A fun day out for the guys

AT&T Park (PD File)

When a man already has taken the kids to Disneyland for a summer vacation, and visited the in-laws along the way, he might want a slightly different kind of a getaway before he settles back into the job. He might want to hang out with the guys for a while.

A day at the ball park is always an option. The San Francisco Giants play home games at AT&T Park this week, Monday through Thursday against the Rockies, and Friday through next Sunday. (sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/schedule)

The easy, civilized way to travel to a Giants game is  to catch the Golden Gate Ferry at Larkspur, enjoy the view and the refreshment counter on the trip, and disembark right outside the park. After the game, there’s no need to deal with the packed parking lot. Just walk out of the stadium and catch the ferry back to Larkspur. A one-way fare is $9. (goldengateferry.org/events/ATTParkSched.php)

Or, try a trip to the Russian River. It isn’t a long drive, but the woods and the water will make you feel like you’re far away.

Gather a few friends, rent canoes and paddle away the afternoon. Canoe rental options include: Burke’s Canoe Trips in Forestville (887-1222, burkescanoetrips.com); River’s Edge in Healdsburg (433-7247, riversedgekayakandcanoe.com); Soar Russian River Adventures, (433-5599, russianriveradventures.com).

If you want to make a weekend of it, there are campgrounds in the Russian River area. That allows time for a side trip to Armstrong Woods or to the Russian River beaches (russianriver.com).

For guys who like beer, North Bay Brewery Tours offers day-long bus trips, departing from both Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa, with stops at Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, Bear Republic Brewing Company in Healdsburg, and both Third Street Aleworks and the Beverage People home brewing supply shop in Santa Rosa.  Taste a wide range of microbrews, and don’t worry about driving. $85. 602-7397, northbaybrewerytours.com.