The month of October ushers in some of the best weather of the year in San Francisco as the central valley cools, limiting the fog that is pulled in from the Pacific. Bright, sunny days are ahead where you can actually don shorts and flip-flops and not worry about being comfortable. It's our Indian Summer, so enjoy.

October also marks an annual tradition in the Bay Area ... Fleet Week!

Fleet Week originated in 1908 when President Theodore Roosevelt's "Great White Fleet'' visited our City. It became a San Francisco annual tradition in 1981, when then-Mayor Dianne Feinstein established it as a city celebration. Fleet Week is now the Bay Area's opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women of our nation's Navy and Marine services.

Taking place in mid-October, Fleet Week will feature Navy ships dock-side, while the Blue Angels and other aircraft fly above the San Francisco Bay. Fisherman's Wharf serves as the prime viewing spot for the Fleet Week airshow and the hub of Fleet Week related events, all listed below under Best City Pick.

The Local Events page on our website provides details for some of the more interesting events that are happening in San Francisco this month. Regardless of what you have planned, enjoy our warmer weather as we transition into Fall.

What's your favorite spot in San Francisco? Let us know at sheratonsf@ihrco.com or Share on Facebook.

Happy Travels ... Craig Schwan, General Manager

Fleet Week
In addition to the information provided above, below is a list of events scheduled for this special weekend:

• Thursday, October 8 Blue Angels Circle and Arrival Maneuvers
• Friday, October 9 Blue Angels Practice Air Show
• Saturday, October 10 Parade of Ships & Opening Ceremony,
  Fleet Week Air Show, PIER 39 Fleet Week Celebration and
  Blue Angels/AirShow Performers Meet the Public
• Sunday, October 11 Ship Tours for the Public at Pier 32, Fleet Week Air Show and PIER 39 Fleet Week Celebration

This immensely popular annual festival pays tribute to the men and women of our nation's Navy and Marine services and features a visually stunning Parade of Ships at the opening ceremony, a variety of Navy ships available for touring dock-side, while the Blue Angels and other aircraft fly above the San Francisco Bay. Fisherman's Wharf serves as the prime viewing spot for the Fleet Week airshow and the hub of Fleet Week related events.

Caesars Italian Restaurant
Voted as serving the city's best calamari, Caesar's has the slogan, 'Where the Italians Eat,' but really, anyone is welcome.

Located at Bay and Powell Streets in North Beach a block behind the hotel, it's one of those funky fifties restaurants that could teach some of the trendy newcomers a whole textbook on how to survive. Serving pasta, pesce, carne e pollo for more than 45 years, Caesar's makes no secret of its strategy for success: plenty of good food at reasonable prices, and make sure the customer leaves satisfied.

Unbelievably, you can still get a seven-course dinner here for around $26. My wife is known for her Linguine alle Vongole and even she says her receipe is topped by Caesar's version. Okay, maybe we should deem it a "tie" to keep harmony in the family. Regardless, Caesars is a crowd pleaser and is packed with locals ... always a good sign in a city known for its restaurants.

San Francisco Jazz Festival
The 27th annual San Francisco Jazz Festival begins October 10th with a celebration of Thelonious Monk's birthday with pianist Eric Reed and continues with some of the most illustrious names in music through November 21, 2009.

Artists include Jake Shimabukuro; Ornette Coleman; Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer; Ravi Shankar and Anoushka Shankar; Savion Glover; Esperanza Spalding; Milton Nascimento; Gal Costa; Keb' Mo' and Solomon Burke.

Hailed by The London Observer as "the best jazz festival in the world," the San Francisco Jazz Festival lead at the Herbst theatre, is a two-week celebration of today's best music. Every fall the Festival presents a phenomenal array of jazz concerts, from the classic to the avant-garde, gathering the legends of today and the rising stars of tomorrow in premier venues throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area.

Originally a small-scale event known mostly in the local community, the Festival has risen to national and international prominence featuring dozens of events, including commissions of new works by some of the most creative contemporary artists, unique "Jazz on Film" presentations, family matinee concerts, dance performances, and photography exhibits. 

Napa & Sonoma Wine Country
The mesmerizing scenic beauty of wine country in Autumn enhances the romance of both Sonoma and Napa valley. For a taste of timeless romance and some of the best vintages of wine in the world, journey north to enjoy the fragrance of wine in the air and superlative epicurean delights ... you will revel in the simple pleasures of being together.

Situated an hour's drive north of the hotel, Napa Valley is a great getaway idea for a weekend, although it is equally apt for a longer and more leisurely holiday. You will be in awe of the many great wines, luxurious spas, and fine restaurants in Napa Valley, as well as interesting cultural events and the beautiful rolling hills and colorful countryside.

Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley together compose the traditional wine country of Northern California, often referred to as the vintner capital of the USA. A magnet for those who appreciate the good life, the area is famous for the medicinal hot springs and spas that soothe the soul and pamper the senses.

South Pacific
Lincoln Center Theater presents a new production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's prize-winning musical classic.

This stunning reinvention swept the 2008 Tony Awards, winning seven honors including Best Musical Revival and Best Director for Bartlett Sher. Set on a tropical island during World War II, the musical tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices.

Based on James Michener's Pulitzer Prize winning book Tales of the South Pacific, Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.

Walt Disney Family Museum
Opening October 1, 2009, three historic buildings within the nearby Presidio will soon house 10 galleries devoted to the inspiring story of Walt Disney, the creator of Mickey Mouse, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," Disneyland and the global yet distinctly American company that bears his name.

Disney's story will be portrayed through drawings, storyboards, the narrow-gauge train built for Disneyland along with film clips, concept art, scripts, musical scores and cameras used by Disney and his staff.

Using a mix of historic materials and artifacts, Disney's achievements will come to life through innovative displays that include listening stations, interactive media, and more than 200 video monitors. Much of the material is being generously lent by the Walt Disney Company and private collectors.

For activity reservations and suggestions, please contact our Concierge.
 Website  •  Phone (415) 627-6525  •  Email SheratonFW@conciergeofsanfrancisco.com