Every year on St. Patrick’s Day, the Financial District is abuzz with live music and revelers celebrating the holiday, ushering in the warm Spring weather ahead. This stretch of Front Street, in between California and Sacramento streets, right by the Embarcadero Center, is sealed off from vehicular traffic, and is packed to the brim with patrons downing drinks from either Schroeder’s Cafe or Harrington’s Bar and Grill. The crowd is a mixture of fancy dressed professionals unwinding after a long day at the office and those that are clad in more festive green garb. Live music and flowing beer are definite selling points, but just remember that admission is free so it’s best to come a bit early to avoid the rush of the office crowd. Live music usually entails a cover band, so if you’re a fan of classic rock, you’re in the right place.

2314 Chestnut Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 346-1100
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Appropriate for nearly any occasion, a bouquet of some freshly cut Springtime flowers or a potted orchid in bloom is a perfect choice for a last minute gift. Wrapped in simple brown butcher paper and tied in place with a thick ribbon, the mix of colors from the bouquet are understated and elegant. If you’re going for something less cliche than roses or tulips, fragrant hyacinthus or something over-sized like sunflowers and hydrangeas are a good bet. |Fiori|

Hours of Operation:
Mon- Sat: 8am – 7pm
Sun: 10am – 6pm

For over forty years, San Francisco has celebrated the arrival of flowering cherry blossoms with a two weekend long celebration in the middle of |Japantown|. Originally a tradition in Japan called |Hanami| (flower viewing), celebrations there consist of outdoor parties and feasts amongst the blooming trees that can go on until the wee hours. Since the flowers typically only last a week or two on the tree, the cherry blossom is said to symbolize the fleeting beauty of life.

The parade on the last day of the festival begins at the Civic Center, travels down Post Street and ends at Fillmore Street. This year’s parade had its share of taiko drummers, Japanese Animation costume contest winners, and beauty pageant winners, not to mention some impressive |Matoi| twirling. At the tail of the parade, scores of people carrying large barrels of sake make offers of rice wine in anticipation of the staple crop planting season. The festival also features local merchants selling their wares and numerous food venders serving everything from BBQ to ramen noodles. |Nor Cal Cherry Blossom Festival|

Named after the |Spanish Mission| down the street, Dolores Park is one of the city’s best places to relax in the sun and take in the beautiful views of downtown. Nestled between the Mission and Castro districts, the park always attracts a very diverse mix of people. Public facilities include tennis courts, a basketball court, two soccer fields, and a playground. Unfortunately, the park will be closing some time in the Summer of 2010 to undergo a $3.5 million re-development of the playground and surrounding landscaping.  The work is not scheduled to be completed until 2011, renderings look more like a theme park than the charming neighborhood park of today. More information on the project can be found here: |Friends of Dolores Park.org|

On the third Saturday of May for the past 10 years, the Beer and Oyster Festival has been a great daytime drinking event held at the meadow in |Fort Mason|. Clear skies and temperatures in the upper 80s, large cups of Harp Ale and Guinness, raw and barbequed oysters on the half shell, live music, and of course the nice Marina scenery all make for a memorable Springtime event. |SF Beer & Oyster Site|