Things To Do In Los Gatos

Northern California might have arguably the world’s gentlest climate, but the terrain can be as rugged as anywhere. If you haven’t ascended Mt. Tamalpais north of Marin or Mt. Diablo out near Danville, you’re seriously missing out. As a nice alternative, hilly San Francisco’s many parks contain extraordinary vistas and secret spots that you don’t have to sprain an ankle to get to. Every third car commercial seemingly films a luxury sedan negotiating the curves of Twin Peaks Boulevard, but hiking up to San Francisco’s best-known lookout on foot is the most rewarding way to arrive. There’s any number of ways to get to the top via city streets; just keeping heading upwards from the Castro MUNI station, or try the dead-ends that line the bottom of the hill – they often contain a half-hidden staircase that’s perfect for a light workout. Twin Peaks Boulevard’s superlative views of downtown and the entire bay are worth the slight panting. After the U.S. military ceded the Presidio to civilians in the 1990s, restoration began on the trails that snake through the eucalyptus groves and WWII-era batteries within the park. Sure, the fog can sneak up on you quickly in summer and one of the beaches is clothing-optional, but you can’t get any closer to the Golden Gate Bridge than the Bluffs-to-Batteries Trail above Baker Beach. If you’re not in the mood for the moderate climb, the narrow road that leads from Crissy Field to Fort Point – sea level all the way – is as historic as it is stunning. Although it seems that the middle of San Francisco is nothing but hilltops, in the very center lies a mysterious crevasse: Glen Canyon. Not to be confused with the national park in Utah, this 70-acre, dog-friendly urban idyll may have steep walls, but the floor can be hiked by almost everyone. Amid the rock formations and hundred-year-old structures runs one of only two natural streams left in the city, making it a lush habitat for native vegetation and endangered species year-round. The southeast entrance, blocks from the Glen Park BART station, is easily found, but the trailhead behind the Diamond Heights shopping center offers the more startling views. Bernal Hill is romantic, but it’s crawling with people. For a little more solitude, head for the next hill south: John McLaren Park, located between Portola and Excelsior. While its eastern flank overlooks the more industrial section of town, the thick woods that make up the second-largest park in San Francisco (after Golden Gate Park) keep the wildflower dells shrouded and human interference to a minimum. An easy grade and access from all points make McLaren the best secret spot for a combination hike/picnic in the grass. It’s so secluded you could even take a nap.

This week: the Ballet Folklórico performs Mexican dances in incredible outfits, the Cartoon Art Museum displays pages from The Punisher, the aquarium holds a Shark Week event for grownups, Glen Hansard sings in Oakland, and a 5-foot-1 actress embodies a 5-foot-10 boxer. As always, check Groupon for more exciting things to do in San Francisco. Mex I Am Festival SoMa | Saturday, August 2–Sunday, August 3 In the final days of the Mex I Am Festival at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, performers celebrate their Mexican heritage through theater, music, and dance. The Ballet Folklórico de México concludes the proceedings on Sunday with both contemporary and traditional choreography, starring dancers costumed in almost every color imaginable. (701 Mission St.; $15–$25; buy tickets here) Pay What You Wish Day at the Cartoon Art Museum SoMa | Tuesday, August 5 The first Tuesday of the month means that you can choose your own admission fee at the Cartoon Art Museum. This week is also your last chance to catch iconic pages from The Punisher, Captain America, and The Amazing Spider-Man as part of Raw Fury: The Art of Mike Zeck. If you’re excited for the upcoming reboot, check out the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles retrospective, which includes comic art as well as relics from the 1980s animated television show. (655 Mission St.; pay what you wish) Aquapalooza at Aquarium of the Bay North Beach | Wednesday, August 6 It’s Shark Week at the Aquarium of the Bay, and what better way to party than by dancing with the sharks themselves? Guests at Aquapalooza, an after-hours adult event, can wear headphones and boogie down a 300-foot, shark-filled tunnel during a Silent Disco. The event also features a cash bar with cocktails by Tonic, crafts, and a lab where you can chat up a shark expert. (2 Beach St.; $15–$20; buy tickets here) Glen Hansard Oakland | Thursday, August 7 Didn’t score tickets to Outside Lands or the Bey-Jay On the Run tour? There are still plenty of other shows to see, including this one at the Fox Theater. The Irish singer-songwriter of Once fame will most likely showcase soulful covers (Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison are possibilities) and original work from his latest solo album and EP. (1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland; $35; buy tickets here) Tough Mission | Saturday, August 2; Thursday, August 7–Saturday, August 9 By portraying the 19th-century foul-mouthed boxer John L. Sullivan, the comparatively petite Chris Black upends conventional definitions of strength in this one-woman show at Z Space’s Z Below. The plot follows Sullivan’s rise and fall from stardom, all while examining the ties that bind art and athleticism. (470 Florida St.; $25; buy tickets here) Image credits: ballet photo courtesy of the Ballet Folklórico de México, Cartoon Art Museum photo by Andrew Nesbitt, shark photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Glen Hansard photo by RealityIntolerant, Tough photo by Lydia Daniller.

The Fourth of July has come and gone, but there’s plenty left to celebrate—the power of pony friendship, for instance. This week, get close to some bronies, support local hip-hop artists, watch artists as they draw, judge air-guitar performances, and drop by Petaluma for an outdoor festival. Of course, you can also check Groupon for more things to do in San Francisco. A Brony Tale Pacific Heights | Tuesday, July 8, 7 p.m. A Brony Tale follows Ashleigh Ball, who voices Rainbow Dash and Applejack on My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, on her visit to the world’s largest My Little Pony fan convention: BronyCon. Attend the documentary’s premiere screening to see how the world’s preconceptions about bronies—men who are devotees of the cartoon—get thoroughly challenged. (Clay Theatre, 2261 Fillmore St.; $12.50; buy tickets here) 2Racks Rap Contest SoMa | Wednesday, July 9 The 2Racks Rap Contest is just one way that Bay Area rapper and producer Sellassie is trying to “Stop Hatin’ in the Bay.” The live song competition awards its winner a $2,000 prize, but more importantly, it brings independent hip-hop artists together for a chance to support one another’s work. The lineup includes Democritus, Dush Tray, Way 2 Saucy, and more. (1015 Folsom, 1015 Folsom St.; $20; buy tickets here) Monster Drawing Rally Mission | Friday, July 11 At the 11th annual Monster Drawing Rally, audiences can watch more than 120 artists sketch new pieces from start to finish. The artists draw in shifts while DJs provide background music, and each work is put up for sale immediately upon completion, priced at $60. All of those proceeds then go toward art programs at Southern Exposure. (The Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa St.; free) US Air Guitar Championships Semifinals NoPa | Saturday, July 12, 8:30 p.m. Playing professional air guitar involves more rules than you might think. No air-drumming is allowed, for example, and guitarists are evaluated on three criteria: technical merit, stage presence, and “airness,” or the degree to which you embody the art’s unique spirit. Learn the rest of the rules and see who will proceed to the finals at the competition this weekend. (The Independent, 628 Divisadero St.; $20; buy tickets here) Petaluma’s Art & Garden Festival Historic Downtown Petaluma | Sunday, July 13, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. More than 100 vendors of artisanal goods will make the drive up to Petaluma more than worth it on Sunday. In addition to the arts and crafts on sale, the festival will have drinks from local wineries, a kid zone with a climbing wall, and live music from bands such as Danny Click and the Hell Yeahs!. Guests with green thumbs can even consult expert gardeners for growing tips. (4th Street and Kentucky Street, Petaluma; free) Monster Drawing Rally photo by Catherine McElhone, courtesy of Southern Exposure; Petaluma’s Art & Garden Festival photo courtesy of Petaluma Downtown Association & Visitors Center