Family Fun at the Asian Art Museum

Enjoy a visit to one of my absolute favorite museum in San Francisco. Spend quality time and jumpstart your child’s lifelong love for art and culture with the museum’s exciting educational programs. Explore the museum through immersive storytelling, tours, hands-on activities, artist demonstrations and seasonal celebrations. Or would you prefer a more self-guided approach? The museum offers thematic gallery guides as well as interactive toolkits in order to enrich your time in the galleries.

For the younger ones aged 3-6, they can hop on a stART tour tailored just for them. Don’t miss the new Rhino Club’s activities. There’s also the Teen Pass, a free membership perfect for the 13–17 year old who wants to step up their art and culture intake, while being completely independent. Have fun and select your own program. And don’t forget to enjoy a delicious lunch at the museum’s fab cafe. Conclude your visit with a shopping spree at the museum’s gift store, stocked with wares designed to further ignite any imagination: unique books, colorful building sets, language blocks, stuffed animals, puzzles, greeting cards and beautiful jewelry and silk scarfs for mom – all financially supporting this amazing museum. To sweeten the deal, kids 12 and under are always admitted free to the museum. May I suggest to leave your iPhones at home, please?

Tickets and Information
415-581-3624
asianart.org
Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin Street in San Francisco

Photo courtesy of Asian Art Museum

2019 Gilroy Garlic Festival
July 26, 27 and 28

The distinctive aroma of garlic reached my home’s open windows to announce the arrival of the 41st annual Gilroy Garlic Festival, the largest garlic festival in the world attracting more than 100,000 visitors to the city of Gilroy (known as the Garlic Capital of the world) each year.

New this year: Tom Coliccio, the James Beard award-winning chef and restaurateur, and Teresa Giudice, one of the stars on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” will be the culinary celebrities who will spread the heavenly garlic scent and demonstrate their favorite garlic recipes. Don’t miss the cooking contests, the must-try garlic ice cream, this year’s new signature cocktail, Whiskey Daisy the Garlic Festival Mule, and the best free souvenir you can take home after learning how to make a garlic braid.

Swing to the sounds of rock, blues and jazz performed on three stages with special guests Colbie Caillat and her band Gone West for a country music concert, Nashville-style, with a cowboy boot stomping show. And much, much more… The festival benefits good causes, raising more than $11.7 million for local nonprofits and schools. Don’t forget to wear a wide brim hat and bring an ample supply of sunscreen. It’s heating up in the city of Gilroy!

Tickets and Information
Admission starts at $7.99
408-842-1625
Ride the Garlic Train to the Festival
gilroygarlicfestival.com
Highway 101 or 152 will lead your way to Gilroy

Photo courtesy of Gilroy Garlic Festival

Port-apallooza – The Secret of Making Port
July 27 from 7 p.m to 9 p.m.

Join renowned winemaker Dan Baldwin as he presents a seminar on the history of port and how it is made. Following the presentation, guests will sample ports from the barrels of several Livermore Valley wineries and pair them with cheese and chocolates.

Enjoy, learn and make it a summer weekend getaway with an overnight stay at my preferred Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort & Spa, located on twenty-three acres in beautiful Livermore Wine Country. The Purple Orchid Resort & Spa is available for lodging and day spa services. Rios-Lovell is a family-owned and operated estate winery in the heart of Livermore Valley. The 68 acre estate sits on a hilltop on Tesla Road and has an amazing panoramic view of surrounding vineyards and mountains. Grown, produced and bottled on site, it is a pride of California’s wine country.

Tickets and Information
Price: $35 per person
925-443-0434
lvwine.org
Rios-Lovell Estate Winery
6500 Tesla Road in Livermore
purpleorchid.com

Photo courtesy of Rios-Lovell Estate Winery

34th Annual Berkeley Kite Festival and Championship
July 27, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., July 28, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Kites aren’t just for kids anymore. Partake in the excitement and artistry of modern kite flying where the earth, wind, and sky combine an unequaled festival experience. You’ll find something for everyone, from the Giant Creature Kites as big as houses to the free kite making, kite lessons, candy drops for kids, Rokkaku battle, bounce houses, petting zoo, pony rides, arts and crafts, and face painting. Live music and Taiko drummers will welcome the kite team of Japan. Did I mention to have fun!

Information
Free admission
Parking: $20 per car at Golden Gate Fields includes free shuttles to and from the festival
Free Valet Bike Parking
Cesar E. Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina

Photo courtesy of Berkeley Kite Festival

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England, she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, with no borsch or piroshky on her home cooking menu. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out, mostly sushi.