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Summer Events in the City by the Bay
With its mild climate, myriad entertainment and dining options, and close proximity to Sonoma County and Napa Valley, San Francisco is an excellent base for a wine country adventure. We’ve put together a list of events and must-see venues for your summer visit to the city by the bay.
Outside Lands
Aug 5 – 7, 2016
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94102
Every year, thousands of music and art aficionados converge on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park for one of the largest outdoor music festivals in the country, Outside Lands. Festival attendees can purchase single or three-day passes to the event, which features live performances by regional and international touring headliners, scores of food vendors, and access to northern California beer and wine. Be sure to check out the Wine Lands pavilion, where you can chat with winemakers and taste selections from dozens of regional wineries, including the fabulous wines from Ménage a’ Trois.
Insider tip: Once through the gate, grab a locker. You will be glad to have a place to secure extra layers of clothes, blankets, and any other necessary items.
6th Annual Noe Valley Wine Walk
24th St. from Diamond St – Chattanooga St
Aug 18, 2016
4 PM – 6PM
San Francisco, CA 94110
Put on some comfortable kicks and head over to Noe Valley for the 6th Annual Wine Walk. Known to be one of the best neighborhoods in San Francisco to explore on foot, Noe Valley hosts a wine tasting event each year where merchants along 24th street offer wine samples and treats. Tickets garner you a map to the vendors offering the best tastings by the glass.
Insider tip: If you have a beer lover in the group, Caskhouse Bar & Bites is right along the tour and offers locally brewed favorites, such as the KSA Kolsch from nearby Fort Point Beer Co.
Eat Drink SF
Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. – Sunday, August 28, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.
Fort Mason Center
2 Marina Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94109
Already established as a world-class dining destination, San Francisco takes food and drink exploration to new heights with its annual celebration of the culinary arts, Eat Drink SF. Known as the foodie mecca, Eat drink SF is a four-day event hosted at Fort Mason that offers unlimited pours of Bay Area beer, wine, and cocktails, along with delicious food samples from hundreds of renowned tastemakers. Eat and drink to your hearts content, then check out a cooking demonstration or take a beverage class.
Insider tip: Carry a small bag or pack so you can take home vendor wine glasses, mason jars, bottle openers, and other free souvenirs—they’re everywhere.
Stern Grove Festival
Every Sunday, June 19 – Aug 21
19th Ave at Sloat Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94101
For 79 years, the Stern Grove Association has worked tirelessly to provide free admission to cultural events to residents and visitors to the San Francisco bay area, and this year will be no different. Featuring performances by the San Francisco Ballet, the San Francisco Symphony, and well-known touring musicians, the Stern Grove Festival offers an ongoing variety of free entertainment each and every summer Sunday in an idyllic outdoor setting.
Insider tip: Pack a picnic, a low-back lawn chair, and your favorite wine to share with a friend. Although alcohol is allowed during the festivities, it’s not sold on the premises.
Exploratorium
Pier 15 – The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94111
Whether you are traveling with the youngsters or are simply a curious adult, those looking for a unique and educational experience will want to visit the Exploratorium. More than just a museum of natural science, the Exploratorium contains hundreds of exhibits, interactive experiments, and has a fantastic restaurant with views of the surrounding bay. Be sure to visit the Bechtel Central Gallery, and check out the “Seeing & Listening” exhibit.
Insider tip: Bring a date to the Exploratorium’s “After Dark:” it’s an adults-only program offered on Thursday evenings where you can enjoy cocktails, a rooftop view of the bay, and less crowded exhibits.
Alcatraz Island
Bay St and Embarcadero, Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing
San Francisco, CA 94133
An adventure in San Francisco would not be complete without taking a ferry across the bay to visit Alcatraz Island. Most famous as the maximum-security prison that once housed Al Capone and Robert “Birdman” Stroud, the island has long been a tourist destination for film and history buffs alike. Take the audio tour, walk the grounds, and enjoy one of the best views of the city itself.
Insider tip: Fuel up for your visit to “The Rock” with a hearty breakfast at the Eagle Café. It’s a five-minute stroll down the Embarcadero from the ferry terminal, and the corned beef hash and eggs is worth every step.
San Francisco Giants Baseball – AT&T Park
24 Willie Mays Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94107
The San Francisco Giants have won the World Series three times in the last 10 years, and boast one of the finest baseball stadiums in the United States. If you are a wine lover, foodie, or baseball enthusiast, a visit to AT&T Park has got you covered: there are no bad seats in the house, so once you have located yours, head over to Vintage 58 for a single serving of J Vineyards Pinot Grigio, or bring a carafe back to your seat to share with a friend.
Insider tip: Get a Crazy Crab’z sandwich. Just do it. Crazy expensive, but crazy delicious, this one’s a must-eat at AT&T Park.
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr
San Francisco, CA 94118
Families on a visit to San Francisco will absolutely love the California Academy of Sciences, so be sure to carve out at least half day to experience everything the academy has to offer. Begin by exploring the four-story Osher Rainforest, then mosey over to the Steinhart Aquarium for an unprecedented view of thousands of aquatic animals in their environment. If there’s still time, grab a snack at the Academy Café, then catch an otherworldly show at the Morrison Planetarium.
Insider tip: Want to get an idea of what the Great Quake of 1906 or the Loma Prieta Quake of 1989 felt like? Don’t miss the “Shake House” earthquake exhibit.
Home to so many great restaurants, bars, and museums, it’s no wonder that San Francisco is a top destination for vacationers. Throw in fantastic summer weather and a bevy of well-executed events, you may just decide to save Napa Valley for next time.
Outside Lands
Image Source: Outside Lands Music Festival, Facebook
Outside Lands
Aug 5 – 7, 2016
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94102
Every year, thousands of music and art aficionados converge on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park for one of the largest outdoor music festivals in the country, Outside Lands. Festival attendees can purchase single or three-day passes to the event, which features live performances by regional and international touring headliners, scores of food vendors, and access to northern California beer and wine. Be sure to check out the Wine Lands pavilion, where you can chat with winemakers and taste selections from dozens of regional wineries, including the fabulous wines from Ménage a’ Trois.
Insider tip: Once through the gate, grab a locker. You will be glad to have a place to secure extra layers of clothes, blankets, and any other necessary items.
6th Annual Noe Valley Wine Walk
Image Source: Noe Valley Wine Walk, Facebook
6th Annual Noe Valley Wine Walk
24th St. from Diamond St – Chattanooga St
Aug 18, 2016
4 PM – 6PM
San Francisco, CA 94110
Put on some comfortable kicks and head over to Noe Valley for the 6th Annual Wine Walk. Known to be one of the best neighborhoods in San Francisco to explore on foot, Noe Valley hosts a wine tasting event each year where merchants along 24th street offer wine samples and treats. Tickets garner you a map to the vendors offering the best tastings by the glass.
Insider tip: If you have a beer lover in the group, Caskhouse Bar & Bites is right along the tour and offers locally brewed favorites, such as the KSA Kolsch from nearby Fort Point Beer Co.
Eat Drink SF
Image Source: Eat Drink SF, Yelp
Eat Drink SF
Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. – Sunday, August 28, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.
Fort Mason Center
2 Marina Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94109
Already established as a world-class dining destination, San Francisco takes food and drink exploration to new heights with its annual celebration of the culinary arts, Eat Drink SF. Known as the foodie mecca, Eat drink SF is a four-day event hosted at Fort Mason that offers unlimited pours of Bay Area beer, wine, and cocktails, along with delicious food samples from hundreds of renowned tastemakers. Eat and drink to your hearts content, then check out a cooking demonstration or take a beverage class.
Insider tip: Carry a small bag or pack so you can take home vendor wine glasses, mason jars, bottle openers, and other free souvenirs—they’re everywhere.
Stern Grove Festival
Image Source: Stern Grove Festival, Yelp
Stern Grove Festival
Every Sunday, June 19 – Aug 21
19th Ave at Sloat Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94101
For 79 years, the Stern Grove Association has worked tirelessly to provide free admission to cultural events to residents and visitors to the San Francisco bay area, and this year will be no different. Featuring performances by the San Francisco Ballet, the San Francisco Symphony, and well-known touring musicians, the Stern Grove Festival offers an ongoing variety of free entertainment each and every summer Sunday in an idyllic outdoor setting.
Insider tip: Pack a picnic, a low-back lawn chair, and your favorite wine to share with a friend. Although alcohol is allowed during the festivities, it’s not sold on the premises.
Exploratorium
Image Source: Exploratorium, Yelp
Exploratorium
Pier 15 – The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94111
Whether you are traveling with the youngsters or are simply a curious adult, those looking for a unique and educational experience will want to visit the Exploratorium. More than just a museum of natural science, the Exploratorium contains hundreds of exhibits, interactive experiments, and has a fantastic restaurant with views of the surrounding bay. Be sure to visit the Bechtel Central Gallery, and check out the “Seeing & Listening” exhibit.
Insider tip: Bring a date to the Exploratorium’s “After Dark:” it’s an adults-only program offered on Thursday evenings where you can enjoy cocktails, a rooftop view of the bay, and less crowded exhibits.
Alcatraz Island
Image Source: Alcatraz, Yelp
Alcatraz Island
Bay St and Embarcadero, Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing
San Francisco, CA 94133
An adventure in San Francisco would not be complete without taking a ferry across the bay to visit Alcatraz Island. Most famous as the maximum-security prison that once housed Al Capone and Robert “Birdman” Stroud, the island has long been a tourist destination for film and history buffs alike. Take the audio tour, walk the grounds, and enjoy one of the best views of the city itself.
Insider tip: Fuel up for your visit to “The Rock” with a hearty breakfast at the Eagle Café. It’s a five-minute stroll down the Embarcadero from the ferry terminal, and the corned beef hash and eggs is worth every step.
San Francisco Giants Baseball – AT&T Park
Image Source: San Francisco Giants, Facebook
San Francisco Giants Baseball – AT&T Park
24 Willie Mays Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94107
The San Francisco Giants have won the World Series three times in the last 10 years, and boast one of the finest baseball stadiums in the United States. If you are a wine lover, foodie, or baseball enthusiast, a visit to AT&T Park has got you covered: there are no bad seats in the house, so once you have located yours, head over to Vintage 58 for a single serving of J Vineyards Pinot Grigio, or bring a carafe back to your seat to share with a friend.
Insider tip: Get a Crazy Crab’z sandwich. Just do it. Crazy expensive, but crazy delicious, this one’s a must-eat at AT&T Park.
California Academy of Sciences
Image Source: California Academy of Sciences, Yelp
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr
San Francisco, CA 94118
Families on a visit to San Francisco will absolutely love the California Academy of Sciences, so be sure to carve out at least half day to experience everything the academy has to offer. Begin by exploring the four-story Osher Rainforest, then mosey over to the Steinhart Aquarium for an unprecedented view of thousands of aquatic animals in their environment. If there’s still time, grab a snack at the Academy Café, then catch an otherworldly show at the Morrison Planetarium.
Insider tip: Want to get an idea of what the Great Quake of 1906 or the Loma Prieta Quake of 1989 felt like? Don’t miss the “Shake House” earthquake exhibit.
Home to so many great restaurants, bars, and museums, it’s no wonder that San Francisco is a top destination for vacationers. Throw in fantastic summer weather and a bevy of well-executed events, you may just decide to save Napa Valley for next time.
Author
WineCountry Collective
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