(Updated for 2023) Summer in Northern California means that the heat has arrived, but only in some areas — the coast is already in its summer mode with cool temperatures and plenty of cloud cover and fog. But no matter the weather, it definitely feels like summer around here. Kids are getting out of school, outdoor concert series have begun, and farmers markets are bursting with berries and stone fruits.
Everywhere you go, you can find free things to do: farmers markets, outdoor concerts, Pride events and morning hikes. If possible, avoid Yosemite, Tahoe, Napa Valley and San Francisco on weekends — June is high season for travel, and those places will be packed! If it’s hot, try the swim holes of the Yuba River.
What to do in Northern California in June
Summer Concert Series:
San Francisco: The Stern Grove Festival in Golden Gate Park: An amazing lineup of free concerts on Sundays starting on June 18 (free)
Sacramento: Downtown Concerts in the Park, Cesar Chavez Park every Friday evening 5:00-9:00 PM (free)
Napa: Outdoor concerts at the Meritage Resort
Truckee: Wednesdays at Truckee Regional Park, 6:30-8:30pm, June 21-August 30
Tahoe: Music on the Beach at King’s Beach every Friday
Cosumnes River Preserve Walk
Join docents through this nature preserve, just outside of Sacramento where migrating birds and other wildlife call home for photography tours, butterfly counts, and more. More info here.
Where: Cosumnes River Preserve, south of Sacramento
When: Various dates in June
Cost: Free
North Beach Festival, San Francisco
San Francisco’s oldest street fair holds its 66th annual event this June, with over 100 craft and art booths plus gourmet food, live music, Italian style street painting, and a blessing of the animals at 2 p.m. both days. It is kid-friendly! More info here. See more about this fun Italian neighborhood in my San Francisco day trip post.
Where: Columbus and Grant Avenues and surrounding streets, North Beach, San Francisco
When: June 18-19, 2022 10:00-6:00
Cost: Free
Truckee Reggae Fest
An all-ages, family-friendly event near Lake Tahoe featuring internationally known reggae artists, arts and crafts, food trucks and a beer garden hosted by a local non-profit organization. Children 6 and under are free. Plus Truckee is a fun town to spend a couple of days in! Info & tickets here.
Where: Truckee Outdoor Amphitheater, Truckee (near Lake Tahoe)
When: late June 24-25, 2023
Cost: $65 one-day ticket, $75 the day of. Limited 2-day passes for $99
BeerFest in Santa Rosa
Beerfest – The Good One will have samples from 60 craft breweries and cideries plus limited free food and food for sale. Proceeds go to Face to Face, a non-profit that helps local people with HIV/AIDS. This is a 21+ only event.
Where: The Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa
When: Saturday, June 11
Cost: $50-65
View the new murals in Sacramento
Every year Sacramento is blessed with the talent of local and international artists during its Wide Open Walls mural fest. Painting of this year’s murals is taking place in May, making June a great time to check out the new (and old) works.
I suggest getting the map and planning a couple fo short walking tours (there are so many murals that you needn’t plan much; you’ll run into them as you wander). My favorite areas are R Street between about 10th and 15th.
Where: Sacramento, especially Midtown
When: Any time
Cost: Free
San Francisco Pride Celebration & Parade, San Francisco
The San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration and Parade is the largest LGBT gathering in the United States. More than 200 parade contingents, 300 exhibitors, and 20 venues and stages will make up this two-day celebration.
Where: Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco
When: June 25-26
Cost: Free but a $1 donation is suggested
San Francisco Jazz Festival
For more than 30 years, SFJAZZ presented the San Francisco Jazz Festival in venues around the Bay Area, but now with the opening of the SFJAZZ Center in 2013, the festival offers more than 30 amazing shows concentrated in the Center and the surrounding neighborhood. If you love jazz or just world-class music performances, this is for you. SFJAZZ requires proof of vaccination against COVID-19 prior to entering the Center. Schedule & info here.
Where: SFJAZZ Center, 201 Franklin St.
When: June
Cost: Varies depending on the show
