Travel is more fun with kids

Spring Events at the Jelly Belly Visitor Center in Fairfield

Jelly Belly Factory
Location 1 Jelly Belly Ln, Fairfield,CA
www.jellybelly.com
Tel: 1-800-9-JELLYBEAN (1-800-953-5592)

Free candy factory tours daily, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at One Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield. For more information (800) 953-5592 or visit www.JellyBelly.com.

Notice

Due to their annual inventory check/maintenance schedule, there will be no candy production in the factory on the following dates:
Thursday and Friday, March 29th and 30th
Monday, June 4th through Sunday, June 24th
Tours will still be conducted, but in a non-working factory. See the Weekend Tours section on the Factory Tours page for details.

 

Monday, February 20^th  

Cherry Sampling Day at Jelly Belly  - 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  

In honor of America’s first president, Jelly Belly hosts a Cherry Taste Off; Vote for your favorite cherry-inspired confection at our free sampling of Very Cherry Jelly Belly beans, Very Cherry soda, Very Cherry Chocolate Dips and hand-made cherry-flavored fudge from our Chocolate Shoppe. 

 

Monday, April 2^nd through Saturday April 7^{th -} Visit the Easter Bunny at Jelly Belly

Monday-Friday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Create a special Easter memory at Jelly Belly Visitor Center with the Easter Bunny. Professional photos available for purchase or bring your own camera!

 

Saturday, April 7^th

Brunch with Mr. Jelly Belly and the Easter Bunnies - 10:00 a.m.

Join Mr. Jelly Belly, Wendell and Wendy Bunny for a private brunch at the Jelly Belly Visitor Center, with entertainment and Easter treats. $19.99 for children and adults ages 3+. Children ages 2 and under free. Tickets by advance purchase, reservations required at visit www.jellybelly.com.

 

Sunday, April 22^nd

Celebrate National Jelly Bean Day at Jelly Belly 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

 

Join us at the Visitor Center for National Jelly Bean Day! Learn fun facts about our Jelly Belly jelly beans and participate in jelly bean inspired activities.

Free days at the San Francisco Museums - February 2012

The following museums are free one day a month.

Museum of Modern Art
www.sfmoma.org
Facebook: SFMOMA
Twitter: @SFMOMA
151 Third Street (between Mission and Howard)- SOMA
Free on Tuesday February 7th

Contemporary Jewish Museum
www.thecjm.org
Facebook: Contemporary Jewish Museum
Twitter: @Jewseum
736 Mission Street - SOMA
Free on Tuesday February 7th

De Young Museum
www.deyoung.famsf.org
Facebook: de Young Museum
Twitter: @deyoungmuseum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park
Phone: (415) 750 3600
Free on Tuesday February 7th

 

Museum of Legion of Honor
www.legionofhonor.famsf.org
Facebook: Legion of Honor Museum
Twitter: @deyoungmuseum
Lincoln Park, 100 34th avenue
Phone: (415) 750 3600
Free on Tuesday February 7th

Conservatory of Flowers
www.conservatoryofflowers.org
Facebook: San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers
Twitter: @SFConservatory
100 John F. Kennedy Drive – Golden Gate Park
Phone: (415) 831-2090
Free on Tuesday February 7th

Cartoon Art Museum
www.cartoonart.org
Facebook: Cartoon Art Museum
Twitter: @cartoonart
655 Mission Street - SOMA
Phone: (415) 227-8666
Tuesday February 7th is ‘pay what you wish day’ 

Asian Art Museum
www.asianart.org
Facebook: Asian Art Museum
Twitter: @asianartmuseum
200 Larkin Street – Civic Center
Phone: (415) 581-3500
Free on Sunday February 5th

Academy of Sciences
www.calacademy.org
Facebook: California Academy of Sciences
Twitter: @calacademy
Iphone App:
55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park
Phone: (415) 379-8000
Free on Sunday February 5th

San Francisco Botanical Gardens
www.sfbotanicalgarden.org
Facebook: San Francisco Botanical Garden
9^th Avenue and Lincoln Way – Golden Gate Park
Free on Tuesday February 14th
Free for San Francisco City and County residents with proof of residency

Exploratorium
www.exploratorium.edu
Facebook: The Exploratorium
Twitter: @exploratorium
3601 Lyon Street (@ Jefferson) – Marina – Will move to Pier 15 on the Waterfront in 2013
Phone: (415) 561-0360
Free on Wednesday February 15th

Chinese Historical Society of America
www.chsa.org
Facebook: Chinese Historical Society of America
Twitter: @CHSAmuseum
965 Clay Street - Chinatown
Phone: (415) 391-1188
Free on Thursday February 2nd

SF Camerawork
www.sfcamerawork.org
657 Mission Street, 2nd Floor
Phone: (415) 512-2020
Free on Tuesday February 7th

Yerba Buena Gardens
www.ybca.org 
Free gallery admission on Tuesday February 7th

Japanese Tea Garden
www.japaneseteagardensf.com
7 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive – Golden Gate Park
Admission is free on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays if you enter by 10 am.

Puccini's Girl of the Golden West - the movie - Free. Register now!

A FREE one-hour movie for families with a live introduction.
Saturday, February 25 and  Sunday, February 26, 2012
1:30pm and 3:30pm at the Herbst Theatre
Recommended for ages 8 and up

Puccini's Girl of the Golden West is the opera version of a classic Western—we meet a crafty criminal, a suspicious sheriff and a frontier woman with a tender heart who knows how to shoot a gun. The dramatic love triangle is set in California during the Gold Rush.
Created from San Francisco Opera's Girl of the Golden West in 2010, this one-hour movie is a perfect way for families to learn about the magic of opera. The Company's Education Department produced the movie version for Bay Area school and community programs.

The movie is in Italian, with English subtitles.

Click here to see a 3-minute video.

ADVANCED REGISTRATION is required for this free event. Doors open 30 minutes before each show time. General Admission seating with confirmation page print out. Please click below to register now.

REGISTER NOW

Herbst Theatre
Veterans Building
401 Van Ness Avenue at McAllister
San Francisco

Family resource materials, including story synopsis, biographies, slideshows of production photos, and audio and video examples are located at sfopera.com/girlresources.

Chinese New Year Celebrations in San Francisco - 2012 Year of the Dragon

This year, Chinese New Year falls on January 23rd and we will celebrate the Year of the Dragon. We will also enter the lunar year 4710.

Copyright SayNotes

Chinese families celebrate the new year by being together, giving each other gifts, eating symbolic foods and display decorations, all that in an effort for bringing good luck for the year to come.
San Francisco will have a lot going on before and after the New Year.

Check out these kid-friendly events.

Mark your calendar. The Chinese New Year Parade will be on Saturday February 11th from 5:15 pm to 8 pm.

Call 415 986-1370 or 415 982-3071 if you want to sit in the bleachers. ($30)

Monday January 23rd - Chinese New Year Day

Saturday February 4 - 10 am-4 pm
Chinese New Year Basketball Jamboree
Francisco Middle School/Gym in Annex Building
2190 Powell Street, San Francisco
Contact: Kenny Lee 415 291-7900

Check out six exciting basketball games. The kids on the teams are from the San Francisco Middle Schools and the greater San Francisco Chinese-American communities. This popular basketball jamboree is celebrating its 18th year! Bring your family and friends and enjoy a great day of fun and slam dunk moments! 

Saturday February 11 - 5:15pm-8:00pm
Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade
Market and Second Street to Kearny and Jackson
Location of bleachers: Kearny Street (between Sacramento & California and between Pine & Bush)
415 986-1370 or 415 982-3071
Free but $30 for bleacher tickets
Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA), the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the grandest night illuminated Parades in the country. The Parade and Festival have grown to be the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia. Parade highlights include elaborate floats, lion dancers, folk dancers, costumed elementary school groups, marching bands, stilt walkers, Chinese acrobats, and a 250 foot long Golden Dragon ("Gum Lung.")

 

February 11-12
Saturday 10:00am-4:30pm
Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm

Chinese New Year Community Street Fair
Grant Avenue from California to Broadway St.
Pacific Avenue from Kearny to Stockton
Washington and Jackson Streets from Kearny to Stockton

Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of San Francisco's exhilarating Chinatown during one of the community's most exciting times of the year. Enjoy dance and music from throughout Asia and experience ancient and modern Chinese arts such as calligraphy, kite making and acrobatics.

 

Related Posts:

10 tips to enjoy the Chinese Parade with your kids

Free day at the San Francisco MOAD on January 16th in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

MoAD will celebrate the national observance of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday as a Day of Service, by providing FREE admission to the museum and programs throughout Monday January 16, 2012 from 11 am to 5 pm.

 

11-5pm Films about Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement will show continuously in the Wells Fargo Heritage Center.

12-1pm in the MoAD Salon, HBCU Campus Tours will present The 411 on HBCUs, information about the HBCUs and how to tour the various campuses.

12-4pm MoAD will host a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair with representatives from various HBCUs (Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Howard University, Florida A&M University, Alabama A&M University, Lemoyne Owens College & others).

12-4pm Vision Board Drop-in Art Activity

1-3pm Sidewalk Chalk art with Jamie Treacy

1-3pm Film Screening | More Than a Month, Filmmaker Shukree Hassan Tilghman sets off on a cross-country campaign to end Black History Month. His tongue-in-cheek journey explores the complexity and contradictions of relegating an entire group’s history to one month in a so-called “post-racial” America. Film screening followed by a panel discussion with the filmmaker. Co-presented by MoAD, ITVS and KQED.

3:30-5pm Film Screening | The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement, a documentary that chronicles the stories of a barber-turned-civil rights leader during the 2008 presidential campaign. Film screening followed by a panel discussion with the filmmaker.

MOAD
www.moadsf.org
685 Mission Street (at Third)
San Francisco
Tel: 415.358.7252

Things To Do
San Francisco

Free Entrance Days in the US National Park in 2012

Make plans now to visit the national parks on these 2012 fee-free dates:

• January 14-16
  Martin Luther King Jr. weekend 
   
• April 21-29
  National Park Week
   
• June 9
  Get Outdoors Day
   
• September 29
  National Public Lands Day
  
  
• November 10-12
  Veterans Day weekend

Here is the list of the California Parks:

Cabrillo National Monument
Death Valley National Park
John Muir National Historic Site
Joshua Tree National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lava Beds National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument
Pinnacles National Monument
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Sequoia National Park
Whiskeytown Unit National Recreation Area
Yosemite National Park

Two silly girls enjoying Death Valley

Things To Do

Free entrance at the Jewish Contemporary Museum on December 25th

Sponsored by Target, the Contemporary Jewish Museum's Community Free Day on Christmas is a day of admission-free fun for all.

In celebration of the exhibition Houdini: Art and Magic, families can make their own optical illusion spinning tops to take home and enjoy the magic of Jade with three free performances throughout the day at 11:30 am, 1 pm and 2:30 pm (space available on a first-come-first-served basis).

The allure of Jade's magic stems from her Chinese heritage and her childhood on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Jade took the male-dominated world of magic by storm in 1990, when she won first place in the International Brotherhood of Magicians' World Magic Competition. A panel of celebrity judges honored her with the organization's coveted Gold Medal of Magic, a prize awarded only a handful of times in the competition's 20-year history. To date, she remains the sole woman to receive this honor.

Photo Courtesy of Jade
                        
Sunday, December 25, 2011
11 AM – 4 PM
                 
Contemporary Jewish Museum
736 Mission Street (between Third and Fourth streets), San Francisco
www.thecjm.org or 415.655.7800.

Free days at the San Francisco Museums in December

The following museums are free one day a month.

Museum of Modern Art
www.sfmoma.org
Facebook: SFMOMA
Twitter: @SFMOMA
151 Third Street (between Mission and Howard)- SOMA
Free on Tuesday December 6th

Contemporary Jewish Museum
www.thecjm.org
Facebook: Contemporary Jewish Museum
Twitter: @Jewseum
736 Mission Street - SOMA
Free on Tuesday December 6th and on Christmas Day

De Young Museum
www.deyoung.famsf.org
Facebook: de Young Museum
Twitter: @deyoungmuseum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park
Phone: (415) 750 3600
Free on Tuesday December 6th

 

Museum of Legion of Honor
www.legionofhonor.famsf.org
Facebook: Legion of Honor Museum
Twitter: @deyoungmuseum
Lincoln Park, 100 34th avenue
Phone: (415) 750 3600
Free on Tuesday December 6th

Conservatory of Flowers
www.conservatoryofflowers.org
Facebook: San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers
Twitter: @SFConservatory
100 John F. Kennedy Drive – Golden Gate Park
Phone: (415) 831-2090
Free on Tuesday December 6th

 

Cartoon Art Museum
www.cartoonart.org
Facebook: Cartoon Art Museum
Twitter: @cartoonart
655 Mission Street - SOMA
Phone: (415) 227-8666
Tuesday December 6th is ‘pay what you wish day’  

Asian Art Museum
www.asianart.org
Facebook: Asian Art Museum
Twitter: @asianartmuseum
200 Larkin Street – Civic Center
Phone: (415) 581-3500
Free on Sunday December 4th

Academy of Sciences
www.calacademy.org
Facebook: California Academy of Sciences
Twitter: @calacademy
Iphone App:
55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park
Phone: (415) 379-8000
Free on Wednesday December 21st

San Francisco Botanical Gardens
www.sfbotanicalgarden.org
Facebook: San Francisco Botanical Garden
9^th Avenue and Lincoln Way – Golden Gate Park
Free on the December 13th, Christmas, and New Years’ Day
Free for San Francisco City and County residents with proof of residency

Exploratorium
www.exploratorium.edu
Facebook: The Exploratorium
Twitter: @exploratorium
3601 Lyon Street (@ Jefferson) – Marina – Will move to Pier 15 on the Waterfront in 2013
Phone: (415) 561-0360
Free on Wednesday December 21st

Chinese Historical Society of America
www.chsa.org
Facebook: Chinese Historical Society of America
Twitter: @CHSAmuseum
965 Clay Street - Chinatown
Phone: (415) 391-1188
Free on Thursday December 1st

SF Camerawork
www.sfcamerawork.org
657 Mission Street, 2nd Floor
Phone: (415) 512-2020
Free on Tuesday December 6th

Yerba Buena Gardens
www.ybca.org Double check
Free gallery admission on Tuesday December 6th

Japanese Tea Garden
www.japaneseteagardensf.com
7 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive – Golden Gate Park
Admission is free on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays if you enter by 10 am.

Things To Do
San Francisco

Going to Paris on a budget? Time to get 'Your Guide to Visit Paris for Free'

If you are thinking of visiting Paris or know somebody who does, check out my book ‘Your Guide to Visit Paris for Free’.

It is a mine of information on what to do in the City of Light without spending a dime. Did you know about the passages, the free guided tours or even the free fashion show that happens every week at the Galeries Lafayette? Who knew there were so many free things to enjoy in Paris? The book is full of insider information about places and days of the food  markets, the parks, churches, metro passes, and so much more! As a bonus, enjoy 8 paid activities you should not miss.

Go to www.visiparisforfree.com and download two chapters of the book for free as well as 5 free walks ideas.

Pricing:

Paperback: $9.99
E-book: $5.99

Paperback: available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Buy it directly from me on CreateSpace!
E-book: available on Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook.

Paperback and kindle are also available on Amazon.de. 
Kindle version is also available on Amazon.co.uk.

Things To Do

Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting ceremonies in San Francisco

Mark your calendar!

Snowflakes on Market – Lighting Ceremony  
Nov. 17, 2011 through mid-January 2012  

More than 140 five-foot-wide energy-saving LED illuminated snowflakes will decorate Market Street's signature "Path of Gold" light poles this winter from Second to Sixth streets. A lighting ceremony, featuring dancers from the San Francisco Ballet’sNutcracker, is scheduled for Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. near the cable car turnaround at Powell and Market streets. The event is free and open to the public. For information, visit www.marketstreetassociation.org.  

24th Annual Embarcadero Center Building Lighting and Winter Carnival
Hyatt Regency San Francisco's "Home for the Holidays"  
Nov. 19 – Dec. 31, 2011  

Although it never snows in San Francisco, this year the Hyatt Regency San Francisco is predicting snowfall throughout the holiday season in its dramatic, Guinness Book of World Records’ Largest Atrium Lobby in the world. Complementing thousands of cascading lights and a dramatic 45-foot tree, snow will fall three times a day in the hotel's lobby, from November 19 through December 31, 2011. Free. For reservations and information, visit www.SanFranciscoHyattRegency.com or call415.788.1234 – extension 4241.

PIER 39 Tree Lighting Celebration
Nov. 20, Noon – 6 p.m.

PIER 39 welcomes special pals direct from the Disneyland® Resort to kick off the holidays with warmth, merriment and lots of holiday spirit. Families and friends are invited to PIER 39's Tree Lighting Celebration to give hugs to some of their favorite Disney Pals and sing along with live holiday entertainment. Then witness the spectacular illumination of PIER 39's majestic 60-foot tree, adorned with hundreds of bows, ornaments and glistening lights at 5:30pm in PIER 39's Entrance Plaza. Visitwww.pier39.com for more information.

 

Macy’s Great Tree Lighting 

Nov. 25, 2011 at 6 p.m. at Union Square

The 22nd annual illumination of Macy’s Great Tree includes more than 1,500 ornaments adorning the tree. For information, visit www.macys.com/believe.

47^th Annual Ghirardelli Square Tree Lighting Ceremony
Nov.25, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. 

Enjoy free, live entertainment for the entire family throughout the day culminating with the lighting of the Ghirardelli Square tree at 5:30pm. For more information, visit www.ghirardellisq.com.

 

Castro Holiday Tree
Nov. 28, 2011 at 6 p.m.

Join the Castro neighborhood as they light their holiday tree in the middle of this historic district, accompanied by music from the Lesbian/Gay Chorus, the Gay/Lesbian Freedom Band and assorted special celebrity guests. The crowd grows every year for this seasonal event. Immediately afterwards, start holiday shopping in the great variety of shops nearby, offering classic gifts and unique selections. For more information, visit www.castromerchants.com.

 

The Ritz-Carlton Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Nov. 29, 2011; 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

The holiday season begins at twilight, when the hotel’s 40-foot holiday tree is illuminated by Santa Claus and his little helper from The Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation. This special evening in the porte cochere includes Dickens-era costumed carolers, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts, holiday confections and visits with Santa after the ceremony. Complimentary and open to the community. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

Bill Graham Menorah Lighting in Union Square
Dec. 20-28, 2011

A tradition that dates back many decades, the giant menorah in Union Square will be lit each evening as part of Hannukkah festivities. For information, visit www.chabadsf.org.

Related Post:
Performances during the Holiday Season in San Francisco

Things To Do
San Francisco