Local Events

Chinese New Year Parade - February 11, 2012
With 2012 being the "Year of the Dragon", a special visit to see this year's parade is a must. Nowhere in the world will you see a parade with more gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes, ferocious lions, exploding firecrackers, and of course the newly crowned Miss Chinatown U.S.A. and her court. A crowd favorite is the spectacular 250' Golden Dragon carried throughout the streets of San Francisco.

At Chinatown / Union Square. For further info call: (415) 994-3789.

Arts of Pacific Asia Show - Opens February 2, 2012
The 16th Annual San Francisco Arts of Pacific Asia Show returns to nearby Fort Mason Center with an array of museum-quality textiles, sculptures, jewelry, and antiques from Mainland and Pacific Asia. This year’s event will debut a contemporary Asian Art Initiative that will feature select galleries from China, many of which have never exhibited in the San Francisco area before.

At Fort Mason. For further info call: (310) 455-2886

Masters of Venice - Through February 12, 2012
The deYoung presents Renaissance Painters of Passion and Power from the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna featuring an exclusive presentation of 50 paintings by Venetian painters Titian, Giorgione, Veronese, Tintoretto, Mantegna, and more, primarily from the sixteenth century, all on loan from the Gemäldegalerie of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, as originally collected by the Habsburg family.

At the deYoung Museum. For further info call: (415) 750-3600

Mamma Mia - February 21 to March 4, 2012
Mamma Mia is the ultimate feel-good show that has audiences coming back again and again. Have the time of your life at this smash-hit musical that combines ABBA's greatest hits, including "Dancing Queen," "S.O.S.," "Super Trouper," "Take A Chance on Me" and "The Winner Takes It All," with an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. 

At the Orpheum Theatre. For tickets and info call: (888) SHN-1799

Maharaja India's Royal Courts - Through April 8, 2012
Explore the life and times of India’s great kings by getting close to the objects they used and the art they commissioned, collected, and loved. Nearly 200 stunning artworks—including a gold throne, a silver carriage, Man Ray photographs, and a diamond belt—illuminate the dazzling world of Indian royalty from the 1700s to the 1940s, a period of dramatic change.

At the Asian Art Museum. For info call: (415) 781-5555

San Francisco Symphony Turns 100!
The world renowned San Francisco Symphony celebrates its 100th anniversary with an ambitious season featuring unique concerts with world renowned conductors, visiting orchestras, and guest soloists. On the Symphony stage, the groundbreaking American Mavericks Festival returns with adventurous music, extraordinary musicians, and world premiere commissions

Located at the Civic Center. For further info call (415) 861-1942

Blue and Gold Fleet Happy Hour Cruise
Take advantage of this fun way to unwind after a long day. Meet your friends and co-workers to sip and sail onboard Blue and Gold Fleet's 90-minute Happy Hour Cruise. Enjoy $4.00 specialty drinks, light bites and fun music while sailing the bay! Includes one complimentary well alcoholic beverage or two complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.

At PIER 39, Gate 3. For more info call: (415) 705-8200

Guided Bike Tours
Daily guided tours for up to 3 hours are now being offered by Bay City Bike Tours where you can follow a pro from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito and return by ferry, a perfect afternoon outing. Bay City offers a large fleet of bikes including tandem and electric bikes. Fun for the entire family and appropriate for kids of all ages.

Taylor Street at Fisherman's Wharf. For further info, call: (415) 346-2453

Sea Lion Interpretive Program
A new visitor outreach program to provide insight into the boisterous world of the hundreds of California sea lions that reside at Pier 39 has been launched. Educators from The Marine Mammal Center and Aquarium of the Bay lead daily discussions 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on the important role the animals play to the Northern California Coast ecosystem, explain their crowd-pleasing habits and answer questions.

At Pier 39. For more info call: (415) 705-5500

Open Top Sightseeing by Night
Experience enchanting San Francisco by night with this special 2-hour tour is fully narrated by a step-on guide. Visit Twin Peaks and be treated to an impressive 270-degree view over the city, or marval at the San Francisco skyline from Treasure Island with a ride across the Bay Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf sparkling as part of the city's scenery! When the sun goes down, the City by the Bay comes to life.
 
For more information or reservations, call (877) 332-8689. 

TCHO Chocolate Tour
TCHO, the only chocolate manufacturer located in San Francisco, is now offering free daily tours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. by reservation at their Pier 17 location. The hour-long experience includes a presentation and factory tour with knowledgeable and entertaining tour guides, as well as an in-depth guided tasting of TCHO's flavor-driven, artisan chocolate.
 
On the Embarcadero. For further info, call: (415) 963-5090

Historic Waterfront Walking Tours - Every Sat/Sun
Over the last 160 years, uses changed the environment of San Francisco's northern waterfront. Stroll with a National Park Ranger to discover the history of this vibrant area on a walking tour through the Aquatic Park Historic Landmark District, The Cannery, Hyde Street Pier, and Fish Alley at Fisherman's Wharf. The tour starts at 10:30 am, lasts an hour and covers one mile.

At the Maritime Museum. For information call: (415) 447-5000.

Walt Disney Family Museum
Three historic buildings within the nearby Presidio house 10 galleries devoted to the inspiring story of Walt Disney, the creator of Mickey Mouse, Disneyland and the global company that bears his name. Disney's story is portrayed through drawings, storyboards, a model of Disneyland, the narrow-gauge train built for Disneyland along with film clips, concept art, scripts, musical scores and cameras used by Disney and his staff.

At the Presidio. For information and tickets call (415) 345-6893.

Musee Mecanique
One of the world's largest privately owned collections of mechanically operated musical instruments and antique arcade machines is located at Fisherman's Wharf. Take a journey from turn of the century hand cranked music boxes to modern video arcade games. This is a trip down memory lane and a chance to show your children or grandchildren what you did for fun when you were their age, pre video-games.

At Pier 45, Shed A. For further info call: (415) 346-2000.

RocketBoat
Calling all thrill seekers! RocketBoat is blasting back on the Bay from Pier 39. Climb aboard RocketBoat for the ultimate high-speed adventure on San Francisco Bay. Get blown away as you hold on for the most exhilarating ride of your life. Enjoy stunning views while a a classic Rock 'n Roll soundtrack adds to the 30 minutes of fun. Never the same ride twice. RocketBoat...it's a BLAST!

Located at Pier 39. For further information call (415) 705-8200. 

California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is a world-class scientific and cultural institution that recently opened a new facility in Golden Gate Park, a 400,000 square foot structure that houses an aquarium, a planetarium a natural history museum and a 4-story rainforest all under a "living" roof. Home to world-class scientists, the Academy has earned a platinum award for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Located at the Golden Gate Park. For info call: (888) 670-4433

Beach Blanket Babylon
Steve Silver's musical is packed with spectacular costumes, outrageously gigantic hats, and one show-stopping number after. Watch Snow White on her fast-paced musical journey around the world in search of her "Prince Charming" as she encounters a star-studded, ever-changing line-up of hilarious pop culture characters along the way. At Club Fugazi, 678 Green Street in nearby North Beach.

Located in North Beach. For tickets call: (415) 421-4222

San Francisco Zoo
The San Francisco Zoo connects people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature, and advances conservation action. Located near the sweeping vistas of Ocean Beach, the zoo offers an African savanna, a lemur forest, children's zoo, carousel, Sumatran tiger cub exhibit and much more. Come check out the new "Hearst Grizzly Gulch"!

Located at 1 Zoo Rd. For information call: (415) 753-7080

SFMOMA Rooftop Sculpture Garden
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art features a 14,400-square-foot exhibition space on the rooftop. The Rooftop Garden showcases SFMOMA's ever-expanding collection of modern and contemporary sculpture. Visitors also discover a place for reflection, relaxation and interaction. Works are from the museum's collection and are either recently acquired or rarely seen.

At Yerba Buena Center. For further info, call (415) 357-4000