Fleet Week San Francisco
Every October, the city of San Francisco looks forward to Fleet Week, a week-long event that celebrates the country’s armed forces. It is an excellent time to visit San Francisco, due to the warm weather in the fall.
Fleet Week in San Francisco started in 1981 by former mayor Dianne Feinstein, and has been a tradition each October since. Every year, San Francisco’s Fleet Week draws millions of visitors from all over the country to watch the Navy’s famous Blue Angels air show and step aboard an amphibious carrier or a submarine. It is an interesting opportunity to get a glimpse into life of a sailor aboard a ship and a very popular event for families with children.
When is Fleet Week?
This year’s Fleet Week in San Francisco will take place from October 3rd to 10th. All events are free of charge and will include a three-day long Air Show featuring the Blue Angels and the Air Force’s F-22 Raptor, which will perform in front of the Marina Green. This is a great place to come for the afternoon with a picnic blanket and enjoy the scenery of the Golden Gate Bridge, or walk along the beach at Crissy Field.
Fleet Week San Francisco Events
At Pier 80, see four different Navy and Coast Guard ships and get the chance to walk on the decks and talk to their crew. On October 8th and 9th at Pier 80, enjoy Fleet Fest, a celebration with live music and great food trucks to make the most of your experience with the ships. When you’re not watching the airshow, be sure to check out the Humanitarian Village on the Marina Green to see a demonstration of the U.S. military’s capabilities during a disaster. At Duboce Park, you can learn about military service dogs in various branches of the military as well as the police force (the date has not yet been set but will likely be on Saturday, October 8th.)
Where to Stay During Fleet Week in San Francisco
The main centers of action during Fleet Week are the Marina and the Dogpatch. While the Marina has been one of the most charming and beloved areas of San Francisco for years, the Dogpatch has changed significantly over the last decades since Fleet Week’s beginning. Both areas are interesting to visit and explore. If you’re a fan of shopping and culture, you’ll enjoy the Marina District’s boutiques and restaurants along Chestnut Street, as well as the Palace of Fine Arts. If you stay in the areas of the Marina, Cow Hollow, Pacific Heights, or Russian Hill, you’ll have a great view of the Blue Angels and the rest of the air show.
Ship enthusiasts will enjoy staying in the Dogpatch with easy access to Pier 80. The Dogpatch has fantastic restaurants and lots of modern and artistic converted warehouses. It’s easy to understand why The Museum of Craft and Design is located here. Nearby Potrero Hill is another great destination for cafes and restaurants, and is an easy trip from Pier 80. This is a great option if you’d like to have more of a neighborhood feeling during your stay.
This article was written by Cathy Trainor.