Fireworks will soar into the sky above the Golden Gate Bridge to celebrate America’s birthday. (Photo credit: Unsplash).
It will be a Fourth of July like no other in San Francisco this year. In honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the city will launch fireworks from the Golden Gate Bridge.
Fireworks have only been set off from the iconic span twice before: in 1987 for the bridge’s 50th anniversary and in 2012 for its 75th birthday. We expect people from across the Bay Area and beyond to come to San Francisco to celebrate the holiday and enjoy the show, which will begin at 9:30 p.m.
You can get a good view of the fireworks from places like Crissy Field, the Marina Green, portions of the Presidio and Pier 39. Those areas and the surrounding neighborhoods are likely to be very crowded. Plus, all lanes on the Golden Gate Bridge will be closed from 9 p.m. until 10 p.m. Caltrans will start closing Highway 101 in both directions at 8 p.m.
So, we strongly suggest walking, biking or taking Muni to the show and to get around that part of the city.
Muni
We’re adding extra Muni service on July 4 to help you get to and from the fireworks. Two special shuttles will be running from 4 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
- The Marina Fireworks Shuttle will run from Powell Street Station at Cyril Magnin and Market streets along the 38 Geary route to Van Ness Avenue and along the 49 Van Ness/Mission route to Marina Middle School at Chestnut and Fillmore streets.
- The Pier 39 Embarcadero Fireworks Shuttle will run from Embarcadero Station along the F Market line to North Point and Kearney streets.
There also will be extra service on these routes and lines:
- 28 19th Avenue
- 49 Van Ness/Mission
- T Third
- S Shuttle
Several other routes will be adjusted or rerouted for much of the day. And bus substitutions will run on all three cable car lines starting at 2 p.m. You can find reroute details at our July 4 travel and transit webpage (SFMTA.com/July4).
We’re setting up three transit hubs to make catching a shuttle or rerouted bus easier for you.
- The Marina Middle School Transit Hub at Fillmore and Chestnut streets is a 15-minute walk to the Marina Green. The Marina Shuttle, 22 Fillmore. 28 19th Avenue and 43 Masonic will stop there.
- The Van Ness Avenue-Bay Street Transit Hub is a 20-minute walk to the Marina Green and Pier 39. The 19 Polk, 28 19th Avenue, 30 Stockton and 49 Van Ness-Mission will stop there.
- The Pier 39 Transit Hub at North Point and Kearney Street is a very short walk to Pier 39 and Jefferson Street. The Pier 39 Embarcadero Shuttle will stop there.
Our transit hubs will be set up near some of the popular fireworks viewing areas
Walking, biking and driving
Many of the best viewing areas are an easy walk from the surrounding neighborhoods. You can plan to spend the day in the Marina, Cow Hollow or Fisherman’s Wharf areas and then walk to watch the show. Walking is flexible, and you won’t have to worry about traffic congestion or parking.
Bicycling is a fast and efficient way to get to the waterfront and Presidio. And you won’t need to worry about parking a car. Bike parking options will be available near the major viewing locations.
If you must drive, you should plan ahead and expect significant delays. Parking will be limited and is expected to fill up early. Temporary parking restrictions also will be in place. So, please make sure you read all posted signs before leaving your vehicle. There will be a temporary taxi stand on Baker Street between Beach and Bay streets near the Palace of Fine Arts from 6 p.m. until midnight.
We anticipate heavy traffic congestion before and after the show. But our parking control officers will be on hand to help. They will be directing traffic and enforcing parking rules.
And remember, all lanes on the Golden Gate Bridge will be closed from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Marina Green will be one of the prime viewing spots for this year’s special San Francisco fireworks show.
Helping you prepare
There is more information to help you plan your trip on our Independence Day webpage and the city’s event webpage. However you choose to get to the show, you should look up any transportation changes in advance so you “know before you go.”
Every day is special in San Francisco, but this holiday is bound to stand out. Give yourself extra time so you can enjoy the fireworks, the city’s northern neighborhoods and all that the country's semiquincentennial will have to offer.