The traffic jams started with an unusual scene on the Bay Bridge. Both directions were shut down because of a suspicious device discovered at the Treasure Island off-ramp -- a small grey canister that turned out to be harmless.
The bridge closure started at 2:45 p.m. and lasted 30 minutes. Some people drove the wrong direction at the toll plaza to turn back. Others got out of their cars and walked around.
This happened as people began their drive to one of the seven major events, including two MLB games and two big concerts.
The Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z concert started at 7:30 p.m. But hundreds were late because of big traffic problems across the Bay Area, that never really seemed to recover.
"It's going to be amazing," one woman said. "We'd sit in five hours of traffic just to get to this concert!"
It turns out many nearly did. Just getting to Candlestick Park to see Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z was a traffic nightmare. 101 was jammed in both directions, some fans got out of their taxis and other rides and just walked along the highway to get to the stadium.
"We got out to get to this concert," San Francisco resident Carly Smith said. "We walked out, walked on the shoulder just to get here."
Across the bay, A's fans poured into Oakland for the game against the Los Angeles Angels.
"I hope the Angels made it, it's always good to start the game with both teams," one man said.
Some Angels players staying in San Francisco got stranded in the backup and rode BART to the game to make it on time.
"Rubbing elbows with the fans too, that's great!" one BART rider said.
The worst of it was in San Francisco's Financial District, where traffic was stopped cold and drivers were losing patience.
"It's a real nightmare," San Francisco resident Julia Raab said. "You should talk to the driver though, she's in a rage, it's been rough."
We also found ourselves adrift in the sea of cars experiencing Carmageddon Friday. An event many would like to forget.
