TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUMMER OF LOVE

2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, which occurred when about 100,000 people flocked to the Haight-Ashbury area of San Francisco in 1967. We know these free thinkers as hippies, and they’re responsible for one of the 20th century’s most transformative cultural movements. If you want to relive that summer of 50 years ago, take a look at the top 10 things to do in San Francisco in 2017.

1. Discover Tape Music

The San Francisco Tape Music Festival goes from January 6 to 8 and will kindle a new appreciation for music on tape. That's because the concert will feature the songs and unique sounds made just for this medium. Tape music gained traction during the 1950s and 60s, so attending this festival could be a great way to get acquainted with some of the music heard during the Summer of Love.

2. Witness the Evolution of Airline Uniforms

From now until January 8, the San Francisco International Airport is hosting "Fashion in Flight: A History of Airline Uniform Design." Just head to the International Terminal to get a glimpse at what flight attendants wore from 1930 to present, and be sure to pay close attention to the fashions of the 1960s while you're there! http://www.flysfo.com/

3. Understand the Hippie Movement

The Summer of Love 50th anniversary is the perfect time to view "Hippie Modernism: The Struggle for Utopia," an exhibit at the Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archive. During its run from February 8 to May 21, the exhibit will focus on the art, design and architecture of the hippie counterculture. Loosely organized around Timothy Leary’s famous mantra, “Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out,” the exhibition charts the evolution of the movement, from pharmacological, technological, and spiritual means to expand consciousness and alter one’s perception of reality. http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/

4. Listen to Live Music & Watch Movies

The Summer of Love was filled with good music, and the 50th anniversary will be, too, thanks to the Noise Pop Music Festival from February 17 to 26. Here you can not only listen to dozens of indie bands play, but also watch indie films that have a connection to music and were crafted by up-and-comers on the film scene.

5. Feel the Vibe at PIER 39

PIER 39 gets into the Summer of Love mood with special events woven in with their 39th anniversary celebrations. Make sure to wear a flower in your hair and experience the power of flowers during Tulipmania, featuring over 39,000 tulips planted throughout the PIER, February 11 - 26. Check out the special far-out peace sign in the East Park made with the wildly colorful tulips. Return to hang-out and feel the love at PIER 39’s 60’s dance party featuring a Beatle’s cover band and more groovy stuff on Friday, June 23. And while in the rock mood, stop by the Hard Rock Café, where you can sit down, relax and look at memorabilia from the Summer of Love, including guitars on the wall, photos of musicians like Jerry Garcia and framed concert fliers from the 1960s. www.pier39.com and www.hardrock.com

6. Admire Artwork

From April 8 to August 20, the de Young Museum will be showing off rock posters, light shows, music and pictures from great musicians in Summer of Love: Art, Fashion, and Rock & Roll. The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane are just a few examples of the bands depicted at this museum. https://deyoung.famsf.org/exhibitions/summer-love

7. Be Weird

The 18th annual How Weird Street Faire: The Summer of Weird is just in time for the 50th anniversary! It will take place May 7 at Howard and Second Streets and will feature the usual interesting artwork, unique vendors and lots of dancing in the streets,

8. Flip Through Photos From the Summer of Love

Some of the best things to do during the 50th anniversary involve looking at pictures from 1967. You can do this at the California Historical Society from May 11 to September 8 with an exhibit called "Summer of Love: A Photographic Journey." www.californiahistoricalsociety.org

9. Get a Feel for Local Talent

San Francisco artists and musicians alike show off their skills every year at the Haight Ashbury Street Fair, where you can listen to live music, check out artwork and shop for clothes and housewares from local vendors. This fair takes place the second weekend in June.

10. Appreciate Art

Anytime from June 16 to October 1, you can head to the Asian Art Museum to see the "Flower Power" exhibit in person. It's here that you'll witness brightly colored artistic representations of what it was like to be involved in the Summer of Love. www.asianart.org