10 Things to Do in San Francisco in July

In the following lines I am going to recommend different activities and things to see and do in San Francisco during the month of July. Being a summer month, temperatures are warmer and you'll be able to enjoy rewarding experiences.

July in San Francisco is the month for kites, outdoor concerts and jazz festivals. This is definitely a good month to enjoy with family or friends for fun celebrations to dance, sing and enjoy.

If you're all about food and tasting different flavours, but especially if you're a lover of healthy living, you're sure to love San Francisco's Tofu and Soy Festival.

This festival takes place every year in July in the city's Japantown and is definitely a must-do activity to include in the best food tours in San Francisco.

During the festival you will have the opportunity to learn about and try new tofu and soy-based products. If you are more adventurous, I invite you to take part in the traditional dessert and tasting contest.

But as it's not all about food, this festival offers a varied selection of special performances for you to have fun while you eat.

It's a family-friendly activity, and even a festival to include in your list of things to do in San Francisco with kids. Usually held during the first days of July, the festival lasts for one day, during which time the different products are displayed in Japantown's Peace Plaza.

Interesting details

• How to get there: You can use public transport or the tram to get to Japantown.
• Cost: Free of charge.
• Date and time: One day of the month, usually at the beginning of the month. Opens around 11:00 and closes around 16:00.

San Francisco is a city with a deep-rooted Latino influence that has been maintained over the years and is growing daily.

This influence extends beyond the Mission District, where cultures from South America, Central America and other Spanish-speaking countries converge. So it should come as no surprise that Frida Khalo is celebrated in style.

During the month of July the Fiestas Fridas flood the city with different Mexican representations in devotion to one of the most important symbols of their culture. Although the birthday is celebrated on July 6th, the festivities extend throughout the month, making it a must-do activity in San Francisco.

The festivities offer you a cultural but also gastronomic approach to the Latin feeling, and if the Mission District is already included among those destinations that you can't miss among the best gastronomic tours in San Francisco, I recommend you to visit the place during this celebration.

Interesting details

• How to get there: The festivities take place at various locations in the Mission District, so you can get there by public transport or by car.
• Cost: Free of charge.
• Date and time: There are different times depending on the activities on each day of the festival. Check the official website for the latest schedule.

If you want to take your wine experience to the next level, you can't miss this exhibition that takes place in San Francisco every year during the last week of July. The show is attended by different representatives of wineries and distilleries to present their products and learn more about wine production.

Participants of the International Bulk Wine and Spirit Show must register in advance, but if you want to visit, you are welcome to do so.

You just need to book your ticket to secure your place at the time of the event. It is a very interesting recreational and educational activity if you are into the wine world.

Of course, the experience is of the highest level and you will have the opportunity to meet the most important wine producers from all over California, taking into consideration that this is one of the best wine regions in the world.

Of course, during the exhibition you will be able to get to know the products of each of the participating companies.

Interesting details

• How to get there: The event is held at the South San Francisco Conference Center, which is located just minutes from the airport and about 25 minutes from downtown.
• Cost: Tickets can cost between 40 and 200 euros. The change in price depends on which venues you will be attending, either just the exhibition or the exhibition and conference. The latter includes breakfast, lunch and access to cocktails.
• Date and time: This event takes place between 26 and 27 July, i.e. the last week of the month. The opening hours are between 9:00 and 17:00.

There is no more important celebration in the United States than Independence Day, celebrated on the 4th of July each year. For these celebrations, Americans in every city put on extravagant displays to celebrate another year as a nation.

San Francisco is no exception and one of the best places to see the 4th of July fireworks show is definitely Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf.

This is a nighttime activity, and is also notable for the wide range of culinary offerings on the pier during the 4th of July.

Some of the special activities you can enjoy on this night include barbecues and live jazz performances during the fireworks display. This usually starts between 20:00 and 21:00 and Pier 39 is one of the busiest areas to see it.

Details of interest

• How to get there: To get to Pier 39 you'll need to take public transport to the pier and then walk to the pier. You'll know which pier is which by the noticeably higher crowds at the site.
• Cost: Entering Pier 39 is free, after that you will have to pay for everything you consume inside.
• Date and time: 4th July from early afternoon to get a better spot to see the pyrotechnics.

One of San Francisco's biggest jazz festivals takes place in July, and it's none other than the Fillmore Festival.

It's a great idea to include among the things to see and do in the city in the summer because, regardless of language, enjoying jazz is always a good activity for any audience.

It's a free festival that you can enjoy with family or friends who are passionate about jazz. It's usually held during the first weekend in July as part of the American Independence Day celebrations.

Not only will you have the opportunity to listen to great music, but you'll also find a wide range of food and crafts from different cultures that will help you learn a little more about the cultural contribution of immigration to the United States.

Interesting details

• How to get there: The festival takes place in the Mission District, between Jackson and Eddy Streets.
• Cost: Free.
• Date and time: Sunrise to sunset during Independence Weekend each year.

The San Francisco Bay Area annually hosts the summer extravaganza dedicated to paying tribute to the compositions of Mozart. A large number of artists perform year after year at the festival with their interpretations and adaptations of the famous musician's works.

The dates of the Mozart festival can vary from year to year, as do the venues where the concerts take place. Generally the event takes place during the second week of every July. This is one of the oldest festivals in the Bay Area that is still going strong.

But the festival doesn't only take place in the Bay Area, it also moves to some wineries, to offer the show to other audiences all over San Francisco. It's one of the activities I recommend for this time of year, especially if you want a quiet place to enjoy good music.

Interesting details

• How to get there: It takes place in different locations, but generally in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Cost: From 50 euros per adult. Children may pay a little less.
• Date and time: Venues may vary and shows can be from 18:30.

This is a craft fair that takes place twice a year, once in July and once in November. If you're visiting San Francisco during July, it's a great way to see what the Bay Area's craft artists are making. You might be surprised at how many useful products you'll find.

Renegade Craft Fair is also known as the July market and most of the things you'll find inside are sure to be put to good use at home. Crafts in the Bay Area have come a long way and the elaborate pieces are far from being clumsy and merely decorative.

Access to the craft market in July is free, but you'll have to pay for each item you want to bring. This is one of the most interesting fairs of the month because it gives Bay Area artisans the opportunity to showcase their work and the effort that goes into it.

On the other hand, this fair offers locals and tourists the chance to see new things created by the artisans, and even take home functional souvenirs of the city of San Francisco.

Details of interest

• How to get there: This fair is held at the Festival Pavilion in Fort Mason and to get there you can take the bus and stay at the closest station to the fairgrounds which is Chestnut St. and Gough St.
• Cost: Free admission.
• Date and time: Both days of the second week of July from 11:00 to 17:00.

The Frozen Film Festival is more than just a conventional film show. During the festival you can enjoy artistic and musical performances, as well as see screenings of work by independent filmmakers looking for a place in the world of cinematic arts.

It is an event that is held for the benefit of these professionals who have not yet had the opportunity to show their work to the masses. It's not an activity you can't enjoy if you don't understand English. If you're a lover of music and the arts in general, you're sure to love the musical performances included in the calendar.

Festival events are subject to change and I recommend that you visit the official website before attending the event, so that you know what the schedule is for the day of your visit. The event takes place during the second week of July and is usually located in the Mission District and Union Square.

Details of interest

• How to get there: The event takes place in the Mission District and Union Square, so to get here you'll need to use any bus route and stay close to one of these stops.
• Cost: Admission to the festival costs 20 euros and upwards.
• Date and time: It takes place during the second week of July. You can go in the afternoon and into the evening.

The third week of July is the San Francisco Marathon, an event that attracts locals and visitors alike, who are looking for the opportunity to actively participate in the race.

To participate you can choose between the full marathon, the half marathon, the second half marathon, or the 10K or 5K races. In case you want to participate with your whole family or a group of friends, you also have the option to enter the 1K marathon.

Interesting details

• How to get there: The race starts at the Fort Mason Pavilion. To get there you can use public transportation and get off at the Chestnut St. and Gough St. station.
• Cost: Tickets for adults can cost from 25 euros, while children under the age of two can run for free if they are registered with an adult.
• Date and time: Races generally start at 8.30am and the event usually takes place in the third week of July.

Traveller Tip

There is no impediment to being athletically fit to participate, but I recommend staying healthy and training before running.

The most anticipated kite event of July is the Berkeley Festival. It's a family-friendly event that you can attend with the kids to see the most colourful kites in all of San Francisco. You can participate by buying a kite or making one to fly during the event.

Children have a space set aside for their entertainment in the kite making area. It's a great activity to do in San Francisco in the summer because the strong wind allows the kites to soar high into the air.

At the festival you can also find food stalls to try some snacks and sweets for the kids.

Interesting details

• How to get there: The event takes place at Cesar Chavez Park, and to get there you will need to use a bus route and get off at the station located at C. Chavez St. and Florida St.
• Cost: Free.
• Date and time: Usually held in the last week of July and lasts from morning to afternoon.

As a summer month, it is common for it to be a little war mer during these dates in San Francisco. However, drafts can be just as cold and strong as in cooler months such as October or November.

In terms of rainfall, San Francisco is a city where rainfall is low and when it comes to summer, rain is rare, so this is one of the best months to visit the city in terms of weather conditions.

This is the holiday month, so it's peak season. You are likely to find large crowds at most of the attractions in San Francisco.

The large influx of tourists forces you to prepare your trip in advance in terms of booking accommodation, attraction tickets, restaurant reservations, among other places.

Even though July is a summer month, it's a good idea to pack jumpers to protect you from strong winds, especially if you're hoping to take a boat trip in San Francisco. Sunglasses and sunscreen are a must.

On the other hand, you can wear closed or open shoes, taking into account that in July it doesn't usually rain in San Francisco. I recommend that you wear a swimming costume to visit the Bay Area.