Friday, September 8

The Compassion Experience, free event features an interactive journey through the true stories of children living in developing countries like the Philippines, Kenya, Uganda and the Dominican Republic, The Village at Corte Madera.

South Novato Library Friday Fun Days, 3 – 4pm, Start the weekend off right with a laid-back afternoon at the South Novato Library. Whether it’s games, crafts or more, this drop-in program is a good way to relax at the end of the week! South Novato Library.

Picnics on the Plaza, 5-8pm, San Anselmo Town Plaza.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a magical stage rendition of Eric Carle’s beloved stories about sea horses, fireflies, and, of course, that lovable Lepidoptera himself, brought to life in vibrant color with puppets galore! BACT Berkeley Center.

Movie in the Park, 7pm, Beauty and The Beast (live action), Old Mill Park, Mill Valley.

Teddy Bears' Picnic, age 6 mo. to 3 years old, Bring your own Bear, if you'd like, and join our Teddy Bear as she packs a picnic and scampers off for an adventure in the forest, Oakland Children's Fairyland.

Saturday, September 9

Presidio Bird Walks, 8:30am, Enjoy this family walk in the Presidio led by young birder Jonah Benningfield, Presidio, San Francisco.

FREE Family Fitness Class, 9am, Mill Valley Community Center.

Bird Walk & Kent Island Restoration Day, 10am-2pm, Join professional ornithologist and marine biologist, Peter Pyle, for a day on Kent Island. Contact Sara Heintzelman, (415) 530-5366.

Family Hang-Out Time, 10 – 10:30am, ages 2-8, A laid-back morning of story, art or games for families of all abilities! South Novato Library.

Crabbing at Fort Baker Pier, 10 am-Noon, Fort Baker.

45th anniversary of the Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture, 10am-4pm, open house including a very special Story Time as author Christie Matheson reads her book, Plant the Tiny Seed, used book sale, a retrospective art exhibition, children’s crafts, the Garden’s September plant sale featuring California native plants and succulents, and more, San Francisco Botanical Garden.

Chocolate Festival, Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco.

Learn to Skimboard, 11am – 1pm, learn the basics of skimboarding through demonstration and practice. No experience is necessary and all skill levels are welcome. A limited number of skimboards will be provided, but please bring your own if you already have a board, Stinson Beach.

Read to a Dog, 11am-12pm, San Rafael Library.

Creative Family Fun - Bear With Me, 11am, Presidio, San Francisco.

Mole & Mariachi Festival, food, beer, wine, craft vendors, giant piñatas, and dancers, Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.

Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival

J-Pop Summit, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco.

GGRO Hawk Talk & Raptor Release, 12-2pm, Hawk Hill.

The Miser, pre-show 1:40pm, show starts at 2pm, Molière's comedy, Old Mill Park Amphitheater, Mill Valley.

Shakespeare in the Park, 2pm, Free, Hamlet, The Presidio, San Francisco.

BIRDIE WRISTLETS, Soar into fall with a little birdie on your wrist., Randall Museum, San Francisco.

Hot Amphitheater Nights, 5-7pm, Free Concert at the Hamilton Amphitheater, Novato.

Film Night in the Park, The Graduate, Union Square, San Francisco.

North Bay Mobile Drive-In! 8:30pm, Dr. Strangelove, Old Hamilton Theater Building, Novato.

Sunday, September 10, Grandparents' Day

West Point Inn, pancake breakfast!

Fairfax Car Show, 8am-4:30pm, Downtown Fairfax Broadway near Bolinas Road and the Parkade Lot.

Terwilliger Trail Hike, 9 – 11am, enjoy stunning views of the Stafford Lake watershed from the upper sections of the trail and discuss the flora and fauna found in the various habitats along the way. This event is ideal for all ages. Stafford Lake Park, Novato.

Birding 101, 9:30-11:30 am, Rodeo Lagoon, Sausalito.

Marine Science Sunday, 10am-5pm, takes a look at Top Predators: Sharks and Orcas. Join us for classroom presentations, Docent-led tours, and more! Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito.

Chocolate Festival, Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco.

Second Sunday Stories: Lily Williams - If Sharks Disappeared, 11am, Book Passage, Sausalito.

Presidio Picnic, 11am-4pm, Main Parade Grounds, Presidio, San Francisco.

Creative Family Fun - Bear With Me, 11am, Presidio, San Francisco.

Marin French Cheese Summer Picnic, 11am-4pm, Petaluma.

Sunday Streets, Western Addition, Open Streets and Free Activities Fill Fillmore, Fulton, and Baker Street, San Francisco.

Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival

J-Pop Summit, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco.

GGRO Hawk Talk & Raptor Release, 12-2pm, Hawk Hill.

The Miser, pre-show 1:40pm, show starts at 2pm, Molière's comedy, Old Mill Park Amphitheater, Mill Valley.

Shakespeare in the Park, 2pm, Free, Hamlet, The Presidio, San Francisco.

Tools to Table, 12-5pm, fiery performances, exciting demos, and explore the creativity of The Crucible artist community as it relates to tools and utensils, The Crucible, Oakland.

Grandparent's Day Concert, 1-2pm, Musician Bonnie Lockhart will help us celebrate the wonderful contributions that grandparents make to our lives with an afternoon of sing alongs and songs, Belvedere Tiburon Library.

Sunday Sampler, 1-3pm, sampling the wide variety of programming offered at the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, Berkeley.

Opera in the Park, 1:30pm, free, Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park.

Union Square Live, 2-4pm, Crosscut Band, San Francisco.