FRIDAY FIVE
To be frank, the Fourth of July in San Francisco can kind of sucks. Call us a Negative Ned/Nancy, but truth be told, unless a good time means wearing a winter jacket as you watch the dim fireworks get shot into the air, but not actually explode into nice pretty colors, chances are you don’t like the Fourth in San Francisco either.
Part of the problem is of course the city’s long term frenemy: Karl the Fog. His favorite months are July and August creating an issue for traditional summer fun. Watching the fireworks is not a lost cause though—there are places where you’ll have a better bet for an enjoyable experience in the city; our favorites are below.
Oh, and all fireworks shows will start around 9:30 pm.
1. Tank Hill
Who would ever think to watch fireworks in Cole Valley, aka “Cold Valley,” in the summer? We would! Trust us, it’s not as bad as you might think. In fact, it’s pretty great. If you’re unfamiliar with Tank Hill (its name comes from the Clarendon Heights Water Tank built in 1894), it’s a little viewpoint in this charming neighborhood.
To get there, take Schrader Street all the way up to the top. Make a left when you can’t walk any further, and within 10 minutes you’ll be greeted by winding steps. Follow those to the top. It’s a bit of a hike, but watching fireworks from this spot is the ultimate fireworks experience in San Francisco. You can see them in every direction; from Civic Center, from the Bay, and from private residences. Since it’s a small area, there also aren’t that many people around, making it for a more intimate experience. After the shows, you can head to Finnegan’s on Cole Street for a drink.
Tank Hill (Cole Valley) | yelp.com
2. Twin Peaks
Runyon Canyon is to Los Angeles as Twin Peaks is to San Francisco. In other words, Twin Peaks is the spot where the hip San Franciscans can go to watch fireworks. This is likely not a place where you would want to hike at night à la Tank Hill. Instead, it’s for the viewers who want to snuggle up in their cars — which is the better option considering its 922-foot-high summits can bring gusty winds. Really, if you want to feel like a teenager again, and make out with your beau on top of a mountain — and not totally care about the fireworks — then this is your best option.
501 Twin Peaks Blvd (Castro) | yelp.com
3. Mount Davidson
During the day, Mount Davidson promises 360° views of the city after a five-minute ascension up the steps. One might call it the stairway to heaven, but on the Fourth of July at night, it will hopefully be the stairway to fireworks. Mount Davidson is truly a hidden gem in the city. Located between Diamond Heights and Portola Drive, this southwestern location brings hope to the most optimistic in this foggy city at night on the Fourth of July, meaning that there is a high likelihood there won’t be that much fog. If that is the case, it is possible you will see fireworks from the East Bay, too.
Mount Davidson (Diamond Heights and Portola Drive) | yelp.com
4. Bernal Heights Hill
Bernal Heights Hill is one of the most underrated viewpoints in SF. Seriously, if you ever want to fall suddenly back in love with our city, spend an afternoon here. It’s also another great spot for viewing fireworks since it offers an amazing panoramic view of the city, which means fireworks in all directions. And like Mount Davidson, those fireworks are less likely to be blocked by fog. But remember, even if there is no fog, don’t think that means it’s a t-shirt and shorts kind of night. You will be sorry.
Bernal Heights Hill (Bernal Heights) |yelp.com
5. Pier 39
If you want to have a sad, woe-is-me, Fourth of July fireworks party, then we suggest heading over to Pier 39. It’s where the tourists will be. You know, those who don’t understand what summer is actually like in San Francisco. They will be wearing shorts, huddled together to stay warm, and complaining about how terrible watching fireworks is in such rigid conditions. You can observe all of this, and maybe some fireworks, while eating In-N-Out Burger.
Pier 39 (Embarcadero) | pier39.com
