Free National Parks, a Parade and Other Veterans Day Weekend Fun

Monday is Veterans Day, so with the kids likely out of school, you may be looking for some fun weekend activities and/or some ways to honor the men and women who serve our country.

The 94th San Francisco Veterans Day Parade is one way to do both. The parade starts at 11 a.m. at Market Street and passes City Hall, ending at Grove Street. Supporters can join the march at the end of the procession.

This year's event honors the 60th anniversary of the Korean War.

If you're in the city for the parade, you could stay all day and participate in the first ever National Veterans Day Run,  set for 4 p.m. at Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It will include two distances, a timed 5K run and a 1-mile family walk.

Many veterans, active military members and their families are expected to participate.

All funds raised at the event will be donated to Folds of Honor, a charity that provides scholarships and other assistance to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service to our country.

Also in San Francisco, now through Jan. 20, is the annual holiday ice rink in Union Square.

Now in its seventh season, the rink is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $11 for regular admission and $7 for children ages 8 and under. Skate rentals are $5. 

Free National Park Weekend

If a busy weekend in San Francisco isn't your thing, it's free national parks weekend, including the holiday on Monday.

Participating parks include Muir Woods and Yosemite Park, where it regularly costs $20 per car to enter.

Free National Parks Day

Other participating California parks include:

• Cabrillo (Normally $5 vehicle fee and $3 entrance fee)
• Death Valley $20, $10
• Joshua Tree $15, $5
• Lassen Volcanic $10, $5
• Lava Beds $10, $5
• Muir Woods $7
• Pinnacles $5, $3
• San Francisco Maritime – Always Free
• Sequoia-Kings Canyon $20, $10
• Whiskeytown $10, $5
• Yosemite $20, $10