Fall Break Fun
Hi neighbor!
MDUSD kids are off for fall break between Monday, October 5 through Monday, October 12. We just got back from Scotland, so our family is staying local this time around. If you're wondering how to fill six whole weekdays close to home too, I've got you covered.
Bookmark this post and come back to it all week. The full list on the website has everything I found, day by day, from storytimes and animal encounters to free museum days and a Halloween marionette show at the Pleasant Hill Library.
The fun starts this weekend with Clayton Oktoberfest, three days of free music at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and First Friday in Martinez.
What are your plans for fall break? Reply and let me know, especially if you have a favorite hot day or budget friendly spot.
See you around town,
Jen
Here’s what happening in and around Pleasant Hill this week
All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Please verify details with the event website to ensure accuracy.
View events by date
Thursday, October 1
San Francisco Botanical Garden | Free entry between 7:30–9am
Stroll 55 acres of gardens. Admission is free between 7:30–9, then there’s a fee until the garden closes at 6pm. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Toddler Storytime and Play | 10:15–10:45am
Songs, stories, and movement for ages 0–3, followed by playtime. Walnut Creek Library.
Storytime Junction | 10:30–11am
Interactive reading, singing, and play for babies and toddlers. Lafayette Library.
Storytime at the Pleasant Hill Library | 11am–12pm
Stories, songs, and movement for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers with their caregivers.
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive | 11am–7pm
Free gallery admission on the first Thursday of the month. Berkeley.
Museum of Craft and Design | 12–5pm
Free admission on the first Thursday of every month. San Francisco.
Crafternoons with I Heart Art | 4:30–5:30pm
An after school craft session for ages 5–12. Walnut Creek Library.
Off the Grid | 5–9pm
Free live music, plus food trucks for a fee. Trelany Rd, Pleasant Hill.
The season finale, with food trucks for purchase from 5–8pm and a free concert from 6–8pm. Orinda Community Center Park.
Friday, October 2
San Francisco Botanical Garden | Free entry between 7:30–9am
Stroll 55 acres of gardens. Admission is free between 7:30–9, then there’s a fee until the garden closes at 6pm. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Japanese Tea Garden | Free entry between 9–10am
Wander the koi ponds, pagoda, and drum bridge. Free entry during the first hour, then it’s paid; last entry is 5:30pm. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass | 1–7pm
Three days of free live music on six stages kicks off today, with gates opening at 11am. Hellman Hollow, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Goodnight Farm | 3:30–4pm
Help naturalists feed the animals and close the farm for the night. Meet at the pig pen at Tilden Park Little Farm, Berkeley.
Martinez First Friday | 6–9pm
A toy swap, rock painting, live music, and a baby disco, plus local artists in shops around downtown. 600 block of Main Street, Martinez.
Chabot Space and Science Center Telescope Viewing | 7:30–10:30pm
Peek through Chabot's historic telescopes on the observatory deck, weather permitting. Oakland.
Saturday, October 3
San Francisco Botanical Garden | Free entry between 7:30–9am
Stroll 55 acres of gardens. Admission is free between 7:30–9, then there’s a fee until the garden closes at 6pm. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Pleasant Hill Farmers Market | 9am–1pm
Free admission, entertainment, and 9am yoga, plus fresh produce and local food vendors for a fee. Trelany Rd, Pleasant Hill.
Home Depot Kids Workshop: Witch Candy Box | 9am–12pm
Kids ages 5–12 build a Witch Candy Box with all materials provided; register in advance. Concord.
de Young | 9:30am–5:15pm
Free Saturday admission for Bay Area residents; reserve your tickets in advance. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Legion of Honor | 9:30am–5:15pm
Free Saturday admission for Bay Area residents; reserve your tickets in advance. Lincoln Park, San Francisco.
Martinez Library Storytime | 10–10:30am
Stories, songs, and fingerplays for ages 0–5, followed by stay and play.
Creature Feature | 10:30–11am
Meet one of the nature area's animal ambassadors up close. Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center, Berkeley.
Clayton Oktoberfest | 11am–8pm
Free admission and parking for live German music, Bavarian dancers, and a noon keg tap, with food, drinks, vendors, and carnival rides for a fee. Main Street, Clayton.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass | 11am–7pm
Free live music on six stages all day, with gates opening at 9am. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Wild Explorations | 2–2:30pm
Crafts, coloring, creatures, and games that explore nature. Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center, Berkeley.
A docent led walk through California native plants. Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park, Berkeley.
Lego Builders Club | 2–4pm
Drop in and build your own Lego creations. Pleasant Hill Library.
Goodnight Farm | 3:30–4pm
Help naturalists feed the animals and close the farm for the night. Meet at the pig pen at Tilden Park Little Farm, Berkeley.
Chabot Space and Science Center Telescope Viewing | 7:30–10:30pm
Peek through Chabot's historic telescopes on the observatory deck, weather permitting. Oakland.
Sunday, October 4
San Francisco Botanical Garden | Free entry between 7:30–9am
Stroll 55 acres of gardens. Admission is free between 7:30–9, then there’s a fee until the garden closes at 6pm. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Asian Art Museum | 10am–5pm
Free general admission on the first Sunday of the month; reserve your free tickets in advance. Civic Center, San Francisco.
Sunday Storytime | 10:30–11am
A nature-themed read-aloud for kids. Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center, Berkeley.
Spiders and Silk | 11am–12pm
An easy wander to find spiders and learn about their webs. Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley.
Regional Parks Botanic Garden Tour | 11am–12pm and 2–3pm
A docent led walk through California native plants. Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park, Berkeley.
Oakland Museum of California | 11am–5pm
Free admission to the galleries and special exhibitions on the first Sunday of the month. Oakland.
Clayton Oktoberfest | 11am–6pm
German music and polka on two stages, with food, drinks, vendors, and carnival rides for a fee; admission and parking are free. Main Street, Clayton.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass | 11am–7pm
The festival's final day of free music on six stages, with gates opening at 9am. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Goodnight Farm | 3:30–4pm
Help naturalists feed the animals and close the farm for the night. Meet at the pig pen at Tilden Park Little Farm, Berkeley.
Monday, October 5
San Francisco Botanical Garden | Free entry between 7:30–9am
Stroll 55 acres of gardens. Admission is free between 7:30–9, then there’s a fee until the garden closes at 6pm. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Japanese Tea Garden | Free entry between 9–10am
Wander the koi ponds, pagoda, and drum bridge for free during the first hour; last entry is 5:30pm. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Monday Birding | 9am–12pm
A beginner friendly bird walk looking for "little dinosaurs" on hilly terrain. Waterbird Regional Preserve, Martinez.
Tuesday, October 6
San Francisco Botanical Garden | Free entry between 7:30–9am
Stroll 55 acres of gardens. Admission is free between 7:30–9, then there’s a fee until the garden closes at 6pm. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
de Young | 9:30am–5:15pm
Free admission on the first Tuesday of the month; reserve your tickets in advance. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Legion of Honor | 9:30am–5:15pm
Free admission on the first Tuesday of the month; reserve your tickets in advance. Lincoln Park, San Francisco.
Conservatory of Flowers | 10am–4:30pm
Free admission on the first Tuesday of the month to see rare and tropical plants; last entry is 4pm. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Baby Songs and Play | 12–12:30pm
Songs, fingerplays, and lap bounces for babies up to age 1, followed by playtime. Walnut Creek Library.
Fratello Marionettes: Spooktacular Show | 6:30–7:30pm
Come in costume for a Halloween marionette variety show with happy ghosts, Frankenstein, and a not-so-scary witch. Pleasant Hill Library.
Wednesday, October 7
San Francisco Botanical Garden | Free entry between 7:30–9am
Stroll 55 acres of gardens. Admission is free between 7:30–9, then there’s a fee until the garden closes at 6pm. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Japanese Tea Garden | Free entry between 9–10am
Wander the koi ponds, pagoda, and drum bridge. Free entry during the first hour, then it’s paid; last entry is 5:30pm. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
All-Ages Storytime | 10:15–10:45am
Lively songs and stories followed by playtime. Walnut Creek Library.
Sing Me a Storytime | 10:30–11am
Songs, fingerplays, and movement that build early literacy skills. Lafayette Library.
I Heart Toddler Art | 11am–12pm
Storytime paired with a craft for toddlers and preschoolers. Pleasant Hill Library.
I Heart After School Art | 1:30–3:30pm
Open creative studio time for elementary and middle schoolers. Pleasant Hill Library.
Thursday, October 8
San Francisco Botanical Garden | Free entry between 7:30–9am
Stroll 55 acres of gardens. Admission is free between 7:30–9, then there’s a fee until the garden closes at 6pm. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Toddler Storytime and Play | 10:15–10:45am
Songs, stories, and movement for ages 0–3, followed by playtime. Walnut Creek Library.
Storytime Junction | 10:30–11am
Interactive reading, singing, and play for babies and toddlers. Lafayette Library.
Storytime at the Pleasant Hill Library | 11am–12pm
Stories, songs, and movement for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers with their caregivers.
Blake Garden Public Tour | 2–3pm
A guided walk through this hillside garden, held the second Thursday of the month. Free registration required. 70 Rincon Road, Kensington.
Off the Grid | 5–9pm
Free live music, plus food trucks for a fee. Trelany Rd, Pleasant Hill.
Have an event to add to future newsletters? Let me know!
Jen
