Ok, so we all know Pickle Ball is the sport of the moment, but have you heard of or tried Padel? Read on for more. So many great things in store in our most beautiful month of the year, MAY – how about a mystery picnic in Half Moon Bay? The Yerba Buena Gardens festival kicks off this weekend and if you hurry you can sign up for 2,000 Steps stair, not your usual fare. Have you ever dined in the dark? San Jose has a unique dining experience that will open all your senses, something a bit different for Mom this Mother’s Day perhaps. And there’s a powerful film you must see.

May 11. Spring into action with Padel in the Park!

This grand springtime event transforms Park Padel in Embarcadero Plaza into a padel paradise. You can enjoy free mini-clinics, exhibition & tournament matches, giveaways, a beer garden, food trucks and more. This is the Bay Area’s first Padel destination. Apparently, this is the world’s fastest growing sport. More challenging than Pickleball but still easy enough for those of us who aren’t tennis pros, to pick up. The Embarcadero location is a “pop-up”. It’s worth checking it out to see if this is your next sport.https://parkpadel.com

May 4. 2,000 Steps Chair Challenge 2024

Take on a unique, scenic physical challenge connecting some of San Francisco’s best stairways into one epic route! This fun and challenging event starts and ends at George Christopher Playground, 5210 Diamond Heights Blvd., SF. This is the second ever SF Stair Challenge, presented by Walk San Francisco.

The secret 2024 route, crafted by a mastermind team of WalkLab volunteers, is a loop through the neighborhoods of Diamond Heights and Noe Valley with a dip into Glen Canyon Park. The total length is approximately five miles with roughly 2,000 stair steps and takes 1.5 – 2.5 hours to complete depending. This supported walk will have timed releases onto the route from 7:30AM – 10:00AM on Saturday, May 4th. Participants will enjoy snacks and encouragement along the way, plus enjoy a mini-celebration at the end and a special keepsake for completing the second-ever SF Stair Challenge. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-2024-sf-stair-challenge-tickets-847588037637?

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

We love this festival and the free programs they bring to SF every spring and summer. This year the opener features Pedrito Martinez and La Dame Blanche, Pedrito Martinez arrived in New York City from Havana in 1998 just as the Buena Vista Social Club was reintroducing the world to the glories of mid-20th century Cuban music, reviving the careers of masters who came of age before the revolution. It wasn’t long before he came to embody the future of Cuban music in the 21st century.

Martinez returns to the Gardens leading the latest version of his blazing band. YBG Festival presents classical, world, and jazz music, contemporary and traditional dance, theater, children’s and family programs, and cultural events reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the region. Artistic excellence, inclusion, diversity, and innovation are at the heart of their mission. As the only curated arts park fully dedicated to the long-term presentation of free arts and cultural programs, Yerba Buena Gardens has a unique place in the cultural landscape of San Francisco. Later this month, Songs for Ukraine and Islands by the Bay will be featured. https://ybgfestival.org/about/

The Riddle of the Sphynx

Step into a world of pure imagination with a one-of-a-kind experience at the open-air exploration at The Gregangelo Museum’s outdoor tour – The Riddle of the Sphynx. You will discover enchanting outdoor art gardens, each a masterpiece by local artists. Let the art inspire you with questions and riddles, forging unique connections with your companions. This is a whimsical and immersive experience like no other. Dare to dream in the Garden of youth or ponder the unknown in the Garden of Wisdom. You will be connecting with art through the inspired questions and riddles.  Gregangelo’s Velocity Arts & Entertainment. 225 San Leandro Way, San Francisco. https://www.gregangelomuseum.com/

June 2. A Must-See Documentary

We are very excited that our friend, Katalin Oláh  a Hungarian filmmaker based in Budapest, has her documentary,” A Narrow Path to Happiness,”  being featured at the SeeFest Film Festival on Sun, Jun 2nd, 4:30 PM @ Roxie Theater House 2.  It can also be streamed. The powerful film is about a young gay Romani couple from a remote village in Hungary who have a dream so absurd that it seems impossible: making a musical film based on their lives. Against all odds, they move to Budapest just as the Hungarian government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and hostile toward LGBTQ+ people.

Mystery Picnic in Half Moon Bay

Ditch the cheese and crackers for your next picnic and join and embark on a  self-guided foodie adventure where you will solve clues to collect gourmet picnic treats and discover a hidden, picturesque picnic sot away from the crowds. Start by solving personally curated clues and riddles that’ll take you on a journey to collect your special gourmet picnic food bit by bit.

Each clue you solve will lead you closer to your next picnic food pickup and even closer to your final stunning picnic location.Included in your ticket price is a picnic spread from local artisan producers, interactive clues and riddles on your smartphone that will take you on a journey to collect your special gourmet picnic food, games and conversation starters, additional activities, and points of interest recommendations. Takes place Wednesdays – Mondays anytime between 12 – 1 p.m. Usually lasts around 3 hours. Other locations in San Francisco are also available. https://feverup.com/en/san-francisco/mystery-picnic

Dining in the Dark

Get ready for quite the unique dining experience you can enjoy with your partner, family, and friends. You will be eating while blindfolded and this will heighten your senses of taste and smell. The dinner includes a secret 3-course menu, that includes appetizer, main, and dessert, for you to discover on the evening of your choice. With a blindfold as a gateway, taste and aroma intensify, transforming each bite into an extraordinary adventure.

Enter a realm of sensory delight where an intimate setting invites you to break away from routine and relearn how to use your taste buds. There are options for meat, fish, or vegetarians. Located at Pedro’s in Santa Clara. Treat yourself, your Mom or your pals to this thrilling encounter that transforms dining into a journey of discovery. https://feverup.com/m/157199