Celebrating Father’s Day in The Valley
By Danrochelle D. Yumul
Father’s Day is coming up this weekend. Have you made plans to celebrate the special man in your family, your original childhood superhero? Need ideas? Let My Valley Pass---the San Fernando Valley’s #1 visitors’ guide--help you with some suggestions on planning the perfect Father’s Day in the San Fernando Valley.
Book a brewery tour. If your dad is a beer connoisseur, sign him up for our signature San Fernando Valley Brewery Tour on June 15th at noon. Led by local comedian Cassie Angel (The Valley Vixen), this five-hour tour visits the tasting rooms of four breweries: 8one8 Brewing, San Fernando Brewing, Hand-Brewed Brewing, and a new addition to our tour, the Lincoln Beer Company. This tour includes a flight of three 4oz samplings at each brewery, transportation on a 30-passenger Party Bus, and a swag bag given at the conclusion of the tour to commemorate the experience. The tour departs from the Valley Relics Museum, located at the Van Nuys airport. Please arrive 15 minutes before the tour starts. It’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser for beer-loving dads. For more information, click on our Events & Tours tab.
Enjoy the outdoors. Maybe Dad is an outdoors man who enjoys---well, the outdoors. The Lake Balboa/Anthony C. Beilenson Park offers many outdoor activities for Dad. You can find running trails, pedal boats, bike rentals, and picnic tables with bbq pits. Take him on a walk or jog on their running trails. Maybe rent a Swan pedal boat for a ride around the lake. After working up an appetite, enjoy a picnic with the family. Fishing (with a permit) is also something you can add to the list of things to do. Lake Balboa is located at 6300 Balboa Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91406. Park hours are from sunrise to sunset. Visit their website for more information.
Right around the area, you can also bring Dad to the SuihoEn Japanese Garden for a dose of tranquility and calm. One of the San Fernando Valley’s hidden gems, this Japanese garden is a getaway amidst the hustle and bustle of the valley. Located at 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406, the garden is open on Mondays through Thursdays from 11am to 4pm and Sundays at 10am – 4pm. Last entry is at 3:15pm. General admission is $5. Seniors (62+) is $5. Children 12 and under is $3.
Put his skills--gaming skills that is--to the test. For the gamer Dad, the San Fernando Valley is home to arcades, indoor karting, mini golf and axe throwing. Yes, you read that right---axe throwing! Plan on competing against your dad in different arenas of fun.
The One Up, a gastrolounge with retro arcade games, tops the list as an all-in-one package of games, drinks and food. Treat Dad to a drink or two, while beating him at a round of Mortal Kombat or Pac Man. Games are free for customers. After 7pm, it turns into a 21 and over establishment. The One Up is located at 13625 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.
Here’s an oldie but a goodie! Miniature golf, arcade games, and batting cages! Take Dad to the Sherman Oaks Castle Park for a day of fun with the entire family. Party areas with food packages are available to help you customize his special weekend. Group rates are available. Located at 4989 Sepulveda Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA. 91403, make reservations and call (818)756-9459. Visit their website for more information.
Pit your racing skills against Dad on an indoor go kart course. You can find two locations in the San Fernando Valley to satisfy Dad’s need for speed. Racer’s Edge is located near the 5 freeway at 960 Chestnut St, Burbank, CA 91506. Both walk-ins and reservations are welcome. Location number two is MB2 Raceway located at 13943 Balboa Blvd, Sylmar, CA 91342. A Father’s Day special of a $50 gift card for $39.99 is currently available for purchase.
If your Dad is more on the edgier side, North Hollywood is home to the San Fernando Valley’s premier axe throwing facility, LA AX. For an hour, you can introduce Dad to this international sport. Don’t worry. Coaches are there to instruct and assist you before you begin throwing axes at the bullseye. Safety is a top priority for this activity. Group reservations are recommended but walk-ins are welcome. Private group sessions are $40 per person. Public walk-in sessions are $25 per person for an hour. Please make sure to wear close toed shoes when visiting this facility. For more information, visit their website. LA AX is located at 7308 Coldwater Canyon Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91605. Book online or call them at (888)979-LAAX.
Say ‘I Love You’ with Brunch. Maybe Dad just wants a nice, quiet meal with the family. You’ll be able to find some great brunch places around the San Fernando Valley. Here are some of our picks for a memorable Father’s Day brunch:
94th Aero Squadron: This historic San Fernando Valley restaurant, located near the Van Nuys airport, will be hosting a Father’s Day brunch from 10:00am – 4pm. Priced at $62.95 per adult and $25.95 per child, their brunch buffet features a prime rib, a build-your-own-sausage station, raw bar, and a beer garden with complimentary tastings. Dad’s first beer is on them. Reservations are recommended.
The Odyssey: A brunch atop a hillside with stunning views of the San Fernando Valley is something Dad will enjoy. The Odyssey will host a Father’s Day buffet brunch from 10am to 5pm. This buffet brunch will include a sushi station, a carving station, as well as live entertainment. Prices run at $68.95 per adult and $28.95 per child. Children 5 and under eat free. Reservations are recommended as well.
The Smokehouse: Located near the WB studios, The Smokehouse, another historic restaurant in the San Fernando Valley, will be hosting the Ultimate Champagne brunch from 9am to 4:45pm. For reservations, call (818)845-3731 or book online.
Enjoy our recommendations for this year’s Father’s Day celebration. Make his day a memorable one. Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing dads! For more information on events in the San Fernando Valley, visit us myvalleypass.com.