I was just informed that I need to be at a business meeting in San Franscisco on the morning of July 5th. Which means I have to alter my own July 4th plans to fly out there the night before (bad timing!).

So, I figure I might as well make the most of it and arrive in San Fran in time to watch fireworks or whatever else goes on. Could someone give me a brief recap of events, or point me to a website that would have this information? Thanks!

Matt

p.s. - Anyone know of a good solo-diner restaurant that will be open on the 4th??

Last I heard there won't be any fireworks in SF on the fourth due to inability at crowd control or something.

but other bay area counties will be having fireworks displays....

What? we had the annual fireworks sponsored by a radio station maybe a month ago!

Matty, the website is www.sfgate.com click on enterntainment, it should have a list of events posted closer to the holiday.

And I hope there will be fireworks!

Nahhhhhhhhhh...
There will be the usual fabulous pyro show from Pier 39.

Now, Matt, as there very well may be fog
in the bay, I say get out on a boat !
We do this every year, sailing over from Marin out into SF Bay and the boat can maneuver to get the best (unfoggiest)view !

For you from the city check out this website:
http://www.redandwhite.com/fth_2006.asp

Dress warmly, it will be cold out on the water.

Have fun.!
R5

Just to clarify-they launch from barges adjacent to Pier 39 and the Municipal Pier. It's quite something !

R5

No, the fireworks are still listed on the Pier 39 website

http://www.pier39.com/Events/events.htm

That's very helpful, thanks. Follow-up question: Do they usually close down streets, such that I might have a tough time getting in from the airport that afternoon / evening? I'll be staying in downtown San Francisco.

Hi mattydale,

Some restaurants to check out pre-fireworks:

Butterfly
Pier 33
Has a nice view eastwards over the old piers - some nights, a jazz trio plays. They are very accommodating to solo diners sitting at the bar. Cuisine is Asian/fusion - chef is Robert Lam, a rising star.

The next two will put you right next to the Hyde Street cable car for a ride down to the wharf:

1550 Hyde
European from a variety of angles, really has their finger on the pulse of what's in season and when.

and

Hyde Street Bistro
1521 Hyde Street
Classic french cafe and bistro favorites - not real real haute but good comforting food.

As a frequently solo diner, I have had excellent luck just walking in and asking to be seated, sans reservation. Of course I would not try this on a Saturday at 6:00 p.m. Sunday the 4th might be a tad busier than other Sundays, but I'd just go for it.

dovima~
July 4th is on a Tuesday in 2006.
At least on my calendar...

Butterfly sounds Very Good!

Matt~If you are traveling light, why not use BART from the airport ?
http://www.bart.gov
Tell us where you are staying and
we can give you the closest station.

R5

Whoops pardon me! I am apparently living in the past - 2004 or so.

So, Tuesday will be even better than a Sunday....

Thanks again for these replies. While I'm not 100% sure where I'm staying, I know that in the past my company has put people up at the Grand Hyatt on Stockton Street. I don't have a problem taking a cab, provided that there are no street closures which would cause me to be stuck in hours of traffic. Here in New York, for example, the entire FDR drive is shut down for hours on the 4th because of the festivities. Wondering if that is a danger in SF.

As to the restaurants, thanks! I'll give them a call and make sure they're open on the 4th. I'm very much a foodie, and a good meal in San Francisco will be some solace after having to upend my own holiday plans!

Matt

Fireworks should not effect traffic downtown the way it does in NYC--as there are minimal street closures. BTW it is extremely doubful that many restaurants will be closed on the 4th and if you really want to give yourself a treat try Gary Danko's (especially if company is going to pick up tab).

Stockton @ Sutter? I think there is a restaurant on the top with a view, check if they accept reservations, you can probably watch the fireworks from there.

Hi Matt, if you will be staying at the Grand Hyatt (on Stockton St..at Post St) and if you do take BART into SF from SFO when you get off of BART at the Powell St., Station walk east and take the Stockton St., Exit. Walk up Stockton and you will see the Grand Hyatt on your left..just past Union Sq.

LoveItaly, you always help me when I confuse different hotels! Please tell me which hotel is on Stockton @ Sutter?

Is there a fountain on Stockton @ Post, and Post borders Union Square?

I am confused.

FainaAgain,

The Grand Hyatt takes up most of the block between Post and Sutter. The main entrance is on Stockton closer to Sutter. So you weren't really "off". There is "something" on the corner of Stockton and Post. I don't know if it is a fountain.

Hi dear Faina, trandolph explained it well. A fountain, yes I "think" so..I don't pay attention either lol but I think so. Obviously trandolph and I need to be more observant! Hi trandolph!

You will LOVE the fireworks. But just to scare you a teensy bit -- one time I traveled down to the city for the fireworks - gorgeous day found a place to settle in w/ nosh and drinks. And around 7:30 p.m. the fog rolled in and I never saw a darned thing . . . .

Faina, LoveItaly, jtrandolph,

'deed there is a fountain on the Stockton Street side of the Grand Hyatt. It's set into the stairs that go down towards the Stockton Street sidewalk. The fountain was designed by the great Ruth Asawa and is a fantastical confection of shapes and impressions of San Francisco. I love it, and I always see people having lunch on those stairs in nice weather.

Thanks Dovima..I "thought" there was but couldn't picture it and I can't tell you how many times I have stayed at the Grand Hyatt, lol. So much for my being observance and having a good memory! Take care.