Fourth of July Planner

by Chelsea Lin - Citysearch Editor - 76 Reviews - 90 Lists

/6a/b0/1d/5b/d0/5e/49/9a/a9/07/53/11/a1/2f/79/d1.jpg

Updated: June 08, 2009

Turtlenecks and wind chills don't exactly create the sort of bikini-clad Fourth of July beach bash those beer commercials keep reminding us we're missing out on, but SFers have to work with what they're given. Get your fun, even without the warmth and sun, by checking out these family-friendly events, hitting the town to enjoy some beer and barbecue (al fresco or indoors) or preparing for your own get-together--just make sure any out-of-town guests dress for December rather than July.

On this page:What to Do, Where to Eat and Drink.

What to Do

  1. 1 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended ATT Park
    Read Reviews

    24 Willie Mays Plz, San Francisco, CA 94107 (map)

    What better activity than the great American pastime to enjoy on our national birthday? Enjoy your peanuts, Cracker Jacks and organic, grass-fed hot dogs as the Giants play the Houston Astros July 3-5. (The game on the fourth is an afternoon one, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the fireworks after.)

  2. 2 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Fillmore Street
    Read Reviews

    Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)

    The legendary Fillmore Jazz Festival is part neighborhood street fair and part unmatchable music show, resulting in a two-day party that draws performers, business owners and huge crowds out onto Fillmore. Grab a to-go cup of sangria from Fresca's outdoor booth and set up camp at one of the stages--the shopping can be done anytime, but the fab, free performances are only once a year.

  3. 3 Golden Gate Theatre
    Write a review

    1 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)

    If you haven't already hit "Spamalot," the musical comedy based on "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," save it for the fourth: There's a 2pm matinee and an 8pm performance, and both are sure to be amazing since the show ends the following day.

  4. 4 3.5 Star Rating: Average Pier 39
    Read Reviews

    Beach Street at the Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133 (map)

    Taking in the city's fireworks from the waterfront location of Pier 39 means you'll have the best possible view of the overhead display once the action starts, but keep in mind that everyone else (including a whole lot of out-of-towners) knows this, too. While Pier 39 puts on a pretty good party, it may be advisable to stroll down the street a few blocks to deal with slightly more manageable crowds.

  5. 5 3.5 Star Rating: Average Shoreline Amphitheatre
    Read Reviews

    One Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043 (map)

    Every year, the SF Symphony heads to the South Bay to celebrate America's birthday with a family-friendly concert and fireworks display at this spacious outdoor venue. This year's fairly random program ranges from Luther Vandross's "A Brand New Day" to Tchaikovsky's Rococo variations--actor George Takei narrates.

Where to Eat and Drink

  1. 6 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended El Rio
    Read Reviews

    3158 Mission St, San Francisco, CA Cesar (map)

    This Outer Mission hangout with one of SF's sunniest outdoor patios hosts regular weekly parties (with lots of freebies), but things are set to blow up on the fourth: eight bands, eight bucks for admission and free barbecue from 1:30pm to 8pm.

  2. 7 3 Star Rating: Average Epic Roasthouse
    Read Reviews

    369 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)

    Make your reservation now for a late dinner at this upscale Embarcadero steakhouse and get a bird's eye view of the fireworks as you dine on dry-aged beef or grilled fish and tasty sides like truffle whipped potatoes, sauteed spinach, onion rings and mac 'n' cheese.

  3. 8 4 Star Rating: Recommended Memphis Minnie's BBQ
    Read Reviews

    576 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)

    For serious slabs of ready-to-eat meat, head to this Lower Haight barbecue spot for pork ribs, beef brisket, Andouille sausage, smoked chicken and marinated turkey breast at by-the-pound prices. If you've got some vegetarians in the mix, stick to the sides: potato salad, coleslaw, mac 'n' cheese or sweet potatoes.

  4. 9 3.5 Star Rating: Average Prather Ranch Meat Company
    Read Reviews

    1 Ferry Bldg, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)

    Say you've gotten ambitious and want to grill up your own meat for friends and family. Skip Safeway and pick up racks of heritage pork ribs at this Ferry Building purveyor of fine swine (and beef, if that's more your thing).

  5. 10 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Roadside BBQ
    Read Reviews

    3751 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118 (map)

    Like those tacky commercials where suburban moms trick their friends into thinking some store-bought cake is really home-made, you too can play the fool and order up some 'que from this Inner Richmond joint to cater your own backyard bash. Fourteen bucks per person gets you a choice of one meat, two sides and corn muffins--up that to $17 per person for a choice of three meats.

  6. 11 4 Star Rating: Recommended Zeitgeist
    Read Reviews

    199 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)

    In terms of backyard barbecue, this place may not be SF's finest, but it certainly is the city's most popular, at least with the Mission crowd. Rows of picnic tables in the spacious back patio encourage you to cozy up to your neighbor with a pitcher of Anchor Steam and a burger from the grill--as close as you'll get to a typical Independence Day celebration.