Fireworks, picnics in the park, hot dogs on the grill — well, OK, maybe a veggie burger, or two, but San Francisco will be right in step with the rest of the U.S. for the Fourth of July despite her reputation for being a bit of a maverick. Outdoor concerts and cruises on the bay to watch the fireworks are just part of the Independence Day fun. For more suggestions for July getaways including “49 Hours of SF” itineraries, visit www.sanfrancisco.travel/49hours/.
Visitors are encouraged to walk, bike or take public transit to all events. For regional transit information, telephone 510-893-8729, call 511 within the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties or visit www.511.org. For information on public transit within San Francisco, telephone 311 or visit www.sfmta.org.
July 3, 2012
Planning for a Fourth of July picnic should begin with a visit to the Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market. The market is open Tuesday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Top picks for the shopping basket this week include honey, figs, Candy Cot apricots, lemon basil, cauliflower, Red Thumb new potatoes, Blue Lake beans and for the centerpiece — a bouquet of dahlias, San Francisco’s official flower. For information call 415-291-3276 or visit www.cuesa.org or www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com.
July 4, 2012
At Ghirardelli Square, 900 North Point, enjoy live entertainment for the entire family. Local musicians, bluegrass and balloon artists enliven the day from noon until 9 p.m. For full schedule call 415-775-5500.
The Golden Gate Park Band celebrates Independence Day at 1 p.m. with all-American, patriotic “musical fireworks.” Spreckles Temple of Music, Music Concourse, Golden Gate Park. For information visit www.goldengateparkband.org.
Pier 39 salutes Independence Day with an afternoon line-up of popular local bands. Beginning at 2 p.m. Mobility, the U.S. Air Force Band, takes the stage followed by Tainted Love at 6 p.m. Immediately following the onstage entertainment at 9:30 p.m. , visitors can stay to watch the spectacular fireworks display put on by the City and County of San Francisco. Enjoy post-fireworks savings at participating merchants until 11 p.m. Pier 39, the Embarcadero.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. the deck of the National Liberty Ship S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien, Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf, offers one of the best views on the bay to watch the fireworks. Tickets, $25 adults, $15 seniors (62 and over), $10 children (6-12 years old), for this event are available at www.ssjeremiahobrien.org; a $55 ticket option admits two adults and two children. Local band Deutscher Musikverein will perform German marches, polkas, European folk and concert pieces in addition to jazz, pop and Broadway favorites. For information call 415-544-0100.
The City of San Francisco’s Fireworks display will illuminate the offshore skies on the northeast waterfront from Aquatic Park down to Pier 39 beginning at approximately 9:30 p.m. Municipal Pier, located at the foot of Van Ness Avenue will be closed to the public. No illegal fireworks or barbecues are permitted in Aquatic Park. Boats will not be allowed to enter into Aquatic Park lagoon from 1 to 11 p.m. on July 4. Street closures in the area may impact traffic; public transportation is strongly advised. For more details and additional event information, visit www.visitfishermanswharf.com.
Fourth of July Cruises:
Adventure Cat Sailing Charters (800-498-4228) Boarding at 8:45 p.m. from Pier 39, Dock J, the Adventure Cat catamaran cruise includes light hors d'oeurves and two drinks per person. Tickets are $60 per person.
Blue & Gold Fleet For the first time ever, visitors will be able to watch the fireworks from Angel Island’s Battery Ledyerd. Visitors will also be able to enjoy pre-fireworks entertainment including music, dancing, food, beer and wine at the Cove Café and Cantina Oyster Bar. Be liberal with the sunscreen — the ferry departs at 5:40 p.m. from Pier 41 and returns at 10:30 p.m. Flashlights, headlamps, as well as seating and/or blankets are also recommended. Packages for sale include one tram ticket per person and round-trip ferry transportation; tickets are $22 plus $1.50 service fee for adults and $14.50 plus $1.50 service fee for children. This special package must be purchased as such; park rangers will sweep the island at the end of the day to ensure that only guests who have purchased the package remain on the island.
Blue & Gold is also offering Fourth of July fireworks cruises departing from Pier 41 at 8, 8:15(non-alcoholic), 8:20, 8:30 and 8:45 p.m. Light snacks as well as drinks may be purchased on board; no outside beverages (non-alcoholic or alcoholic) allowed on board. Tickets purchased up until the day of the event are $60 adults, $50 children 5-11. Day of event tickets will be $65 adults, $55 children. Special family package for $186 includes two adults and two children.
City Kayak Prior kayaking experience is required for the Fourth of July trip which departs at 3 p.m. from South Beach Harbor, The Embarcadero at Townsend. Kayakers will paddle to Aquatic Park, beach for an hour or so to eat and then return to the water before commencement of fireworks. Tour ends at 10:30 p.m. For complete details on route, pricing, gear, physical requirements, etc. visit website.
Commodore Cruises & Events Based in Alameda in the East Bay, the Cabernet Sauvignon Commodore will offer dinner, dancing and first class seats to watch San Francisco’s spectacular fireworks show. Boarding begins at 6 p.m. and the boat will dock at approximately 11 p.m. At press time the dining deck was sold out and a second cruise aboard the Pinot Noir Commodore had been added, with boarding beginning at 6:30 p.m. and returning at 10:45 p.m. Ticket prices are $100 per adult for Cabaret Deck on Cabernet Sauvignon Commodore and $128 for Pinot Noir Commodore; children are welcome at full adult fare. Visit website for menu details and tickets. Yachts are berthed at Mariner Square, 2394 Mariner Square Dr.
Hornblower Cruises & Events offers two Fourth of July dinner cruises from San Francisco: A three-hour gourmet buffet dinner cruise; premium beer, wine and beverage selections, and live DJ entertainment on board the San Francisco Belle, $185, 7-10 p.m. A second four-hour cruise features a four-course seated dinner, open premium bar and live entertainment on the California Hornblower, $236.83 for adults, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Price includes gratuity; military, senior and children’s discounts available. All cruises board 30 minutes prior to departure from Pier 3.
Red and White Fleet offers a brief sail along San Francisco’s stunning evening skyline, before stopping to view the fireworks. Four sailings depart from Pier 43½; two sailings leave at 7:45 p.m. and two at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $66 per person and include one complimentary beverage. Additional snacks and beverages available for purchase on board. No outside food or drink permitted. Advance reservations recommended.
Around the Bay
June 30 and July 1, 2012
California’s Great America No fireworks are scheduled for the Fourth of July; however, there will be plenty to cheer about on the evenings of June 30 and July 1 when one of the largest fireworks displays in the Bay Area unfolds.
July 4, 2012
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom On July 4 enjoy an afternoon concert with country music star Jason Michael Carroll and world-class fireworks in the skies above Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 1001 Fairgrounds Dr., Vallejo. Concert and fireworks are included with park admission; visit website for promotional offers and admission details. Park hours are 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Head to the Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, for the 8 p.m. San Francisco Symphony’s Fourth of July concert. Music celebrates the sporting life which such classics as John Williams Olympic Fanfare and Theme (Bugler’s Dream); Vangelis, the suite from the film “Chariots of Fire,” and the “Rocky” concert suite. For tickets and information visit www.livenation.com.
USS Hornet Museum Docked at 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3 at the former Naval Air Station in Alameda, the USS Hornet Museum will celebrate Independence Day from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The family event will include live music, interactive games, and a bounce house for kids as well as tours of the restored aircraft carrier until 8 p.m. One of the highlights is a chance to ride the flight simulator through a jet fighter mission. Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase. In the evening, guests can watch fireworks displays from the flight deck. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children 5-17.
