While formal learning venues like colleges, extended ed, and even community centers are closed and lights out that doesn't mean learning and social connections are out of reach for San Francisco residents eager to learn and pump up those skills.
​
Though familiar concrete sites have disappeared for now, adult learning options are abundant in the San Francisco Bay Area with remote, digital, and virtual options for classrooms and workshops, museums, and interactive activities.  

Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Virtual Dance Center. San Francisco's premier dance destination for dance education for more than 35 years, has been an incredible gift for adult dance students at all levels offering workshops and master class instruction by elite choreographers, artists, and companies.

• While the Dance Center is closed due to the coronavirus crisis, a wide range of virtual dance classes are offered via Zoom. Live steam a dance class, including contemporary, ballet, hip-hop, fusion and more. Prices: $8, $15, or $25 with $8 recommended; higher fees are appreciated to support the Dance Center.

Virtual Wellness and Classes at San Francisco YMCA for wellness resources including live virtual classes led by Y of SF instructors.

• Classes include Strength, Yoga, and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)

​Attention seniors: Connecting with others for both social and learning opportunities is at the core of the amazing range of classes offered at San Francisco's Community Living Campaign.

• Community Connectors have organized and created a wide range of classes, activities, and events to engage seniors, people with disabilities, and neighbors of all ages for social connections and amazing learning opportunities that are enjoyable and enriching. See the Calendar​​​ ​listings.

The San Francisco Public Library offers robust access to books and media, research and articles, SF Historical photos, and much more, plus many (but not all) eLearning resources including Lynda.com for tech learning you can access for free with your SFPL card.

Kanopy is a streaming movie site that offers thousands of films for free through our public library via your library card or university login.

• Simply by using your local library card or university login you will have access to an awesome range of films of every genre, including classics, documentaries, foreign films and a whole lot more! Don't have a library card? No problem, you can apply for one here!

California Academy of Sciences offers its Museum at Home, #MuseumFromHome, a new and connective way to tour everyone's favorite science museum and keep tabs on their favorite Academy creatures!

• It's all here to Learn and Explore and there is no ceiling to the unlimited options. Plus, Thursday NightLife, the Academy's popular adult weekly funfest hasn't gone away, but has simply morphed into a virtual event to fit into where we are now, Watch live Thursday April 2, 7 pm PDT; Check the Academy website for more details.

The Asian Art Museum welcomes you to its myriad of digital experiences "designed to help you find some inner peace." Nice, and just what you need right now. The means to this peaceful end takes you on an art-filled journey with art videos, virtual hikes, and even a creative stress-releaser with adult coloring pages that you can print out at home! Learn how at the museum website.​

• #MuseumMomentofZen, is the museum's compilation of calming moments in art and join the flow. Visit the website to see more offerings for elearning at #MuseumDifferently.

​
The Museum of Modern Art has a lot to offer us "homebodies" with #MuseumFromHome, as the museum's content is now available 24/7.

• Take in the exhibits, podcasts, artist interviews, photography and so much more such as a preview of the painlessly educational "Alcatraz is Not an Island," a highly informative and engaging look into the history of our nearby neighbor across the Bay.

​The Legion of Honor and De Young Museums are worth an online visit.

• Although these San Francisco fine arts museums have not set up museums at home, but have limited-to-in depth access to museum exhibits, collections, and learning how-to resources, such as a link to Caring For Your Treasures with downloadable manuals. Visit the websites to explore more. 

The Oakland Museum of California: Stay connected with this terrific museum that highlights the best of and the real Oakland, the Bay Area, and California. Although closed, the Oakland Museum is committed to staying connected with the community.

• OMCA at Home lets you view and select a range of videos, past exhibitions, and events, including Friday Nights Online, a digital party time respite in the OMCA tradition.
• Check out the OMCA blog, and share your Oakland Story too (hint: be part of building an Atlas of Oakland via a downloadable Oakland map template)

                                                    Katherine Hepburn's Four Oscars, Public Domain

And the winner is:

Oscar Party 2020: Academy Awards Live
Sunday, February 9 – 3:00 pm, Cost: $15, Balboa Theatre, SF

• Once again, the Balboa Theatre celebrates the Academy Awards with a live broadcast on the big screen. With your host, Dominique Gelin. Dominique enjoys offering strong opinions on stupid things, -isms, and jerks. It’s all very fascinating.​

2020 Novela Oscars Party: Costumes & Popcorn, SF
Sunday, February 9 – 3:00 pm, Cost: FREE*,  Novela

• Come to Novela to celebrate Hollywood’s biggest night full of glitz, glamour and selfies on 2 large projection screens and 5 HD flat panels along with full audio and captions so you don’t miss a moment or word at 3:30 pm on Sunday, February 9, 2020,

        FREE but a RSVP required.

92nd Academy Awards Viewing Party w/Carnie Asada, The Port Bar, Oakland
Sunday, February 9 – 3:00 pm, Cost: FREE, The Port Bar

• The 92nd Academy Awards viewing party returns on Sunday, February 9th at 3 pm, with your host Carnie Asada. To be followed immediately by a very Hollywood-inspired #Blessed Cabaret and Latina Cantina.

Up The Awards Benefit Bash 2020, Roxie Theater
Sunday, February 9 – 3:30 pm, Cost: $16, Roxie Theater, SF

• The crowd-pleasing, bargain basement broadcast of Hollywood’s annual attempt to bark you back into multiplexes by giving shiny statues to prestige pictures. Beer-Snacks-Ballots-Attitude. Your $16 donation goes directly to the operations of the independent, nonprofit, historic theater. ​

Academy Awards Viewing Party: Oscars Trivia & Ballot Game, The Knockout
Sunday, February 9 – 4:00 pm, Cost: FREE, The Knockout, SF

• This year the Oscars turns 92. Join in at the Knockout and watch the show in HD on their big screen. KJ Omar will return to host Oscars trivia during the commercials. Alex will pour your drinks until you fade to black..Show up early to play the Oscar Ballot Challenge. Whoever selects the most Oscar winners gets the grand prize.​

Annual Academy Awards Party & All-You-Can-Eat Appetizers, The New Parkway, Oakland
Sunday, February 9 – 4:00 pm, Cost: $25*, The New Parkway

• The 92nd Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will honor the best films of 2019. Your ticket includes the red carpet show, the main event, and all-you-can-eat appetizers. You’re on your own for drinks, but got a great selection of local wine, beer, and other non-alcoholic treats.

• Walk, hike, mountain bike ride, horseback ride, bird watch, take pictures, paint, picnic, relax, learn, enjoy nature!

• The main attraction to the Park is certainly the man and the legend—Jack London, famous for his literary accomplishments as well as his dramatic exploits, exotic travels and adventures.

​
​Located 1.5 hours north of San Francisco, between Sonoma and Santa Rosa
Directions, Hours & Fees

Upcoming Events:

​The Cruise of the Snark- Part 1, Sunday, February 9th, 2:30-4:30
The first in a series of readings, illustrated with photographs, concerning the
Cruise of the Snark as told by Jack London, Charmian London and fellow adventurer, Martin Johnson. Tickets, $20, includes parking, buy tickets

Valentine's Day Concert, Saturday, February 15th, 2:00-4:00
The Jack London Piano Club will present their Valentine's Concert with selections to please every taste. Tickets, $20, includes parking, buy tickets 

Discovery Nature Hikes, Sunday, February 16th and March 22nd, 10:00-noon
Join Kate and experience the wonders of nature as we explore the woods and openings of the park. Free (parking fee applies) Register online for this event

Saturday Redwood Fitness Hike, March 7, 2020 10:am - noon
Free monthly fitness hike to the Jack London Lake and Ancient Redwood while enjoying exercise, stunning scenery, and fresh air. Free (parking fee applies) Register for this event

Wildflowers and Trillium Hike, March 7, 2020 11:00am -2:00pm
The wait is over and the wildflowers are back. Let naturalist John Lynch guide you on an early spring wildflower hike. Tickets, $10 (parking fee extra) tickets

Great Photography With a Phone? March 14, 2020 9:00am -2:00pm
Your friends will ask "You shot that will your phone?" Learn how to get a much BETTER photo with your phone with improved techniques, Instructors Susan and Neil of Silverman's Photography (learn more here)

Specialty Tours

Free Weekend Docent-Guided Tours

Purchase a Park Pass, $49/year

The French Consulate in San Francisco, San Francisco Public Library (SFPL), San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and KQED jointly announce the second San Francisco edition of the global marathon event 
Night of Ideas​ on February 1, 2020, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. 
at the San Francisco Main Library, FREE but RSVP required

As long as you have a driver’s license or other proof of residency, you can save  $35.95 and visit the museum for free. Read the full rules.

Rules: Each visiting adult must show a valid photo ID with proof of residency (you may not bring out of town guests for free; they still have to pay). 

Visiting adults are limited to six children for free entry.

Schedule:

Free admission is available for San Francisco residents of each zip code during the designated dates listed below. Visiting adults may bring up to six children for free entry. Proof of residency is required.*

Next Free Weekend: January 24, 25, 26
Neighborhoods: Alamo Square, Cole Valley, Cow Hollow, Fisherman’s Wharf, Haight Ashbury, Laurel Heights, Marina, Pacific Heights, Presidio, Richmond, Western Addition
Zip Codes: 94115, 94117, 94118, 94121, 94123, 94129, 94159

Next Free Weekend: February 21, 22, 23
Neighborhoods: Chinatown, Financial District, Hayes Valley, Mission Bay, Nob Hill, North Beach, Russian Hill, SOMA, Telegraph Hill, Tenderloin, Treasure Island, Union Square, Yerba Buena Island
Zip Codes: 94102, 94103, 94104, 94105, 94108, 94109, 94111, 94126, 94130, 94133, 94158

Next Free Weekend: February 28, 29, March 1
Neighborhoods: Castro, Forest Hill, Glen Park, Noe Valley, Parkmerced, Parkside, St. Francis Wood, Sunset
Zip Codes: 94114, 94116, 94122, 94127, 94131, 94132

Next Free Weekend: March 13, 14, 15
Neighborhoods: Bayview-Hunters Point, Bernal Heights, Dogpatch, Excelsior, Ingleside, Mission, Outer Mission, Portola, Potrero Hill, Visitacion Valley
Zip Codes: 94107, 94110, 94112, 94124, 94134

*Each visiting adult must show a valid photo ID with proof of residency. The following items or combinations are acceptable:
​

• A driver’s license or state ID card
• Photo ID plus postmarked envelope, postcard, or magazine label with name and date
• Photo ID plus utility bill (gas/electric/cable), bank statement, or letter from a government agency with name and home address (not a P.O. Box)

Since 1996, the Berlin & Beyond Film Festival has been the leading festival of contemporary German cinema in the Americas, and has presented over 500 motion pictures, along with the presence of celebrated film figures, including Fatih Akin, Moritz Bleibtreu, Daniel Brühl, Lars Eidinger, Hannelore Elsner, Florian David Fitz, Bruno Ganz, Werner Herzog, Frederick Lau, Maria Schrader, Barbara Sukowa, and Wim Wenders.

Including seasonal programming, Berlin & Beyond receives a combined attendance of over 11,000 people annually.   

Two American musical icons have birthdays back-to-back, how cool is that?

​Celebrate 2 legends with their music and visuals all night long. DJs playing all David Bowie and Elvis Presley: Shindog (New Wave City) with Cammy, Moonshine, Andy T. 

Doors open early for showing of rare videos 8-9pm. DJs and dancing start 9pm.

$5 cover at the door - 21+ only 

Tickets: https://elvis-bowie-2020.eventbrite.com
​
*VIP $10 ticket includes: front of line privilege, poster signed by the talent, exclusive lanyard, CD of Elvis & Bowie originals and related tracks.

FREE to low cost events and activities aplenty to welcome the New Year are right here in San Francisco and around the Bay Area! Read about many of them here so you don't miss out.

• Food Truck Brunch:  January 1, 2020, Truck Your Resolution: New Year’s Day Brunch has brunch specials from 11 local food trucks, bar specials, and DJ music. Free admission (website date to be updated).

• New Year's Day Run: January 1, 2020, Napa Valley Resolution Run 5K/10K is a run through beautiful Yountville.

​​

• ​San Francisco Attractions: multiple locations. These discount prices include all taxes and fees.
  • Aquarium + cruise + cable car pass + museumsCityPass gives you 5 attractions for $95.
  • Bicycle tour of S.F. (2 to 3 hours)Ticket deal 2 for $57 (reserve a day prior)
  • Ripley’s Believe it or Not - Fisherman’s Wharf Ticket deal $20 (child $15)

​

• ZooLights in Oakland: January 1-5, 2020, ZooLights has colorful light displays, laser light shows, gondola rides, Christmas trees, and Santa some nights at the Oakland Zoo. Free parking.

​

• Art Walks, Bay Area:  January 2-3, 2020,
  • Visit art galleries that stay open late on the first Thursday or Friday of each month. Free.
  • San Francisco - First Thursday Art Walks
  • North Beach - First Fridays
  • Oakland - Oakland Art Murmur (Friday)
  • San Jose - South First Fridays

 

• Free Art Museum: January 5, 2020, Visit the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco on a First Free Sunday of the month to see its 18,000 objects that represent 6,000 years of Asian art and culture.

​

• Harry Potter Live: January 8-May 28, 2020​, Based on a new story by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child features the grown up versions of Harry, Ron, and Hermione who must “grapple with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs” with illusions and magic at the Curran Theater for age 10+.

        Discount Tickets

• Auto Show in San Jose: January 9-20, 2020, Manufacturers display electric cars, concept vehicles, luxury models, and event celebrities’ cars at the Silicon Valley Auto Show in the San Jose convention center, with test drives available.

​

• ​​Comedy Festival, SF Comedy Clubs: SF Sketchfest mixes national headliners, local favorites and up-and-coming groups for a variety of sketch, improv, stand-up and alternative comedy.​​​

​

• International Art Fair: January 17-19, 2020, Untitled is an “international curated art fair” with 60 exhibitors from 10 countries at Pier 35.

​

• Women's March: January 18, 2020, 11 am-3 pm, Women’s March San Francisco: March and Rally begins with a rally and talks by speakers in Civic Center Plaza, followed by a march. In 2019, the march went down Market Street to Embarcadero Plaza. Free.

​

• Midnight Bicycle Ride: January 18, 2020, Check for location on website, Meet at a local bar the third Saturday of every month for the San Francisco Midnight Mystery Ride, which is five miles long and ends with potluck snacks. Details are posted on their website on the event day. Free.

​

• Chinese Flower Fair: January 18-19, 2020, Shop for fresh flowers for Chinese New Year from 120 vendors, and watch traditional Chinese magicians, acrobats, and folk dancers at the Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair in Chinatown. Free.

​

• Black Comics Festival: January 18-20, 2020, Celebrate African American creativity in the comic arts and popular visual culture at Black & Brown Comix Arts Festival, which includes an expo, kids’ activities, panel discussions, films, and cosplay events at two locations (San Francisco Public Library & City View at Metreon). Free. This is one of several MLK celebratory events happening around the Bay Area.

​

• MLK Park Day: January 20, 2020, US National Parks, Entry is free at Muir Woods National Monument and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park on Free Entrance Days in the National Parks. Expect more people and less parking than usual.

​

• S.F Restaurant Week: January 22-31, 2020, San Francisco restaurants
  Get a special deal on a fixed-price lunch or dinner meal at 130 restaurants during SF Restaurant Week.

 

• Victorian/Steampunk Ball: January 24-25, 2020, Crowds of costumed partygoers attend The Edwardian Ball “an elegant and whimsical celebration of art, music, theater, fashion, technology, circus” on Saturday, plus a similar event The Edwardian World’s Fair on Friday at The Regency Ballroom. Video (30 seconds)

• Classical Music by Women: January 25, 2020, (7:30 pm), Ensemble for These Times performs works by nine women during its concert Blooming Flowers at the Center for New Music.

​

• Dog Show: January 25-26, 2020, Meet dogs of different breeds and their owners at the Golden Gate Kennel Club Dog Show, which has prize competitions both days, a dog fashion show Saturday, and vendor booths in the Cow Palace. No pets.

​​

• Wine Tasting: January 26, 2020, (12-4 pm), aste 200 wines and champagnes at Uncorked: SF Wine Festival, which also features gourmet food trucks and a live DJ in the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason for age 21+.

​

• Film Festival - Indie Films: January 30-February 14, 2020, SF Independent Film Festival (SF IndieFest) celebrates maverick filmmakers by screening films made by independent producers at theaters in the Mission District.

Looking for something to do to switch up the holidays and refresh, admire, connect and enjoy the City and all it offers -- and at no cost?
​Here are some ideas, but  there's even more.

​Tuesday, December 24, 2019

• Free Peet's Coffee Day, all day. The annual Peet’s Holiday Donation Program is entering its 34th year, supporting No Kid Hungry, a national nonprofit that works to end child hunger in America. To celebrate the program’s success and thank donors to the charities, Peet’s is treating Peetnicks to a free small drip coffee or tea; donations appreciated.

​

• FREE Guided Walking Tours in SF: San Francisco City Guides offer free guided walking tours of many different neighborhoods in the city and will be offering a full slate of free tours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Have friends and relatives in town with nothing to do? Gather up the family & friends and show them the city you love with one of the many tours around Christmas.

​

• Pier 39's Christmas Eve Nightly Tree Lighting Show, FREE: PIER 39 is spreading holiday cheer on San Francisco’s waterfront. Pier 39 is unwrapping their nightly tree lighting show for the holiday season. Synchronized to holiday music, the tree transforms into a kaleidoscope of swirling colors every half hour from 5 pm-10 pm, through January 5, 2020.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

• San Francisco Botanical Garden, FREE Admission: The San Francisco Botanical Garden is one of the most diverse gardens in the world. A unique urban oasis, the garden is a living museum within Golden Gate Park, offering 55 acres of both landscaped gardens and open spaces, and showcasing over 8,500 different kinds of plants from around the world. Always free admission for SF residents, but Christmas Day is free for visitors/out-of-towners.

​

• Contemporary Jewish Museum FREE Day, SoMa: Think everything’s closed on Christmas Day? The CJM’s Community Day is a free, fun-filled day of art that has become an annual tradition for Bay Area families. Enjoy the day exploring the galleries with your family and friends or nosh on latkes at Wise Sons.

Thursday, December 26, 2019

• First Day of Kwanzaa 2019; SF City Hall Ceremony & Evening Celebration: The Village Project presents San Francisco’s 14th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration, with seven days of community events striving to unite and strengthen the family, community, and nation, by highlighting each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa (the Nguzo Saba).

​

• Bank of America's Bonus FREE Museum Days, Dec 26-31: This holiday season Bank of America is inviting their cardholders to enjoy an additional six days of free admission through Museums on Us, from 12/26/19 through 12/31/19.Participating Bay Area museums include the Contemporary Jewish Museum, Legion of Honor, de Young Museum, Oakland Museum of California, Computer History Museum and San Jose Museum of Art.

  
​