Fleet Week 2018 Air and Water Show – what? where? when?

This year, Fleet Week San Francisco 2018 is happening October 1-8. You may enjoy finest aviation skills demonstration anywhere along the waterfront of the SF Peninsula from the Golden Gate Bridge to Oakland Bay Bridge. However, read on to find the best locations to watch the air and water show in San Francisco. SF air and water show is like 10 times better than LA, New York or Chicago shows and is totally worth checking out! Don’t forget your telephoto lens!

FYI: The Blue Angels will be performing October 5- 7 for the 2018 Fleet Week.

Tip1: Dress warmly for the always chilly San Francisco bay breeze.

Tip2: The most spectacular part of the Fleet Week in San Francisco is of course the Air Show, any kid could tell you that. The spectacle will take place Friday- Sunday, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Tip3: Check out Fog City Secrets for more useful information on the Air and water show

Bonus! Yes! Let’s start with a Bonus

You will snap some of the coolest shots during the Fleet Week San Francisco 2018 west of the Golden Gate bridge. From the Lands End park, especially from the labytinth and various look out points.

The Bakers beach is a phenomenal place to frame that perfect shot of the golden gate bridge and various airplanes.

The parking lot immediately next to the bridge and the bridge observation deck is final place to take some sweet shots with Golden Gate bridge in the background.

Here are some of the coolest locations East of the Golden gate bridge:

Ghirardelli Square is a perfect location to watch Fleet Week San Francisco 2018 Show.

If you haven’t been to that part of town, now you have every good reason to check out the Ghirardelli Square to watch SF air and water show. Located 10 minutes walking distance a bit westward from the Fisherman’s wharf. Btw, Fisherman’s wharf is the worst place in San Francisco to take your little kids to (because of all the homeless people and crowds of unapologetically rude tourists).

Ghirardelli Square is One of the most romantic places to spend an evening with your loved ones. What completes the picture is the superior most quality chocolate you can find in all of United States (majority of American chocolate is simply “select” quality). Btw they also have a bombastic ice cream, and all the diabetic derivatives like “the Sundays” & Milkshakes. Now imagine

1. Maritime Museum – good spot to watch Fleet Week San Francisco 2018 Show if you’d like to sit down

The cascade terrace in front of the Maritime Museum near the Ghirardelli Square is a perfect place to check out the Fleet Week San Francisco 2018 Show which happens every year sometime in October. You can have a place to sit on the bleachers and won’t have to stand for hours. Additionally there is plenty of space on the slice of grass next to the bleachers.

Note: You won’t have the best view of the Golden gate bridge. In fact you wont see it at all

2. Black point to Fort Mason Historic Firehouse is another great elevated location

Why is the area between Black point and Fort Mason Historic Firehouse so great to watch the Fleet Week San Francisco 2018 show? Simple, it’s a tad bit elevated than the cascade terrace in front of the Maritime Museum, and gives you a glimpse toward the Golden Gate. It is also positioned at a better angle to see the SF Golden Gate bridge during the air show.

I will never forget standing waiting for the culmination of the show as the F22 Raptor swooped over us from behind! It was loud! It was impressive! it was spectacular! Unforgettable!

That was the loudest thing I’ve ever heard in my life. It was if the metal bird screeched like thunder through the sky making it’s way onto the display area. It was incredible, impressive and people at the Black Point were probably most surprised by the arrival.

3. Crissy Field, Marina Green triangle and the Little Marina Green Picnic Area – prime spots to watch Fleet Week San Francisco 2018 Show

Open space with pleasant grass to place your quilt and the lunch basket on. Perhaps one of the least visited, due to extremely cold winds. You will have ultimately the most viewing field out of three locations described.

You will literally feel in the center of action at the Crissy field and have the best view of the Golden gate bridge as well. Alcatraz island is also well observable from the fields. Most likely these spots will also be least crowded and thus a tad bit more enjoyable. In our opinion this is the prime spot to spectate the Fleet Week San Francisco 2018.

This location is the best to view and photograph the Blue Angeles!

Fleet week with kids

I think all kids ages 2 and up will enjoy the air show at the fleet week San Francisco 2018. Simply consider the crowds and weather conditions. Clearly it might not be a good idea to bring kids when it’s too cold or raining. Also consider the Crissy field for viewing grounds just to avoid the crowds.

Getting to the Fleet week SF

Despite a well planned functional public transportation in SF we still absolutely recommend to take Uber or life to get you around the day you’re going to watch the show. For one simple reason it will be very crowded, and you absolutely want to avoid crowds, especially with the little ones. Consider taking the BART if you’re coming outside of the peninsula and then hop on the Uber or Lyft.

Check out the Little California Book for cool things to do in San Francisco with kids.

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