Visit San Francisco to listen to bluegrass music and watch fighter jets soar, celebrate a South Asian Festival of lights in San Jose, indulge in chocolate, art, and wine in Suisun, or attend the biggest cruise fest in Sacramento. Can you do it all? It’s nonstop activities along the Capitol Corridor this weekend!
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival: 10/6 – 10/8, San Francisco
The 6th Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival takes place this weekend in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. As one of the largest free music festivals in the country, this year’s lineup will have over 90 acts on seven stages, featuring some of the biggest names in bluegrass. This year the addition of the “La Victrola” acoustic stage will feature spoken word and solo acoustic acts. Opening each morning at 10am, the festival expects over 750,000 attendees over the three-day musical extravaganza so get there early and set up a picnic blanket to stake your spot.
Getting there: Depending on your station of origin, take the train to the Richmond Station or Oakland Coliseum Station. There you can connect to BART for service into downtown San Francisco. Discount BART tickets are available for purchase in the Café Car. From downtown San Francisco, you can take Muni to Golden Gate Park. (Extra service will be provided throughout the weekend.)
Fleet Week Airshow: 10/6-10/8, San Francisco
It’s Fleet Week in San Francisco where citizens can learn about and get a chance to experience the life of a U.S. sailor. Throughout the week, U.S. Navy carriers, destroyers, and cruisers will be on display and open to the public. The week culminates in the anticipated Air Show featuring the United States Navy Blue Angels and Canadian Snowbirds. Watching them soar, dive, and spin over the bay is not to be missed. Seats for viewing can be purchased on the Fleet Week website. You can also find a vantage point overlooking the Marina to view the show for free!
Getting there: Depending on your station of origin, take the train to the Richmond Station or Oakland Coliseum Station. From there you can connect to BART for service into downtown San Francisco. Discount BART tickets are available for purchase in the Café Car.
Diwali Festival of Lights: 10/7 – 10/8, San Jose
Bring the whole family to the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose for the fifth annual Diwali Festival of Lights. Starting at noon on Saturday, October 7, and continuing on Sunday, October 8, families of all backgrounds are invited to participate in the Indian festival celebrating South Asian Culture. Activities for all ages include traditional folktale storytelling, classical and contemporary traditional dance, Diya lamp making, henna tattoos, and Rangoli design expressing creativity with hands-on art. Sample South Asian sweets like burfi and other delicious treats. The Diwali festival is one of the most celebrated festivals in Hinduism and is also observed by Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. The festival signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, hope over despair, and is an opportunity to pause and be grateful, make special memories, and share traditions. Radio Dehotties will be on-site, along with India Parent Magazine. General admission is $15; seniors $14; infants and museum members are free. Festivities are included in the price of admission.
Getting there: Take the train to the San Jose/Diridon Station. The museum is walking distance from the station and also accessible by the VTA with a free Transit Transfer from the Capitol Corridor.
Art, Wine and Chocolate Festival: 10/7, Suisun
Who can say no to a festival combining the love of chocolate, art, and wine? Head over to Suisun City’s Waterfront district this Saturday, October 7, to sample wines, chocolate, and other culinary delicacies while perusing works of art at the Art, Wine and Chocolate Festival. From 11am to 5pm, 85 artisan booths will display hand-crafted items, unique art, and tasty foods. Regional wineries will offer wine tasting samples coupled with fine chocolate candy, cupcakes, fudge and other chocolate culinary delicacies. Entertainment will be provided by Center Stage Entertainment and includes the bands Whiskey and Honey and the Black Rock Project. The event is sponsored by the Suisun City Historic Waterfront Business Improvement District and net proceeds will help fund Suisun City downtown/waterfront community projects.
Getting there: Take the train to the Suisun-Fairfield Station and enjoy a short stroll to the Waterfront District to reach the festival.
Cruisefest: 10/7, Sacramento
Come to the largest display of head-turning vehicles in Northern California at Cruisefest in Sacramento this Saturday, October 7. From 3pm to 5pm, there will be all types of cars, trucks, motorcycles, vintage trailers, and even boats, featured at the Cruisefest on Fulton Avenue, between Marconi and Cottage. Everything from antique to exotic, fun to one-of-a-kind, low-rider to hot rod, all eras and manufacturers will be represented. There will be plenty of Fulton Avenue local fares merchants, as well as food trucks and breweries. Enjoy multiple stages with live bands, a kids area, and a vendor booth area in the middle of the action. All proceeds from the event will benefit the California Automobile Museum.
Getting there: Take the train to the Sacramento Station. From there, you can hop on the SacRT Gold Line with a free Transit Transfer that you can request from the Capitol Corridor conductor.
Written by Sylvia Sheehan
Photo courtesy Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose