Quiet, Chill Place to Watch the Fireworks in San Francisco for the 4th
June 17, 2012 5:28 PM Subscribe
I am looking for a place to watch the fireworks in San Francisco on the fourth with some annoyingly specific requirements.
My bf's family is coming into town and for some unknown reason really want to see the fireworks. Complications: they hate crowds, they don't like a lot of noise, and mobility is limited, so a lot of walking is out of the question. There will be five of us, and we're trying to get back to the Castro with a minimum of fuss afterward (taking Uber would be preferable).
One idea we had was to find a hotel or a hotel bar to watch them from. Renting a room in a hotel that night is not out of the question, budget would be ~$350 for a room that could hold three adults.
Another thought would be to rent a car and watch them from somewhere outside of the city, like the North Bay, and then drive back afterwards.
Any suggestions for either of these plans, or other things we haven't thought of would be very much appreciated.
My bf's family is coming into town and for some unknown reason really want to see the fireworks. Complications: they hate crowds, they don't like a lot of noise, and mobility is limited, so a lot of walking is out of the question. There will be five of us, and we're trying to get back to the Castro with a minimum of fuss afterward (taking Uber would be preferable).
One idea we had was to find a hotel or a hotel bar to watch them from. Renting a room in a hotel that night is not out of the question, budget would be ~$350 for a room that could hold three adults.
Another thought would be to rent a car and watch them from somewhere outside of the city, like the North Bay, and then drive back afterwards.
Any suggestions for either of these plans, or other things we haven't thought of would be very much appreciated.
Just a caveat: I grew up here, and I can remember maybe four years that we weren't completely socked in with fog on the fourth (it's a running joke in my family), so whatever you choose, I'd advise anything that costs a lot of money. If you're dead-set on fireworks, then dinner cruise on the Bay might work.
posted by smirkette at 6:35 PM on June 17, 2012
posted by smirkette at 6:35 PM on June 17, 2012
There will be five of us, and we're trying to get back to the Castro with a minimum of fuss afterward
Difficult-to-impossible given your other criteria. And what everyone else has said about the weather - a couple of years ago, we were at a friend's on Cathedral Hill (penthouse in a tall apartment building), and the fog was so thick we couldn't see the building across the street. The fog didn't even change colors that year.
For the best chance actually seeing fireworks and not just colorful fog, Sausalito or Jack London Square are your best bets. Both will require driving, or ferry+ transit to/from the ferry dock to the Castro, and both will be crowded.
(Seekrit: We watch fireworks from a corner on Potrero Hill - it's not a Destination, more of a neighborhood spot, and it is a fairly easy shot from the Castro, depending on your mode of transit - a car would definitely be easiest, though - and in good years we can see fireworks from Aquatic Park, Sausalito, and Jack London by wandering from one corner to the other. Memail me for the location if you want. Fog can still fuck it all up, but it's like a minute from our house, so it's usually worth a shot for us. YMMV.)
posted by rtha at 9:55 PM on June 17, 2012
Difficult-to-impossible given your other criteria. And what everyone else has said about the weather - a couple of years ago, we were at a friend's on Cathedral Hill (penthouse in a tall apartment building), and the fog was so thick we couldn't see the building across the street. The fog didn't even change colors that year.
For the best chance actually seeing fireworks and not just colorful fog, Sausalito or Jack London Square are your best bets. Both will require driving, or ferry+ transit to/from the ferry dock to the Castro, and both will be crowded.
(Seekrit: We watch fireworks from a corner on Potrero Hill - it's not a Destination, more of a neighborhood spot, and it is a fairly easy shot from the Castro, depending on your mode of transit - a car would definitely be easiest, though - and in good years we can see fireworks from Aquatic Park, Sausalito, and Jack London by wandering from one corner to the other. Memail me for the location if you want. Fog can still fuck it all up, but it's like a minute from our house, so it's usually worth a shot for us. YMMV.)
posted by rtha at 9:55 PM on June 17, 2012
If it's foggy, you won't be able to see them from anywhere. If it's not foggy, Dolores Park is a lovely place to watch from, and it's right in the Castro. Depending on their mobility limitations, it could be tricky, and there are generally some crowds, but the corner of 20th and Church should be reasonably accessible and a beautiful view if there's anything to be seen.
posted by judith at 10:13 PM on June 17, 2012
posted by judith at 10:13 PM on June 17, 2012
I was coming here to say what everyone else said, no fireworks, too foggy. If by some miracle it is clear, one thought that came to mind was The Top of the Mark at the Mark Hopkins. Great for drinks and good views of everything. Climate controlled, elegant, quiet. Then, as it's a hotel, take a cab back to the Castro.
You could pretend you have no idea about fireworks and fog, plan for drinks at the hotel, and when they don't appear, everyone will be appropriately mellow so it won't matter so much.
Here's a list of fireworks.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:43 PM on June 18, 2012
You could pretend you have no idea about fireworks and fog, plan for drinks at the hotel, and when they don't appear, everyone will be appropriately mellow so it won't matter so much.
Here's a list of fireworks.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:43 PM on June 18, 2012
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8 times out of 10, they get so fogged in you see nothing (oh, I mean various colored blobs in the sky). There are nice displays in all the surrounding suburbs -- with cheaper, nicer hotels and no need for winter coats. Marin County has a few nice displays. Getting a few tickets to the fireworks/symphony in Mountain View at Shoreline -- you'll have seats, you'll have fireworks and the crowds will be on the lawn. Heck, we've even gone to Foster City's tiny little display for warmth and for lack of crowds.
posted by Gucky at 6:33 PM on June 17, 2012