7 amazing Bay Area things to do this weekend, Oct. 13-15
Got your weekend plans? We have some nifty ideas, from a world-famous festival to thrilling shows and chocolate chip cookie perfection.
From a world-class pumpkin festival to a renowned dance company to decadent chocolate chip cookies, this weekend is shaping up as a classic. So let’s get to it, shall we?
But please be sure to double check event and venue websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines. Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.
1 PLAY, EAT & SIP: Go
The Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival has it all — great food and drink, live music and entertainment, arts and crafts, giant gourds that look like Jabba the Hutt (OK, we can’t quite promise that last one …). It’s one of the Bay Area’s best festivals and it’s back this weekend.
2: BAKE & DEVOUR: Ultimate chocolate chip cookie
Yes, contrary to seemingly all aspects of human logic, it is possible to improve on the basic chocolate chip cookie recipe. Here’s how.
3 WATCH: 2 awesome new series
“The Fall of the House of Usher” is a near-perfect adaptation of an Edgar Allan Poe classic, and “Lessons in Chemistry” stars the awesome Oscar winner Brie Larson. The two new series top our list of shows and movies you should totally watch this weekend.
4 DINE: A sizzling soul food joint
Oakland’s new Burdell restaurant offers contemporary and classic soul food in a snazzy setting — the kind of culinary combination you won’t find at too many places. We stopped by to check it out recently and here are our thoughts.
5 SIP: Check out a spooky pub
No we’re not talking joints with pickled eggs in jars or where the bartender bears a resemblance to Freddy Krueger, we’re referring to saloons with an excellent Halloween vibe. Like these three.
6 SEE & HEAR: Great shows are playing all over
From Alonzo King’s scintillating choreography to a musical spoofing Disney princesses, there are a lot of cool shows and concerts to see this weekend and beyond.
7 PLAY: Visit Mammoth Lakes
Fall is the perfect time to make a quick escape to the Mono County and the Mammoth Lakes region. Here’s what you need to know.