice with cool jazz. Sit back and watch dad enjoy the George Lacson trio performing Sundays from noon to 2:30 p.m. The acoustics are just right, so both listening and conversation are smooth. Traditional jazz and modern influences are a brilliant bonus with a three-course brunch option at $50. Surprise dad with a George Lacson release.
Laurie Jo Miller Farr loves walkable cities. A tourism industry professional and transplanted New Yorker by way of half-a-lifetime in London, she's writing about the best of the bay and beyond for Yahoo, USA Today, eHow, and on Examiner.com.
