Time to celebrate all those Mr. Tomatoes who are called Dad. If you haven’t made plans yet –I have found a few adventures any Dad in your life might enjoy, including a pinball museum, biking, the blues and more! Or head to the Gilt sample sale tonight or tomorrow and pick up a few things for yourself! When all else seems dull and done already, here’s one for you, chocolate and art!  Sum, sum, summertime!

Father’s Day Fun

Aren’t Dads, pops, daddy’s, grandpas so deserving? Yes, they are. But do they need another tie, bottle of wine or golf gadget? Probably not.  So how about one of these finds?

The Pacific Pinball Museum

The Pacific Pinball Museum located in Alameda will probably delight the man (men) in your life. An interactive museum/arcade that offers a chronological and historical selection of 90 plus playable pinball machines is a blast for all ages. The machines range from the 1930’ to present day. Throughout the museum there are also large-scale hand painted murals, Jukeboxes and an art gallery with rotating exhibits.  After paying admission all the machines are set on free play, so warm up your wrists and get to it

Biscuits and Blues

Does your Pop enjoy fried chicken and blues music?  If so, head to Biscuits & Blues in the heart of the theater district. This intimate venue hosts the best regional and national blues and jazz acts in a comfy, close-up setting open to all ages. Voted America’s #1 blues nightclub by The Blues Foundation! Microbrews on tap, a great wine and cocktail list and a menu that will make you feel like you are down south. Dad will love it!

Kite Flying

When is the last time you ventured forth into the wind and flew a kite?  A while, right? Well, you can let your imagination (and kites) soar at the Presidio Kite Festival tomorrow from 12 – 5 p.m. at the Main Parade Ground. Not like the kites of way back when, the artistry, diversity and glorious kites flying high will take your breath away. This festival features a build your own kite booth, an exhibition with giant kites, mega team flying and of course our fab and famous food trucks!

Biking at The Zoo

Take Dad on an adventure this Father’s Day with a docent-led bike tour of the SF Zoo. Not only do you get to cruise around the zoo before it opens to the general public, the early morning is a time when the animals are active so you’ll likely see some tiger stretches and monkeys swinging! Advance registration required. This Sunday 8:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Air Flight

Calling all wanna be Mavericks! Do you think Dad might wonder what it would be like to fly Korean War MiG-15? Take him to Open Cockpit Day at the Oakland Aviation Museum. Get a glimpse of flight training in a simulator and let the imagination run wild in the Navy A-3 Sky Warrior. He can even tour the Solent Flying Boat from Raiders of the Lost Ark. There’s a food vendor area on site, too so grub is available before or after exploring.

Gilt Sample Sale

Oh boy oh boy, did I just write the words sample sale? Yes, I did and this is a doozy. Today starting at 6 p.m. and tomorrow at 5 p.m. this celebrated shopping party will have you in a tizzy with the great finds. The treasure trove of designer goods, at up to 80% off retail with put you in a tailspin. You may not have time, but there are free cocktails, snacks and more.

Stylish shoes, handbags and apparel from coveted designers like Jimmy Choo, Valentino, Helmut Lang and many more will be sitting there waiting for you to touch and buy! You can browse by price point, trend and more. Enjoy music from a live DJ, and some of the profits will go to the Rett Syndrome Research Trust. $5 – $25. Get tickets now.

Chocolate and Art

Once only featured in Los Angeles, this eclectic gathering of local artists heads our way. The event showcases the talents of established as well as emerging artists, vendors and musicians complimented by artisan chocolatiers. There will be dancing along with the chocolate and art and the two evenings will ignite a cultural explosion.

Portions of the proceeds benefit Artists for Trauma, a non-profit that aims to aid in recovery through artistic expression and human connection. Thursday the 22nd and Friday the 23rd SOMArts Cultural center will be rocking! 934 Brannan Street. 8:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. Get tickets now.