San Francisco Labor Day Weekend Highlights

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) August 28, 2014

Spend Labor Day weekend sampling Filipino cuisine at the inaugural Savor Filipino, picnic in the Presidio at Shakespeare in the Park, and do the doggie bar crawl at Treasure Island Flea. Channel your “inner-force” at the fourth annual Star Wars Day at AT&T Park. Sport a kilt at the Scottish Highland Gathering and Games. Whatever your interests, San Francisco offers a memorable holiday weekend for all.

Be sure to also stop in at the San Francisco Visitor Information Center, 900 Market St., on the lower level of Hallidie Plaza or visit http://www.sanfrancisco.travel for more ideas on how to celebrate over the long weekend.

Muni riders are reminded that on Sept. 1, 2014 adult fares are going up to $ 2.25. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close northbound I- 280 from the U.S. 101/I-280 interchange to downtown San Francisco. The Labor Day weekend closure will begin Thursday, Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. and continue until Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 5 a.m. This closure is necessary to replace two bridge hinges on northbound I-280. The bridge hinges are located near Cesar Chavez Street. To get into and around San Francisco on the Labor Day weekend, public transit is recommended. For information, dial 511 (nine San Francisco Bay Area counties), 510-893-8729 or visit http://www.511.org.

Special events and activities in San Francisco announced for the Labor Day weekend include:

Aug. 29, 2014


FRIDAY NIGHTS AT THE DE YOUNG


de Young Museum, 50 Tea Garden Dr., 415-750-3600, http://www.deyoungmuseum.org


Get a taste of the after-hours art “happenings” every Friday night (6-8:30 p.m.) at the de Young Museum. Enjoy live music, dance performances, film screenings, panel discussions, artist demonstrations, exhibition tours and even hands-on art activities. The café offers a delicious Friday night menu as well as specialty cocktails. Don’t leave without making your way to the observation tower, open until 8:15 p.m. Walk-in and experience all public programs at no cost. To view the permanent collection or special exhibitions, admission tickets are required. Tonight enjoy fresh music sounds from the Broken Shadows Family Band.

Aug. 29-31, 2014


SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS VS. MILWAUKEE BREWERS


AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, 415-972-2000, http://www.sfgiants.com


Have yet to catch a Giant’s game? Now is your chance. Cheer on your favorite team as they take on the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-game stand, Aug. 29-31. Back by popular demand, the Giants invite fans and fellow Jedi Masters to the fourth annual Star Wars Day on Sunday, Aug. 31, at AT&T Park. Two ticket options are available and include Star Wars themed Giants item(s).

Aug. 30, 2014


Savor Filipino


Justin Herman Plaza, The Embarcadero, http://www.savorfilipino.com


The Bay Area is home to the highest concentration of Filipinos outside of the Philippines and has been the American immigration gateway for millions of Filipinos coming to the US. Savor Filipino is an inaugural event celebrating Filipino cuisine in the United States. The idea is to taste, cook, learn, sip and watch — chefs and authors, sustainable growers and modern confectioners — during Labor Day weekend. Savor Filipino is founded by the Filipino Food Movement and sponsored by Ramar Foods. Justin Herman Plaza will be transformed into a complete tour of Filipino food options made for the San Francisco community. Six tent pavilions will feature something for everyone. Admission is free.

Aug. 30, 2014


GOLDEN


111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna St., 415-203-9801, http://www.111minnagallery.com


Presented by sf noir and the RegistryBayArea.com, Golden is billed as a “new intersection of music, art, culture … and people.” Close out the summer with a journey back to the golden age of soul and R&B. This evening of music mixology will feature the Bay Area’s top R&B, soul and hip hop DJs as well as networking with a diverse audience.

Aug. 30-31, 2014


TREASURE ISLAND FLEA


Treasure Island, 415-898-0245, http://www.treasureislandflea.com


Celebrate the dog days of summer from the doggie bar crawl to DIY Mimosa kits and food truck bounty. More than 400 locally curated vendors sell everything from antiques to upcycled furniture and brand new art pieces. For the kids there’s the “Kid Zone” which will offer hula-hooping, a magician, face painting, a jump house, a bungee jump, California’s only 40-foot-tall “spider wall,” a petting zoo and ponies.

Aug. 31, 2014


YERBA BUENA GARDENS FESTIVAL


Yerba Buena Gardens, Fourth and Mission Streets, 415-543-1718, http://www.ybgf.org


Straight out of East L.A., Quetzal forges a sound as rich and complex as their pluri-ethnic barrio experience. The group is part of a trans-national dialogue between musicians in California and Veracruz, Mexico known as Fandango Sin Fronteras, giving rise to numerous recordings, performances and publications. The performance starts at 1 p.m.

Aug. 31, 2014


POP UPS IN THE ZIM ZOOM FAMILY ROOM


Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., 415-655-7800, http://www.thecjm.org


Families can experience new adventures in art-making every Sunday for free. This hands-on fun inspires visitors to learn more about the exhibitions on display, the building’s architecture, or Jewish holidays and traditions while experimenting with materials and art techniques. 11:30-noon. Free with museum admission; ages 18 and under always free. Exhibits currently on view include “Project Mah Jongg” and “Designing Home: Jews and Midcentury Modernism.”

Aug. 30-Sept. 1, 2014


SAN FRANCISCO ZOO: KOMODO KARNIVAL


One Zoo Rd., 415-753-7080, http://www.sfzoo.org


Head to the San Francisco Zoo for a Labor Day weekend extravaganza filled with classic carnival festivities… with a twist! Komodo Karnival will feature good ol’ fashioned fun with a nod to Big Daddy Bahasa, their charismatic Komodo dragon who lives at Komodo Alley. Fun games such as Crazy Ball, Ring The Bottle, Hoop Shot, Milk Can, Fat Cats, and Fish Are Jumping will challenge visitors. After some cotton candy and a hot dog and soda, test out the Komodo High Striker and the Komodo Klimbing Wall.

Thru Sept. 1, 2014


SAN FRANCISCO MIME TROUPE (SFMT)


415-285-1717, http://www.sfmt.org


That’s mime as in “the exaggeration of everyday life in story and song.” This group has a lot to say and they’ve been doing so since 1959. Winners of a special Tony Award in 1987 for Excellence in Regional Theater, the San Francisco Mime Troupe specializes in shows that “debunk the official story.” Commerce and greed are the twin themes of Ripple Effects, which explores displacement and what “home” means to those struggling to stay and those arriving. Locations vary. Performances begin at 2 p.m. (music at 1:30 p.m.). Performances are free; however, donations are welcomed.

Sept. 1-30, 2014


ARCHITECTURE AND THE CITY FESTIVAL


Citywide, 415-362-7397, http://www.aiasf.org/archandcity


This is the opening weekend for the largest architectural and design festival in the U.S. The month-long celebration features behind-the-scenes tours, films, exhibitions, lectures and more, providing opportunities for participants to engage with the local architecture community and experience design in a myriad of ways throughout the city. The 2014 festival theme, “Home: My San Francisco,” explores the shifting nature of home, the elements that contribute to its definition and its relationship to urban settings. More than 40 festival programs throughout the month will celebrate the diversity of the local architectural and design community.

Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 2014


GOLDEN GATE PARK BAND


Music Concourse, Golden Gate Park, 510-530-0814, http://www.goldengateparkband.org


Pack a picnic for Sunday’s celebration of “Musical Souvenirs” at 1 p.m. A special Labor Day concert celebrating the American worker is also planned for Monday at 1 p.m.

Sept. 1, 2014


GIRO DI SAN FRANCISCO


Levi Strauss Plaza, Battery and Union Streets, http://www.velopromo.com/giro-ent.htm


Formerly known as the “San Francisco Gran Prix,” the Giro di San Francisco cycling event begins at 8 a.m. with a women’s race followed by nine others until 3 p.m. The course is described as “five right turns, one left, small hill, mostly flat,” and guaranteed to be thrilling. And for the kids race (under 10), tricycles are welcomed.

BEYOND SAN FRANCISCO

Aug. 29, 2014


SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK: FREE CONCERT


400 Beach St., Santa Cruz, 831-423-5590, http://www.beachboardwalk.com/concerts


Papa Doo Run Run returns to the Boardwalk to perform tunes from the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, and many beach party favorites. The final free beach concert of the summer will feature two performances by the group at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Aug. 29-31, 2014


SONOMA WINE COUNTRY WEEKEND


855-939-7666, http://www.sonomawinecountryweekend.com


Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is Sonoma County’s signature, and largest, charity event, bringing together more than 200 of Sonoma’s top winemakers and growers, along with a collection of the area’s best chefs. Jointly produced by the Sonoma County Vintners and the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Foundation, all proceeds benefit local charities. Among the highlights are Sonoma Starlight at Francis Ford Coppola Winery and Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction at Chateau St. Jean.

Aug. 30-31, 2014


SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GATHERING & GAMES


Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, 925-447-9463, http://www.thescottishgames.com


Considered by many as the largest Scottish celebration in the world, the Scottish Highland Gathering & Games will draw pipe bands from the U.S. and England. Fans will appreciate the Heavy Events, which include the world’s top professional athletes competing in team championships. No Scottish celebration would be complete without the Highland Dancing competition.

Aug. 30-Sept. 1, 2014


SAUSALITO ART FESTIVAL


Marinship Park, near U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model Visitor Center, Sausalito Waterfront, 415-331-3757, http://www.sausalitoartfestival.org


Sausalito’s yearly art festival has been showcasing stars from the contemporary art world since 1952. Browse fine art and crafts along the beautiful bay shore. This Labor Day weekend favorite includes live music on two stages and an international array of food and premium California wines.

The San Francisco Travel Association is the official tourism marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. For information on reservations, activities and more, visit http://www.sanfrancisco.travel or call 415-391-2000. The Visitor Information Center is located at 900 Market St. in Hallidie Plaza, lower level, near the Powell Street cable car turnaround.

American Express® is the official Card partner of the San Francisco Travel Association.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers non-stop flights to more than 34 international cities on 29 international carriers. The Bay Area’s largest airport connects non-stop with 78 cities in the U.S. on 15 domestic airlines. SFO is proud to offer upgraded free Wi-Fi with no advertising. For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit http://www.flysfo.com. Follow us on http://www.twitter.com/flysfo and http://www.facebook.com/flysfo.

# # #

Note to editors: For news and story ideas, follow @SFMediaRelation on Twitter. Photos and press releases are available at http://www.sanfrancisco.travel/media/.

San Francisco Labor Day Weekend Highlights