8 Fun Things To Do This Weekend In SF: May 13-15

The weekend is here, and Secret San Francisco wants to help you make the most of it! We put out awesome new weekend plans for you each week, so you’ll never find yourself all dressed up with nowhere to go.

1. Hearst Castle is back open after 2 years and $13.7M renovation

California State Parks has reopened Hearst Castle as of May 11, after 2 years of closures due to the pandemic and rainstorm damage. The famous estate in San Simeon has been a cornerstone of California history since 1919, and its reopening is sure to bring visitors from far and wide to once again marvel at its stunning landscape, glistening pools, and ornate interior décor.

2. Pier 70 has opened its massive 5-story RH (Restoration Hardware) gallery

San Francisco’s Pier 70 is an emerging arts and culture center in the Dogpatch, transformed from a collection of old WWII shipbuilding sites. RH (formerly known as Restoration Hardware) is the latest retail giant to establish its presence, having taken over all 5 stories of the historic and newly renovated Bethlehem Steel Building. It includes a beautiful atrium restaurant, several rooftops with firepits, and countless showrooms displaying the industry’s most luxurious and upscale home furnishings.

3. Check out this immersive 360° cinema through May 27

Local arts nonprofit Gray Area will is now hosting the US premiere of Gone, Gone Beyond, a 360° audiovisual cinema experience created by People Like Us (aka Vicki Bennett). After touring multiple venues across Europe, this spectacular work will be available for SF audiences to enjoy from May 12-27.

4. These sky-high soufflé pancakes in San Francisco are a must

Gram Cafe is the Bay Area’s authority on these gorgeous pillowy treats, which are made by whipping egg whites into a meringue and folding them into the batter. The result is a picture-perfect tower of jiggly pancakes which look fantastic and taste unbelievable, especially with house-made butter, maple syrup, and fresh whipped cream.

5. This funky restaurant hosts an epic merger of odd collectibles and tech bros

Buck’s of Woodside is a traditional American diner restaurant with an extensive collection of artifacts including a giant “indomitable salmon,” model planes suspended from the ceiling, and a Statue of Liberty wearing a sombrero. But what makes the restaurant even more unique is its role as a popular haunt for the techies of Silicon Valley, from venture capitalists to entrepreneurs.  The collision of this powerful tech crowd with the likes of a kitschy hammerhead shark sculpture is nothing short of art.

6. 40 fantastic museum exhibitions to see this summer in San Francisco

As we enter a new season in San Francisco, many local museums are refreshing and replacing their temporary exhibitions. Now’s a great time to take stock and plan ahead to see some of these wonderful displays before they’re gone.

• Diego Rivera’s America at SFMOMA, opening July 16
• Seeing Gender at the Asian Art Museum, now through September 5
• Guo Pei: Couture Fantasy at the Legion of Honor, now through September 5
• The Obama Portraits Tour at the de Young Museum, June 18-August 14
• And more!

7. Add Goat Yoga in Half Moon Bay to your self-care routine

Yes, you read that right – Goat Yoga classes are on at Lemos Farm in Half Moon Bay, and that’s our cue to become extreme fitness enthusiasts! Take a deep breath and work your way through some relaxing yoga poses while these adorable baby goats keep you company. They’re known to perch on your back during Cat-Cow, keep your Downward Dog in tip-top shape by licking your toes, and snuggling up during Child’s Pose.

8. Discover real Egyptian mummies and a walk-in tomb at this Bay Area museum

If you grew up in the Bay Area, there’s a good chance that you took a 6th grade field trip to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. This lesser-known museum in San Jose houses over 4,000 ancient Egyptian artifacts, making it the largest such collection on public display in western North America. Items include real human and animal mummies, ancient jewelry and sculptures, fascinating tools, and much more. Not only is the museum’s collection impressive, but it also has several beautiful gardens, a labyrinth, and a walk-in tomb.

 

Featured image: Photo by Catalina Johnson on Unsplash