For families at Woodward Park Sunday, celebrating dad included putting him in front of a grill, to cook for the rest of the family.
Many of the gatherings included generations of fathers who didn't mind the cooking duties at all.
"It's a family tradition. We've been doing it for many years. And we enjoy doing it," Gary Higdon said.
"I thought I was going to get a break. That's why they sent me over here to pick a place and I end up cooking! It's okay, I'm a chef anyway," Johnny Tabarez said.
Other dads like Raul Ruz of Madera spent Father's Day fishing with the family. But Ruz says he's already done plenty of cooking.
He got his father's day gift a week early, a barbecue grill, that he's already used several times.