Max Goes to Bear Valley Music Festival (July 23, 2026)

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Max Goes to the Bear Valley Music Festival! Let Us Know You're Interested!

Join us for an unforgettable adventure to the Bear Valley Music Festival from July 23rd to July 26th, in the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountains. We are excited to collaborate with the Black Tie Club of San Francisco to make this trip even more memorable! This year’s lineup features an incredible mix of performances, including:

-ELO tribute on July 23rd.

-Masterpieces by renowned composers such as John Williams and Aaron Copland and Aaron Copland on July 24th.

-Shigeru Umebayashi, known for his work on Ghost of Tsushima, Takashi Yoshimatsu with White Landscapes, and Keiko Abe featuring Chris Froh on marimba with Prism Rhapsody on July 25th.

- Experience the Extraordinary talent of Tony-nominated Norm Lewis, one of Broadway's most powerful and celebrated voices on July 26th.

With a welcoming atmosphere and breathtaking natural surroundings, this festival promises to deliver a magical experience for all. For more details on the complete lineup and schedule, check out the Bear Valley Music Festival calendar.

Our package will include three nights at the Bear Valley Lodge, conveniently located next to the festival tent, and tickets for all four concerts. Attendees can also look forward to an exclusive reception with Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate and the talented Norm Lewis. Additionally, there's an opportunity to explore the beautiful town of Murphys, where you can indulge in local offerings, including wine tastings at nearby wineries. The festival site is nestled at 7,400 feet, offering a unique blend of music, community, and natural beauty.

Whether you want to enjoy the full four-day experience or just join us for a couple of nights, this event is tailored to accommodate everyone. Bear Valley Music Festival has been a cherished cultural tradition since 1967, attracting music lovers from all walks of life. With stunning mountain views and a welcoming, intimate concert setting, this is not just a getaway; it's a chance to create lasting memories with your fellow Max group members. Don’t miss out; we can't wait to share this adventure with you!

Cost Summary: The total for the package is approximately $820 per person, which includes all four performances and 3 night accommodations at the lodge.

Breakdown of costs as follows:

The package includes four performances for approximately $265, with a possible group discount of 10–20%. For lodging, you can choose to stay at Bear Valley Lodge, which costs around $555 for three nights and offers a rustic atmosphere with limited services. Alternatively, you can stay in Murphys, a more lively area with wine tasting and restaurants, located 40 minutes away. Other lodging options include Arnold, Dorrington, or vacation rentals along Highway 4.

We anticipate possible event discounts depending on the number of attendees. We also understand that not everyone may be able to stay for all three nights, so we're happy to work with those who can only attend part of the event (2 night stay with 3 performances).

Please contact event champion Elie Abijaoude ASAP if you have questions or interested in joining us! Email address: elie.abijaoude@maxsf.org

In addition, please Register on the attached link to let us know that you will join the Max contingent at the event.

Bay History Cruise along Northern Shoreline (August 23, 2026)

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Please join MAX and the Black Tie Club on Sunday, August 23, for a shoreline cruise hosted by a super knowledgeable guide, historian and author, Chris Carlsson. This amazing and educational boat tour traverses the northern waterfront, and includes: exploring Yerba Buena Cove, Telegraph Hill, Fisherman's Wharf, Aquatic Park, Fort Mason, and the former Panama-Pacific International Exposition grounds; traveling beyond the Golden Gate Bridge before returning by a long-lost island, and; navigating Alcatraz close-up. The boat, Pacific Pearl, stops along various points, where Chris would discuss history or historic events of that particular place.

The boat is a refurbished 50-foot sports fishing vessel with restroom(s) and room to walk around. Snacks and drinks are allowed on board. The boat leaves from Emeryville Marina where it initially picks up passengers there. Then boat stops at Pier 52 in San Francisco where we would board at 4pm, and returns around 6:30pm. Please be punctual to avoid missing the boarding!

For information on Chris Carlsson, go to: https://chriscarlsson.com/

For information on the boat tour (Fish Emeryville), go to:

https://emeryville.fishingreservations.net/sales/?trip_filter[0]=1179

MAX has reserved 22 spots at $78 per person. To register, click on the LINK to the left.

This is an event not to be missed! We look forward to experiencing this informative and fun event with members of MAX and the Black Tie Club. For more information, contact Jim at: jim.tom@maxsf.org

Optional Post-cruise Dinner - An optional dinner at 7pm is planned at Che Fico Pizzeria at Chase Center after disembarkation. The restaurant offers water views and is about 2 blocks south of Pier 52. Link for Che Fico Pizzeria is: https://www.cheficopizzeria.com/

Dinner is limited to 20 people. Please note that reservations for the cruise and dinner require separate registrations. Deadline for the dinner is August 9. If you wish to join us for dinner, please pay $20 to reserve your spot by registering at: https://maxsf.org/event-6660035

Refunds and Waitlist - No refunds will be allowed after July 21 for the cruise, and after August 15 for the dinner unless we can fill your position. Waitlists will be available for cancellations or possible additional spaces for both.

Meeting Spot and Parking - Pier 52 and Chase Center are in Mission Bay along Terry A Francois Blvd. See map location below. The Pier 52 Boat Launch is situated approximately opposite the eastern terminus of Mission Bay Blvd North. Limited street parking is available in the area. A public surface lot called Pier 52 Parking Lot is situated just south of Pier 52 Boat Launch. Arrive early enough to familiarize yourself with the parking situation, get a parking ticket and walk to the boat launch area. The boat leaves at 4pm! As of mid-June, no events are scheduled at Chase Center and Oracle Arena that otherwise could complicate parking. Please recheck schedules later.

MAX upcoming events

Max Goes to Bear Valley Music Festival (July 23, 2026)

Bay History Cruise along Northern Shoreline (August 23, 2026)