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Fathers Day in San Francisco 2023: Fun Things to Do with Your Dad
by Jill Loeffler •
Updated: May 4, 2023
You will find several fun things to do on Fathers Day in San Francisco this year. Some highlights include wine tasting in Napa, baseball games, and an SF Bay Cruise with your entire family.
Other highlights include festivals, free walking tours, and fun, family-friendly activities.
This year, Father's Day falls on Sunday, June 18, 2023. Here are several events and activities planned for this Father's Day in SF.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
Oakland A's Baseball
Dates: 6/16 - 6/18
Tickets: Find tickets on StubHub
Spend some time in the ballpark this Father's Day in San Francisco. This year, the Oakland A's will take on the Philadelphia Phillies at home. The RingCentral Coliseum is a short and easy BART ride away from SF.
This three-game series starts on Friday, June 16, and runs through Sunday, June 18.
>> Find current rules to attend a game and the full schedule for this month
The Book of Mormon
Dates: All Weekend Long
Tickets: Ticketmaster | StubHub
All weekend long, you will find performances of the award-winning show The Book of Mormon.
It follows the story of two Mormon missionaries and their time in Africa. This comedy will keep you laughing all night long with stories of their misadventures in a county and culture they do not understand.
You will find one show Friday night, two on Saturday, and two on Sunday.
>> More about seeing a show at the Orpheum Theater
North Beach Festival
Spend the day soaking in the sun at this year's North Beach Festival. This annual event is one of our largest street fairs and a fun way to spend Fathers Day in San Francisco.
It includes live music, gourmet food, a variety of drinks, arts & crafts, and so much more. Admission is free.
The event runs from 10 am to 6 pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
>> Read more about this year's festival
Other Festivals this Weekend
Stern Grove (6/18): This year's Stern Grove concerts in the park for Father's Day in San Francisco features Snarky Puppy with Isaiah Sharkey. The concert starts at 2 pm. Reservations are available one month in advance this year even though it's still first come, first served for ticket holders when you arrive. The concerts usually last about 2.5 to 3 hours. Learn more about this festival.
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival (6/18): The annual Native Contemporary Arts Festival is a Fathers Day tradition at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival every year. This free event runs from Noon to 3 pm and features native music, spoken word, native crafts, and so much more. The Yerba Buena Gardens are in the South of Market District on Mission between 3rd and 4th Streets. More about this year's event.
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
You can also spend Father's Day in San Francisco exploring! Head out on the Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Bus to see our top attractions. The bus will take you around SF, and you can hop off and then back on again at any stop along the way.
Top stops include the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and Lombard Street. Other popular stops include Alamo Square, Golden Gate Park, and the Haight Ashbury District. You can cruise around all day as you learn more about SF, our history, and our amazing sights.
>> Visit their site to book online in advance
Other Fun Bus Tours for this Weekend
Sunset Cruise on the Bay
Take your dad for a sunset cruise around the bay! This 90-minute cruise offers beautiful sunset views on a catamaran. Along the way, you will see the amazing SF skyline that includes both the Transamerica Building and Coit Tower. You will also pass under the Golden Gate Bridge and see great views of Tiburon, Alcatraz, and Sausalito.
Make sure to bring along your jacket and some warm clothing because, even though it's summer, it is chilly on the water in June!
Tickets: On sale for all dates this weekend
Hotel Deals
Are you planning to stay the weekend to celebrate Father's Day in San Francisco? If so, check out some of these great hotel deals.
Booking: Find great deals all around San Francisco for your upcoming stay!
TripAdvisor: What's the #1 hotel in San Francisco? Read reviews & find hotel deals on TripAdvisor!
VRBO: In addition to hotels, you'll also find some great places to stay locally through VRBO. Book an apartment or a room and feel more like a local. Find some great places to stay on VRBO here.
Afternoon Beer & Wine Yacht Cruise
Head out on the water this Father's Day on this 90-minute sailing cruise. You will cruise around the SF Bay on The Privateer as you enjoy seeing some of SF's top attractions. Cruise past the Palace of Fine Arts, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and around Alcatraz Island.
Your ticket includes two drinks (beer, wine, or soda). It's a great small group activity.
Tickets: Available for all days
Additional SF Bay Cruises for Father's Day
Father's Day Weekend Concerts
You will find dozens of concerts this Fathers Day Weekend in San Francisco. You will find them at some of our large concert venues such as the Warfield and the Nob Hill Masonic Center, as well as some of our more intimate spots around town.
You will also find some amazing outdoor shows at venues around the SF Bay Area this weekend. Here are a few of my top picks for Saturday (6/17) & Sunday (6/18).
6/17: Tainted Love at Bimbo's 365 Club
6/18: SF Symphony: Chamber Series
6/18: Bones, Xavier Wulf & Eddy Baker at The Fillmore
>> Additional shows around SF and the Bay Area this weekend
SF For Wine Lovers
Does your dad love to sample new wine? If so, check out all the great places you can introduce him to this Father's Day in San Francisco. They range from wineries within San Francisco to some of the best wine bars.
You will find options all around town, including on Pier 39, a cruise around the bay, and on Treasure Island. Many offer a large selection of top local wines as well as those from nearby regions such as Napa, Sonoma, and Livermore Valley.
>> Six Activities for Wine Lovers in SF
Free Walking Tours
Every Sunday, the SF Public Library offers several free walking tours around the city. They range from historical walks through the Haight Asbury district to Alfred Hitchcock's San Francisco.
Other tours offered on Sunday include North Beach at Night and a guided walk on the Golden Gate Bridge. Each tour lasts around two hours.
>> Visit their site for the best tours each day
Top Military Attractions
Your father might also enjoy visiting some of the top military attractions in San Francisco. Many people don't realize that the city was a prime location for the military for more than a hundred years.
Military attractions in SF include two World War II vessels that are now floating museums and the SF Presidio.
>> Top Military Attractions in SF
Wine Tasting in Napa or Sonoma - or Both!
If your dad loves to go wine tasting, then a day trip to either Napa or Sonoma is a great way to celebrate his special day. These wine regions are only about an hour north of San Francisco.
It's easy to get up and back in one day, and taking a tour allows everyone in your group to enjoy both the wine and sights along the way.
Here are a few top wine tasting tours.
>> Compare Napa & Sonoma Tours from SF
Additional Day Trips on Fathers Day in San Francisco
Best Activities with Kids
If you plan to visit San Francisco with kids, then check out this list of fun activities for the entire family. In this list, you will find interactive things to do such as the 7D Experience, visiting the Exploratorium, and heading out on a bay cruise.
Here are just a few of my top picks.
California Academy of Sciences: Spend the day at this amazing family-friendly museum. It's four museums in one with an Aquarium, Natural History Museum, and a 4-Story Rainforest. Pick up skip-the-line tickets, so you don't have to wait long when you arrive. Learn more about visiting.
Aquarium of the Bay: Head over to Pier 39 to spend a few hours at one of the best aquariums in the area. It focuses on the plants and animals that live in the SF Bay and is an amazing experience for kids of all ages. Learn more here.
SF Zoo: You can also head over to the SF Zoo for Father's Day in San Francisco. It's home to dozens of animals, including penguins, bears, koalas, and so many others. Learn more about what you'll see here.
>> 25 Fun Activities with Kids in SF
Free Things to Do in SF
Are you visiting SF but want to keep your budget in check? If so, you will be happy to know that there are several fun things to do that will not cost you a thing. These activities range from free walking tours to a visit to the Golden Gate Bridge.
>> Discover 55 Free Things to Do in SF
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
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It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!
