10 San Francisco Activities You Have To Do This Summer
These San Francisco activities will have you wishing summer never ends. There’s always so much to do in the city but especially in the summer when it’s dreadfully hot in other cities but the bay wind keeps San Francisco cool. These activities in San Francisco are a great way to beat the heat and have a little fun!
1. Outside Lands
Outside Lands is the biggest annual concert in San Francisco. Anybody who’s anyone in the Bay Area will be at Outside Lands. This 3-day concert taking place at Golden Gate Park has the biggest names from Alternative, Electronic, Hip-Hop, Indie and Rock. The 2020 lineup hasn’t been announced yet but past performers include Childish Gambino, Blink-182, The Weeknd, 21 Pilots and Lil Wayne-basically the biggest names in every category. For all there days, this concert can cost around $300 but you’re seeing so many good performers that it’s worth it.
2. Stern Grove Festival
Stern Grove Festival is an annual concert that takes places every summer from June 30th to August 18th. Concerts take place every Sunday around 2pm and past performances vary from the San Francisco Ballet to big names in music like Ziggy Marley. The 2020 lineup isn’t out yet but you can check their website sterngrove.org for updates on who’s performing this year. The best part about this concert series is it’s totally free just make sure to arrive early as the park fills up quickly and prepare to take public transportation as there is no parking.
3. SF Pride
If you live in San Francisco chances are you’re friends with or know someone who falls on the LGBTQ spectrum and going to Pride is a great way to show your support. Even if you don’t know anyone, going to Pride in this time in our country is really important to show solidarity and support for your views. Plus, the parade is just like one big day party from drinking, to music, to basically being able to wear whatever you want. As well as having fun, make sure you are still being respectful to those that take this event very seriously as they see their rights being infringed on in this country but other than that, party on!
4. Treasurefest
Treasurefest is like an upscale flea market with many vendors selling cocktails, food and items ranging from jewelry to clothes. A lot of the merchandise being sold is a little pricey but it’s still a lot of fun to wander around and have a couple drinks and food and just window shop. Plus, the location is beautiful-from Treasure Island you have a whole view of the bay so you can even have a drink and just soak in the view. There’s also other fun stuff to do like photo booths and raffles and music. Whether you have a lot of money to spend or not, you will have a good day at the Treasurefest.
5. Bay To Breakers
Bay to Breakers is an annual race that happens in late May in San Francisco. But, this isn’t your ordinary race, people treat this as almost a costume contest and you can’t be surprised when you see a couple of naked people. Even if you don’t plan on running in the race, just watching is pure entertainment. This 12k race usually draws around 10,000 people and is a staple in San Francisco tradition as it has been going on for over 100 years. It’s good motivation to get in shape or just sit by the bay and people watch, either way you’re guaranteed a good time.
6. Champagne Brunch Cruise
It’s not as enjoyable to go on a bay cruise in the colder months as the bay winds are rough, but in the summer they just feel like a refreshing breeze. This champagne brunch cruise in San Francisco has it all, great food, drinks and views. You will have access to a full breakfast and house champagne as you cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, near Alcatraz and the Bay Bridge to name a few of the views. This cruise is a little pricey but is two hours and totally worth the money if you plan on drinking a lot of champagne.
7. Fillmore Jazz Festival
The Fillmore neighborhood of San Francisco is filled with a lot of history and especially a lot of music history- this festival celebrates that. If your not into jazz, you’ll still have a good time at the event because not only is fun to walk around and check out any neighborhood in the city, this festival has gourmet food and drinks and arts and crafts booths. Any event in the city where there’s food, drink, music and vendors is a good time.
8. Fourth of July Fireworks
For almost any holiday where there’s fireworks, you can count on there being fired works at the Fisherman’s Ward but 4th of July is special because not only is there fireworks but it is an all day celebration at the wharf. There are fun activities all day long and most of them are free. Get there early to reserve a spot and enjoy the activities while you wait!
9. How Weird Street Faire
The How Weird Street Faire takes place May 3 and is a celebration of peace, creativity and weirdness. At this event you can be free to be who you really are, wear whatever you want and dance your heart out to stages blasting electronic music. It’s sort of a rave in the streets of the city without the “rave” label. There will be countless vendors of food and art while you can enjoy the music and performers. Get as weird as you can in the weirdest city this summer!
10. Wine Tastings
There are countless “wine walks” in San Francisco during the summer where you can taste local wine and socialize on the streets of San Francisco. Some of the wine events happening this summer are Pier 39 Spring Wine Pour where you pay $20 for wine tastings and small bites and the Union Square Art & Fashion Wine walk where you can taste wine while you check out galleries and shops with art and fashion, either way you’ll be happy with a buzz!
