The roaring has begun!
It’s that time of year again in San Francisco – Fleet Week is here! This year’s San Francisco Fleet Week will take place from October 7 – 14, 2024.
Every year, locals and travelers alike look forward to the Fleet Week Air Shows, featuring the Blue Angels, as they perform their aerial spectaculars over the San Francisco Bay! The Blue Angels have been performing since 1946 and consist of some of the most elite pilots from the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marines. They’re the longest-running flight demonstration squadron in the United States and the second-oldest in the world! Typically, they perform about 70 shows per year and are seen by millions of people. They’re definitely a spectacular you don’t want to miss!
The 2024 San Francisco Fleet Week Air Shows will be taking place from Friday, October 11 through Sunday, October 13.
Held annually between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, this waterfront event is headlined by The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and is the only air show in the United States with a commercial airliner, the United 777, to perform a fully choreographed act!
Typical Air Show Schedule
The Air Shows will begin approximately around 11:00AM with the “warm up” show, featuring stunt flying by a variety of aircraft trailing colored smoke. They’ll do loops above the Bay, hanging in mid-air stalls, flying straight up, falling like a stone, spinning dives and pulling out at the very last second just above the water!
Around 3:00PM the famous Blue Angels will usually begin soaring. They’ll fly low over the Golden Gate Bridge, then divide up to amaze their fans, swooping and diving in tight formations – almost touching wingtips! You’ll also witness pilots flying straight towards each other at incredible speeds, flipping sideways or one above the other at the last possible millisecond! The thrill of the show will rush through your body along with the feeling from the roar of the engines!
Best Places to See the Blue Angels
Looking for recommendations on where to watch San Francisco Fleet Week’s Air Shows? We’ve got you covered! There are plenty of places in San Francisco to score a great view. And, lucky for you, Hotel Caza is just walking distance from the best ones!
- PIER 39 – PIER 39 is located far enough east of the air show that you’ll be able to see most of the flying formations. It is also a great place to be if you get hungry or need a break from looking up! There are plenty of dining and entertainment options.
- Aquatic Park – located just in front of Ghirardelli Square, Aquatic Park has plenty of grassy fields where spectators can gather. The park is on a hill, which makes it easy to see the planes get up into the air.
- Fort Mason – Fort Mason offers plenty of grassy hilltops perfect for watching the show! Bring your picnic blankets or chairs and set up on the Great Meadow slopes – a great location to watch the show.
- Marina Greens – If you’d rather be farther away from the main action of Fleet Week but still want to see the Blue Angels do their thing – Marina Green is a great option! Hop on a complimentary Caza Cruiser and bike your way down Bay Street to Marina Boulevard!
- Crissy Fields – To be right in the heart of the action and catch the Blue Angels fly directly overhead, Crissy Field is the place to go! Make sure to get there early, since most people arrive well before the performance begins! It is also very easy to get here by Caza Cruiser.
- Baker Beach – Baker Beach may be one of your best options if you want to escape the crowds! It has a beautiful view of the Blue Angles zooming over the Golden Gate Bridge from the opposite side of the usual view – however you probably won’t be able to see any of the cool stunts.
The Best All Around Viewing Spot
In our opinion, the best and clearest view will always be from ON the Bay! If you can plan ahead, we highly recommend booking a Fleet Week Cruise from our partners, the Red and White Fleet Cruises!
Get ready for heart-pumping excitement as you watch the Blue Angels from the best seats in the house! They offer Fleet Week Air Show Cruises with departures on Friday, October 11, Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13 – so you’ll have a front row seat for all the aerobatics.
Includes:
- Approximately 2 hours on the Bay (the boat will return following the air show)
- Two Drink tickets and a full cash bar with additional drinks available for purchase
- Free soda and juice for children
To learn more, head over to their website for all the details! Plus, when you’re staying at Hotel Caza, you get an additional 10% OFF your cruise when you book with our Ultimate Explorer Package.
Plan Your San Francisco Fleet Week Adventure
We want you to plan an unforgettable San Francisco experience! Enhance your 2024 Fleet Week with a Fleet Week Cruise to ensure the best seats in the house, and a stay at Hotel Caza for the best stay in The Bay. When it’s time to rest your head after a week-long celebration of events, there’s no better place to stay in Fisherman’s Wharf than Hotel Caza. Staying walking distance from all the action is a benefit that goes both ways. Quickly come home to your relaxing accommodations and settle in for the night. See you soon!