The Obamas were in Chicago to celebrate the wedding of the daughter of White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett Saturday night.
This is the first time the entire Obama family has been home in two years.
On Sunday, Mr. Obama enjoyed part of Father's Day doing something lots of dads might prefer to do -- enjoying a round a golf at the Beverly Country Club with two longtime friends, Martin Nesbitt and Eric Whitaker, plus Obama's trip director and frequent golf partner, Marvin Nicholson.
The president's relaxed outing came hours before he was set to fly to Los Cabos, Mexico, for a Group of 20 summit dominated by Europe's financial crisis and the growing global economic anxiety.
Saturday night, security was tight in Chicago's Kenwood neighborhood for the wedding. The first family arrived on foot shortly after 6 p.m., the president wearing a tan suit, gold tie, and pocket square, the first lady in a light-colored pleated skirt and shimmering green sleeveless top.
Daughters Malia and Sasha wore bright-colored dresses.
Other guests were greeted with metal detectors and even dogs, but it didn't seem to dampen the mood for those here to see the happy couple, Harvard law graduates Laura Jarrett and Tony Balkissoon.
"I hope that they have much, much love," said the bride's cousin, Jacob Williams. "I hope they have a long, happy time together."
Also in attendance was US Attorney General Eric Holder, who arrived under heavy guard.
Also spotted was Clinton administration power broker Vernon Jordan, the great-uncle of White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett, the bride's mother, as well as Obama campaign fundraiser John Rogers, who brought his daughter.
"I grew up down the block, and it's wonderful to come back home and to celebrate Laura's extraordinary wedding," Rogers said. "She's got an extraordinary husband. And it's an extraordinary family. So I'm glad to be here."
Before Saturday night's gathering, the president was not seen leaving his house, only a block from the Jarrett home where the backyard wedding took place.
The first lady had lunch on the Magnificent Mile at Spiaggia Restaurant, leaving with a bag of takeout, perhaps for the president.
She gave a wave from her SUV window as the secret service whisked her away.
Back in the Kenwood neighborhood, the heavy police and secret service presence will remain in place until the Obamas leave Sunday. This 48-hour visit their longest here since 2009.
"Having this momentous occasion, having all their friends and family here, it's really special," Rogers said.
Authorities have reported no security issues in the Kenwood neighborhood.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
