Oakland Symphony

Here are some more information for Oakland Symphony:

If you're heading to Southern California this summer, you definitely want to make time in your schedule for Marina del Rey. Not only does it feature a full range of activities and events to enjoy, but you can also taste foods from around the world at the many local restaurants, enjoy the numerous free things to do, and do it all in the amazing summer weather.

Events & Free Things To Do In Marina del Rey

Some of the best free things to do in Southern California include Marina Del Rey's offerings of music, movies, and performances of all kinds held throughout the season. Burton Chace Park is where most of the action happens on Thursday and Saturday nights.

Throughout the summer, you can take your blanket or lawn chairs to the park and enjoy seeing one of the great movies shown there at no cost. Ranging from family cartoons like Madagascar 2 to classics the whole family will love like Grease, it's a great way to enjoy the evening. Then, on alternating Thursday and Saturday evenings, you can catch either the 75 member Marina del Rey Summer Symphony or a performance by an award winning pop star.

Local Restaurants And Fine Dining

Marina del Rey rules Southern California when it comes to local restaurants. You can enjoy foreign fare at the Thai, Mexican, Japanese, Italian, and other establishments in the area. Or, if you prefer traditional American dishes, you can choose from almost anything including fast food spots, pizzerias, bakeries, and contemporary fine dining.

No matter what you like to eat or what your lifestyle, you'll find something that will get your taste buds going. Even vegetarians and those who are super health conscious have numerous local restaurants to choose from. Then, there's location. You can eat along the beautiful beaches, in the downtown area, or even have a meal while taking in some of the area's nightlife.

Activities And Transportation

Whether you're looking to enjoy the waters surrounding this beautiful area of Southern California or are looking forward to exploring the city, there are a ton of activities and sights waiting for you. Both locals and visitors love to go sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and surfing in the warm Californian waters.

The shopping in the area is also fantastic. You can head to one of the most prestigious shopping districts in the area or walk along one of the famous boardwalks such as Venice Beach. Here, you can watch street performers while checking out the wares offered by street vendors. In the summer, however, something extra special happens in Marina del Rey.

The city provides a free weekend shuttle to make it easy for everyone to venture around the city and along the beautiful Southern California beaches. To top the list of free things to do in Marina del Rey, the city offers the summer Marina Water Bus. These brightly colored boats will take you for a boat ride and make it fun to travel between the various attractions, local restaurants, and accommodations. In fact, by using the shuttle and Water Bus, you can have a tour of the area without spending a dime!

With so many events and free things to do in Marina del Rey, you'll never get bored. You'll be able to enjoy yourself regardless of what you like to do. And, the great weather combined with the beauty of Southern California just makes this fantastic place even better. Without a doubt, Marina del Rey delivers!

Chris Harmen is a freelance writer who enjoys finding the best local restaurants in Marina del Rey and all of the best free things to do in Southern California.

Things To Do In San Francisco

Top 20 things to See and Do in San Francisco

Cable Car

With so much to see in San Francisco, where do you start? Here are the Top 20 Destinations among San Francisco visitors, according to statistics collected by the San Francisco Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Also: Top choice outside of San Francisco

Browse through to decide which spots interest you most.

Fisherman's Wharf
Shops, shops, and a plethora of great seafood restaurants line the Wharf, where you still see vestiges of the old fishing crafts used by the Italian immigrants who brought the Wharf to life after the Gold Rush.

Chinatown
Home to the largest urban population of Chinese people outside China, Chinatown is so authentic, you'll forget you're in San Francisco.

Golden Gate Bridge
You've seen it in movies, television, books and postcards - now go ahead and take a walk on it! And don't forget your camera.

Union Square
The finest shopping is found here with heavy-hitters like Macy's, Tiffany's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus. Side streets hide some great surprises, too.

Cable Car Ride
Can you really say you've been to San Francisco without a ride on a clanking cable car? And nobody thought they'd work back in 1873...

Dungeness Crabs

Golden Gate Park
A beautiful oasis in the middle of a bustling city, you'll find museums, gardens, a lake - even a herd of bison.

Alcatraz
One visit to this foreboding island and you'll know why escape was so appealing! Notorious criminals did time here: Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly, to name a few.

Museums/Galleries
Some of the finest museums and galleries in the world reside in San Francisco, from SFMOMA to the Asian Art Museum to the DeYoung—all of them offer a stunning diversity of artistic expression.

Union Street
Amidst chic shops and restaurants, enjoy the brightly painted Victorians and secret courtyards. As much fun at night as it is in the daytime.

Broadway/North Beach
Settled by Italian immigrants, the area offers outstanding Italian food and charming, old world cafés. The effects of subsequent immigrants makes this neighborhood a fascinating melange of history and cuisine. And talk about nightlife!

Fishing Fleet - Fishermans Wharf

Yerba Buena Center / Moscone Convention Center
In this area south of Market Street sits the city's premier meeting and exhibition facility, the Museum of Modern Art, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and the newest addition, the Jewish Museum.

Haight Ashbury District
Nerve center of 1968's "Summer of Love," the neighborhood is more commercial today than it was then, but still worth a stroll for its history and exceptional architecture.

Mission District
So named because of Mission Dolores' presence (oldest Mission in the state), the area remains largely Hispanic in its population and feel. Truly authentic Mexican food is found here, particularly at 16th and Valencia.

Japan Center
Since 1968, this tranquil 5-acre complex has showcased the best of Japanese life: a spa, shops, furnishings, and of course, great restaurants. Two public parking garages are available.

South of Market
With the proliferation of Internet companies in the Bay Area, South of Market (SOMA) is now considered one of the hippest neighborhoods in the city. Check out the California Historical Society, the Jewish Museum, and the Ansel Adams photography center, too.

Mission Dolores

Castro Street
Much of the gay and lesbian community lives and works in this neighborhood. Enjoy a fascinating assortment of shops, restaurants, pubs and a spectacular grand old movie palace.

Live Theater
The theater district (not far from Union Square) offers a wide range of live performances, both musical and dramatic. And fine dining is in close proximity for your convenience.

San Francisco Zoo
Located near the southern portion of Ocean Beach, the zoo is a great destination for family fun, 365 days a year. Admission is free the first Wednesday of every month.

Wine Tasting in San Francisco

Visit the Winery Collective is the first multi-winery tasting room in San Francisco focused on boutique wineries. This unique experience allowing you to taste wines from dozens of small wineries across California right in San Francisco without having to travel to each of the wine regions

Concerts, Performing Art and Sporting Events
Blessed with a fine symphony, a much-revered opera season, and an acclaimed ballet troupe, San Francisco offers something for every taste. San Francisco is home to two outstanding parks: famous Candlestick and the new Pac Bell, where home runs land in the San Francisco Bay.

Tall Ship Festival

TOP THINGS TO DO OUTSIDE OF SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco Car Rental

Sausalito Tiburon and Muir Woods
A lovely Ferry ride transports you to Sausalito (a bayside village tucked amongst the hills across the Bay) or Tiburon (former railroad town now similar in atmosphere to Sausalito). Take a car or tour to Muir Woods, the 560-acre park where redwoods over 1,000 years old stand tall.

Wine Country
Sonoma and Napa counties are best known for their vineyards, thanks to the mild sunny climate and fertile soil. Well under two hours away from San Francisco, Wine Country is a perfect day trip.

Carmel and Monterey
For a romantic weekend, few spots offer the charm of Carmel along the Monterey Peninsula. Experience Monterey's famous Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf, and Aquarium.

Yosemite National Park
A three hour drive through the Gold Country takes you to the most spectacular National Park. Yosemite is home to North America's five highest waterfalls, Yosemite Falls, Ribbon Falls and Sentinel Falls. See the images captured by Ansel Adams - Half Dome, Cathedral Rocks and the 3500 ft El Capitan.

Berkeley and Oakland
Berkeley is home to the first University of California campus and boasts a history unparalleled among American universities. College Avenue, Fourth Street, and Telegraph Avenue are your best bets. In Oakland, check out Jack London Square, the historic Paramount Theater (art-deco movie palace), and the Oakland Museum.

Reno and Lake Tahoe
Situated in the center of the highest concentration of ski resorts in North America with no less than 40 golf courses and countless casinos, Reno/Lake Tahoe provides recreational opportunities galore just a few hours from San Francisco.

Parks and Beaches in the region
San Francisco has its fair share of beaches (Ocean, Baker, and China), but don't expect to do much sun-worshipping - it's rarely warm enough to bare all. Go north and explore Point Lobos, or south to enjoy the unique college/beach town of Santa Cruz.

Theme Parks
Always a hit with families, San Francisco offers three regional theme parks. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Bonfante Gardens and Paramount's Great America.

About the Author

Who was the Oakland Coliseum organist in the home A's games of the 1972 World Series?

This was when the A's got hot and had that 3-year post-season dynasty. It was a time for such memories as Game 5 on an overcast day, stadium home-run fireworks, the national anthem by the Oakland Symphony, and of course...Reggie Jackson.

If you could locate an A's yearbook (not a game program) from 1972-75, there might be mention of the stadium organist's name.

Documentary traces Courier's influence
It's the year of the Courier. Forty-five years after the original Pittsburgh-based African-American weekly was sold to out-of-town owners, the newspaper is enjoying a flurry of historical attention.

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