San Francisco Labor Day Weekend – 10+ Fun Things to Do in September

By Katie Sagal
Published: July 18, 2024
San Francisco

If you're spending Labor Day weekend in San Francisco, you won't be short of things to do. From live music to festivals and bike rides to cruises, celebrate the unofficial last few days of summer in San Francisco.

If you’re looking for San Francisco Labor Day weekend ideas, check out some of these local activities and fun things do in San Francisco in September, including...

  • Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise
  • Full Day Wine Country Tour
  • Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
  • Union Square Live
  • And more!

Union Square Live

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Tango in the Square with Claudio Ortega and the Bay Area Argentine Tango Associaton. Members of the ensemble hail from Russia, Switzerland, Canada and the US; making this a diverse but also traditional Argentine Tango. You'll be cutting a rug in no time! Admission to Union Square Live is free.

Shakespeare in the Park

Take in a free performance of a classic play by the world-famous bard in the lovely McLaren Park. Put on by the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, these performances are a summer favorite with locals, with previous performances such as Much Ado About Nothing and As You Like It drawing throngs of crowds.

Shakespeare in the park is a lovely way to spend time in the sun while soaking up San Francisco theater.

Sausalito Art Festival

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If you’re a fan of art, food, and/or music, this is the place for you. A massive festival that takes place every summer just a short trip across the bay, the Sausalito Art Festival is a celebration of all things creative. This three-day event showcases music from more than 10 different bands, tons of children’s events, and features a plethora of visual arts on display.

Admission to the Sausalito Art Festival is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Francisco pass. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the event website.

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

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Various cultural events from music and dance to kids shows will take place over the summer months. The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival is a fun and cultural way of celebrating Labor Day weekend. Check their website for a full schedule of events.

What's more, admission to the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival is free.

Architecture and The City

Throughout September Citywide

Sponsored by AIA San Francisco, the largest architectural festival in the country hosts a number of great events on Labor Day Weekend. Enjoy professional architecture tours, film screenings, lectures, exhibitions, and much more.

Top tip: Select Architecture and The City events are free; for those events that do require tickets, please visit the event website.

Millbrae Art & Wine Festival

One of the biggest street festivals in the area, the Millbrae Art & Wine Festival is perfect for adults. This year they’re celebrating their 49th year with tons of great events, exhibits, performances, and more. This Mardi Gras-style celebration is an exciting mix of food, wine, art, and music – don’t miss out!

Admission to the Millbrae Art & Wine Festival is free, although you do need to pay for select tastings.

Go for a Bike Ride

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San Francisco’s pleasant summer weather is just perfect for a relaxing bike ride. Use your pass to acces All-Day San Francisco Bike Rentals by Blazing Saddles and pedal along the waterfront, or get a workout going up those infamous hills. If you aren’t from the area and don’t have your own bike, it couldn’t be easier to rent one right from Fisherman’s Wharf!

Relax Aboard a Cruise

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Enjoy the cool bay breezes aboard a relaxing cruise through the Golden Gate Bay and beyond. Choose from a wide variety of cruises – included some specially-themed summer ones – and take the whole family along. One of our favorites is the iconic Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise.

Indulge in a Wine Country Tour

You can’t travel to San Francisco without paying a visit to their famed wine country. Hop aboard a bus pop down to Napa Valley and Sonoma and unleash your inner sommelier. Several wine tours even include transportation from main hubs like Fisherman’s Wharf. Bonus, you can enjoy as many wine samples as you’d like! Getting In: Weekday Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour tickets are an option on the Go San Francisco pass - Build Your Own.

Visit a Theme Park

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There are few things as quintessential summer as amusement parks or theme parks. There’s something perfect about the roller coasters and Ferris wheels in the summer, especially on a warm afternoon. Take the kids to California’s Great America for the afternoon of their lives, or to a place like Six Flags Discovery Kingdom to enjoy both thrill rides and educational fun. Getting In: California's Great America tickets and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom tickets are included on the Go San Francisco pass.

See some Marine Life

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At the Aquarium of the Bay, you'll find seven different habitats that represent the ecosystems of the bay area. A favorite of many visitors is the crystal-clear tunnels filled with 20,000 species of sea creatures. Getting In: Aquarium of the Bay tickets are included on the Go San Francisco pass.

Save on Attraction Admission

There you go - plenty of fun ideas for things to do in San Francisco in September to help you plan your Labor Day weekend itinerary. Remember, some of these great attraction options are included on the San Francisco pass, where you can save on combined admission vs paying at the gate.

Please note, the Labor Day weekend events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with Go City®. We hope you consider visiting some of these attractions to help round out your summer vacation in style.

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Things to Do in San Francisco in Summer

Arguably the best time to visit, San Francisco in summer is full of fun and festivities. From superb museums to street fairs, grab your sunglasses and head on down.
Katie Sagal
Flowers in bloom on a sunny day in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
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San Francisco in July

July sees San Francisco’s tourist season get into full swing, with schools on vacation planet-wide and the city’s fine weather and funky festivals drawing in the crowds from here, there and everywhere. It’s peak season and therefore the priciest time of year to visit, but a trip to San Francisco in July still has much to recommend it. Visiting San Francisco in July Average Temperature: 54–66°F • Average Rainfall: 0 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 10 hours/day Umbrellaphobes, rejoice! July is one of San Francisco’s driest months with an average of, um, zero days’ rainfall, meaning the chances of being poked in the eye by an unruly golf umbrella or – worse still – looking on helplessly as the cable car pulls away with your precious bumbershoot still on board, are close to non-existent. What you can expect is mild weather with plenty of sunshine, tempered by occasional fresh sea winds and a healthy dose of the Bay area’s famous fogs. It’s why the locals often refer to this time of year as ‘no sky July’. But don’t let that put you off! Sure, San Francisco may not be the place to get that perfect California summer tan, but those all-enveloping mists have their own curious charm, and the city’s great parks and museums, abundance of July festivals and all-round party atmosphere more than make up for any minor weather-related downsides. Top tip: the Golden City is deep into tourist season in July, so make sure to book your hotels and Airbnb accommodation well in advance to secure the best rates possible. Things to do in July No trip to San Francisco at any time of year would be complete without setting foot on the world’s most photographed bridge. It’s worth doing this two ways in July. First: choose a clear day to take a walk the Golden Gate’s entire length, starting in the Presidio and finishing with lunch in downtown Sausalito. As you stroll across this rust-red icon (the bridge’s official color is actually ‘international orange’, fact fans) you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the Bay and the rolling waves of the vast Pacific, meaning ace selfie opportunities galore. For a truly otherworldly experience, keep an eye on local forecasts and pay the bridge a second visit when it's shrouded in dense fog. You won’t be able to see much, but ghostly close-up snaps of the bridge’s soaring towers will make you the envy of all your friends. Pro-tip: you can also simulate this experience in the interactive Fog Bridge exhibit at the Exploratorium, a fantastic museum of arts and sciences on the Embarcadero. The bridge’s big green namesake, Golden Gate Park, lies a few miles south, sprawling west from the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood to the sands of Ocean Beach, itself a lovely spot for sunbathing (when not foggy) and surfing – professionals only though, please; the riptides here are notoriously dangerous. Back in the park, there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied for an entire July day. Visit the Japanese Tea Garden for a gentle stroll along paths that meander past koi ponds, bonsai groves and impressive bronze statues. Look out for the impressive five-tiered pagoda and pause for a refreshing jasmine tea and a moment of zen in the pavilion. Golden Gate Park is also home to two of San Francisco’s finest museums. The vast California Academy of the Sciences is home to a huge natural history museum, an aquarium, a rainforest and a planetarium, while the de Young Museum showcases fine art from the US and beyond, all housed in a striking copper-clad building with a 144-foot observation tower boating 360-degree views of the park, as well as downtown San Francisco, the Bay and the Marin headlands. What’s on in July? Fourth of July Fireworks July is a great time to visit San Francisco if you’re into fireworks, great live music and... running. Sounds like a strange combination, but hear us out. First up, those fireworks. Fourth of July is cause for celebration across the States, and San Francisco is no exception. The city puts on two major displays in Fisherman’s Wharf, with the event at Pier 39 being the biggest and best. There’s live music along the waterfront until, at the appointed hour, the spectacular display commences, with hundreds of colorful fireworks set off from a series of barges in the Bay. This event is free, so don’t miss it! Fillmore Jazz Festival One of the biggest free jazz festivals on the west coast, the Fillmore Jazz Festival showcases local and international talent on two main outdoor stages. There’s great street food too, as well as smaller live music events in and around Fillmore’s legendary clubs and theaters. This part of town is synonymous with great jazz music – in its heyday it attracted acts of near-mythical status including John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday and Charlie Parker – so you just know the acts performing at this festival are going to be outstanding. And, like the best jazz, the shows are completely free. Catch a Baseball Game July is a great time to catch the San Francisco Giants in action at the Oracle Park stadium in SoMa, with the Major League Baseball season in full swing. Catch them against the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates and, if you’re lucky, their arch rivals the Los Angeles Dodgers. And, if bats and balls don’t float your boat, perhaps a bit of opera will: the stadium also hosts live simulcasts of performances from the famous War Memorial Opera House, throughout summer. The San Francisco Marathon You’ll need to apply well in advance if you want to take part in this one but, if you’re a runner, it’s a great way to see many of the city’s attractions at sunrise while getting some extra miles in. The race starts and ends at the Embarcadero, taking in many of the city’s big attractions, including Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, the Presidio and the mural-filled Mission district. It even crosses the Golden Gate Bridge (hence the early start to allow the bridge to reopen to regular pedestrians by 9AM). You can also take it down a notch by entering the half marathon or 5 and 10k events, while braver souls limber up for the challenging ultra-marathon: double the distance at a thigh-numbing 52.4 miles. Phew! Save on attractions in San Francisco Save on admission to San Francisco attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Alcatraz Island in San Francisco
Blog

San Francisco in May

With spring drawing to an end ready to usher in San Francisco’s busy summer season, May is a fine time to visit the Golden City, thanks to its mild climate and the kicking off in earnest of the city’s colorful festival season. If it’s pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and affordable accommodation you’re after, May in the Bay could well be for you. Visiting San Francisco in May Average Temperature: 51–64°F • Average Rainfall: 3 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 10 hours/day Daytime temperatures in May reach average highs in the mid-60s, meaning it's still cool enough to explore the city on foot. So the chances of looking like you’ve just stepped off a treadmill in those essential hilltop selfies are vastly reduced. There’s also little or no need to remember to pack an umbrella. April showers having apparently purged the clouds of their cargo for the foreseeable future, you can expect a mere three days of rain on average in May. Better yet, hotel prices have yet to rise for peak season and it’s another month before the tourist hordes descend, meaning shorter queuing times at the big attractions. What more can we say to convince you to spend May in San Francisco? Read on... Things to do in May Of course no visit to the Golden City would be complete without seeing the bucket-list attractions. The Golden Gate Bridge will be at the top of most itineraries and May is as good a time as any to visit. Better, perhaps, as the summer fogs are yet to roll in and shroud it. Top tip: wrap up warm if you’re planning to stroll out to the middle of the bridge for those picture-perfect Bay views – it can be breezy and teeth-chatteringly chilly up here at the best of times, so stick on your thermals and a fleece. Or two. Bay cruises are another great way to get a different perspective on the famous San Francisco skyline, and May’s clear blue skies will make for some fine photo opportunities. Most cruises will take in the Pier 39 sea lion colony, the historic waterfront, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. You can also just get straight to the notorious island penitentiary, should you so desire, with a cruise and tour of the facility. Those rolling historic landmarks that are San Francisco’s painted wooden cable cars can get really busy, and we mean sardines-in-a-can busy, in summer. You’ll likely still find queues in May, but nothing like during peak season. It’s worth the short wait to travel in style, as the bell rings out and your carriage rattles over the San Francisco hills, affording splendid views of the Bay, loopy Lombard Street and the ultra-luxe hotels in swanky Nob Hill, depending which of the three lines you take. And if the weather gets a little too cool for your liking, duck into any number of world-class museums around the city. Art museums including SFMOMA in the heart of downtown and the striking, copper-clad de Young in Golden Gate Park are among the best in the country. Golden Gate Park is also where you’ll find the California Academy of the Sciences which contains – beneath its living rooftop – a planetarium, an aquarium, a rainforest dome and a huge natural history museum. Embarcadero icon the Exploratorium is the place for interactive art and science exhibits: step into a tornado, get lost in the fog and see the San Francisco skyline modeled from thousands of tiny toothpicks. What’s on in May? Memorial Weekend May sees San Francisco’s festival season crank up a gear as Mother’s Day and Memorial Weekend give locals all the excuse they need to celebrate. Memorial Weekend is the biggie, with a major ceremony at the National Cemetery in the Presidio to honor and remember America’s veterans. Expect a reflective but celebratory tone that includes music, parades, speeches and a 21-gun salute. Down in the trendy Mission district, it’s all kicking off as the two-day Carnaval Festival rolls into town. This riot of color and sound celebrates the arts and traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean through lively street performances, flamboyant costumes and some of the best street food this side of the Mexican border. Beer and cannabis gardens help you stay mellow and there is, of course, a grand parade through the streets. Cinco de Mayo Also held in The Mission (we’re sensing a pattern here), the Cinco de Mayo festival celebrates Mexican and Central American culture and is held annually on – as the name suggests – the 5th of May. Families bring picnics and deckchairs to immerse themselves in the action in and around Valencia Street, where food vendors hawk spicy treats and live bands get the party started with mariachi, salsa, merengue music and more. There are costumed dancers, artists, magicians and street performers galore, and even a petting zoo to keep the kids entertained. Bay to Breakers Bay to Breakers is a 12k fun run that usually takes place on the third Sunday of May. Weaving its way east to west from the Embarcadero to Ocean Beach, it takes in nine of the city’s neighborhoods. Fun-loving San Franciscans have gamely established a tradition for donning fancy dress during the race, which means you can expect to see overgrown chickens, shambling pantomime horses and huge conga-lines in which teams of 13 or more runners tether themselves together for the duration of the race. In other words: it’s great fun. Get involved yourself: it includes many fun sections like Golden Gate Park, where you might even get to spot the resident buffalo. On the other hand, Hayes Street Hill is an absolute beast that rises over 200 feet above sea level and will challenge even the most seasoned runner. If all that sounds a bit much, you can always just find a nice spot on the sidelines and enjoy all of the fun with none of the exertion. Save on attractions in San Francisco Save on admission to San Francisco attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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