SF weekend: Conservatory of Flowers beer event, silent reading club, Bike & Book Fest, more

SF weekend: Conservatory of Flowers beer event, silent reading club, Bike & Book Fest, morePhoto: Conservatory of Flowers
Teresa Hammerl
Published on August 15, 2019

This weekend, you can enjoy beer and discover what's in bloom at the Conservatory of Flowers, pedal to the Presidio for a bike and book-themed event or read with strangers and friends in silence. Plus, a SoMa street is turning car-free and family-friendly with a variety of activities.

Here's all you need to know about this weekend's biggest events.

Botanicals and Brews: In Blooms

Photo: Conservatory of Flowers/Facebook

The Conservatory of Flowers is once again inviting visitors to discover its collection of blooms through the lens of craft beer. At this summer event, Triple Voodoo and Novel Brewing Company will debut their newest brews, with the plants of the Conservatory as inspiration. 

Admission is $29 for one beer and $49 for both a full-sized beer and a guided beer flight tasting, with timed tickets so that visitors can tour the galleries while they sip. After checking out the Conservatory's exhibits, enjoy the rest of the evening on the outdoor Palm Terrace, with additional beer available for purchase, live music by pop/funk fusion group Hush Crush and food from Curry Up Now and SaborCatracho.

When: Friday, August 16, 6:30 – 11 p.m.

Where: Conservatory of Flowers, 100 John F Kennedy Dr.

Price: $29-49

Clear the Shelters

Photo: Muttville Senior Dog Rescue/Instagram

SF Animal Care & Control and Muttville Senior Dog Rescue are both participating in Saturday's nationwide Clear the Shelters pet adoption event. ACC will offer dogs, cats, or pairs of kittens for just $30, while Muttville will offer reduced or waived adoption fees. As the event's name indicates, the goal is to get as many pets out of shelters as possible, so if you're looking to add a furry friend to your home, this weekend is the time. 

When: Saturday, August 17

Where: Animal Care & Control San Francisco (1200 15th St.) and Muttville Senior Dog Rescue (255 Alabama St.)

Price: Free

Presidio Bike & Book Fest

Photo: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy/Facebook

Celebrate bikes, books and the city's parks at this family-friendly fest in the Presidio, featuring ranger-led bike rides, bike crafts with the Scraper Bike Team and StoryWalk tours of Carter Higgins' "Bikes For Sale." There will also be opportunities for kids to learn to ride with the YMCA, get their bike tuned up by Roaring Mouse Bicycle Shop and practice putting a bike on the front of a Muni bus.

When: Saturday, August 17, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Where: Presidio Visitor Center, 210 Lincoln Blvd.

Price: Free

Silent Book Club

Photo: The Bindery/Facebook

The Silent Book Club returns to The Bindery on Sunday afternoon — and unlike a regular book club, there's no assigned reading. Bring the book currently taking up residence on your nightstand for an hour of quiet enjoyment among fellow readers, perhaps with a drink in hand.

At the end of the hour, book enthusiasts can socialize, swap recommendations, socialize, or just keep reading. Readers of all ages are welcome, but the quiet policy must be honored from 4-5 p.m. 

When: Sunday, August 18, 4 – 6 p.m.

Where: The Bindery, 1727 Haight St.

Price: Free

Sunday Streets SoMa

Photo: Sunday Streets San Francisco/Facebook

10 blocks of Folsom Street will turn car-free on Sunday afternoon, with the usual array of family-friendly activity hubs and booths from local nonprofits, community groups, and small businesses. SoMa residents and neighbors can walk, dance, skate, bike and play along the route, all while taking in live music, checking out education and professional development resources, and dropping in for blood pressure screenings or food demos.

When: Sunday, August 18, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Where: Folsom Street (between Essex and 10th)

Price: Free