It’s all about freedom tomatoes!  Freedom to be who we are – and Pride celebrations are all around this weekend. Then we get to the FREEDOM of America where we watch fireworks, play outside and celebrate our independence – events are back everywhere. Pickleball is the new “it” game – paired with champagne?  We think so, yes!  Wouldn’t be summer without a variety of fests – including the Filmore Jazz Festival.  Celebrate your unique selves everyday friends!

June 25. Pride Celebrations

It is safe to that no other city celebrates Pride like we do. The theme for this year’s grand parade is “Looking back and moving Forward”. This weekend, the Civic Center will be awash with the beautiful colors of the rainbow as the Pride Celebration takes its rightful place with entertainment, information and the usual wonderful fun events that create a celebration. There are six community spaces with welcoming activities. One is the Sundance Saloon Country Western Corral on Grove between Larkin and Hayes, Saturday and Sunday from 12 – 6.

Step into the world of country western and experience the lively and energetic atmosphere of the Sundance Saloon Corral. Other stages include the Hip Hop Stage, a Family Garden, Don Julio Latin Stage and so many more. The Pride Parade will be on on June 25th, beginning at 10:30am and going down Market Street from Embarcadero to the Celebration at Civic Center (around 8th). The parade has over 200 contingents and may go on for over 3 hours. https://sfpride.org/

Pickleball

Pickleball has taken our world by storm, great exercise, fresh air and community are what entice people to this sport. That, and you can do this at any age, the rules are simple and most of the time it can be a not too competitive sport. Due to the popularity of this sport, most cities in the Bay have free courts available. San Francisco Parks and Rec has over 50 outdoor courts, 11 dedicated pickleball courts, 5 indoor pickleball facilities and dedicated pickleball hours at 4 sites. GET THE DETAILS.

Carneros Resort, Pickleball Lounge, Champagne

And then leave it to Napa to find a way to enhance the pickleball experience with a chilled glass of bubbly at Carneros Resort and Spa. Book the “aprés-play” experience for over an hour of sunny court time, light bites, and bottle service from the adjacent Champagne Bar & Lounge; open daily, sunrise to sunset. Reservations at carnerosresort.com

July 4^th Fireworks. Pier 39.

You know what time it is – that’s right, get the grills ready, grab your warm jackets and head outdoors to watch the fireworks that signal our independence. Suffice it to say that there are parades and fireworks in multiple locations. Of course, the biggie is SF’s own fireworks display at Pier 39 at 9:30 on the fourth. Other oohs and ahhs for the sparkles can be found in Concord, Redwood City, Pleasant Hill, Marin, Danville and more. Basically, look up and out on the 4^th and you should find the sky lit up.

During the day it’s free admission Tuesday to the museums, the Legion of Honor and the De Young will welcome you. If you prefer a more traditional 4^th head to Alamed to celebrate our nation’s birthday on the USS Hornet aircraft carrier docked in Alameda, with a view of the San Francisco on Tuesday from 10 – 5 p.m.

There will be a flyover from the Memorial Squadron, two no-host bars, Food Truck Mafia with multiple food options, and much more to entertain you! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hornets-4th-of-july-tickets-

June 24. Lakefest in Oakland

Festivals we do love you and all summer long and into the fall we find the ones we think you tomatoes will enjoy.  This Saturday Lakefest returns to Lake Merritt. This wonderfully diverse summertime gala adorns the nature-rich, three-mile shoreline of Lake Merritt in The City of Oakland. Live music, fashion shows, hidden finds in the marketplace, a huge variety of ethnic and American cuisine, a tech pavilion, and beer garden round out the offerings. https://lakefestoakland.com/

July 1-2. Jazz Festival

Head to Fillmore Street for the crowd favorite Jazz Festival. Back in person for the first time since 2019, and reduced to 8 blocks (still a lot of jazz), this is the largest free jazz festival on the west coast. This event blends art and soul and a lot of community on Fillmore Street between Jackson and Eddy. Performances by Kim Nalley, Zepparella and other jazz favorites will have the crowds stomping their feet. https://www.fillmorejazzfest.com/