Best Things to Do in the Bay Area
This September
Featured Photo: Alcatraz, by Eric Ward
Although September means the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, there are still many things to do in the Bay Area. For most areas, the weather stays warm and sunny, and San Francisco even sees temperatures rise during this month. That means residents and tourists alike are still spending time outdoors, with street festivals, food fairs, concerts and cultural events filling weekends and evenings.
If you’re planning a trip to the Bay Area in September, or if you’re a local trying to kill some time, here are our picks for activities to fill your days. This month we celebrate Labor Day, Latino Heritage Month and regional harvests.
For even more coverage of the Bay Area, plus where to stay and eat while you’re here, check out our region-specific guides to help you travel like a local. In the meantime, click any of the images below to learn what to do in the Bay Area this August.
Featured photo by Sundry Photography.
Autumn Moon Festival, Oktoberfest, SF Cheese Fest and more.
September kicks off school for many, plus a vibrant month for San Francisco happenings. There’s something memorable for everyone visiting, including Downtown First Thursdays, a highly successful block party series bringing a real hoedown to the heart of SF. Mid-month is always anticipated for lovers of classical music, with the season opening of the San Francisco Symphony. And if EDM is more your genre, the Portola Music Festival produced by Goldenvoice offers its strongest lineup yet.
Foodies will love the SF Cheese Fest at the Ferry Building, while diverse cultural events showcase why San Francisco is a city like no other – for so many different types of people. The Fiesta de las Americas in the Mission District celebrates Latino Heritage Month, while the Folsom Street Fair showcases a whole new level of free expression. And if you need some laughs and a reminder of our shared humanity, don’t miss Iranian-American standup comic Maz Jobrani at the Cobb’s Comedy Club. Click the button below for details.
Sound Summit, Bolinas Film Festival and tons of other fun activities.
With every seasonal shift comes a new set of reminders why there’s no place on earth quite like the North Bay Area. Visitors and locals alike have countless choices for entertainment this September, including music festivals. Sound Summit at Mount Tamalpais State Park showcases marquee national acts in a picturesque setting. The Bay Area’s own Train brings their catalog of hits to Rutherford’s One Mind Music Festival for Brain Health, while those wanting a literal neighborhood vibe can take in San Rafael’s PorchFest, featuring concerts from the porches and front yards in the historic Gerstle Park area.
Food and wine enthusiasts will feel like they’re in heaven this month, as Sonoma and Napa counties do what they do best in both arenas. Mid-month brings us the Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival, with its local craft brews, and the Hands-On Harvest at Trefethen Family Vineyards, which pairs wines with a delicious al fresco lunch. To combine fine wine with music, check out DJ Rotten Robbie spinning vinyl for Vinyl + Wine at Carneros Resort and Spa. Click the button below to learn more.
Dock of Bay Music Festival, Hike and Sip at Chabot Space Center and more events.
September in the East Bay is as vibrant and culture-creating as always. The Mare Island “Dock of Bay” Music Festival returns this month, boasting artisan food vendors and a who’s who of local legends, including Vallejo icons E-40, LaRussell and Baby Bash. There are also four stages of musicians performing at the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, which also offers food from local restaurants, craft booths and much more.
The East Bay’s rich, diverse culture is represented by Oakland, of course, with the Korean Culture Fest kicking off the month’s festivities. The Black Panther Party Oakland City Tour is a walking tour led by original party member Dr. Saturu Ned, and will educate and inspire through an immersive experience. Space enthusiasts, meanwhile, can do the Hike and Sip at Chabot Space and Science Center. Click the button below for details.
Fiestas Patrias, Mountain View Art & Wine Fesitval, Pacific Coast Fog Fest and more!
The South Bay Area offers much more than Silicon Valley business, and September’s events prove it. First, there are festivals like the Mountain View Art & Wine Festival with over 350 of the nation’s finest artists and craftmakers, together with curated food and drink vendors. Pacifica’s Pacific Coast Fog Fest at month’s end kicks off with a parade that leads to musical performances, rides for kids and much more.
And since it’s back-to-school time, there’s a lot for kids to learn in a fun way. They can learn about Mexican culture at San Jose’s Fiestas Patrias, plus sand-and-surf precautions at the Half Moon Bay Beach Safety Run. There’s also the annual Fall Bike Fest in Cupertino. Click the button below to learn more.