They say it takes one to know one and since I’m a Dad, I thought I might be able to give you some suggestions for what to do for the Dad in your family for Father’s Day in and around Lake Oswego. Here are a few things that I’d enjoy and chances are the man of honor in your household would too.

Get him out on the water. You can rent kayaks, canoes and stand up paddleboards at George Rogers Park but note rentals are on a first-come first-served basis so you’ll want to get there early. Prices for single kayaks and SUP boards: $19/1 hour; $29/2 hours; $39/for ½ day; $60/24 hour day. Prices for double kayaks or canoes: $29/1 hour; $39/2 hour; $49/ for ½ day and $70/24 hour day. Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends until June 29 when open 7 days a week. 611 S. State Street. 541.705.0283. Be sure to check online for waiver information.

If you want to get your feet wet in Lake Oswego, then check into the Lake Grove Swim Park which is now officially open. To enter you have to live within the original Lake Grove School District boundaries or be with someone who does. Check out one of my earlier blogs on this popular swimming hole in Lake Oswego. I spent many an afternoon here with my kids and let me tell you, they are some of my favorite memories.

Run a race together. The Grateful Dad Half Marathon, 10K and 5K race is being held on Saturday, June 15 featuring a flat course that runs along the Columbia River with views of the Cascade Range. You and Dad will be rewarded for your efforts with a Grateful family breakfast, beer garden and Grateful Dead tunes after the event. Online registration deadline is June 13. Cost: $89/Half Marathon; $64/10K run-walk; $51/5K run-walk.

Hop on the trolley. The Willamette Shores Trolley started back up end of May with two roundtrips from the Lake Oswego Depot heading up to Portland every Saturday and Sunday until they start adding Friday excursions July 5. It’s a scenic and stress-free way to head up to Portland, maybe for one of those scavenger hunts I mentioned earlier. It lets you off at Bancroft and Moody so you’ll have to take a Lyft or public transit to get further into town. Or just pack some treats and make the journey your destination.

Take him to breakfast. There are lots of great breakfast spots to celebrate Dad’s day in Lake Oswego—here are a few of my favorites:

• La Provence Boulangerie and Patisserie. Ever since this breakfast spot relocated to the renovated Lake Grove Shopping Village, it has been hopping. Get there before you’re starving as sometimes you’ll have to wait. What keeps the crowds lining up? Outdoor seating is popular as well as favorites like the Wild Northwest Salmon Hash, Risotto Cakes and Eggs, Roasted Oatmeal Brûlée, Croque Provence and their croissants. Gluten free options are available, including gluten-free bread. 16350 Boones Ferry Road, 503.635.4533.
• Babica Hen Café. Feel the love with fresh, from-scratch food, sourced locally. Goodiesinclude: Lemon Berry Almond Crumble Waffles, Blueberry Brûlée French Toast, and Fire Roasted Tomato Eggs Benedict. Gluten free options (waffles and bread) mean no ones feels deprived. 15964 Boones Ferry Road, 503.636.4012.
• St. Honoré Boulangerie. See for yourself why this was voted the Best Bakery in Portland by Willamette Week readers. The Lake Oswego location serves brunch on the weekends from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with specials like Mimosa pitchers, Croque Monsieur and Brioche Cocotte. Several variations of croissants to choose from and don’t miss out on their café au lait. 315 1^st Street, 503.496.5596.
• Kyra’s Bake Shop. Gluten free eaters can have their breakfast and eat it too—everything here is 100% gluten free, and breakfast is served all day. Offerings include: a breakfast sandwich on housemade ciabatta bread, french toast, biscuits and gravy, quiche and yogurt parfaits. Sweet muffins may sound like dessert, but since they’ve won the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, you may want to try one. 599 A Avenue, 503.212.2979.
• Biscuits Café. Breakfast eaters weigh in on Yelp with rave reviews for their biscuits, gravy, chicken fried steak and fresh strawberry jam. 4200 Mercantile Drive, #790, 503.305.8058.
• Tavern on Kruse. Weekends this popular spot opens early for breakfast at 9:00 a.m. And lucky for you—they take reservations! Dad will find many of his favorites on the menu including eggs benedict, steak and eggs and breakfast burrito with maybe a mimosa or Ramos Gin Fizz to toast the occasion with. 4835 Meadows Rd., #133. 503.303.5280.  http://www.tavernonkruse.com

Take him on a picnic. Gather up your picnic supplies at one of our gourmet groceries, both with extensive deli cases, fresh bread and wine selections: Zupan’s at 16380 Boones Ferry Rd., 503.210.4190 or Bales Marketplace Palisades at 1377 McVey Avenue, 503.636.2213. And then pick your spot from a long list of parks which I featured in this blog.

Take him on a scavenger hunt. You can create a DIY version for Lake Oswego or head into Portland and register for one of the app-led interactive tours. For 2-3 hours you and your Dad will receive clues, complete challenges and explore Portland on foot in a way you have never done before! Before you’re done you will probably have learned a thing or two and had many laughs. Couple sites to check out include Urban Adventure ($49 for 2-5 team members) and Scavengerhunt.com ($24.45/ person).

Take him wine tasting.No, you don’t have to battle the McMinnville traffic to do a little wine tasting on Father’s Day. Just head over to Oswego Hills Winery. Located just past Luscher Farms on Rosemont Road sits this family run vineyard that was planted in 1997 with Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Marechal Foch. Tastings are offered every Sunday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. showcasing their latest vintage. For additional tasting sites in town, check out the Things to Do in Lake Oswego in my blog’s sidebar. 450 S. Rosemont Road, 503.655.2599.

If the Dad in your family likes to go house-hunting let me be of service! I’d love to show him and you around in search of the perfect home for you in Lake Oswego, West Linn, or anywhere in the Portland metro area. Give me a call at 503.939.09801 and check out my website.

Image by ElisaRiva from Pixabay