Battery Chamberlin Road
The Presidio
San Francisco, CA 94129 View Map
With one of the most iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, it’s no surprise that Baker Beach is a very popular destination year-round for locals and visitors alike. Located on the western shores of the Presidio, this mile-long stretch of beachfront is a romantic locale for a walk along the shore or a relaxing place to enjoy a good book. On warm days, the beach is very popular for sunbathers (the northern section of the beach is favored by the clothing-optional type). There’s even a picnic area near the parking lot with tables and grills perfect for a warm weather barbeque.
Upon parking, one may think the hilly terrain at the right of the entrance is merely a sanctuary for wild plants, but it’s actually the site of a former military gun installation built in 1904 to protect the harbor. Baker Beach was also the site of the first five Burning Man Festivals from 1986 to 1990. The festival has since moved on to Black Rock Desert, Nevada due to campfire size restrictions that prohibited the burning of large wooden structures. Though Burning Man would have had to be much smaller at Baker Beach, here’s a cool video of the festival from 2009 to envision what the party could have been like:
Marina Green,
San Francisco, CA 94123
Annual Event that begins 2nd weekend of October View Map
Celebrated in conjunction with the Columbus Day festivities since 1981, Fleet Week draws over one million visitors to the city for its various exhibits, parades, air shows, roof deck parties, and beer gardens at the Marina Green. The beer garden is often packed, drawing crowds for their cold brews, various prepared foods, and unobstructed views of the bay. Festivities run pretty much all weekend, starting with the parade of Naval ships at 11:30 am on Saturday and concluding with a live concert series at Pier 39 that goes from 1 pm until 7 pm Sunday. Other notable activities include the air show and Blue Angels aerial performances that start at 12:30 pm and finish at 4 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday night, pick a nice vantage point, grab a blanket, and watch the fireworks show at Pier 3 that begins at 9:30 pm. When Sunday comes around, the Italian Heritage Parade is another event worth seeing. The parade starts at 12:30 pm and moves right down Columbus Street, through the North Beach District. So dust off that old bomber jacket, don some aviators, and prepare yourself for Highway through the Danger Zone on repeat. |Fleet Week|
On Union, between Gough and Steiner Streets
1st weekend of June, annually View Map
For the past 33 years, the Union Street Festival has the been the unofficial beginning of Summer for local residents, ushering in longer days of sun and marking an end to the cold temperatures. Open only to pedestrian traffic, the street is filled with booths selling various types of food, local vendors selling their wares and artwork, a few live music stages, a beer garden on nearly every block, and plenty of Marina scenery. This year’s event was particularly warm, and crowded; the beer was ice cold and the food was extra greasy, fried and delicious. Admission is free and the festival runs both Saturday and Sunday. Parking is impossible, using public transit is highly recommended.|Union Street Festival Site|
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