Start off your day and the Valentine’s Day weekend at the Oakland Zoo as the animals begin to stir from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on February 14 and 15. Enrich yourself while you enjoy light refreshments and hear numerous stories of the interesting courtship behaviors of the animal kingdom.
Published: February, 2013
Animal Amore
Start off your day and the Valentine’s Day weekend at the Oakland Zoo as the animals begin to stir from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on February 14 and 15. Enrich yourself while you enjoy light refreshments and hear numerous stories of the interesting courtship behaviors of the animal kingdom. Pre-registration is required and space is limited, so reserve your spot today. Cost is $10 for members, with free parking, or $25 plus an $8 parking fee for non-members. Then on Friday, February 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. enjoy an adult event that highlights the amusing love lives of animals with sweet and savory refreshments, wine parings, fascinating company and hilarious animal stories. It will be a night to remember! Program fee for members is $35 or $40 for non-members with free parking for this event. Deposits must be received by Wednesday, February 6. Contact Felicia Walker at (510) 632-9525 ext. 204 to save your spot. The Oakland Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Road. For more information, visit www.oaklandzoo.org.
Valentine Wine in Dogpatch
Dogpatch WineWorks is offering a relaxed version of its signature wine and chocolate tasting room experience for Valentine’s Day. For one night only, on February 14, the seated event will be re-imagined as a walk-around tasting with stations of specially selected chocolates and wines for couples seeking an alternative to traditional Valentine’s Day activities. Guests can participate on a drop-in basis allowing time for dinner reservations or other special plans for the evening. This ticketed event marries the romance of winemaking with the casual appeal of an industrial environment where guests can also tour the 15,000-square foot warehouse turned working winery. Ticket cost is $40 per person. For more information, visit www.dogpatchwineworks.com.
Top American Wines Come to Fort Mason
On February 16, the largest competition of American wines in the world will return to Fort Mason Center. Consistently breaking records with entries each year, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition generated an amazing 5,500 entries in 2012. The entries came from 1,379 wineries with an average of 4.1 entries per winery. Wines under consideration came from more than 25 states across the country. Once the discerning judges select their choices of silver, gold and double gold wines, a select group of winners is chosen to participate in the annual public tasting at Fort Mason. This popular event will feature thousands of the country’s finest wineries and their awarded wines, along with gourmet pairings. Unpretentious and fun, the public tasting allows people to come together, learn about many new wines and enjoy a dream-fulfilling new wine experience. The event takes place from 2 to 5 p.m., and admission is $70 in advance and $85 at the door. For more information, visit www.winejudging.com.
Pacific Orchid Festival Returns
The Pacific Orchid Exposition, happening February 21-24 at Fort Mason Center, is the largest orchid show in the United States, offering over 150,000 unique orchids from around the world. This year the theme for the 61st annual event is "East Meets West," which will be reflected in the displays and exhibits in the show. Attendees will be immersed in Eastern culture from the moment they walk into Fort Mason Center and view the elaborate front entrance display, lavishly adorned with traditional Taiwanese lanterns. These beautiful decorations will illuminate the space and are designed to remind attendees of the global celebration of orchids. Throughout the weekend there are docent tours, horticultural demonstrations, a silent auction and the chance to troubleshoot orchid care issues with the event’s resident "orchid doctor." The event opens with the Gala Benefit Preview on February 21, giving true orchid enthusiasts and collectors the first chance to purchase their favorite plants before the show opens to the general public. The Gala Benefit Preview night also features live music, a silent auction, delicious hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting from some of Northern California’s premiere wineries. Expo hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $13 online and $15 at the door; the cost is $10/$12 for seniors (65+), and children under 16 are free with a paid adult. For more information, visit www.orchidsanfrancisco.org.
Tulipmania in Full Bloom at PIER 39
PIER 39 presents its popular Tulipmania Festival this year from February 16 to 24. Enjoy thousands of tulips and seasonal garden favorites throughout both levels of PIER 39 on free, guided landscaping tours beginning daily at 10 a.m. in the PIER 39 Entrance Plaza. Following each tour, guests will be treated to complementary coffee and cookies. Make sure to bring your cameras to capture what’s blooming at PIER 39! For more information, visit the events page at www.pier39.com.
Come Fly with Me
The 17th Annual San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival, February 8 to 10, promises more guided hikes and outings, tours and workshops on Mare Island than ever before. Both birds and people will be flocking to Mare Island in Vallejo to celebrate what has become a special annual winter ritual. The three-day event celebrates the return of over one million shorebirds and hundreds of thousands of ducks, geese and hawks that migrate through or winter in the San Francisco Bay Area. Festival-goers will be able to choose from hundreds of fun activities, including a Family Wildlife Exploration and Birding Expo with more than 100 exhibitors, guided nature walks including beginning birding outings for families and adults, birding and wild bird demonstrations, and art and photography exhibits. With over 60 events on the schedule, you’ll have to watch closely to make sure you don’t miss your favorite! You will find that one of the most unique aspects of our birding festival is the chance to soak up history on Mare Island and view an amazing array of wildlife all at the same time. The Expo Building 223, at 500 Connolly Street, is the main event location on Mare Island and admission is free. The outing tent is in front and is the meeting location for many of the outings. For more information, visit www.sfbayflywayfestival.com.
To have your event or announcement considered for the Bay Crossings Around the Bay listings, please send information or a press release to: joel@baycrossings.com.
