Egg hunts & Earth Day hikes: Plan out your Easter weekend on the Peninsula
The best of the bunny and the brunches (spring hikes and Seders too) for the big spring weekend on the Peninsula—April 19th-21st.
The third weekend in April this year is a busy one, what with the beginning of Passover at sundown on Friday night, Easter on Sunday and Earth Day celebrations. We’re lucky to be here to celebrate with what seems like an endless supply of Easter egg hunts, brunches, Passover Seders and spring-y ways to spend some time outside appreciating the Peninsula. No matter what you’re celebrating — whether it’s a religious holiday or sunny weather — check out the events we’ve got our eye on for the weekend of April 19.
Fill your basket
Ah, the evergreen delight that is Easter egg hunts: finding a hidden pastel-colored egg and eating the candy inside. That said, these things can get competitive (anyone else with childhood memories involving some jealousy over a better collected basket?). In any case, there will be plenty of chances — and plenty of eggs — to go hunting for.
So to name a few that are taking place on the Peninsula: Menlo Park’s egg hunt is on Saturday for ages 8 & under — admission is free, and includes arts and crafts, egg hunting and maybe even a ride on an antique fire truck. Los Altos’ egg hunt is Saturday morning, followed by an egg hunt sing & dance. San Mateo’s 42nd Annual Eggstravaganza runs until Saturday midday, and has a $4 pancake breakfast for kids ($8 for adults), live entertainment, crafts and on-site options for lunch. Gamble Garden’s egg hunt on Sunday will have a petting zoo and arts and crafts, while Shoreline’s Easter egg hunt is $15 dollars in advance or $20 dollars at the door for ages 12 & under and includes egg dyeing, a bounce house and lawn games. And of course—you could also opt to go see the Easter Bunny arrive by helicopter at the Hiller Aviation Museum — enjoy face painting and a bounce house while you’re at it. Kids more in inclined towards trains that planes? Head to Roaring Camp Railroads for their steam-powered Easter festivities, on both Saturday and Sunday.
Brunch
If you’ve outgrown the Easter egg hunt scene… you’d better have an explanation for the kids. And a good reservation for an Easter brunch. Again, the Peninsula’s full of ’em: eat at The Mountain Terrace ($50 for adults, $25 for kids), which is offering roasted picnic ham and made-to-order omelettes, among other things; Porta Blu ($95 for adults, $45 for kids 12–6, free for kids 5 & under), which is actually hosting its own Easter egg hunt (and a petting zoo!) alongside live jazz and a menu featuring brunch classics; or Mullins Bar and Grill ($75 for adults, $35 for children 12 -4, free for kids 4 & under), where you can enjoy a lengthy brunch menu in front of the Half Moon Bay coast. Speaking of Half Moon Bay, you can always go big at the Ritz.
And if you’re a little more removed from the Easter holiday but still feel like celebrating spring (while wearing pastel-colored clothing, of course): Filoli’s Spring Tulip Tea will have a live harpist, finger sandwiches and an entire special menu accompanying it. Admission to the grounds is included with your ticket (general admission is $75).
Go green
Monday the 22nd is Earth Day. It’s easy to be appreciative of the nature surrounding us on the Peninsula, whether it’s the greenery, the coast side or the redwoods — we could go on and on. If you’d like to enjoy while giving back, look no further than the Earth Day Clean Up at Coyote Point. You could also take a semi-informational San Bruno Mountain Hike hosted by the California Native Plant Society ($6 dollar entrance fee), or volunteer your time to plant a tree with Canopy in Barron Park in Palo Alto (sign up here).
Passover
The holiday officially starts at sundown on Friday. If you’re not doing a seder at home but you’d still like a seat at a table somewhere, you’re in luck. Silicon Valley Jewish Meetup is hosting a Seder ($18 donation per person, $36 for families); so is Chabad SF ($90 a person after April 11); Stanford Chabad is, too ($18 for students, $50 for community members). Or have seder Friday or Saturday at the Marriott in RWC (adults $49, children under 12 $28).
Also notable: Sunday is SF’s Cherry Blossom Festival , which has been recognized as one of the ten best cherry blossom festivals in the world. The festival includes a Grand Parade and a spectacular lineup of food booths, some of which are run by nonprofits. Great food and a good time for a great cause.
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