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It’s Pride weekend in San Francisco. The weather’s going to be downright toasty in some areas. And large, hungry dinosaurs will be on the loose. So, yeah, it’s shaping up as a wild and wonderful weekend in the Bay Area, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. So here are seven terrific ways to spend your time, from a new Bay Area roller coaster to 10 unbelievably fun alfresco eateries.
1 PLAY: A Guide to Pride
Heading to the big parade this weekend in San Francisco? More than 100,000 spectators are expected to turn out for the grand spectacle, which includes a parade with more than 280 contingents, followed by a celebration and rally in the city’s Civic Center. Check out our Guide to Pride before you go for schedules, details and helpful tips on everything from the best vantage points to how to score a Harvey Milkshake and rainbow churros. By the way, take note that traffic all weekend, particularly Sunday, will be, um, challenging, in San Francisco. Check your Waze, public transportation websites and other sources of information and plan your trip before heading in the city.
2 SEE: T-rexes, velociraptors and Indoraptors, oh my!
“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” roars into theaters this week. And if you’ve seen the trailers you already know the basic storyline: A volcano erupts. Huge, hungry dinosaurs go on the rampage. Mayhem ensues. We can’t wait. Check out the review here. (And we’ve got some on-Jurassic cinematic suggestions here, too.)
3 EAT: 10 coolest new dining hot spots
Summer’s heating up and it’s time to take all that deliciousness outdoors. Naturally, we have a few suggestions — 10 of ’em! These awesome (and awesomely tasty) alfresco dining spots offer wonderful patios, decks and outdoor lounges to beat the heat, from Santa Clara’s new Puesto (their tacos and guac are off the hook) to Lafayette’s just-opened Batch & Brine and San Francisco’s colorful Papi Rico.
4 PLAY: Wheeeee! A new thrill ride!
Step right up, adrenaline junkies! Great America’s newest ride just opened and it’s an insane, single-rail roller coaster, with a 90-degree drop that will leave you screaming your head off. We’ve got the deets posted here along with video taken aboard the ride. (Psst, best viewed on an empty stomach, not a full one. Holy moly.) And if you’re curious about what else is new at California’s theme parks this summer, check out the lineup here. It’s Incredibly Pixar-y.
5 HEAR: Great tunes and hilarious jokes
It’s one of those weekends where you can find good shows without driving into the traffic craziness that will be Sunday in San Francisco. Head to San Jose, for example, if you want to catch blues greats like The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Wee Willie Walker at the Fountain Blues and Brews fest. Comedian Kevin Hart and folk-punk icons Violent Femmes each have two Bay Area shows this weekend; Jim Harrington has the deets on those shows here. And classical musical fans have two chances this weekend to catch some opera al fresco.
6 DRINK: Stylish Esquire-approved sips
Every year, Esquire magazine ranks the best bars in the country. Several of San Francisco’s best sipping spots have made the list in years past, including San Francisco’s very fun, gin-centric Whitechapel. But Oaklanders, take note! There’s an O-Town wine bar — Ordinaire — on the list this year. Check it (and the rest of the list) out here.
7 SEE: Two world premieres on stage
A new take on the timeless hero Don Quixote (only he’s riding a bicycle instead of a horse) is unfolding at Cal Shakes in Orinda, and this might one of those dandy weekends where you don’t need a down parka or thermal gloves to enjoy the performances there. Our review of the show is here. And in San Francisco, American Conservatory Theater is serving up the brand new musical version of the acclaimed 1960s-channeling film “A Walk on the Moon.” Catch the review is here.