Golden Gate Festival It’s countdown to the celebration of the year—the Golden Gate Festival on Sunday, May 27, 2012. Marking the official 75th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, tens of thousands of participants are expected at the historic celebration along the San Francisco waterfront. Use the information below to help plan your day. eneral Information Sunday, May 27, 2012, 11 am–11 pm Admission is free. The main activities will be held at Fort Point, Crissy Field, The Presidio and Marina Green. Anniversary activities will also be held at Fort Mason Center, Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco Maritime Historical National Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Pier 39. There will be no event parking. Please take public transit, walk, or bike instead. Please note:The Golden Gate Bridge will be closed from 9 pm to 10 pm for the fireworks show. Do not travel to the Bridge or use Bridge access roads at that time. Consider using the Richmond-San Rafael and Bay Bridges for alternate travel throughout the day. Presidio gates will be open ONLY to pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, taxis, and shuttles. All vehicular access into the Presidio will be by pre-issued access pass ONLY. Highlights Fireworks, 9:30–9:50 pm. Spectacular grand finale showcasing the Bridge, Bay and surrounding national parklands. Optimum visibility along the waterfront from Fort Point to east Marina Green. The hills above Marina/Cow Hollow also provide stunning views. Soundtrack aired live on KFOG 104.5/97.7FM. (Note: Fireworks will not be televised and will not be visible from Fisherman’s Wharf/south down the Embarcadero. Weather permitting, fireworks will be visible from PIER 39.) International Orange Artists’ Exhibition at Fort Point, 10 am–7 pm. Crissy Field Stage highlighting dance, music and local bands, 11 am–11 pm. Road Trip through History featuring vintage cars and motorcycles from 1937 to the present. East Crissy Field, 11 am–5 pm. Crissy Field Center Future Fair with activities and demonstrations showcasing sustainability technologies and innovations in the pioneering spirit of the Bridge. East Beach, 11 am–7 pm. Vintage Maritime Display and Historic Watercraft Parade with classic boats spanning 75 years. St. Francis Yacht Club, 11 am–3 pm. Marina Green Stage featuring dance and music organizations and local bands. West Marina Green, 11 am–10 pm. Marina Green, Crissy Field and Golden Gate Bridge Plaza retail outlets offering Official 75th Anniversary merchandise. Various waterfront locations, 10 am-8 pm. Additional anniversary activities will also be held at various locations along the San Francisco waterfront as part of the year-long Golden Gate Bridge 75 Tributes program. For a full list of community tributes visit our Events page. Plan Your Day Key Points This is a NO ALCOHOL event. No alcohol is permitted at the festival. Please heed dog-leashing regulations as posted, to protect sensitive natural resources. No camping/overnight stays. Please bring a reusable water bottle and a flashlight, wear walking shoes, dress in layers (wear plenty of International Orange!), and know where first-aid stations are located—see map (PDF). In case you are separated from your party, or there is an emergency, it’s best to decide on a meet-up location in advance. This is especially important because cell phone service may be limited by the anticipated large crowds. Be prepared for a long, slow walking exit at the end of the fireworks display. Bring warm layers and a flashlight. Event Access Please do not drive! No public parking will be available in the Presidio, Crissy Field, or Marina Green. Expect severe traffic congestion and potential gridlock throughout the day and across the City, and especially after the fireworks conclude. Plan now to take public transit, walk or bike to the Festival, and plot your route beforehand. Find out more at Getting to the Festival. Free bicycle parking will be available. Bring your own lock. There is NO BRIDGE WALK. The Golden Gate Bridge roadway will remain open to cars although traffic will be interrupted during the fireworks show at 9:30pm. The Bridge’s east and west pedestrian and bicycle sidewalks will be accessible during the day but will close at 6 pm. The sidewalks will reopen to pedestrians and bikes from 10:00pm–midnight. Presidio gates will be open only to RESIDENTS, pedestrians, bicycles, transit, taxis and shuttles. All private vehicle access into the Presidio will be by pre-issued access pass only. The Lombard/Marina gate is closed to all private vehicles, including those with access passes. Trip planning and traffic updates are available through 511 (711 for TDD) or www.511.org. Resources and Downloads Festival Map (PDF) Festival Entertainment (PDF) 75 Ways to Celebrate the Golden Gate Bridge (PDF) No Bridge toll dollars were used to fund the public celebration. Funding is provided by Genentech, Kaiser Permanente, Hewlett-Packard, Wells Fargo at the Tower level; Odwalla at the Cable level; and Chevron, Hanson Bridgett, Levi Strauss, PG&E, and Speck Products at the Builder level.