Hit the Beach for Sandcastles and Bonfires This Weekend in San Francisco
Enjoy the end of the sunny season with outdoor movies and Halloween events in the city this weekend, too.
Welcome to fall, San Francisco’s most delightful season, thanks to mild temps and sunshine-filled skies. Now is the time to take advantage of all the best things to do in San Francisco, from checking out excellent neighborhoods, heading out on outdoor adventures, drinking great coffee, grabbing a drink at fabulous bars with excellent cocktails, listening to live music, attending fun festivals, and more—because while the rest of the country is beginning to pull out their pumpkin spice, plaid flannels, and cozy sweaters, our “real” summer is just getting started.
Where to Eat and Drink in San Francisco
Friday, October 27
SF Marriott Marquis SoMa, $295 and $375
WhiskyFest has arrived in San Francisco for one day only. The main event is sampling hundreds of whiskies from around the world, including single malt and blended Scotch, Irish, French, bourbon, rye, Tennessee, Japanese, Taiwanese, Canadian, and craft-distilled whiskies. You can also attend seminars hosted by members of the whisky community, talk to the experts pouring at their booths, and be sure to get some food in you via the gourmet buffet that will be available all evening. VIP is $80 more but it gets you in an hour early.
Friday, October 27
Marina, Free admission
The Dorian is closing its doors at the end of the month, but that’s not slowing the popular Marina spot down. Head there on Friday for the final Beastly Ball, a Halloween party with DJs, costumes, drinks, and more. If you can’t make it on Friday but want to say goodbye, you can enjoy one final ‘80s brunch party on Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.
Friday, October 27
The Center, Lower Haight, $35 to $55
Are you feeling curiouser and curiouser? Go down the rabbit hole to this Wonderland-themed party with music from DJ Obscenic, fortune-telling and mystical readings, endless elixirs, and more. Mad Hatter's tea party attire or Halloween costume required.
Friday, October 27– Sunday, October 29
Union Square, Prices vary
Chotto Matte, SF’s buzzy Nikkei restaurant is open for business. The space extends over 14,000 square feet on top of a Union Square rooftop with 400 seats, a DJ lounge, sushi bar, and skyline views, and reservations have been going quickly. But even if you can’t snag a table, you can always stop by for a drink, especially late at night—It’s open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Saturday, October 28
Inner Sunset, Admission is free
Don your best Victorian-era costumes to celebrate the 130th birthday of one of SF’s oldest continuously operational bars. There will be drink deals, free Victorian Split Pea Soup, and live music from 1pm to 2am.
Fun Festivals in San Francisco
Friday, October 27
Stern Grove, Free
If you have kiddos you need to entertain on Saturday afternoon, take them to Stern Grove, where you’ll find “Grimm Fairy Tale fun for the entire family,” including carnival rides, hay rides, a costume contest, a haunted house (for ages 10 and under), arts and crafts, a climbing wall, live entertainment, food for sale, and more.
Saturday, October 28
Daly City, $49.50 to $69.50
Four Tet and Do LaB (the creators of the Lightning in a Bottle festival) are debuting a new, immersive experience inside the Cow Palace with an open-to-close, five-hour set from 9 pm to 2 am.
More Fun Things to Do in San Francisco
Friday, October 27– Sunday, October 29
SoMa, $55 to $85
This is your last chance to explore the Terror Vault, an immersive haunt in the San Francisco Mint full of jump scares, twists and turns, terrifying characters, gore, and more. If you’re having a problem getting in the Halloween mood, this will solve that immediately. Get some much-needed liquid courage at the Fang Bang, an ‘80s New Wave/Goth pop-up bar with Halloween-themed cocktails and “friendly” vampires. Fang Bang is open to everyone with no cover, and the Terror Vault is only open through October 31. Looking for more Halloween fun? Here are a bunch of the Best Halloween Events in San Francisco.
Friday, October 27
SoMa, $24
Hi, Barbie! Grab your rollerblades and favorite pink outfit and head to Oracle Park for an outdoor screening of this year’s biggest movie. Don your best Barbie or Ken outfit because there will be prizes for the most elaborate costumes, plus photo ops, special activations, and Barbie-themed food and drink. A portion of every ticket sold supports the Barbie Dream Gap Project—Barbie’s global mission dedicated to challenging gender stereotypes and helping undo the biases that hold girls back from reaching their full potential.
Friday, October 27
Oakland, $49.50
Go insane in the membrane… insane in the brain as Cypress Hill celebrates over 30 years since the release of their self-titled debut album. Ozomatli and Onyx are the opening acts.
Friday, October 27– Sunday, October 29
Ocean Beach, Free
One of our favorite “only in SF” things is gathering friends for a bonfire at Ocean Beach. But you can only do it between March 1st and October 31st, which means this is the last weekend for a few months. Grab everything you need, including wood, at the nearby Safeway—just do not leave your food unguarded at the beach because those seagulls WILL take your entire pack of hot dogs (yes, speaking from personal experience).
Friday, October 27–Sunday, October 29
Bayview-Hunters Point, Free
The annual Brainwash drive-in bike-in walk-in movie festival features unique independent films anywhere from 5 to 18 minutes long. There’s humor, animation, short live-action stories, and more at this festival, where you drive, bike, or walk in and listen with FM sound, or through the amps.
Friday, October 27–Sunday, October 29
Inner Mission, Free
This historic warehouse is opening its doors to show the work of over 100 artists who make paintings, sculptures, jewelry, fiber arts, collage, letterpress, and more. Do a free self-guided walk through all three floors of this industrial art complex, watch short 20-minute demos, engage with the artists, and maybe take something home—much of the art is budget-friendly.
Saturday, October 28
Ocean Beach, Free
Check out giant sand sculptures made by students and local designers at this family-friendly event with live music, raffles, food trucks, and more.