Outdoor Activities to Celebrate Father’s Day on the West Coast
One of the best parts about living on the West Coast is the amazing year-round weather. Whether your dad loves golfing, hiking, biking, kayaking, paddle boarding, flying a kite, or indulging in delicious BBQ, beer tasting, and listening to live music, the West Coast has plenty of fun things for this special Father’s Day. Consider one of these nine outdoor Father’s Day ideas to try this year!
Seattle Metro Area
Go Fly a Kite
Seattle and the surrounding areas are the perfect places to explore the joys of flying a kite on a windy day. From Kite Hill at Magnuson Park to Gas Works Park in Seattle to Marina Beach Park in the idyllic seaside town of Edmonds, enjoy the day at one of these recommended kite-flying locales where the whole family can picnic and spend a memorable morning or afternoon with Dad.
Hit the Links
Seattle usually conjures images of coffee, grunge music, and drizzly weather. Golf may not come to mind right away; yet the area has surprisingly become one of the nation’s top golf destinations over the last decade, luring in top players and developing a thriving scene. If your dad loves to show off his backswing, he’ll want to check out these top 10 Seattle area courses. Generally considered the best public golf course in the state, Chambers Bay is just a short road trip from the luxurious Essex community of Wandering Creek in Kent, Washington.
Share a Brew or Two
Does nothing make your dad happier than a golden cup of suds? Fathers who live in the Pacific Northwest can get their fill of craft beers and more at the Washington Brewers Festival this Father’s Day weekend. Happening Saturday and Sunday at King County’s Marymoor Park, the 15th Annual all-ages event features over 400 beers plus food trucks, a live music stage, wine, cider, and all-ages activities, including a root beer garden for the kids!
Northern California
Cast a Rod
Grab your tackle box, bait, and fishing poles this Father’s Day for some old-fashioned bonding with dad. Northern California has many wonderful options to consider when it comes to world-class fishing grounds. Top spots include Bodega Bay, Pillar Point Harbor, and Pacifica Pier, where you can catch everything from salmon to flounder to halibut and more. Plus, at just a short drive from our luxurious Fox Plaza apartments on Market Street, it’s city accessible!
Take it to the Yard
Does your dad like to get physical? Is he competitive? This year skip the Father’s Day crafts and board games. Instead, try some trendy yard games for Father’s Day activities in your community green area or even a nearby park. Bump-set-spike your way to victory against dad in a fast-paced game of spike ball. Bone up on your Bocce Ball or get in on the cornhole and pickleball crazes sweeping the nation. Test your Frisbee flying skills, then get ready for the summer carnival with a game of washer toss. You’re bound to have a blast with your dad no matter who wins.
Roll Old School
Classic car events may seem like just another blast from the past, but these fun festivals still lure in plenty of dads year-round. California knows how to party when it comes to hot rods, lowriders, classic restorations, and cool customs! This year is lucky number 16 for the Nor Coast Rodders Car Club Annual Classic Car Show. It’s happening Saturday, June 18, in the heart of Downtown Fort Bragg, with some proceeds going to the Mendocino Coast Children’s Fund. This kind of family fun is the perfect Father’s Day activity for dad and grandpa!
Southern California
Go Paddle Boarding or Kayaking
Stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking are amazing ways to enjoy the beauty of nature while getting some exercise. Huntington Harbor in Huntington Beach is the perfect location for an easy and relaxing session on calm waters with pretty views of ships and beach houses. Plenty of harbor shops offer rentals and instruction, like OEX Sunset Beach. Try launching from the small beach at Seabridge Park, which also provides restrooms and showers. Afterward, take dad to a Father’s Day brunch at one of the destination’s top restaurants nearby, such as Duke’s or Tanner's
Take a Scenic Bike Ride
The Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles are laced with mountain bike trails that cross various terrain, from ridgetops to canyon floors. For outdoorsy Southern California dads, a bike ride in nature is the perfect way to spend the day. Casually pedal along or charge the peak to view the majestic Pacific. The National Park Recreation Area also offers camping, hiking, climbing, horseback riding, wildflower sighting, and more! Plan ahead for bike rentals if needed.Make it a Beach Day
If you are ready to explore the world of ocean creatures with your beach-loving dad for Father’s Day, skip the lines at SeaWorld and hit the sand in Orange County for some tide pooling at Crystal Cove, which is also one of our five favorite West Coast hiking spots
Nestled on the coast in Newport Beach, Crystal Cove State Park is a natural wonder and the perfect beach getaway. Celebrate Father’s Day on over three miles along the iconic Pacific coastline and enjoy tide pool exploration along the pristine beaches. Best of all, the park is a fifteen-minute drive from Essex community Fairway at Big Canyon..
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