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. Plus, this weekend is Labor Day, which means you have an extra day off to enjoy fun activities in SF, or even take a short road trip around the Bay Area.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, be sure to check out the best current museum exhibitions in SF, things to do this August, and essential events for your 2024 calendar.
1. Check out the Flower Piano series
The beloved Flower Piano concert series returns for another year at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens. The concert series begins this weekend, and continues through next week with delightful outdoor performances by talented musicians.
2. Enjoy the Autumn Moon Festival in Chinatown
The Autumn Moon Festival will take over Chinatown this weekend. The festival includes plenty of food, live entertainment, kid friendly activities, and delicious mooncakes. The 2-day festival starts on Saturday the 14th and runs through Sunday the 15th, with events starting at 11 am.
3. Check out the Haight Ashbury Street Fair
The community events continue this weekend with the iconic Haight Ashbury Street Fair. The lively street fair includes art, street vendors, and plenty of performances packing neighborhood. Check out the fair on Sunday the 15th starting at 11 am and ending at 5:30 pm.
4. See a free movie in Layfette park
This weekend, you can watch the beloved comedy Mrs. Doubtfire for free in an outdoor amphitheater. The movie screening will take place in Lafayette Park in Pacific Heights at 7:00 pm on Saturday, September 14. Free popcorn will be provided during the movie screening.
5. Watch a free Shakespeare play in the park
Shakespeare in the Park officially starts this weekend in SF. The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival is putting on a production of The Tempest in McClaren park at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater beginning on August 31. There will be two preview shows on Saturday and Sunday, and opening night is Monday afternoon.
6. Have sunset drinks at one of these stunning rooftop restaurants
Summer is the perfect time to dine outside. There are plenty of great rooftop restaurants in San Francisco, and now’s the time to enjoy some fantastic drinks and food at crowd-favorite destinations like El Techo, Rooftop 25, and KAIYŌ Rooftop.
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 the schedule for this week:
- 9/11: Singer/Songwriter Wednesday
- 4 to 7 pm: Butter Duo, Creative Arts All-Stars, Erik Yates, Nat Keefe
- 9/13: Friday Happy Hour
- 4:30 to 7 pm: Bill Oritz
8. Check out the dahlias in full bloom
Golden Gate Park’s Dahlia Dell is officially full bloom, and it’s a beautiful sight. The colorful flowers are blooming right outside the Conservatory of Flowers, and is free to visit. The garden is maintained entirely by volunteers. If you want to stay in the city for Labor Day weekend, being a tourist in your own city and exploring Golden Gate Park is always a good idea.
9. 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.
10. Check out a County Fair
There are plenty of exciting county fairs happening in the Bay Area as we get to the end of summer. This weekend, you can check out the Lodi Grape Festival in the San Joaquin Valley starting on Thursday. The fair has been drawing large crowds for 80 years with wine, vendors, and live entertainment.
11. Check out the Snoopy Museum in Santa Rosa
If you’re a fan of Charlie Brown, this unique museum is the perfect weekend activity. The Charles M. Schulz Museum offers a look into the world of the beloved comic strips and the work of Charles M. Schulz. Often called the “Snoopy Museum” it features exhibitions on the Peanuts universe, original comic strips, and plenty of family-friendly events.
12. Cheer on the Giants at Oracle Park
The warm weather makes it the perfect time to cheer on the Giants at Oracle Park. Three home games are scheduled this weekend, and whether you’re a huge fan or just want to check out the waterfront views, it’s worth the visit. Here’s the schedule this weekend:
- Friday 9/13: vs. San Diego Padres at 6:15 pm
- Saturday 9/4: vs. San Diego Padres at 5:05 pm
- Sunday 9/15: vs. San Diego Padres at 12:05 pm
13. Go apple picking at these lovely Bay Area orchards
As we approach fall, there are plenty of great activities to get in the autumn spirit. Apple season has started to peak, so now is a great time to go apple picking at some of the local orchards. Check out our full list of places to get you in the fall mood.
14. Cheer on the 49ers
Football season is finally here, which means you can spend Sundays cheering on your favorite team. We’re in week two, and the 49ers are scheduled to play the Minnesota Kings on Sunday, September 15, at 10:00 a.m. PT. Check out a local sports bar with friends if you don’t want to watch at home.
15. Go shopping on one of these SF shopping streets
While SF might not be the best city for malls, there are still plenty of great spaces for shopping. The city has streets with some amazing local shops; whether you’re looking for high-end clothes, vintage finds, or quirky home decor, there’s something for you. Check out our full list of recommendations here.