Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SAN FRANCISCO
THROUGH THE YEAR
Springtime in San Francisco sees a city
awakening from winter slumbers, with leaves
returning to the trees, and the last gray whales
migrating north along the coast. By May and
June the air is often warm, and windsurfers
can be seen on the bay. In August, morning
fog rolls in from the sea, but summer weather
returns in September. Cool clear nights set
in at the end of the year, with occasional
snowfalls on Mount Diablo. The main annual
events are listed below. For up-to-date
information, the San Francisco Visitor
Information Center
(see p266)
provides a
free calendar of year-round city events.
Easter
Easter Sunrise Services
Thousands of worshipers
gather at dawn in front of
the huge cross on Mount
Davidson, the highest hill
in the city.
Spring
Springtime is the season for
long walks around San
Francisco, wandering through
the parks or along city center
streets washed by overnight
rains. In April, bulbs come into
bloom in the parks and gardens,
and wildflowers cover the
headlands on either side of the
Golden Gate. In May, thousands
of runners join the Bay to
Breakers race.
April
Cherry Blossom Festival
(mid- to late Apr)
. This
celebration of traditional
Japanese arts and crafts
attracts dancers,
drummers, artists, and
craftspeople from all
around the Bay Area. It
takes place at the Japan
Center
(see p130)
, where
there are lively perform-
ances and a colorful parade.
San Francisco International
Film Festival
(late Apr-early
May)
. For two weeks there are
screenings every day at the
Kabuki
(see p250)
and other theaters.
American and
international films
are shown, many of
them for the first time
in the US.
Wildflower Walks
(Apr)
.
Guided walks are
offered at various San
Francisco natural areas
by volunteers.
Commercial guided
tours are offered in
the Marin Headlands
(see pp176-7)
.
Opening Day of
Baseball Season
(late Apr-early May)
.
Sports fans turn out
to see their baseball
heroes perform
at AT&T Park and
Overstock.com
Coliseum.
March
San Francisco International
Asian American Film Festival
(Mar)
. The largest showcase for
new Asian-American and Asian
films in North America.
St.
Patrick's Day Parade
(Sun
nearest Mar 17).
Bars filled with
merrymakers watch the parade
down Market Street.
Glittering Carnaval celebrations in the Mission
District of San Francisco
May
Bay to Breakers
(late May)
.
Partly a serious race, partly a
mad dash in funny costumes,
contenders run 7.5 miles
(12.5 km) from the Ferry Building
to Ocean Beach
(see p155)
.
Cinco de Mayo
(early May)
.
Mexican cultural celebration,
with a carnival in the Civic
Center and special events in
the Mission District.
Carnaval SF
(last weekend)
. Latin
American and Caribbean festival
in the Mission District, with salsa
and reggae bands.
Colorful traditional costumes at the Japanese
Cherry Blossom Festival
The Bay to Breakers run
