Author
Hannah Lajara
Release Date
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Share
In honour of the first day of summer, San Francisco invites travellers to immerse themselves in a vibrant tapestry of new experiences, culinary delights, and artistic adventures. The iconic destinationis unveiling new attractions and gourmet hotspots that cater to every palate and passion. From the lively beats of music festivals, like Outside Lands and Portola, to the grand openings of innovative restaurants, like Il Parco, San Francisco is poised to deliver exciting new experiences for Canadians this summer. Whether you're an avid foodie, an art enthusiast, or a seeker of unforgettable urban experiences, San Francisco promises a summer brimming with excitement and exploration.
We’ve summarized some of the hot events, new openings, and reinvented experiences for your consideration. If you’re curious to learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out for additional information and any visual assets. If this information inspires a press trip story angle, we are happy to discuss that opportunity further.
Events at the Presidio
- On July 27th, visitors can attend the free Parks4All Brewfest, where travellers can experience unlimited tastings from a selection of breweries and souvenir tasting mug to take home. With live music performances by Soul Shake Vibe and Sam Johnson, delicious offerings from food trucks and a range of lawn games and activities, the day will quickly pass at this jam-packed event. Located at the scenic Civil War Parade Grounds adjacent to the Presidio Tunnel Tops, this event promises a delightful blend of community spirit and support for national parks
- The World Arts West Dance Festival happens on August 25th and September 1st and 8th will showcase culture and wisdom, with a theme this year of “Dance as Activism.” Held at Dance Mission and the Presidio, the festival will include artist dialogues and dance workshops.
Arts & Culture
- Discover the vibrant spirit of San Francisco at Outside Lands from August 9-11, an annual music and arts festival that transforms Golden Gate Park into a lively celebration of diverse performances, gourmet food, and cutting-edge creativity, offering travelers an unforgettable cultural experience.
- On view through August 11th, Fashioning San Francisco at the de Young features one of the most iconic collections of 20th and 21st-century women’s clothing in the United States, this exhibit includes 100 collection highlights and features the work of over 50 fashion designers, many never shown before, reflecting San Francisco’s long-standing tradition of self-expression through fashion.
- Step into a symphony of sight and sound at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art's latest exhibition, Art of Noise, running from May 4th to August 18th. Covering over 100 years of music’s visual aesthetics, Art of Noise features an immersive floor-to-ceiling installation of over 700 works of graphic design including concert posters, album covers and music advertising.
- San Francisco On Stage explores the city’s long and colorful tradition of performing arts, which date to the Gold Rush. The exhibit features historical artifacts from the worlds of dance, music, and theater, including costumes, programs, videos of performances, and other unique memorabilia. Presented by the San Francisco Historical Society in collaboration with San Francisco’s Museum of Performance + Design, the exhibit is on view until Aug. 15.
- Immerse yourself in the electric atmosphere of the Portola Music Festival on September 28 and 29, where San Francisco's Pier 80 comes alive with a dynamic lineup of contemporary and electronic music, providing travelers with an exhilarating musical journey against the stunning backdrop of the bay.
Attractions
- The revitalization of San Francisco’s southern waterfront continues with the April opening of the five-acre China Basin Park, part of San Francisco’s newest neighborhood, Mission Rock. The park is located just across from Oracle Park (home of the San Francisco Giants) and McCovey Cove and features extensive recreational areas, including a one-acre Great Lawn, a Gathering Grove, and the Shoreline Sands – a stretch of sand along the shoreline designed to bring visitors closer to the water.
- A new Behind-the-Scenes Tour explores restricted, non-public areas of the 175-year-old Grace Cathedral. Led by trained docents, the Behind-the-Scenes Tour includes the opportunity to climb nearly 100 stairs to the South Tower’s observation level and scale across a catwalk for a vertical view and an insider’s perspective.
- Home to the best parks and spaces in the world, San Francisco welcomes Panorama Park, offering 360-degree views of the Bay Area. Highlighting the park’s allure is the Point of Infinity sculpture by Hiroshi Sugimoto, marking his first large-scale permanent installation in the U.S.
Entertainment
- SF Live offers free concerts beginning in May, lending arts and culture into the city’s parks and plaza, this free series will feature live music curated by entertainment venues and showcase local, national and international talent. Over the next six months, SF Live will be held at spaces such as Golden Gate Park Bandshell, Civic Center Plaza and Crane Cove Park as well as music venues such as Mr. Triple’s, The Great Northern and Great American Music Hall.
- San Francisco Fillmore Jazz Festival, the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, drawing over 100,000 visitors, blends art and soul in one of the country’s most unique neighbourhoods. From dawn to dusk, the streets come alive with the sounds of live music from multiple stages where visitors, locals and businesses can enjoy the artists, browse the offerings of over 12 blocks of fine arts and crafts and enjoy gourmet food and beverages.
- San Francisco’s oldest musical organization, the Golden Gate Park Band, returns to the park for its 142nd season with free weekly performances showcasing San Francisco Bay Area cultural organizations and heritage. Every Sunday through October 6, visitors can immerse themselves in an array of musical genres and themes, ranging from classical masterpieces to celebrations of different cultures.
- The new Chinatown Night Market on Grant Street takes place every second Friday evening of the month through November. The Chinatown Night Market features traditional food along with music, performances, and activities for all ages.
- Fisherman’s Wharf will host a Pier Party at the Wharf with free performances every Saturday from May 25 and through the end of October
Culinary
- The recently opened Il Parco is an Italian-inspired cafe and pizzeria serving breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner. Located in the Presidio of San Francisco, Il Parco has a fresh take on Italian classics reimagined with California’s seasonal bounty.
- Opening this summer in West Portal is George’s Donuts & Merriment, an elevated and whimsical donut café. Menu highlights will include a flight of fried-fresh donut holes with dips and ‘drunken’ donuts.
- One of the best ways to explore San Francisco is through its food tours. Dylan’s Tours introduced the Dylan’s Infamous Tour, a culinary journey through the city’s vibrant streets and neighbourhoods featuring food tastings and a cocktail pairing.
- Featuring a Cantopop soundtrack, Four Kings opened to fanfare in Chinatown, serving elevated and reimaged dishes inspired by the cafes and street food of Hong Kong and Guangzhou and the Cantonese food the two chefs, alums of Mister Jiu’s, grew up eating.
- Saluhall, a plant-forward incubator for enticing takes on more sustainable and good eating opened in April as part of Ingka Centres’ the Meeting Place. The 450-seat food hall highlights local and independent traders and includes a beer bar, cocktail bar, the Burgare Bar, Snöberg soft serve, Smörgåsland (a bakery/eatery), Curry Up Now, Puerto Rican Casa Borinqueñ, MOMO Noodle, vegan Mexican La Venganza, and Skola, a cooking school.
