The first day of school is looming, but summer isn’t over yet — especially not with all these exciting things to do in San Francisco this month. August is a great time to visit the city. Famously foggy and deceptively cold, San Francisco typically decides to warm up around this time of year, and abundant street fairs and festivals take advantage of the sunshine.
Looking for the coolest things to do in a world-class city at the height of summer? We’ve done the deep research for you on the best things to do in San Francisco including museums, cultural events, food tours and more. Speaking of food — we also have an extensive list of our best restaurants in San Francisco, and if you’re planning a weekend, the best places to stay.
Feature photo: Outside Lands by Alive Coverage/Sipa USA. Ellyse Holland contributed to this article.
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This year marks half a century since the beginning of the Nihonmachi Street Fair, a gathering in Japantown to celebrate AAPI communities. From its humble beginnings as a four-booth event to provide mentorship to Japantown youth, this festival has grown into a weekend-long affair that draws tens of thousands of attendees. To name just a few of the attractions, here’s a few highlights a beer fest, a food fest, shopping from Asian artisans, a “kid’s world,” a “dog’s world,” a “Summer of Love” music stage, taiko drumming, lion dancers and more.
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The de Young and Legion of Honor offer free general admission every first Saturday for Bay Area residents and every first Tuesday for all. Travel the world through art as you check out pieces that span centuries at the iconic de Young Museum in the Golden Gate Park. Through August 11, the de Young will be featuring a special exhibit of women’s fashion from dozens of designers, and its permanent exhibitions include inspiring works from around the world. Meanwhile, at the Legion of Honor, you can catch a two-part exhibit of Japanese prints from the mid-19th century.
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Pack what you need and come celebrate the anniversary of the American Great Outdoors Act with free access to national parks. Take advantage of this rare opportunity by venturing out to a farther national park, or stop by some of the local parks that normally require fees. Just across the Golden Gate Bridge, there are the towering redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument (reservation needed in advance). Or, not too far from Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco’s Maritime National Historic Park houses historic ships and an informative museum. Besides those, there are free sites like the Golden Gate National Recreation Area or Point Reyes National Seashore.
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Don’t miss out on San Francisco’s most popular annual music festival this August. Outside Lands is the perfect event for music lovers. Headliners such as The Killers, Sabrina Carpenter, Sturgill Simpson and Post Malone — not to mention, some of the Bay Area’s most unique and exciting restaurants — will be popping up over the weekend. Catch a bite of savory bacon flights, Indonesian dumplings and churro waffles. Or, grab a drink from 30 of the most popular NorCal breweries in attendance. If wine is more your taste, indulge in over 100 varieties from California’s finest vineyards.
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One of the oldest fringe festivals in the country, the 33rd annual SF Fringe pushes the envelope while elevating local independent theater. There are 15 shows to choose from, and nearly all of them are works by local playwrights. Solo performances, magic shows, experimental plays-within-plays can all be seen, with some ticket prices as low as $8.
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Another fringe-style theater festival in S.F. this month, Free Play Fest runs parallel to the Fringe Festival and features 11 new works in its Potrero Hill theater. Dive into stories that grapple with themes of identity, memory and society — all for the low price of free.
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Gather for a weekend of authentic Filipino food, dance and music at S.F.’s Yerba Buena Gardens, plus the largest Filipino parade on the West Coast. The Pistahan (Tagalog for “festival”) was born out of protest, when in 1994 thousands of Filipino families were displaced to develop the Moscone Center and Yerba Buena Gardens. Today, the tradition persists, and every year pavilions pop up for Filipino dance, food, art, innovation and more.
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Next time you’re strolling through downtown San Francisco, stop by the cutest mobile bar car in the city for a special happy hour. On Aug 14, you’ll find them parked at Salesforce Plaza (conveniently located under Salesforce Park, an urban oasis that’s worth checking out), and on Aug 21, they’ll be at Embarcadero Center from 4–6 p.m. Speaking of, did you know that Embarcadero Center is offering a special parking promotion? Arrive before 9:30 a.m. for $19 parking on Monday and Friday, or $23 Tuesday through Thursday.
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Pack your picnic for the San Francisco Zoo as they host memorable Sunset Fridays concerts every Friday evening through August 30. Enjoy music on the Playfield Lawn, along with outdoor bars, food and access to certain zoo exhibits, like the prairie dog area and insect zoo. Lawn chairs and outside food are permitted, and VIP tents are available for purchase. A perfect activity for families — kids 11 and under get in for free — this music series is a great add to your summer bucket list.
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Enjoy a truly unique night with this live, multi-sensory musical experience at some of San Francisco’s more whimsical locations like the St. Ignatius Church and the International Art Museum of America. Unwind beneath the gentle glow of candlelight to orchestra and string quartet covers of popular artists like ABBA, Beyonce and more. Each concert is about 60 minutes with first-come, first-serve seating.
Event Venues
Looking to see what’s happening right now in SF? Our comprehensive list of venues across the city below will help you find what you need to know what’s going on.
Looking for more things to do in the area?
Visit our What to Do in Northern California page!
