It’s a bird! It’s a plane! … It’s Fleet Week!!

Early October is one of the best times to be in the Bay Area! NFL season is in full swing, the region is experiencing its famed “second summer”, and Fleet Week graces the skies of San Francisco and the surrounding area. One of the largest airshows of its kind, Fleet Week is an incredible display of the Blue Angel’s mastery of the sky, with exciting events on the ground to accompany them. This year, expect a wide range of exciting and engaging activities to celebrate this annual tradition!

Fleet Week is a long-held tradition in the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, first beginning in 1935 in San Diego. The tradition sees active military ships recently deployed overseas docking in a variety of major coastal cities for one week. The ship’s crew, then, are able to view the city’s sights, and the public can tour the boats. This tradition was first brought to San Francisco by Mayor Dianne Fienstein in 1981, and has become an annual staple in the city. The Bay Area, though, has hundreds of years of U.S. military history, from housing two major naval shipyards – in San Francisco and Vallejo – to a major WWII intelligence post on Treasure Island. In San Francisco, Fleet Week is often defined by the exciting air shows performed by the Blue Angels, a flight demonstration (or aerobatic) squadron of the U.S. Navy, aiming to showcase the Navy’s pride through community outreach. Their San Francisco air show is one of the most extensive of its kind, and contributes to Fleet Week’s mission of honoring the men and women of the armed forces while connecting with local communities. 

This year, you can expect a wide range of events open to the public, with additional information on the SF Fleet Week website, found here. Bands are slated to perform across the city all week, culminating in a High School band challenge at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell on Monday, October 14, a guide to performances can be found here. The main air show, including performances from the Blue Angels, United Airlines, and the U.S. Navy Leapfrog Parachute Team, is scheduled to take place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday over the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Though these air shows can be seen (and heard) all around the city, consider checking out city rooftops and patios for the best views, but be sure to reserve in advance! We recommend checking out Coit Tower, Top of the Mark, or a local ferry (Red and White, Blue and Gold).  More information on participating performers and schedules can be found here. Additionally, ship tours will be available all week with no reservation required, find specific schedules here, and the Fleet Fest will be taking place on Saturday, from 10am to 9pm, and Sunday, from 10am to 5pm, with additional ship tours, live music, interactive simulations, and childrens activities. Find more about Fleet Fest here. 

… and many more! Fleet Week is a wonderful way to celebrate the Bay Area’s history, and the important work of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. We hope you enjoy this special Bay Area tradition!

More Helpful Articles