Ready or not, Father’s Day is Sunday, June 15, 2025, and there are as many fun ways to spend a day with Dad as there are dads. We’ve rounded up local destinations to create this guide and packed it with ideas for East Bay families looking for together time.
Father’s Day Activity Ideas for East Bay Families
Sportfishing adventure. This is an all-day adventure, but worth the early wake-up call! Captain Adam from Gatherer Outfitters in Berkeley will take care of you and your little ones. Want a shorter and leisurely boat ride? How about a ferry ride to Angel Island?
Visit the farm. The East Bay is filled with family-friendly farms. Enjoy visiting with goats, chickens, and cows. There may even be special activities and crafts, animal feeding opportunities, or pony rides to make the day even more memorable.
Hike to a pancake breakfast. Enjoy Father’s Day breakfast at Mt. Tam’s historic West Point Inn. The hike is fun, the views are spectacular and the pancakes are tasty.
Paddle in the Bay. Sea Trek in Alameda is happy to rent you double kayaks or even take you on a guided tour.
See planes and dance. The Oakland Aviation Museum hosts a special Open Cockpit Day for Father’s Day with live musical performances and food for purchase.
Cool Car Show. Join the annual Blackhawk Museum Father’s Day Car Show with a “thrilling and wholesome” event for the whole family. Learn more >
All aboard! Families can ride the rails on a unique Father’s Day “Brew” Train ride through the Santa Cruz forest. Learn more >
Go fish! There are many kid-friendly fishing spots in the East Bay or you could go big for a sportfishing trip on the Bay.
Round of golf. Maybe he’d like to take the kids for some par 3 golfing action or send him alone!
Take a bike ride together. Here are a bunch of spots to ride your two wheels.
Embark on a cruise. Sail around the Bay on a special Father’s Day Brunch Cruise with City Cruises.
Do something together on Sunday, June 15 (more family-friendly happenings)
As long as you’re hanging with Dad, you’re doing it right. Do any of these sound like the right way to be together?
10:00 am - 3:00 pm Historic Hay Harvest at Ardenwood Historic Farm
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Kensington Farmers' Market at Kensington Farmers’ Market
10:30 am - 11:00 am Sunday Storytime at Tilden Regional Park
11:00 am - 7:00 pm Drop-In Art Making at Berkeley Art Museum (BAMPFA)
11:00 am - 3:00 pm Father's Day Celebration at Crab Cove Visitor Center
11:00 am - 4:00 pm Open Cockpit Day at Oakland Aviation Museum
11:00 am - 9:00 pm Summer Play Days at Plank
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Storytime at Mr. Mopps at Mr. Mopps’ Children’s Books & Toys
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Summer Concerts in the Park at Memorial Park – Hayward
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Fish Feeding Viewing at Crab Cove Visitor Center
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Special Food on Father’s Day
Favorite Restaurant. To help dad enjoy the day, order a giant family-size meal or something tasty from one of the many Black-owned East Bay eateries. You could also pick up cool merch as gifts or gift cards to be used later.
Delicious Dessert. The weather on Father’s Day can get warm, so enjoy a cool treat with dear dad. See our Guide to Best Ice Cream Places in the East Bay.
Entertaining Grandpa on Father’s Day, too
Juneteenth Celebration
Celebrate African-American culture experience with family-friendly activities including art projects for kids, live music, and a 2-on-2 basketball tournament.
When: Sunday, June 16 from 11 am to 7 pm
Where: South Berkeley’s five-block Alcatraz-Adeline corridor (details here >)
Classic Rock Festival
Cover bands with 70s hits from Tom Petty to Bob Dylan. General admission is $50, kids 12 and under are FREE, teens are half-price. Kids activities, art installations, crafts, and more.
When: Sunday, June 16
Where: Mare Island, Vallejo Waterfront, CA (Tickets here >)
Oakland Zoo
Dads ride the train for free on Father’s Day at the Zoo.
Alameda County Fair
Held at the Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, this is a classic fair with carnival rides, games, fried food, and farm animals. More details >
Discounted tickets >
When: 12 pm til 11 pm on Father’s Day
Where: Pleasanton Fairgrounds
Gifts you can make
Decorate a cake. At this special event at Swings & Wings in Alameda, Lil Sweet Eats will host a cake decorating workshop on Saturday, June 15, so that you can present your cake on Father’s Day. Plus, kids get to play at the indoor play space. Reserve a spot here >
Dad Rocks. Use your custom-painted Dad Rocks rocks as paperweights or hide them in your neighborhood to bring smiles to others.
Kid-painted portrait of Dad. Here’s a coloring page template you can use as a jumping-off point to frame a kid’s drawing or painting of Dad.
Handmade tee shirts. This one is pretty easy: grab some WASHABLE markers and write a message of love on the kids’ clothes or hers: I love Dad, Dad Rules, I love Tacos & Dad, etc.
If you have more terrific ideas to spend the day with Dad, let us know in the comments!
