Families, dogs, and local brews take over the Presidio

How many beer festivals are there in San Francisco? If you didn’t get drunk at the last two, no worries, more are coming in August.

We enjoyed the Presidio this past Saturday for the second Parks4All: Brewfest, hosted by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Despite the overcast skies, families, friends, and a large proliferation of dogs gathered on the Civil War Parade Grounds near the Presidio Tunnel Tops.

Long lines mobbed around a few food trucks, with nearly everyone needing some of Señor Sisig. Vendors galore, from Cody’s Cookies and Treats, Blue Seal Pottery, Lovett Popcorn, and many others made an appearance. And then of course all the beers: Lagunitas, Ballast Point, Original Pattern Brewing Co., Alameda Island Brewing, Fogbelt, Bartlett, and many others were available in small cups, pints and barrels.

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy organized Parks4All to bring San Franciscans together at the Presidio Tunnel Tops, a recently developed area offering scenic views and recreational spaces, provided the perfect backdrop for Saturday’s festivities. It’s just one among many family-friendly vendor fests, including Suds Francisco, Union Street Festival, and the Embarcadero Rave.

Did you miss this one? Here are a few more you can still attend:

Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival: August 9–11, 2024 — Held in Golden Gate Park, this iconic festival features live music, art installations, gourmet food, and a wine and beer garden (SF Tourism Tips) (SF Tourism Tips).
Nihonmachi Street Fair: August 3–4, 2024 — Celebrate Asian and Pacific cultures with food, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities in Japantown (San Francisco Travel) (Experism).
Pistahan Parade and Festival: August 10–11, 2024 — A vibrant celebration of Filipino culture with art, food, music, and a colorful parade at Yerba Buena Gardens (SF Tourism Tips) (Experism).
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live — Glow Party: August 24–25, 2024 — Experience monster trucks in action at the Chase Center, complete with neon lights and adrenaline-pumping competitions (Experism) (AllEvents.in).
Palo Alto Festival of the Arts: August 24–25, 2024 — Enjoy art, live music, and local food vendors along University Avenue in Palo Alto (Experism) (AllEvents.in).

Courtney Muro is a San Francisco-based content strategist, producer, designer, and creator. Denise Cottin is a San Francisco-based photographer. They both took all photos for this story. Saul Sugarman contributed words.

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