San Francisco Fleet Week 2018, Directions, Schedules, Blue Angels, Pics

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San Francisco Fleet Week

To Fisherman's Wharf:

From the North Bay Area

Take the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco (Portions toll)
Turn Left onto Van Ness Ave.
Turn Right onto North Point St.
Turn Left onto Stockton St.
Turn Right onto Beach St.

From the South Bay Area

Take 101 South toward SF
Merge onto I-280 N
Take the exit on the left
Merge onto King St.
King St becomes Embarcadero
Drive 2.5 miles
Fisherman's Wharf is on the Left

From the East Bay Area

Take 80 across the Bay Bridge
Take the Fremont St Exit
Turn Right onto Howard St.
Turn Left onto the Embarcadero
Drive 1.5 miles
Fisherman's Wharf is on the Left

A tradition since 1981, Fleet Week is the most anticipated Fall event in San Francisco.

With an estimated audience of 1 million, spectators are drawn every year to the city's northern waterfront to be awed by a parade of Navy ships, along with a spectacular aerial show that includes the Navy Blue Angels.

Also always on hand are a variety of nighttime entertainment venues that kick off just as the sun sets over San Francisco Bay.

When : Traditionally, Fleet Week is scheduled around the time of San Francisco's Italian Heritage Day Parade on Columbus Day weekend.

This year, Fleet Week begins with the parade of ships on Friday, October 6, 2018, followed by an entire weekend of aerial stunts by the nation's premier aerobatic teams. Check out the full San Francisco Fleet Week schedule (below.)

Where : Join the crowds along the main viewing area at Marina Green park with additional viewing at Fishermans Wharf, or from any vantage point along the shores of San Francisco Bay.

Air Show & Blue Angels

The Blue Angels team are without a doubt the main event of San Francisco Fleet Week, featuring awesome aerial stunts guaranteed to take a spectator's breath away.

Aerobatic maneuvers include the Blue Angels' signature diamond formation and the six-jet Delta formation, along with dizzying solo performances by individual pilots high above San Francisco Bay.

In addition to the Blue Angels, in 2018 watch for appearances by the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team, a U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Demo, the Red Star Pilots Formation Team and more.

Warning: those with sensitive hearing are advised to wear ear plugs, since the engines that power Blue Angels jets are LOUD.

2018 Air Show, Ship Parade & Visits

Following the Parade of Ships that kick-off Fleet Week celebrations, free tours of several U.S and Canadian navy ships are conducted by ship crew members along the San Francisco waterfront on Piers 27 and 30-32.

Ships open for inspections traditionally include destroyers, frigates, and coastal defense vessels. NOTE: No children under 7 years of age are allowed on board.

The following is a tentative schedule for the weekend air show event that doesn't often vary from year to year. But check back for updates when the official schedule is announced over the summer.

Thursday Oct 4
Blue Angels survey practice flights 1PM-5PM

Friday Oct 5
Parade of Ships, 11AM
Air Show rehearsal 12-4PM

Saturday Oct 6
Air Show 12-4PM (Blue Angels 3PM-4PM)
Ship Tours

Sunday Oct 7
Air Show 12-4PM (Blue Angels 3PM-4PM)
Ship Tours

Monday Oct 8
Ship Tours

Official Schedule of Events. Schedule subject to change.

More about San Francisco Fleet Week around the Web:

SF Fleet Week Official Site

Fleet Week - Wikipedia

San Francisco Fleet Week: tips from a local