Seasonal Events, San Francisco

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The average day in San Francisco - no matter what the season - is partly cloudy in the 50's. But every so often, The weather Gods align just right and we get a few days of hot, sunny, gorgeous weather. Temperatures in the 80's or 90's with a crystal clear sky!

We get only a handful of these days every year – usually a few in the Spring and a few in the Fall - so, when they happen, you have to take advantage. Any bar with an outdoor patio will be packed all day, the parks are covered with people and dogs, and people at the beach wear bikinis instead of down jackets!

Being out at midnight in just shorts and a t-shirt may not sound like much, but in San Francisco it is a magical event that MUST be celebrated. It is virtually a City law that you must drop any plans and enjoy the day... because you never know when another one will come along.

But watch out! We have another, similar weather phenomenon that is even more mysterious. Sometimes we get these freak hot days where the air is deathly still. The locals call this "earthquake weather." I don't know if there's any evidence behind it, but it is on these days when we seem to have more than the usual amount of detectable earthquake activity. No one who lived through it will forget the day of the "Pretty Big One" on October 17th, 1989... not just because of the 7.1 magnitude quake, but also the freak heat wave that hit the day before!

Weeeeeird!

This is a 140 years old tradition in Chinatown. It all began in 1860s with educational purposes - to introduce Westerners to Asian customs. More than a century later, it has been named Largest Asian Celebration Outside Of Asia.

Chinese New Year 2008 (Lunar year 4706) is in fact today, when I am typing this tip - 7th of February. But the actual celebration will be held on the February, 23rd at 5.30pm.
There will be over 100 units participating in the Parade. Long time crowd favorite is the Golden Dragon. It takes a team of over 100 men and women from the martial arts group to carry it throughout the streets.

LOCATION: Parade starts at Market & 2nd Str and ends on Kearny Str.

PRICES: Free, but if you want a bleacher seat on Kearny Street (at between Sacramento & California) for $30 per ticket +$8 shipping/handling per order, order it online here.

WEBSITE

Come early for better viewing spots.

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SF may be a liberal, anti-war city, but even we can't resist the roar of F-18s! Fleet Week happens every year during the first or second week in October. Thousands upon thousands of folks line the north waterfront to see the parade of navy ships, aerial acrobatics, and, especially, the Blue Angels. I went this year, and they threw in the Red Bull air races as well!

Events run all week, but the main days are Saturday and Sunday. It's free, so the waterfront is mobbed for about 2 miles! There's so much space, however, that it's really not necessary to get there real early. The best place to watch the event - especially the Blue Angels, is at the grandstand seating at Municipal Pier, just to the right of the Fort mason complex. These seats cost money, though - $20 - and have to be reserved ahead of time. Another great place to walk is the jetty containing the "wave organ." It's a hike, though; you have to walk around the yacht club to get out there, and it does fill up.

What to bring: A folding chair, camera (with zoom), snacks and water (the food stands are scarce, expensive, and lousy), binoculars, sunscreen, and a jacket for later.

Parking: Don't park north of Lombard Street! The area is absolutely jammed after the Blue Angels finish. Public transportation is useless - the buses can't get through the crowds. It's best to hike up the steep hills (a brutal walk!) and catch an east-west route, or just get a coffee and wait a while. And speaking of coffee, for some very strange reason, coffee is just impossible to find at the event! Get some on the way!

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Belden Place is home to San Francisco's Little French Quarter. Belden Place began its transformation from an alley to a destination in 1990 when Cafe Bastille was opened. Cafe Tiramisu opened in 1991 and Plouf opened its doors in 1996. The area also includes Sam's, B44, Voda, Brindisi Cucina di Mare, and Belden Taverna.

Each year on Bastille Day (July 14th) the alley is packed especially tight for celebration of the French anniversary of the start of the revolution which eventually removed their monarchy.

Claude Lane, off Sutter between Kearny and Grant also participates in this annual festival.

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Japantown Cherry Blossom Festival is held on consecutive weekends in early to mid April each year (in 2007 it was April 14 & 15 and 21 & 22). The highlights of the festival are the Cherry Blossom Queen Pageant on the first Saturday of the festival and the Grand Parade on the last Sunday. In between these events you will find traditional song and dance, karaoke, arts and crafts, martial arts demonstrations and competitions, food bazaars, tea ceremonies, and much more. The main stage is at the Peace Plaza in the heart of Japantown and various buildings throughout the area (mostly along Post and Geary) host different events and displays.

The first Cherry Blossom Festival took place in 1967 and today draws 150,000 visitors to the area, plus 100,000 for the parade.

Here's the latest place-to-be in the Bay Area. A great day away for us San Franciscans will always be Napa. And here's the latest, getting rave reviews.

Copia.org

If you've ever wondered what Christmas time is like in San Francisco. Well, here's an isolated J-town aurora borealis of sorts on land. SF lights up. No, it's nothing as pretty as Hong Kong's Neon lights, but it's still refreshing to see as you walk the lonely SF Streets. It's a bit like Gotham City here at night in the winter time. Everyone's inside eating, watching movies, or even working.

It's not lively in a grandiose way like NY. SF has pockets of nightlife scattered about on Lombard Street, the Castro, Noe Valley, Potrero Hill, South of Market, Union Street, and Fisherman's Wharf.

I took this picture next to Denny's in San Francisco's Japantown. Us locals call it "J-town."

If you come to San Francisco during the Spring or Summer, you will definitely run into a fair. From the North Beach Festival (Italian District filled with Italian restaurants and cafes), Fleet Week, Jazz Festival, Union Street Faire, Stern Grove Festival to the crazy, risque Folsom Street Fair...the list goes on and on. There's pretty much some event going on in a section of San Francisco even if it isn't spring or summer, like Halloween in Castro or the Exotic/Erotic Ball.
Check out:
http://www.sfweekly.com
http://www.sfstation.com