There is sure to be a huge turn out on Marina Green, as usual, to see the Blue Angels during Fleet Week and the America's Cup World Series is expected to draw its own impressive crowd as the 45-foot boats race on the bay. But that's just the beginning.
Start off with Oracle's big party which is already in town, 50,000 people for that. On Wednesday night, they head to Treasure Island. Back in 2009, it was Aerosmiith playing at that party. This year, it's Pearl Jam and Kings of Leon. Out on the water, Oracle's America's Cup World Series boats will be racing against teams from Sweden, England, Korea, New Zealand, Italy, France, and China.
Then, the Blue Angels come to town for Fleet Week's big weekend airshow. While that's happening, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival will feature dozens of big-name acts playing for free in Golden Gate Park. Throw in Sunday's Italian Heritage Parade, the Castro Street Fair, and a 49ers home game and it's a pretty busy weekend.
"There's so much happening with the Italian Heritage Festiva and the Castro Street Fair coming up, Oracle, the races going on, it's chock-a-block," said W Hotel manage Michael Pace. Pace says the city is sold out. And, that's all without mentioning yet that the Giants will likely be in town for the first of their playoff games and the A's appear to be playoff-bound as well. "Welcome. This is the beginning of a great number of events in our city," Mayor Ed Lee said kicking off Fleet Week by remarking about everything else that's on tap.
Outside the Sir Fancis Drake, celebrity doorman Tom Sweeney says he's never seen the like. "How can you go wrong? San Francisco's at it's best right now," he said.
Click here for a list of this weekend's events and traffic information to help you get around.
