San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Abundant events celebrate arrival of spring
A year of reinventing how we do big holiday celebrations has given springtime event organizers the experience to boldly reimagine seasonal classics, such as Easter egg hunts turned into eggceptional drivethroughs.
With the vaccine rollout now under way and COVID19 case numbers trending downward, the vernal equinox on March 20 brought big hopes for renewal and growth, and things are shaping up with many celebratory options for this year’s Easter (April 4) holiday and other flowery festivities.
From inperson, familyfriendly offerings to virtual celebrations, here are some ways to celebrate Easter and all things spring in the Bay Area this year:
Egg hunts and other outdoor events
Fort Mason Flix: “Hop” (2011. PG. 94 min.) Starring James Marsden, Russell Brand, Hugh Laurie, Hank Azaria, Kaley Cuoco, Gary Cole, Elizabeth Perkins and Chelsea Handler. From the creators of “Despicable Me” comes a comedy about candy, chicks and rock ’n’ roll.
5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 28. $49 per vehicle. Tickets available online. Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd., S.F. fortmason.org
Las Gallinas Drive Thru Easter Eggstravaganza: Wave to the Easter Bunny and receive treat bags and eggs as you drive through. Participants must remain in their vehicles and wear a face covering.
10 a.m.noon Saturday, April 3. Free. Marinwood Community Center parking lot, 775 Miller Creek Road, San Rafael. 4154790775. lasgallinaslions.com
Bon Air Center’s Socially Distanced Easter Celebration: Children of all ages can score free jelly beans, balloons and floppy bunny ears and strike a pose for a photo as the big rabbit waves from inside its sweetly decorated bunny burrow.
11 a.m.2 p.m. Saturday, April 3. Free. Bon Air Center, 50 Bon Air Center/Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Greenbrae. 4154610200. www.bonair.com
Pinole DriveThru Spring Eggstravaganza: Take a drive through the bunny burrow, wave to Easter bunnies, find and count special “hidden” eggs, and collect a sweet treat.
24 p.m. Saturday, April 3. Free. Public Safety Parking Lot, 880 Tennent Ave., Pinole. 5107249000. ci.pinole.ca.us
Easter Weekend at Bees ’n’ Blooms: Picnic, explore, walk the labyrinth and shop for springtime goodies at this Santa Rosa attraction. They will have a variety of certified organic tomato and pepper plant starts for sale. Preorder plants to pick up on that weekend at beesnblooms.square.site.
10 a.m.3 p.m. SaturdaySunday, April 34. Free. 3883 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa. 7072938293. beesnblooms.com
Kathy’s Creative Kakes Easter Panorama Sugar Egg Workshops: Bring your design talent and imagination, and make your own creative keepsake egg. A large sugar Easter egg, colored icing, bunnies, chicks, lambs and flowers to decorate it will be provided.
TuesdaySunday 11 a.m.7 p.m. Through Saturday, April 3. $25 per egg. Reservations available online. Hillsdale Shopping Center, 60 31st Ave., San Mateo. 6503485253. kathyskakes.com
Fort Mason Center Farmers’ Market Egg Drop 2021: Children and teens up to 15 years old can enter the contest to win prizes. Create something that keeps an egg from breaking after a threestory drop. Register in advance or at the information booth during the morning market. All who enter will receive a goody bag and certificate. Participants whose eggs survive the drop will be entered into a raffle. Drop off your egg from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the market and then tune in to the Farmers’ Market Facebook channel at noon for the livestreamed egg drop.
9:3011:45 a.m. Sunday, April 4. Free. Fort Mason Center Farmers’ Market, 2 Marina Blvd., S.F. 8008063276. fortmason.org
Easter in the Ruth Bancroft Garden: Enjoy the spring blooms and special Easter activities including a bunny scavenger hunt, professional Easter portraits, Instagram photo contest and more. Dogs on leash are welcome. Timed entry reservations are available at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
10 a.m.4 p.m. Sunday, April 4. $8$10, free for children under 12. The Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. 9259449352. ruthbancroft garden.org/easter2021
Meritage/Vista Collina Easter Brunch Buffet and Egg Hunt: An outdoor Easter brunch that includes a glass of sparkling wine paired with a familystyle first course, as well as carving and dessert stations. Brunch guests will enjoy complimentary access to children’s activities including Easter egg hunts, photos with the Easter Bunny and more.
10:30 a.m.2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 4. $40$95 per person, children under 5 are free. Reservations required. Meritage Resort, 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa. 8442385361. meritagecollection.com
Wine Road Easter Egg Barrel Hunt: With 30 wineries participating, explore the Sonoma County wine road and snap a selfie with the “hiding” decorated wine barrels as you tour vineyards and taste wines in the great outdoors. Find a map to the participating venues at bit.ly/barrelhunt2021. Tag @thewineroad and use the hashtags #WineRoadBarrels #EasterEggBarrels when posting the selfies on social media to be eligible for prizes. Through April 11. Free to participate, tasting prices vary. wineroad.com/eastereggbarrels
Virtual Offerings
San Mateo County History Museum Online Free First Fridays:Preschool children are invited to learn about the Islamic holiday of Ramadan, which is celebrated from April 12 through May 12 and includes fasting during daylight hours and celebration of charitable work. Make a paper lantern at home and hear a story titled “Rashad’s Ramadan.” Docents will lead an online tour of the museum for adults.
10 a.m. Friday, April 2. Free. 6502990104. historysmc.org/ freefirstfridays
The Alexander String Quartet: “The Seven Last Words of Christ.” The celebrated chamber ensemble, featuring violinists Zakarias Grafilo and Frederick Lifsitz, violist David Samuel and cellist Sandy Wilson, will perform the piece, interspersed with reflections by Anna Deavere Smith, Dr. Sandra Montes, Uriah Kim and the Very Rev. Alan Jones, dean emeritus of Grace Cathedral.
6 p.m. Friday, April 2. Free, $10$40 suggested donation. Register online. Available to stream on the Grace Cathedral Facebook channel. 4157496300. gracecathedral.org