Looking for the coolest things to do to soak up the last of the summer months? We’ve got you covered. Even once the celebrations wane, there is still plenty to do. We’ve done the deep research for you on the best things to do in the North Bay including museums, cultural events, food tours, athletic events, hikes and more. Speaking of food, we also have an extensive list of our best restaurants in the North Bay, and if you’re planning a weekend, the best places to stay.
Karl, who? The North Bay has one of the best microclimates in the Bay Area, with average temperatures from the 60s to 70s during this month.
Featured photo: Muir Woods by Caleb Jones.
Shakespeare in the Park
Dates vary
Your options are plentiful for theater al fresco in the North Bay. Marin County boasts two Shakespeare companies, both of which are performing amphitheater comedies this August. First up is Marin Shakespeare Company, a lauded troupe putting on A Comedy of Errors from August 17 through September 15 in San Rafael. And, Mill Valley’s Curtain Theatre performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream from August 10 through September 2 in Mill Valley’s Old Mill Park. A bonus point for that show: it’s completely free!
Saturdays
Keep the live music going while building community and enjoying the outdoor splendor of summer’s end. Head over to Town Center in Corte Madera to support local artists every Saturday afternoon this August for their Summer Music Series. Despite the option for booze, this event is still family friendly.
Sundays
Get away from the bustle of the city and enjoy a boat tour of Sausalito, Marin Headlands and the Point Bonita Lighthouse to catch some of the Bay’s most popular marine wildlife. Sit back and enjoy the sights as an on-board naturalist guides you through the Bay’s diverse ecosystems. Return just in time to grab lunch at one of Sausalito’s many restaurants.
August 4
Pack what you need and come celebrate the anniversary of the American Great Outdoors Act with free access to national parks. Take advantage of this rare opportunity by venturing out to a farther national park like Yosemite or Lassen, or stop by some of the local parks that normally require fees. We recommend that you make a reservation to see the towering redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument, which normally requires an entry fee. Besides Muir Woods, there are also free NPS sites like the Point Reyes National Seashore and the Golden Gate National Recreation just across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
August 16–18
Come see the annual Cotati Accordion Festival, a multi-generational and multicultural live show of accordions. This unique and popular festival will be held in La Plaza Park, Cotati, and will feature over 60 vendors with food, beer, wine, crafts and, of course, accordions for sale.
August 27
Tune in to the 2024 season of Live at Lagunitas, a live music show at Lagunitas Brewing Company’s impeccable Petaluma taproom. August’s concert features the gospel group Robert Randolph Band, and concerts continue once a month until October. Not just a party with good music and delicious beer, this series pays it forward by donating to the Music Maker Foundation, an organization that supports artists making traditional American music.
Event Venues
Looking to see what’s happening right now in the North Bay? Our comprehensive list of venues below will help you find what you need to know what’s going on.
Looking for more things to do in the area?
Visit our What to Do in Northern California page!
