Stern Grove050

The site of the oldest admission-free summer performing arts festival of its kind in America, this thirty-acre park has hosted big name musical acts, ballets, and symphony performances on summer Sunday afternoons since 1938.

The Stern Grove Festival can attract thousands so it's obviously best to show up early and stake out a place. Depending on the popularity of the performers, the grove can start filling up several hours in advance. Many locals bring the Sunday Chronicle and some board games to pass the time before the music begins.

We also have to warn you that it gets very foggy in the leafy grove of redwoods and eucalyptus trees. It can also get really hot. Bring layers! If your children's attention wanders, or you simply need to warm up/cool down, there are plenty of scenic pathways to explore. Walk up and down rolling hills, past a lake and picnic areas, and by tennis courts, game courts, and a playing fields.