SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: The U.S Navy Blue Angels practice as they fly over San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. They’re celebrating their 75th anniversary and will perform during Fleet Week this weekend with their new F-18 Hornets. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Fleet Week returns to the Bay Area this weekend after last year’s hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Events take place October 8-10 between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will once again headline the weekend as they celebrate their 75th anniversary. The squadron will fly their new F-18 Super Hornets which are 25% larger than its predecessor Legacy Hornet which was retired last year.
Air Show: The famed air show draws flight fans to witness the skilled maneuvers of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and other high-flyers. These 2021 events are reportedly the only ones in the U.S. with a commercial airliner — the United 777 — participating in a fully-choreographed show. The action is centered in the area between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Of course, you can watch the action for free all around the city, but grandstand and other seated viewing spots offer the best look at the amazing stunts. Tickets are $85-$325.
Ship tours: Thousands of people will get the chance to board a variety of vessels, including destroyers and cruisers, that will be docked at the Embarcadero in San Francisco. Visitors will get a glimpse of the lives of sailors in the Navy and Coast Guard. These free tours run throughout Fleet Week and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parade of Ships: Witness the fleet as it crosses under the Golden Gate Bridge and enters the San Francisco Bay at 11 a.m. on Friday Oct. 8. The procession of ships — which is reportedly the largest parade of ships held on the West Coast — can be seen from the Golden Gate to Bay Bridges. The reviewing stand is located at the Marina Green. The San Francisco Fire Department will provide the lead escort, with its fire boat shooting streams of water skyward to celebrate the arrival of the fleet.
Honor Our Fallen Tribute Concert: The United States Marine Corps 1st Marine Division Band performs a tribute concert at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco. Admission is free but seating is limited, so reserve a spot in advance through the website.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: The U.S Navy Blue Angels practice as they fly over San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. They’re celebrating their 75th anniversary and will perform during Fleet Week this weekend with their new F-18 Hornets. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: Media interview U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Rick Rose, pilot of the C-130 aircraft behind him named “Fat Albert,” at Oakland International Airport in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: The U.S Navy Blue Angels practice as they fly over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. They’re celebrating their 75th anniversary and will perform during Fleet Week this weekend with their new F-18 Hornets. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: A C-130 aircraft named “Fat Albert” is seen at Oakland International Airport in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 7: The Blue Angels take a practice run past Alcatraz, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, in San Francisco, Calif., preparing for this weekend’s Fleet Week show. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: The U.S Navy Blue Angels practice as they fly over San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: U.S. Navy Blue Angels Lt. Cmdr. James Cox is interviewed by local media at Oakland International Airport in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. Cox pilots a C-130 cargo plane named “Fat Albert,” and is from Napa. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 7: The Blue Angels take a practice run past Coil Tower, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, in San Francisco, Calif., preparing for this weekend’s Fleet Week show. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: The U.S Navy Blue Angels practice as they fly over San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: A squadron of new F-18 Super Hornets which are 25% larger than its predecessor Legacy Hornet, which was retired last year, are seen at Oakland International Airport in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: A U.S Navy Blue Angels flies past a seagull as they practice over San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: People watch the U.S Navy Blue Angels practice from Chrissy Field East Beach they fly over San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: The U.S Navy Blue Angels practice as they fly over San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: A U.S Navy Blue Angels plane flies over Alcatraz Island as they practice over San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: People watch as the U.S Navy Blue Angels practice over San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021 (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
