Eating

Food: Diner food reaches superlative levels at South-of-Market Citizen’s Band, thanks to chef Chris Beerman and collaborator Cheryl Burr, owner of the nearby bakery Pinkie’s.

Drinking

Meet Your Mixologist: Alejandra Sabbatella, who staffs the bar at Leticia’s, a Mexican restaurant in the Upper Market-Castro area, not only exudes warmth — she makes a mean margarita, too.

On the town

Opera simulcast: The San Francisco Opera presents “Opera at the Ballpark,” a free live simulcast of Verdi’s “Aida.” [8 p.m., AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, S.F.; register: www.sfopera.com]

Films for kids: The first NY/SF International Children’s Film Festival begins. Films for ages 3 to 18 and their families are on the bill. [4 to 11 p.m., Embarcadero Center Cinema, 1 Embarcadero Center, S.F.; www.sffs.org]

A great bike ride

Grand Bicycle Parade and Tour de Fat: Pedal to Golden Gate Park in your San Francisco best — top hat, beanie or boa — for a fun and frolicking ride. The route goes through Golden Gate Park and beyond; it’s followed by the Tour, an event that’s part bike rodeo and part circus, with fire-jumping bike acts, cycling games, music, snacks and beer. Proceeds from an optional $5 donation benefit the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. [10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lindley Meadow, Golden Gate Park, S.F., www. sfbike.org]

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market top picks

• Artisan ketchup
• Arugula
• Capricious cheese
• Chicken stock
• Cucumbers
• Elephant garlic
• Pawpaws
• Princess grapes

Festivities

Blues on Polk: A new free street festival — the weekend-long Polk Street Blues Festival — has arrived. Music, crafts, food and a marketplace are on the bill. [10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Polk Street from Pacific Avenue to Union Street, S.F.]

Beer and cheer: German-flavored music, dancing, food and beer are on tap at the 2010 Oktoberfest by the Bay celebration. Musical headliner: the Chico Bavarian Band. [11 a.m. to midnight, Pier 48, S.F.]

Italian celebration: The San Francisco Italian Athletic Club hosts its Festa Coloniale Italiana, featuring food, music, pizza-toss demos, costumed dancers and more. [11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 1630 Stockton St., S.F.]

Hot salsa: The Salsa Festival celebrates Latin culture with a heaping of salsa, both danceable and edible. [Noon to 8 p.m., Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City]

Literary events

Book sale: Friends of the San Francisco Public Library’s 2010 Big Book Sale continues. [10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, S.F.]

Dance

Contemporary dance: Detour Dance presents “Along the Way,” a work that dissects everyday spaces, reconfiguring them into places of curiosity. [8 p.m., CounterPulse, 1310 Mission St., S.F.]

A great beach

Hidden Perles: Take a ferry to Angel Island, then venture beyond Ayala Cove to Perles Beach, a south-facing slice of sun and sand that sees only a handful of people and boasts an impressive art deco backdrop — San Francisco and the Golden Gate and Bay bridges. To get there, walk or bike ride 1.5 miles along Perimeter Road. There’s no signed trail, just a worn path. [For more about getting outdoors in Nothern California, visit www.WeekendSherpa.com]

Charity races

Breast-cancer race: Susan G. Komen for the Cure presents its “Race for the Cure,” a 5K run/walk and 1-mile “fun walk,” plus related events. It benefits the fight against breast cancer. [9 a.m., Ferry Building, S.F.; www.komensf.org]

Sports and recreation

Paddle races: The San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival returns to Treasure Island. More than 110 dragon-boat teams vie in the event, which also includes crafts, food and culture activities. [8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; www.sfdragonboat.com]

Festivities

Art walk: Forty artists, poets and musicians share their art in shops, studios and cafes during the North Beach ArtWalk. A map is available online. [11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; starts at Live Worms Gallery, 1345 Grant Ave., S.F.; www.thd.org/art/index.html]

Fundraising parties

Surf benefit party: Surfpulse hosts a “Surf Sunday” benefit party, with free food, DJ music, surf flicks and raffle prizes. Partial proceeds benefit the Red Vic Movie House. [6 to 10 p.m., Joxer Daily’s, 46 West Portal Ave., S.F.]

Movies

Silent classic: “Metropolis” (1927), Fritz Lang’s silent sci-fi masterwork, has returned to the Castro Theatre by popular demand. This restored version contains 25 minutes of “lost” footage. [8 p.m., 429 Castro St., S.F.]

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