A Little R&R
Hi neighbor,
I played hooky this week. My friend Monica and I spent the day at Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa getting massages and hanging out. Aromatherapy, hot towels, heating pads — it was such a treat. Then we lounged by the pool and had lunch onsite.
It reminded me how rare it is to actually slow down and relax for a few hours. So this week, whatever "recharging" looks like for you and your family — whether that's an afternoon at the pool, a circus in the park, or just an easy morning at the farmers market — I hope you get a little of it.
What are your plans this weekend? Reply back and let me know.
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, July 9
Details: Stories, songs, and movement. Best suited for ages 0-5.
Time: 11am–12pm
Location: Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue, Pleasant Hill
Details: Live music and food trucks
Time: 5–9pm
Location: City Hall Park, 138 Trelany Road, Pleasant Hill
More happening Thursday:
Blake Garden Free Public Tour; Garden open 9am–4pm, guided tour 2–3pm; 70 Rincon Road, Kensington (free registration required for tour)
Concord Music & Market: Super Diamond; Farmers Market 4–8pm, music 6:30–8pm; Todos Santos Plaza, Concord
Circus Bella: HOOPLA! — Circus in the Parks; 5pm pre-show, 6–7pm performance; Lincoln Square Park, 261 11th Street, Oakland
Cow Craft Night at Chick-fil-A; 5–7pm; Chick-fil-A, 2290 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek
Moraga Summer Concert Series: The Bell Brothers; 6:30–8:30pm; Moraga Commons Park, 1425 St. Mary's Road, Moraga
Friday, July 10
Details: Live music, a dance lesson, and more.
Time: 5–9pm
Location: Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland
Details: Free outdoor movie series, with family games and activities before the film.
Time: Activities before dusk, movie begins at dusk
Location: Alamo Creek Park, 7601 Shady Creek Rd, Dublin
More happening Friday:
Japanese Tea Garden — Free hour; 9–10am; 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco
Good Night Farm; 3:30–4pm; Tilden Park, 1500 Central Park Dr, Berkeley
Free Telescope Viewings; 7:30–10:30pm; Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland
Saturday, July 11
Details: Fresh produce, flowers, and prepared foods from local vendors.
Time: 9am–1pm
Location: Trelany Road, Pleasant Hill
Details: Tote bag decorating and bag charm making — free crafting for all ages while supplies last.
Time: 12–2pm
Location: Plaza near Jack's in Downtown Pleasant Hill, 60 Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill
Details: Build your own Lego creations
Time: 2–4pm
Location: Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue, Pleasant Hill
More happening Saturday:
de Young — free Saturdays; 9:30am–5:15pm; 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco
Legion of Honor — free Saturdays; 9:30am–5:15pm; 100 34th Avenue, San Francisco
Creature Feature; 10:30–11am; Tilden Park visitor center front desk, 1500 Central Park Dr, Berkeley
Celebration of the new Warriors graphic novel release ; 2pm; Barnes & Noble at The Veranda, 2025 Diamond Boulevard Suite 125, Concord
Wild Explorations; 2–2:30pm; Tilden Park, 1500 Central Park Dr, Berkeley
Good Night Farm; 3:30–4pm; Tilden Little Farm, 1500 Central Park Dr, Berkeley
Danville Music in the Park: Mercy and the Heartbeats; 6–8pm; Town Green, 420 Front Street, Danville
Clayton Concerts in the Grove: The Bell Brothers; 6–8pm; The Grove, 6100 Main Street, Clayton
Bishop Ranch Smooth Jazz Series: Paul Taylor (saxophone); 7pm; Alexander Square, City Center Bishop Ranch, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon
Free Telescope Viewings; 7:30–10:30pm; Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland
Sunday, July 12
Tilden Little Farm events
Sunday Storytime: Stories and fun with a different nature theme each week. Meet at the visitor center front desk; wheelchair accessible. 10:30–11am
Good Night Farm: Help close up the Little Farm for the night and feed the resident animals their evening meal. Meet at the pig pen; parent participation required. 3:30–4pm
Location: Tilden Visitor Center, 1500 Central Park Dr, Berkeley
Details: A 5-mile hike along the shoreline with fascinating local history along the way. Ages 9 and up.
Time: 8am–12:30pm
Location: Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline (West Parking Lot), Oakland
Details: The Ferry Building's birthday bash with live music, local art, vintage shopping, and family-friendly activities along the Embarcadero. Free with RSVP.
Time: 12–6pm
Location: Ferry Building, 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco
Monday, July 13
Details: The oldest operating public Japanese Garden in North America.
Time: Enter for free on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9–10am
Location: Golden Gate Park, 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco
Details: Destress with this free art program for tweens, teens, and adults (9 years old and up).
Time: 1–2pm
Location: Concord Library, 2900 Salvio Street, Concord
Tuesday, July 14
Details: A rock 'n' roll and folk concert for kids.
Time: 6:30–7:30pm
Location: Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue, Pleasant Hill
More happening Tuesday:
Peek-A-Book Storytime; 10:15–11:15am; Ygnacio Valley Library; 2661 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek
Baby Storytime & Play; 12–12:30pm; Walnut Creek Library, 1644 North Broadway, Walnut Creek
Dungeons & Dragons®; For teens ages 13–18; 2–4pm; Walnut Creek Library, 1644 North Broadway, Walnut Creek
Read to a Dog; 2:15–3:15pm; Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette
Wednesday, July 15
Details: Drop-in art activities for toddlers.
Time: 11am–12pm
Location: Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue, Pleasant Hill
Details: Drop-in art activities for school-age kids.
Time: 1:30–3:30pm
Location: Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue, Pleasant Hill
More happening Wednesday:
All-Ages Storytime; 10:15–10:45am; Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek
Sing Me a Storytime; 10:30–11am; Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette
Slim Chance Circus Variety Show; 2–2:45pm; Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton
Games Galore; 4–5:30pm; Walnut Creek Library; 1644 North Broadway, Walnut Creek
Meditation; Teens and adults; 6–7pm; Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette
Thursday, July 16
Details: Stories, songs, and movement for little ones, followed by Stay & Play. Best suited for ages 0–5 with a caregiver.
Time: 11am–12pm
Location: Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue, Pleasant Hill
Details: Food trucks line Trelany Road, with picnic tables and Adirondack chairs provided (or bring your own blanket/chairs). Live music sets the ambiance.
Time: 5–9pm
Location: City Hall Park, 138 Trelany Road, Pleasant Hill
More happening Thursday:
Dungeons and Dragons; Kids 14–18 years old, 3:30–5:30; Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette
Concord Music & Market: Zepparella; Farmers Market 4–8pm, music 6:30–8pm; Todos Santos Plaza, Concord
Moraga Summer Concert Series: Dirty Cello; 6:30–8:30pm; Moraga Commons Park Band Shell, 1425 St. Mary's Road, Moraga
Have an event to add to future newsletters? Reply back and let me know!
Jen