Mar 21, 201912 min
Updated: May 21, 2019
As Easter rapidly approaches, a simple Google search yields more trending Easter articles and events than you can count. But we’ve yet to find an article dedicated solely to the abundance of Easter egg hunts in San Francisco. Naturally, we’ve decided to create one. Keep reading for a complete guide to Easter egg hunts in the Golden City- and some fun nearby events that are worth a pit stop on your hunt for the perfect Easter egg. Because if there’s anything kids enjoy more than an egg hunt on Easter, it’s multiple egg hunts on Easter.
Kids love food, and kids Easter egg hunts. That’s why we think Easter Brunch at Franklin Golf course is a win-win. The fun-filled event is exactly what it sounds like- a scrumptious classic Easter brunch for families and kids topped off with a creative Easter egg hunt. An added bonus? All the cooking and cleaning is done for you. That’s right. For once in who knows how many years, you can sit back, relax, and really enjoy Easter with your kids. It’s all the fun of Easter without the worry and hassle. Better yet, you can forgo your own annual Easter egg hunt- which, let’s face it, is really just a forage through Walgreens for tasty treats and cool toys your kids have never tried before. Unless you’re a total Easter wizard and in need of DIY ideas to create your own hunt (if you are, there’s a section for in this article, too!), Easter Brunch at Franklin Golf Course will do all the work for you at fairly low cost. Adult admission is $25.00, and kids get in for $12.50. Toddlers under four are free. Brunch starts at 10:00 a.m., and the Easter egg hunt commences at 11. The requisite picture with the Easter Bunny is complimentary.
If a free Easter egg hunt is more your speed (it’s ours, too), Sunnybrae Park is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt to which the beloved Bunny is also invited. It’s a real free-for-all and offers a simpler, more casual solution to standard dressed-up Easter events. There are some kids (and parents) who view Easter as a formal tradition- or who just adore the chance to pick out the perfect party outfit and show it off to their heart’s content at the liveliest events in town. Our list is bursting with brightly colored Easter hotspots, but this one takes us back to basics. It’s literally a walk in the park, so wear your sneakers and get ready to scour the park for a bounty of hidden treasures.
Begin with a visit to see the Bunny, where professional photos are complimentary. There will be two hunts- one for ages 3-4 and under, and the second for ages 4-5 and older. Baskets and prizes are provided at the door.
We can practically hear pet owners not-so-patiently awaiting some pet-friendly Easter inspo, and we’ve got quite a bit. Sure, it’s easy enough to pop into a local pet store, play Easter Bunny, and make your own Easter basket for your fur child (or feather child, ect.). But we understand you may have been there and done that already. If you happen to be a dog owner in Oakland or the greater Bay Area, we’ve got a real treat for you (and your furry best friend). Actually, Wag Hotels’ 10th Annual Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs has over 1,000 hidden eggs stuffed with tasty treats and valuable prizes just waiting to be sniffed out. And don’t worry- apparently, the Easter Bunny didn’t forget about the furry children of the world. If you’re like most dog owners, you’ll love the adorable photo ops with the Easter Bunny at this pet-lovers’ paradise. Human and furry participants alike are invited to dressed to the nines- in bunny ears and bright colors, that is.
The best part of Wag Hotels’ 10th Annual Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs is that all ticket sales and donations go to Pits R Us All Breed Rescue to benefit Humane Society Silicon Valley. HSSV is an independent, non-profit organization that has been serving pets and people for nearly 100 years. HSSV funds quality adoptions, affordable vaccinations, spaying, and neutering services, microchipping and pet care services, and educational programs that enhance the bond between humans and animals.
If “must love dogs” is at the top of your requirement list for a happy Easter, head over to Wag Hotels’ 10th Annual Easter Egg hunt for Dogs at noon on Sat. April 6, 2019. The Easter egg hunt lasts until 12:30- just long enough to hold Fido’s attention.
Whatever the date it falls on, Easter is a holiday that has long since heralded the arrival of spring. For many people, the holiday is not just a religious one, but is also symbolic of the growth and renewal that accompanies a new season. Easter also marks the beginning of grape-growing season in Napa Valley, so if you’re a fan of its world-class wineries, this festival is something to celebrate. A bountiful event for nature-lovers (and plain old spring lovers everywhere), the Spring Bud Break Festival is also chock full of candy and prizes. As well as seasonal food, music, shopping, kids’ activities, and more, the festival is known for its annual Easter egg hunt.
Spring Bud Break Festival is a great alternative to the standard Easter egg hunt. (Hey, all egg hunts are great, but sometimes you’ve got to change it up a little- especially when you’re trying to avoid stir-craziness on the holidays). Spring Bud Break Festival offers rock painting with Napa rocks, a live “Rockout Workout” led by Generation POUND, and Arts and Crafts courtesy of Kiwanis Club of Napa. Last but certainly not least, there’s a blind jelly bean tasting with the kid-famous Jelly Belly Candy Co. We’re all grown up, and the jelly bean tasting is our personal favorite option on this list. (Except, of course, for the disgusting ones, but they’re par for the course!)
Just in case you’d rather the kids not be exhausted with an overfull belly of jellies by the time the Easter egg hunt begins, it kicks off at 9 a.m. The activities begin immediately afterward, and the party goes on long into the night...just kidding, it ends at 11 a.m., and then you can all go home and sleep off the jelly bean binge.
Check-in for the Easter Egg Hunt takes place on the terrace outside The Store at CIA Copia. Kids 4 and under will be hunting in the Jackson Family Wines Amphitheater. Kids 5-12 hunt in the Copia Gardens.
Our other favorite thing about this flowering festival? It’s free! There is absolutely no cost for admission, the Easter egg hunt, or any of the activities. All you need to bring is your appetite for fun (and jelly beans). Just keep in mind that the Easter egg hunt is BYOB- bring your own basket.
You may remember it as the Easter Love Experience, but this community event has been rebranded the Easter Love Reach in the name of extending love to families- not just on Easter, but throughout the whole season and all year long. The Easter LOVE Reach is a special day designed to unite communities in and around Oakland and bring youth together in a positive way. It celebrates the spirit of community and brings people together. Dedicated to family fun, arts, music and entertainment, the event is meant to build a bridge between people who may not have otherwise connected. The Easter LOVE Reach recognizes that Oakland and the surrounding Bay Area is made up of many diverse communities, and it’s easy for some to feel left out in big cities. That’s why this event offers a plethora of different activities for different people. There’s a little something for everyone, which made it a great success in 2018.
It features an awesome Easter egg hunt and a host of other kid-friendly activities including crafts, face painting, a petting zoo, and yes, the requisite Easter Bunny visit and photos. There’s also dancing and a reading corner, which we absolutely love.
Easter LOVE Reach is also an opportunity for entertainers to connect, perform, and build a local audience. The event showcases local talent and invites Bay Area entertainers to sign up to participate. All you have to do is shoot a quick email to communitylovereach@gmail.com for queries. Last year, the talent was a raving success and featured The Old School DJs, Bay Area Capoeira Community, Ocea & Friends, Vukani Mawethu Choir, and O’Town Rhythm. There is no limit to the talent of the Bay Area community, so Easter LOVE Reach doesn’t place any limits on musical genres that perform at the event.
Easter LOVE Reach goes down on April 13th, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. PST. Ask to register to volunteer or perform at the event now, as it’s rapidly approaching! You can also spread the love by downloading and printing out flyers using this link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WTogZQ_HwAa1psUxbMI8kamltITzIBrx. Find out more about the event on Facebook or Instagram by following the hashtags “#EasterLoveReach and #HugsofLove".
Easter isn’t all about fun- it’s also about giving. But the good news is that your kids can have fun while dedicating their day to a good cause, such as foster children for whom holidays are unfortunately not always a happy time. Project Easter Egg Hunt, which will take place at First Baptist Church in Davis, CA, combines family fun with giving on April 12th, 2019. Kids ages 6 will form the tastiest assembly line ever to fill Easter baskets with sweets and treats for foster kids. Adults are more than welcome to help. After that, the Easter egg hunt begins. Adults will have to sit that one out, but they can leave the event with some stolen treats from their kids’ Easter baskets as well as a sense of having done something to sweeten Easter for foster kids. When we really think about the amount of kids in the Bay Area (never mind the entire world) who spend holidays in need, it’s just so important to teach kids the joy of giving from a young age. Project Easter Egg Hunt is a great starting place.
First Baptist Church is asking for a $5 donation per family. Bring a small basket or bag for each child in your group for the Easter egg hunt. If you’ve got any questions, you can email the event coordinator at mrsrosendale2@yahoo.com. You need not belong to this church or have any religious affiliation to attend Project Easter Egg Hunt!
Project Easter Egg Hunt is essentially organized by a community called Mom2Mom. Mom2Mom is just what it sounds like- a group of moms who got together to parent, support, and connect with other moms within the community. As all parents have probably come to know, there is always a lot to be learned from other parents. Mom2Mom provides lots of shoulders to lean on and celebrates a sense of community. The group participates in many child-centered activities, but also shares lots of events just for Mom (or all parents). They recognize together that grown-ups need self-care, “me time”, and socialization, too! Mom2Mom is a place for women in all stages of parenting to get together and share in a sense of community.
What’s more amazing than treasure-filled Easter eggs strewn across the ground for finders-keepers? Easy: Easter eggs that fall from the sky! At Epic Easter Egg Drop, that’s precisely what’s going down (pun intended). 50,000 Easter eggs are scheduled to fall from the sky on April 21st at the San Jose Giants stadium! All children from ages 0-10 are invited to participate. This epically entertaining event is also open to children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities. Admission is totally free, but participants are encouraged to bring a $3 donation. As is the case with most other events mentioned above, the Easter Bunny will be making an appearance. Kids are invited to take pictures with him. After all, he’s not here out of a blue sky (just the eggs are).
Are you a big supporter of small vendors? Shopping small businesses is a great way to build large, successful communities. Shop Small & Easter Egg Hunt is an event that gives you an opportunity to shop small with over 30 vendors in Manteca, CA while your kids eat big. There will be a not-so-small Easter egg hunt, face painting, delicious food vendors, raffles, and prizes. Last but never least, The Easter Bunny will be picture-ready and armed with lots of candy. Shop Small & Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, April 13th, 2019 from 12-4 p.m. It all begins at 133 North Grant Ave in Manteca. Bring your own basket or bag, and support local handmade and direct sale companies. Who doesn’t love candy and saving on quality shopping? Happy trails!
As we all (hopefully) know by kindergarten, Easter is hardly just an American holiday. So why not make Easter a cultural learning experience for your kids? In San Francisco, The Scandinavian School is hosting Scandinavian Easter Arts and Crafts 2019. Kids will have the opportunity to create their own authentic, traditional Scandinavian art projects, including hand-painted eggs.
Are you celebrating Easter with little hunters? If so, you might appreciate Groovy Bunny Tales and Garden Egg Hunt at Powerplay in San Francisco. This miniature Easter egg hunt also includes a baby-and-tot jam session, bunny activities, and an obstacle course with a golden egg at the tend (sort of like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, except for toddlers). Trust us, they’ll love it. In fact, kids and parents have fallen so in love with it that the event tends to sell out! To RSVP now and purchase your ticket, you can simply shoot an email to Hello@powerplaysf.com. The administrators at Powerplay SF will be more than happy to answer any of your questions.
San Francisco in particular is alive with spring and bursting at the seams with Easter celebrations. San Francisco Spring Eggstravaganza is a wildly popular spring event in the city. Set your party in motion at this vibrant spring celebration that includes carnival rides and games, multiple Easter egg hunts, live entertainment, and the infamous Rib Cook-Off between SF Rec and Park, the SF Fire and Police Departments, and other city municipalities. Because of its nestled home in beautiful Golden Gate Park and proximity to the Golden Gate Bridge, the Spring Eggstravaganza has become a tourist hotspot over the years. Specifically, it takes place at Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park. If you live in San Francisco or are very familiar with the city, you may know Robin Williams Meadow as Sharon Meadows.
San Francisco Spring Eggstravaganza will begin at 11 a.m. on March 21st. It ends at 3 p.m., so be sure to pack your fun into those golden hours. The good news? Admission only costs $10. The potential bad news? No pets are allowed, so if you’ve got them, they’ll have to not-so-patiently await your return (luckily for them, the event only lasts a few hours). To find this Eggstravagant event online, visit sfrecpark.org.
Lucky for kids, scrambled eggs are a little more delicious this year! Splash into Spring Egg Scramble in Alameda, CA masterfully combines a few of our favorite things: the beautiful California shoreline with spring festivities! This oceanic event features a mobile- yes, mobile!- fish exhibit, educational beach exploration, lawn games, and arts and crafts for even your smallest explorers.
The Easter Bunny will be in attendance. Unfortunately, he is only responsible for bringing himself (hey, he’s a busy guy this time of year!)- you’ve got to bring your camera and $3. We think it’s a small price to pay for a fun-filled day of fun and learning by the sea.
Splash into Spring Egg Scramble is all set for March 24, but is prepared with a rain date: March 31st, 2019. Come to Crab Cove Picnic Area, 1252 McKay Ave. in Alameda, CA, and splash into spring. This event starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends at noon. The Easter egg hunt begins promptly at 11:15, and there are different areas for different ages. Ages 1-12 are welcome! To find this event online and serve up scrambled eggs for your kids this year, visit alamedaca.gov/recreation/splash-spring-egg-scramble.
Add a vintage flair to your Easter egg hunt by attending The Jumpin’ Bunny Festival at the Dunsmuir Hellman Estate. Parents and grandparents, rejoice: This is the perfect place for those old-fashioned Easter dresses, suits, and bonnets, so dust them off and dress your kids to the nines! The Jumpin’ Bunny Festival has been likened to Downtown Abbey in appearance. It’s quaint, historic atmosphere makes it picture-perfect for Easter photo-ops, so shelve your cell phones for the day and dust off that camera, too! The Jumpin’ Bunny is the antidote to the trending, no-frills Easter egg hunt of millennial popularity. On the other hand, it’s also very “right now” to dress up in historic costumes (or simply in your Sunday best, whatever that is), and take eons of selfies.
Bounce houses, circus-style clowns, a petting zoo, face painting, crafts, and various games will make this a day to remember. The Jumpin’ Bunny also offers a tour the estate’s historic mansion- how cool (and potentially, awesomely creepy) is that?
The Easter egg hunt is for toddlers and older kids. An added bonus? The Easter Bunny is cheerfully accompanied by other dancing bunnies, a favorite for the younger kids. It’s all happening on Saturday, March 31st, at Dunsmuir Hellman Estate. The event commences at 10 a.m. and ends promptly at 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for ages 2-10 and $10 for everyone. And remember: Don your Easter best, whatever that may be!
When celebrating Easter in San Francisco and the Bay Area, you’ll find no shortage of Easter egg hunts! The real problem will be choosing the right one for you- that, and controlling candy proportions when you get home and in the months to come. We hope we were able to help out with the first one!