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The latest news and announcements from Mayor London N. Breed

San Francisco Gets Ready to Host Exciting Weekend of Events

Thriving Economy, World-Class Events Make San Francisco Attractive to Visitors from Around World

Today Mayor Edwin M. Lee was joined by City agencies including San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) and the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), and representatives from major events, including Fleet Week, America’s Cup, the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers, to highlight exciting events happening the first weekend of October in San Francisco that will bring an estimated one million visitors to the City and to highlight City coordination efforts to ensure a safe and fun weekend for residents and visitors.

“San Francisco was just named ‘America’s Best City’ because of events just like these,” said Mayor Lee. “Not only do they showcase the City to the world, but they bring jobs and a significant economic impact to our local economy. San Francisco is ready to host these events and get people around the City safely.”

In the first week of October, San Francisco is set to host a number of large scale events – from neighborhood driven events such as the Castro Street Fair to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park to international events like Fleet Week and the 34th America’s Cup World Series Races to highly anticipated sporting events from hometown teams, the National League West Champion San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers.

In order to minimize traffic impacts throughout the City, residents and visitors to San Francisco are encouraged to walk, bike or take public transportation or taxis. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and are reminded that parking is limited at all event venues.

“This weekend will be a great one for our City and we have the transportation system prepared,” said SFMTA Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin. “We urge anyone who will need to get around San Francisco that weekend to know their options, plan well, and leave their cars at home. We urge everyone to avoid delays by taking Muni, a bike, a taxi or a walk when getting around that week and weekend.”

City agencies, including SFPD, SFFD, SFMTA, Department of Public Works, Port of San Francisco and Recreation and Park Department, have been coordinating for several months to ensure the City is prepared for the events. The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) will activate the City’s Emergency Operations Center to provide Citywide monitoring.

“The Department of Emergency Management will be providing support to City departments and other agencies by coordinating our efforts at the Emergency Operations Center,” said DEM Director Anne Kronenberg. “We’ll be on hand to keep track of all of the events happening throughout the City.”

The major events that will take place between October 2nd and October 8th include:
America’s Cup World Series – Marina Green (Tuesday through Sunday);
Fleet Week – Northern and Eastern waterfront (Tuesday through Monday; airshows on Saturday and Sunday);
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival – Golden Gate Park (Friday through Sunday);
Castro Street Fair – Castro District (Sunday);
Italian Heritage Parade – Fisherman’s Wharf to North Beach (Sunday);
San Francisco 49ers Football – Candlestick Park (Sunday); and
San Francisco Giants Baseball Playoff Games – AT&T Park (Saturday and Sunday).

Additional transit, biking and taxi options will be made available at various events, including extra bus shuttles on Market Street, a new pilot service on The Embarcadero, more buses and trains on most direct routes to and from special events, free bike valets, additional signage for cyclists and pedestrians, bike rentals are available throughout the city and 100 additional taxi will be made available with additional taxi zones at key events.

A lane of northbound The Embarcadero between Washington and Bay streets will be converted to bicycle use only on Saturday and Sunday.

For more information about getting around the City this weekend, go to SFMTA: www.sfmta.com or call 311.