Spring is around the corner, and we just can’t wait! Read on for some of the best things to do this March in San Francisco and the Bay Area. You’ve got to put some of these ideas on your calendar ASAP — We’ve got you covered for both indoor and outdoor activities in San Francisco and surrounding areas.
1. Don’t miss these magical classical concerts by Candlelight
The immensely popular Candlelight concert series is putting on some great shows right now in San Francisco! Hear your favorite songs on strings, including classics from Hans Zimmer and recent pop hits like Taylor Swift. Experience the magic of these intimate concerts by the light of thousands of flickering candles in venues like St. Ignatius Church, Grace Cathedral, and more. Get tickets now!
2. This floating park in SF has free yoga, live music, and more
Did you know that Salesforce Park hosts a ton of free activities every week? They include yoga classes, boot camps, live music, bird walks, garden tours, drum circles, and much more. If you have yet to visit this fascinating rooftop escape, consider checking the event calendar for a one-of-a-kind experience. Get more details about each event here.
3. This Oakland observatory hosts free telescope viewings on weekends
Make sure to put Oakland’s Chabot Space & Science Center on your radar, as they’re hosting free telescope viewings on weekends! Every weekend, visitors may explore the stars free of charge through Chabot’s historic telescopes. Weather permitting, the viewings happen from 7:30-10:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
4. Registration opens March 2 for spring activities with SF Rec & Parks
San Francisco is full of amazing activities and resources for just about any hobby you can think of – and SF Rec & Parks knows it! If you’re looking to try a new sport or learn a new skill, they’ve lined up some excellent programming that will kick off this spring, and registration opens at 10 am on Saturday, March 2. Activities include tennis, sewing, volleyball, photography, ceramics, kayaking, rock climbing, and much more.
5. Head West Marketplace and more return to the Ferry Building this month
San Francisco’s Ferry Building is one of the city’s most iconic buildings, serving as a hotspot for tourists and locals alike. When’s the last time you explored this beautiful and famous landmark?
- Mar. 2:The Art of Sushi Making
- Mar. 3: Asian Women Are Strong
- Mar. 3: Head West market
6. See what’s coming up at NightLife at the Academy of Sciences
Thursday evenings
NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences is one of our favorite ongoing events, and we’re thrilled to see more of these awesome themed soirees on the calendar! The popular Thursday night festivities feature live DJs, outdoor bars, ambiance lighting, and more alongside the Academy’s nearly 40,000 animal residents.
- Mar. 7: NightLife Intersections: Dance
- Mar. 15: NightLife
7. See the Entwined LED light installation one last time before it’s gone
Through April 28
Make sure you pay a visit soon to Charles Gadeken’s Entwined, a sprawling immersive LED light installation in Golden Gate Park, open through April 28. The whimsical installation features a massive glowing tree called Elder Mother in the middle of JFK Promenade. The 30-foot tree moves with the wind and invites people to sit under the glow.
8. Celebrate Easter weekend
Celebrate Easter in San Francisco with these exciting parties, egg hunts, brunches, and unforgettable activities. From Dolores Park’s famous Hunky Jesus Contest to Salesforce Park’s lively Spring Fling, there are plenty of events to check out for a memorable Easter weekend in SF.
9. Take a scenic cruise on the Bay
As the weather gets better in the Bay Area, it’s the perfect time to take a cruise in the Bay Area. This 90-minute cruise goes under the Golden Gate Bridge and by Alcatraz, giving you close-up views of some of the most iconic places in the Bay.
10. Spot some local wildlife like Elephant seals
Northern elephant seals inhabit the waters from Baja, California, Mexico to the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. They generally breed from December to March at Point Reyes, Año Nuevo, the Channel Islands, and Piedras Blancas.
11. … And majestic whales
California’s coastline is the perfect spot to catch several whale migration seasons – gray whales from January through April, orcas between February and May, and humpbacks between April and December. Even from land, you’re likely to see them spouting, slapping their tails (known as “lobtailing”) or even breaching. If you want to see them up close, a whale-watching tour will do the trick.
12. Enjoy science with a cocktail at the Exploratorium’s After Dark events
Thursday evenings
The Exploratorium at Pier 15 in San Francisco is an exciting place for discovery any time of the day, but these 18+ After Dark events are a must for some epic kid-free fun at their exhibits. After Dark happens each Thursday from 6-10 pm with a different weekly theme featuring guest speakers, films, great music, and more. Get tickets here.
13. Honor Women’s History Month with a visit to these lesser-known murals around the city
March is Women’s History Month, and we can’t wait to celebrate! The street artists of San Francisco never disappoint, and we rounded up 20 lesser-known murals that celebrate iconic female figures around the city.
14. Check out these amazing museum exhibitions to see right now in San Francisco
As we enter a new month, many museum exhibitions in San Francisco are getting refreshed and replaced. We’re keeping tabs on the best new exhibitions from SFMOMA to the Asian Art Museum, so you’ll never miss an amazing new display! Read on to start planning your next museum visit, and be sure to see our list of free museum days in SF to get the most bang for your buck.
Exhibitions closing soon:
- Mar. 3: Wolfgang Tillmans: To look without fear
- Mar. 3: JoeSam.: Text Messages
15. Look for free admission days this March at 10 SF museums
We love San Francisco for its vibrant culture, history, and resources, but just about anyone in SF could benefit from finding new free things to do. Whether you’re a college student on a budget or a bargain hunter wanting to see the sights, this list of free museum days in San Francisco will certainly help you get started.
- Mar. 6 – GLBT Historical Society Museum
- Mar. 7 – SFMOMA
- For Bay Area residents only, 1:30-8 pm
- Mar. 1 – Contemporary Jewish Museum
- Mar. 3– Asian Art Museum
- Mar. 2 – de Young Museum & Legion of Honor
- Also free every Saturday for Bay Area residents
- Mar. 5 – Conservatory of Flowers
- Also free daily for SF City & County Residents
- Mar. 9 – Museum of the African Diaspora
- Mar. 12 – SF Botanical Garden
- Also free daily for SF City & County Residents
- Also free daily between 7:30-9 am for the general public
- Wednesdays – Museum of Craft and Design
- “Pay what you can” Wednesdays
- MWF before 10 am – Japanese Tea Garden
- Also free daily for SF City & County Residents
16. Enjoy an amazingly festive St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day arrives soon in San Francisco, and we’re not about to miss a party. Save the date for SF’s famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 16, and keep the momentum going with pub crawls, parties, community events, and endless delicious Irish fare. Read on to start planning your St. Paddy’s celebrations in San Francisco.
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- United Irish Cultural Center (UICC) events
- St. Patrick’s Day pub crawls
- And more
17. Spot some spring flowers around the city
Magnolias
Every year, the San Francisco Botanical Garden explodes into a beautiful spectrum of deep magentas and bright pinks. The “Magnificent Magnolias” event occurs in late January through March, so be sure to find a day soon to see these spectacular blossoms at their best.
Tulips
Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden is a quaint spot in the northwest corner of the park, next to an authentic Dutch windmill. Early spring is the best time to see it in full bloom.
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry will soon start to bloom at the Japanese Tea Garden and other key spots in the city. Catch them from March through the beginning of April.
18. Pick a free tulip bouquet at Flower Bulb Day at Union Square
Mar. 9
San Francisco’s wholesome Flower Bulb Day is officially on the city’s calendar for March 9, 2024 from 1-4:30 pm. The gorgeous outdoor garden will cover Union Square with 100,000 tulips, all of which are free for visitors to pick and take home!
19. Road trip down to Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur
Big Sur’s Garrapata Beach is taken over by countless white calla lilies every year in early spring. The stairs leading to the beach were damaged during storms, but the trail is still open, just not as accessible as previously.
20. Hit up West Coast Craft and more March events at Fort Mason Center
When’s the last time you paid a visit to San Francisco’s amazing Fort Mason Center? The popular art center hosts numerous exhibitions and events throughout the year, and there are some special ones coming up.
- Sundays: Fort Mason Center Farmers’ Market
- Mar. 9: West Coast Craft
- Mar. 15-17: Detour Dance: The Twilight Aristocracy
21. Explore over 50 vendors at this gigantic crystal fair
March 2-3
The Crystal Fair Marketplace will soon touch down in San Francisco! This giant event brings over 50 vendors to San Francisco and Walnut Creek on select weekends through November. Peruse thousands of crystals, minerals, geodes, beads, and gems while learning about their properties from the best local and international curators. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet with healers, psychics, aura readers, and masseuses.
22. Try out these SF restaurants and chefs in the running for James Beard Awards
The James Beard Foundation has released its semifinalists for the coveted 2024 chef and restaurant awards. A total of 12 SF restaurants and chefs were nominated, an impressive number that represents the great culinary scene in San Francisco. Some notable places to check out include the new restaurant Dalida, Pacific Cocktail Haven, and Kiln.
23. Join a unique scavenger hunt in SF
This self-led race is a great way to explore the city with a group of friends. You’ll explore different parts of the city, answer trivia questions, and even do challenges as part of the experience. You can go at your own pace and learn something new about San Francisco without worrying about official start times.
24. Explore San Francisco’s beautiful Legion of Honor
The Legion of Honor is an iconic SF museum for a reason. The beautiful museum not only has an incredible collection of art but also beautiful views of the Bay. Current exhibitions include Drawing the Line: Michelangelo to Asawa and a breathtaking collection of porcelain.
25. Chill out at a fun local dive bar
We wanted to discover the best dive bars in San Francisco, so naturally, we asked our followers for their tried-and-true haunts. As usual, y’all delivered! Read on to discover 10 excellent dive bars in San Francisco recommended by San Franciscans, for San Franciscans.
26. Stock up at a weekend farmers’ market
If you live in the Bay Area, you know that we have access to some of the best produce in the country. That’s why farmer’s markets are a must for countless SF residents who enjoy getting their food from local sources.
27. Find your next plant children at an SF nursery
Are you an avid gardener with dozens of thriving plants? Or a college student trying to revive your only succulent? No matter who you are, you can surely appreciate the life and energy that these little green friends bring into your home.
28. Have a lovely outdoor brunch at these essential spots
Some would argue that brunch is the most important meal of the day. Be sure to get your recommended daily allowance of crispy bacon, fluffy pancakes, mimosas, and egg scrambles at these 10 spectacular brunch spots around the city.
29. Go rollerblading through Golden Gate Park
Spring is almost here, and while SF still may have some rainy days ahead, the sun is slowly coming back. A great way to enjoy a good spring day is rollerblading through Golden Gate Park. You can easily rent a pair of rollerblades for the day and cruise through the iconic park.
30. Catch the last few days of Noise Pop Festival
Noise Pop Festival is an iconic week-long music and arts festival that has been going strong for over 30 years. The Festival ends on March 3rd, so if you want to start off your month strong with some great live music around the city, we recommend you check it out.
31. Have a delightful bonfire at Ocean Beach
Bonfires will be allowed once again on Ocean Beach starting on March 1 through October 31. People are welcome to use the designated fire pits on Ocean Beach to build their bonfires, and you can sit and enjoy the beautiful view while staying warm by the fire. Make sure to check all the guidelines for the fires, including putting the fire out 1 hour after sunset.
32. Explore a vibrant night market in Chinatown
The wildly popular Chinatown Night Market is returning in for 2024. The event features many local vendors that fill Grant Ave in Chinatown. In the past, the market has drawn thousands, and now the next market is scheduled for March 8.
33. Check out SF’s beloved historic bar that just reopened
Starlite, a historic bar in Union Square, recently reopened after closing during the pandemic. The bar received a major renovation and reimagination while staying true to its Art Deco roots. The bar features sweeping views of the city from the top of the Beacon Grand, along with a sophisticated menu of cocktails and bites.
34. Visit the San Francisco Zoo
If you haven’t been to the San Francisco Zoo yet, we definitely recommend it. The zoo has a variety of animals, including lions, a variety of birds, zebras, lemurs, and more. It’s a great family-friendly outing and perfect if you want to try something new in SF.
By Jamie Ferrell and Dana Flynn