20 Bay Area things to take your visitors to for Memorial Day weekend

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Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have served in the country's armed forces. The Bay Area provides an array of activities and events leading up to the various Memorial day parades this Monday. The following list provides fun and cheap options for friends and family to enjoy during this three day weekend.  

  1. 'Off the Grid' will be offered in Oakland at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) on Friday night for a night market and food trucks. In San Francisco, the picnic at the Presidio brings fun and food the whole family can enjoy. San Francisco’s famous Presidio fairgrounds provides a compilation of food trucks from around the Bay Area offering different tastes from around the world.
  2. Mount Tamalpais offers trails that provide some of the most scenic views of the beautiful Bay Area. If you head to Mt. Tam on Sunday, the 45th annual Firemen’s BBQ has food, music and games for the whole family to enjoy.
  3. Dolores Park attracts the masses every weekend. This Friday they have a free board game festival starting at 10 am on Friday, so grab a blanket and head out to the beautiful part for a fun day/night outdoors.
  4. Giants tickets are plentiful, so head out to AT&T park to support your local team.
  5. Taking a ride down the Golden Gate is a beloved tradition for Bay Area inhabitants and tourists alike. Enjoy the stunning views from the beautiful Golden Gate with a bike ride or a nice stroll
  6. Kick off the Carnaval Festival with a concert at San Francisco’s, The Chapel. The Chilaquiles will be performing on Friday and welcomes families and friends for the 9 pm show. Tickets can be purchased in advanced or at the door! The Carnaval Grand Parade will start on 24th and Bryant. Head to San Francisco’s Mission district for the 39th annual Carnaval Festival which will convert Harrison street into a colorful celebration full of culture. The event is free and welcomes families for Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
  7. There will be live music and free museum admission at the de Young after-hours. The museum in Golden Gate park provides a stunning venue for drinks and a good time with friends and family.
  8. “The Princess Diaries” will be playing at Pier 39 at 8:30 on Friday. Pier 39 movie night happens every last Friday of the month, so grab a chair and some popcorn and head to the Embarcadero.
  9. It is the Treasure Island Flea market’s 6th birthday! Head to the island for an abundance of creative vendors, games and treats.
  10. Make it a beach day and head to Santa Cruz for the annual Long board Surf Contest for some entertainment and friendly competition. The competition runs both Saturday and Sunday.
  11. The Golden Gate park band will be playing a patriotic music concert in the park to commemorate those who have served this Memorial Day weekend.
  12. On Saturday, Fremont hosts their 3rd annual Burger and Brew fest which will have live music, art and good old burgers and beer. Come for the great burgers and a compilation of craft brews from all over California. The event will begin at 11 am and last until 6 pm.
  13.  Wind down this Saturday with a free yoga class in SF’s Golden Gate Park. This yoga class welcomes all levels and takes place at 11:30, east of the tulip Garden.
  14.  San Francisco’s beloved farmer’s market will be running on Saturday and the Bay Area native ice cream brand, Humphry Slocombe is offering a free ice cream tasting this weekend at the CUESA classroom with the co-founder, Jake Godby. So stop by after lunch at the market and taste some ice cream!
  15. The Bottlerock Music Festival kicks off Friday. The Napa Valley Expo event will feature performers such as Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Maroon 5 and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. The music, food, beer and of course, wine will run through Sunday. 
  16. Central Park in San Ramon hosts an all day event on Sunday of music, beautiful art and kites! The festival is a fun and creative event perfect for families and friends.
  17.  End your weekend with a trip out to the end of the Bay. Lands End offers trails and views that never regret to amaze it's visitors.
  18. Wake up early this Memorial day and squeeze in a tour of the famous Redwoods before taking off for the commemoration parades. The free tour will offer information on the forest and provide stunning views of the redwoods during the sunrise.
  19. Head to the Presidio and come together as a community to remember those who served for their countries. The event begins at 10:30 am and will end at 2 pm.
  20.  Gather at Fisherman’s Wharf at 10 am on Monday upon the USS Pampanito, which will honor those who served and submarines lost at sea.