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Happy Friday, San Francisco! Below are some of our favorite things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area this weekend. We gather SF weekend plans every week, so you’ll always have something to do on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, be sure to check out the best current museum exhibitions in SF, things to do this June, and essential events for your 2024 calendar.
1. Cheer on runners at the San Francisco Marathon
The San Francisco Marathon is this weekend, and over 30 thousand runners are expected. If you’re not participating in the run, you can cheer on the runners as they make their way around the city. The route goes through many scenic and iconic parts of SF, and it’s a fun way to start a Sunday morning.
2. Cheer on Bay Area athletes at the Olympics
The 2024 Summer Olympics officially start this weekend, with the Opening Ceremonies scheduled for Friday, July 26. The Bay Area is well represented at the iconic games, with athletes competing in various sports, including basketball, sailing, badminton, and more.
3. Listen to Frank Moody and Drama for free
Stern Grove Festival is an iconic SF event that brings a series of free concerts to Stern Grove every summer. The beloved shows are back for another year, and the summer’s second performance is this weekend. This weekend, you can watch Frank Moody and Drama at the beautiful park on Sunday, July 21.
4. Spend a Summer Sunday at the Ferry Building
The Ferry Building has plenty of fun weekly events, and over the summer they have special programing on Sundays. The event for this week will include an archery to celebrate the Olympics and crafting to make ID tags for pets. This week’s Summer Sunday starts at 11 am, and is a family-friendly event.
5. Check out a rooftop restaurant
The warm weather makes it the perfect time to dine outside. There are plenty of great rooftop restaurants in San Francisco, but it can be hard to find the right weather to enjoy the scenic views. Luckily, this weekend’s sunny weather might present the perfect opportunity.
6. Check out Golden Gate Park’s summer cocktail bar
Last summer, a pop-up beer and wine garden was a success on Golden Gate Park’s car-free JFK Promenade. Now, a new bar called the Whale’s Tail has opened for the summer, serving cocktails, beer, and wine. The bar is open on weekends and is a great way to enjoy the iconic SF park.
7. Enjoy live music for free at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell
The beloved free concerts are back at the Bandshell in Golden Gate Park. The concert series includes over 100 free performances from various artists. Check out this week’s lineup:
- Wed 7/24 (4:00 – 7:00 pm) – Singer/Songwriter Wednesday
- 4:30 pm – Sam and Allegra opening
- 5:30 pm -An Evening with Essence and Friends
- Fri 7/26 (4:30 – 7:30 pm) – Friday Happy Hour
- The Cottontails (2 sets)
- Sat 7/27 (12:00 – 5:00 pm) – Humbolt County Music Showcase
- With Red Hot Shame, Good Time Charlies, Barking Dogma and The Critics
- Sun 7/28 (4:30 – 7:30 pm) – Crucial Reggae Sundays
- 5:30 pm – Guidance and special guest Arkaingelle
- 6:30 pm – DJ Irie Dole
8. Play a round of mini golf at these creative courses
If you’re looking for a way to change up your weekend plans, a round of mini golf is an easy, family-friendly activity perfect for the weekend. SF has several mini golf courses, all with unique themes. Plus, you can choose between indoor and outdoor courses depending on the weather.
9. Check out Original Joe’s new restaurant in the Marina
Iconic Italian restaurant Original Joe’s recently opened a new venture in the Marina District. Little Original Joe’s offers classic Italian comfort food and delightful spring cocktails, all wrapped up in a beautiful art-deco style interior. The restaurant features a full bar perfect for weekend drinks, or you can treat yourself to some excellent pizza and pasta.
10. Try SF locals’ favorite restaurants
The weekend is the perfect time to try a new place to eat, but it can be hard to know where to go. We asked our readers what their favorite restaurants are, and they had some pretty great suggestions. From fine dining to the best pizza in town, check out the full list here.
11. Ride this new ferry for free
A hydrogen-power ferry has officially openend in SF. The ferry is the first in the world and can carry a total of 75 passengers at a time. For 6 months, you can ride the ferry for free on the weekends from the Ferry Building to Pier 41. The ride might be short, but it offers a scenic view of the city and an exciting opportunity to check out new eco-friendly transportation.
12. Start the new season right with our summer bucket list
13. Take a day trip to this beautiful glowing meadow
14. Hike to this hidden beach in SF
There are plenty of beautiful beaches in San Francisco, and this one is a must-see. Marshall’s Beach is a secluded beach with a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The beach is only accessible through a short but scenic hike that passes through some historic batteries on the coast.
15. Watch a free movie on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk
The Santa Cruz Boardwalk has free programing all summer, and this weekend is the perfect chance to catch a free movie. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off will be screening this Friday July 26, plus you can explore all the fun rides and activities at the boardwalk.