|
|
For a detailed description of my bubble show, please see my FAQ page:
I am happy to perform at birthday parties, corporate picnics/events, schools, weddings, and more!
Maximum number of children: 30
For larger events/parties, please email me for more information sfbubbleman@gmail.com
Best age range : 3-10. Things tend to go most smoothly with 20 or less kids, and when the kids are all of similar age. (The kids chase the bubbles everywhere and older/taller kids will tend to dominate the action and pop more bubbles than the younger/smaller kids)
We will need a large grass area with no nearby streets/traffic. I avoid working on pavement/concrete, or near moving traffic for safety reasons. Scroll down for a list of parks that work well for my shows in most of the cities I work in, beginning with San Francisco. Other parks not on the list may work also, but I'll need to make sure before confirming your party. Feel free to email me to discuss: sfbubbleman@gmail.com
Backyards can work for smaller parties with younger kids (Ages 5 and under). We will need at least 15' x 20' of grass or turf space.
Click the 'BOOK NOW' button below for booking.
Rates are for one hour, but I always stay longer if the kids and/or adults are still engaged. One hour is usually the perfect amount of time.
(Note, I am based in San Francisco - the higher rates in other areas are for the additional travel)
San Francisco/Daly City: $425
Burlingame/Pacifica
San Mateo/Belmont
Redwood City: $450
Palo Alto/Menlo Park/Atherton
Woodside: $475
North Bay to Novato: $450
-Sorry, I'm not doing East Bay shows at this time!-
**After reviewing your reservation, I will send you payment options for leaving a refundable $100 deposit to complete your booking. I accept Paypal, Venmo, and Square/Google Pay**
|
|
Below are some San Francisco Parks I recommend, but others not listed here can work also.
Go to SF Rec & Park to reserve your spot. I recommend NOT mentioning the bubbles over the phone, they might be required to say it's not allowed, but they've actually hired me for some of their events! Note, I don't do parties at Dolores Park, Glen Park playground, Alta Plaza, Mother's Meadow, Presidio Heights playground, Presidio Main Post, Tunnel Tops, Upper Noe Rec Center, or Lafayette Park, sorry! There are a variety of reasons that each of these are on the no-go list, I've tried all of them. Thanks for understanding!
These parks all work well for my shows:
Midtown Terrace: This park has been great so far and is probably my favorite. It has a small playground so it's usually not too crowded. Parking is great, and the park is very well contained. There is also an indoor space available to rent which is a good choice during the winter months. (But the bubble show will have to be outdoors of course). Another park with a clubhouse available is Presidio Wall playground.
West Portal Playground: Another well-contained park. Mid-sized playground, and has a view of Sutro Tower in the background. Parking is pretty easy. I like this one.
Terrace Green (Formerly St. Francis Wood Park): Usually not too crowded. It's often foggy here in the summer months which is actually really good for the bubbles. Parking has been easy every time I've been here.
Mountain Lake at 11th Ave: The spot where I make bubbles here is on the east side of the tennis courts right by 11th Avenue and Lake Street. Most people bring their own little table for snacks etc. If you reserve the picnic area in the playground area, you'll need to gather the kids together when it's bubble time and walk over to the grass area where I'll be set up (Hopefully another party won't be happening in the meadow at the same time). Like many parks within SF, later afternoons can get quite windy, particularly during the summer months!
Mountain Lake at the 8th Ave 2 tables, 9th Ave Shelter, and 10th Ave Meadow also work! Like many parks within SF, later afternoons can get quite windy, particularly during the summer months!
Koret Children's Quarter Barnyard: This is a very unique location between the carousel and playground in Golden Gate park. Luckily it's surrounded by a low wooden fence which makes it your own private area. It has a red barn structure which makes this a very memorable and fun little spot. Parking can be challenging at times on sunny days or when there are major events happening in the park.
Robin Williams Meadow Picnic Tables 4, 5, 6
This spot is close to the carousel also, but above it and to the west. There are other tables available, 1, 2 & 3, but I don't recommend those because there isn't a good grass spot by those for my show. Tables 4, 5, 6 work great though.
45th Avenue Playground/Boat Picnic Area (Outer Sunset)
This one has a smaller playground and is usually not too crowded. Since it's close to the ocean, there is a higher chance of fog. This is good news for the bubbles, they thrive in humid conditions! It could be cool here, always check the weather and dress appropriately. (This applies to all parks in SF actually, you never know what you're going to get with SF weather!) Parking got more difficult here after the pandemic when they closed the street off, I'm not sure of the current situation.
Douglass playground: Very well contained, secluded, and scenically interesting. It has a small playground and is generally not too crowded. Easy parking. I like this hidden gem. (Note, I only book this particular park in the summer and fall. During the winter and spring it can get too muddy, it's the most prone to mud in the whole city because rainfall trickles down the surrounding hills onto the grass and there is nowhere for it to drain!)
Parkside Square Playground Park (Parkside, Vicente and 28th Avenue)
There's a good spot for my bubble show on the grass behind the picnic tables at the rear of the playground. This park has restrooms and a parking lot with good parking. I've been doing more and more parties here in the last couple of years.
Christopher Playground: There's a private picnic area available, and we do the bubbles on the big grass field. The grass can get a bit thick and soggy in the winter/spring months, or after the groundskeepers water it, but it's a good spot overall with lots of space for the kids to chase the bubbles. And it's nice having the Safeway parking lot available.
McLaren Park Redwood Grove Picnic Area:
Very easy parking, and restrooms. Google navigation didn't work very well the last time I went there, but maybe they've fixed that by now.
Presidio Wall Playground (Formally Julius Kahn): I've done a LOT of parties here. It's a beautiful location with a nice playground. An indoor space is available to rent. We do the bubbles on a slight slope but it's not a problem. It can get really windy at this one, particularly in the later afternoons. Mornings are usually more calm, so I recommend 11am bubble start times here. NOTE: There are sometimes soccer games on the field on Saturday mornings/afternoons, and on Fridays in the late afternoons. This limits the amount of space for the kids at your party to chase the bubbles, etc. I'm not 100% sure about this, but I don't think they have practice on Sunday mornings, so Sunday would be the preferred day of the week to have your party at this location.
Lindley Meadow: This is one of the spots I would go to on weekdays to practice bubbling when I first started making giant bubbles back in 2012. I've done a few weekend parties here, the humid air from the nearby Pacific Ocean makes for good bubbles. Parking is okay. They have BBQs. A bit of a walk to get to the bathroom though. Tends to get windy in the later afternoons during the summer months. Picnic table #1 should give us the most privacy. Tables 10-11 should also be good from a privacy point of view.
Hellman Hollow: Very close to Lindley Meadow, and similar, but bathrooms are much more convenient. Picnic tables 1 & 2 will be the most private section for the bubble show.
McKinley Square: Not a very well-known park, but it works well. Not too crowded which is nice, and the parking is usually quite good. However, I don't think there is a bathroom? Best for people who live nearby for bathroom access. Boys can probably find a spot in the trees.
George Washington Grove Picnic Area (Outer Sunset, just off Lincoln & 25th Avenue)
Not a very well-known spot, and no bathroom or playground. One picnic table is available. It's not very well known, but it's a nice meadow that works for my bubble show.
Little Marina Green: There's no playground, and no picnic tables, but there is a great big grass space for the bubbles. And there are restrooms. And of course, it's a beautiful spot right next to the bay.
George Moscone Park: I've done a handful of parties here. There's a picnic table near the playground that can be reserved I believe. It's not the greatest location for my show but it can work in a pinch. Tends to be very windy, particularly in the late afternoons like most SF parks.
Sunnyside: I hesitate to put this on the recommended list, it would be one to pick as a last resort. The conditions can often be cold and windy/drizzly with swirling wind patterns that make the bubble making difficult.
Precita Park: Another last resort choice since there are roads on either side of the park. You'll need to corral the kids from the playground over to the big grass space for the show. Some people set up their own table on the side of the big grass field. There should be a bathroom for your guests to use at the nearby cafe? I recommend you double-check their hours.
I'm sure there are other parks that can work well too, let me know if you want a spot not on this list and I can research it to make sure it will work for my show! Very large backyards are another option for small parties!
Areas south of San Francisco (North Bay locations at the very bottom):
South San Francisco: Alta Loma Park, Picnic Areas 2 & 3. There is a nice big grass field right next to the playground/picnic area that's great for the bubble show. The proper address to tell your guests is: 638 McLellan Drive, South San Francisco This will take them right to the opening of the parking lot next to the playground. (Thanks to my client Olivia for this helpful tip!)
Burlingame: Village Park, Washington Park (Redwood Grove picnic area only)
Pacifica: Frontierland Park
Hillsborough: Vista Park
San Mateo: Casanova Park (Great spot), Beresford Park, Laurie Meadows, Coyote Point (Picnic area just past the playground area, one downside is the parking charge)
Belmont: Twin Pines (Meadow or Buckeye picnic areas, Meadow is slightly preferable)
San Carlos: Laureola Park
Atherton: Holbrook Palmer Park -There's a large meadow on the left side as you're entering the park that people sometimes reserve. There's another grass space around the back near the playground which has a picnic area. Both spots work great.
Menlo Park: Nealon Park, Seminary Oaks Park
Palo Alto: Heritage Park, Mitchell Park
Portola Valley: Little People's Park
Los Altos: Shoup Park
Mountain View: Cuesta Park, Pyramid Park
(Mountain View is as far south I travel for parties. I will sometimes accept large corporate events in Sunnyvale, etc)
North Bay areas:
Belvedere: Belvedere Park (The large rectangular grass area behind the pavillion is the spot that works for my show)
Mill Valley: Sycamore Park, Boyle Park
Larkspur: Piper Park
Kentfield: Hal Brown at Creekside
If you prefer another park, please email me and we can discuss! Remember, we want to avoid parks right alongside streets/traffic. sfbubbleman@gmail.com