Visitors are encouraged to walk, bike or take public transit to all events. For regional transit information, telephone 510-893-8729, call 511 within the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties or visit www.511.org. For information on public transit within San Francisco, telephone 311 or visit www.sfmta.org.
July 3, 2014
Planning for a Fourth of July picnic should begin with a visit to the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Top picks for the shopping basket include plums, peaches and nectarines. Figs and melons are plentiful and all the herbs your heart desires. Need meat for a barbeque? The market offers ground lamb and beef, tri-tip, London broil and ribs. For information call 415-291-3276 or visit www.cuesa.org or www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com.
July 4, 2014
The Golden Gate Park Band honors Independence Day at 1 p.m. with all-American, patriotic “musical fireworks” at the Music Concourse, Golden Gate Park. For information visit www.goldengateparkband.org.
Pier 39 celebrates Independence Day with fun for the whole family featuring musical entertainment and activities in the Entrance Plaza. Beginning at noon-3 p.m. Mobility from the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West performs, followed by Tainted Love from 5-8 p.m. At approximately 9:30 p.m. the City of San Francisco will treat spectators to an elaborate fireworks display over San Francisco Bay. Activities are weather permitting and subject to change without notice. For information call 415-705-5500, www.pier39.com.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. the deck of the National Liberty Ship S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien, Pier 45, Fisherman's Wharf, offers one of the best views on the bay to watch the fireworks. Tickets $30 adults, $20 seniors (62 and over), and $15 children (6-12 years old) are available at www.ssjeremiahobrien.org; a $70 ticket option admits two adults and two children. For information call 415-544-0100.
The City of San Francisco's Fireworks display will illuminate the offshore skies on the northeast waterfront from Aquatic Park down to Pier 39 beginning at approximately 9:30 p.m. Municipal Pier, located at the foot of Van Ness Avenue will be closed to the public. No illegal fireworks or barbecues are permitted in Aquatic Park. Boats will not be allowed to enter into Aquatic Park lagoon from 1 to 11 p.m. on July 4. Street closures in the area may impact traffic; public transportation is strongly advised. For more details and additional event information, visit www.visitfishermanswharf.com.
July 5, 2014
San Francisco Opera (415-864-3330, www.sfopera.com/simulcast) presents Opera at the Ballpark, a free simulcast of Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata, at 8 p.m. in AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza. Transmitted live from the War Memorial Opera House, this dazzling opera will be shown on AT&T Park's state-of-the-art high definition scoreboard. One of opera's most heart-wrenching stories, La Traviata is Verdi's ever-popular tale of a conflicted courtesan who unexpectedly finds, and then selflessly gives up, the love of her all-too-short life. Husband-and-wife team Ailyn PérezandStephen Costellolight up the stage as Verdi's lovers in this unforgettable, tragic tale of love and loss—set to some of the composer's most beautiful music. Sign up for early entry passes. Field seating available on a first-come-first-served basis. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for pre-registered fans.
July 5-6, 2014
Celebrating 30 years of bringing jazz to the streets of San Francisco, the 30th annual Fillmore Jazz Festival (800-310-6563, www.fillmorejazzfestival.com) returns to Fillmore Street between Jackson and Eddy. Blending art and soul in one of the country's most unique neighborhoods, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, spilling out along 12 blocks with multiple stages and areas dedicated to fine arts and crafts, gourmet food and beverages. Women musicians are the focus of this year's festival and among the featured performers are Ila Cantor, Faye Carol, Kitty Margolis, Kim Nalley and Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers.
Fourth of July Cruises:
Adventure Cat Sailing Charters (415-777-1630, www.adventurecat.com) Boarding at 8:15 p.m. and leaving promptly at 8:45 p.m. from Pier 39, Dock J, the Adventure Cat catamaran cruise includes light hors d'oeurves and two drinks per person. Tickets are $75 per person.
Bay Adventures (415-331-0444, www.sfbayadventures.com). The Freda B, an 80-foot, classic gaff-rigged topsail schooner, sets sail at 7 p.m. from Sausalito and returns at approximately 10 p.m.; $99 per person.
Bay Voyager (510-542-4200, www.bayvoyager.com). Departing from Pier 39 at sunset, the Fourth of July fireworks cruise is $125 per person and includes food, drinks, photos and more.
Blue & Gold Fleet For information call 415-705-8200 (no phone reservations), purchase tickets online at www.blueandgoldfleet.com or purchase at Pier 41 or Pier 39 box offices. Blue & Gold Fleet offers six options for Independence Day:
San Francisco: 5:40 p.m. cruise departing for Angel Island. Flashlights, headlamps, as well as seating and/or blankets are also recommended for Angel Island excursions. Packages for sale include one tram ticket per person and round-trip ferry transportation. This special package must be purchased as such; park rangers will sweep the island at the end of the day to ensure that only guests who have purchased the package remain on the island.
8 p.m., 8:15 p.m. (no-alcohol cruise for families); 8:20 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Tiburon: 8:30 p.m. cruise departing from the Tiburon Ferry Terminal
City Kayak (415-294-1050, www.citykayak.com). Prior kayaking experience is required for the Fourth of July trip which departs at 7:15 p.m. from South Beach Harbor, The Embarcadero at Townsend. Kayakers will paddle to Fisherman's Wharf for the fireworks. Tour ends at 10:30 p.m. For complete details on route, pricing, gear, physical requirements, etc. visit website.
Commodore Cruises & Events (510-337-9000, www.commodoreevents.com). Based in Alameda in the East Bay, the Cabernet Sauvignon Commodore will offer dinner, dancing and first class seats to watch San Francisco's spectacular fireworks show. Boarding begins at 6 p.m. and the boat will dock at approximately 11 p.m. Visit website for menu details and tickets. Yachts are berthed at Mariner Square, 2394 Mariner Square Dr.
Hornblower Cruises & Events (888-HORNBLOWER or 415-788-8866 ext. 7, www.hornblower.com) offers two Fourth of July dinner cruises from San Francisco: a three-and-a-half hour gourmet buffet dinner cruise; premium beer, wine and beverage selections, and live DJ entertainment on board the San Francisco Belle, starting at $140. A second four-hour cruise features a four-course seated dinner, open premium bar and live entertainment on the California Hornblower, starting at $188. Military, senior and children's discounts available. All cruises board beginning at 6 p.m. prior to departure from Pier 3.
Red and White Fleet (415-673-2900 or www.redandwhite.com/seasonal_july_4_fireworks_cruise.asp) offers a brief sail along San Francisco's stunning evening skyline, before stopping to view the fireworks. Four sailings depart from Pier 43½; two sailings leave at 7:45 p.m. and two at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $70 per person and include one complimentary beverage. Additional snacks and beverages available for purchase on board. No outside food or drink permitted. Advance reservations recommended.
Yacht Connections (650-737-8093, www.ycicharters.com) offers three exterior decks and three beautifully-appointed interior salons on the California Spirit. Boarding is 6:45 p.m. at Pier 40 South Beach Harbor, returning at 10:30 p.m. This premium cruise includes a gourmet dinner buffet, specialty dessert presentation and a cocktail bar.
San Francisco Sailing Adventure (415-886-7245, www.gotsailing.com/#!fireworks) departs from its home port at the Marina Bay Yacht Harbor, Richmond. Boarding time is 7:15 for a 7:30 p.m. departure on the luxurious Sansei. Enjoy complimentary hot malt cider and other beverages on board; finger food available as well. No alcoholic drinks will be provided; however, passengers may bring own bottle (bottle/person limit applies). General admission is $199 or $370 per couple.
Alternative options include special charters and excursions available through ACSailing SF (www.acsailingsf.com); Alcatraz Excursions (www.alcatrazexcursions.com) and Lovely Martha Sports Fishing (www.lovelymartha.com).
Around the Bay
July 4, 2014
In the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Cavallo Point Lodge offers magnificent views for firework shows that take place over the bay near the Marina and Fisherman's Wharf areas from the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge near Sausalito. A BBQ celebration pairs fun activities and entertaining events throughout the day. Lonesome Locomotive will be performing live music from 1-5 p.m. Walks-ins are welcomed into the BBQ – no reservations are required. For details visit www.cavallopoint.com or call 415-339-4700.
Head to the Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, for the 8 p.m. San Francisco Symphony's Fourth of July concert. Epic music from the movies and American symphonic favorites lead up to an exhilarating fireworks show accompanied by the Orchestra. For tickets and information visit www.livenation.com.
USS Hornet Museum (510-521-8448, ext. 282, www.uss-hornet.org). Docked at 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3 at the former Naval Air Station in Alameda, the USS Hornet Museum will celebrate Independence Day from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The family event will include live music from 2-9:15 p.m. by MoonAlice, Stacey Adams Band, Tempest and Fog City Band, and Song & Drums. Family activities include flight simulator, interactive games, and a bounce house for kids as well as tours of the restored aircraft carrier. Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase. In the evening, guests can watch fireworks displays from the flight deck. Tickets are $25 for adults (at the door $30), $10 for children 5-17, children under 5 are free with a paying adult.
July 4-6, 2014
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (707-643-6722, www.sixflags.com). There's fireworks all weekend long not to mention Medusa, Discovery Kingdom's tallest and longest looping coaster and a spin on Tsunami Soaker, an interactive spinning water ride to cool everyone off on a hot day.
July 5, 2014
California's Great America (408-988-1776, www.cagreatamerica.com).No fireworks are scheduled for the Fourth of July; however, there will be plenty to cheer about on the evening of July 5 when one of the largest fireworks displays in the Bay Area unfolds.
The San Francisco Travel Association is the official tourism marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. For information on reservations, activities and more, visit www.sanfrancisco.travel or call 415-391-2000. The Visitor Information Center is located at 900 Market St. in Hallidie Plaza, lower level, near the Powell Street cable car turnaround.
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