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Labor Day Weekend in San Francisco: Discover 20 Top Activities for 2023
Updated: August 31, 2023
Labor Day Weekend in San Francisco is full of additional fun events and activities. You will find concerts all around SF and the Bay Area. You can catch a theater show at the SF Playhouse.
For all baseball lovers, you can cheer on the Oakland A's against the Los Angeles Angeles in a three game series at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Other highlights include visits to one of several museum exhibits, cruises around the bay, and free walking tours offered every day this weekend.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
1. A Chorus Line
Head over to the SF Playhouse this holiday weekend to see A Chorus Line. This award-winning musical is on stage all weekend long.
It's the story of talented dancers all vying for one of the coveted eight spots for this year's chorus line.
You will find one performance on Friday, two on Saturday and two on Sunday. Make sure to pick up your tickets early as you don't want to miss your chance to see this fantastic show!
>> Tickets for this weekend's shows
>> Find additional shows this weekend in SF
2. Labor Day Weekend Concerts
Many of the concert venues in San Francisco and around the SF Bay will offer shows this Labor Day Weekend. Some of the top shows this weekend include:
- 9/1: LL Cool J, The Roots & Ice T at the Chase Center, find tickets
- 9/2: Flogging Molly at the Warfield, find tickets
- 9/3 - 9/6: Osees at The Chapel, find tickets
>> Find additional performances this weekend on my September concert calendar
3. Oakland A's Baseball
You are in for a special treat this Labor Day Weekend in San Francisco as the Oakland A's play host to the Anaheim Angels. These two teams always play a great against each other and it will be a fun three games series.
It starts on Friday night with a 6:40 pm game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. You will also find a game on Saturday and Sunday.
The Coliseum is an easy 15 minute BART ride from downtown San Francisco.
>> Find tickets for all three games
>> Find additional details about the Oakland As and tips to attend a game
4. Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
The best way to get around this Labor Day Weekend in San Francisco is on the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. You can hop on and off at any of their designated stops including Lombard Street, Fisherman's Wharf, and Union Square.
Other popular stops include the Golden Gate Park, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Painted Ladies of Alamo Square.
You can select from the 24- and 48-hour tour. It's the best way to easily get around quickly to see all SF has to offer.
>> Find additional details and ticketing information
5. California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is open 365 days a year, so this Labor Day Weekend in San Francisco is a chance to visit this amazing museum. It's really four museums in one.
Top exhibits include the Steinhart Aquarium, the Four-Story Osher Rainforest, the Morrison Planetarium, and the Kimball Natural History Museum.
Pick up your tickets in advance in order to skip the ticket line when you arrive.
Tickets: Find advanced tickets so you can skip the line when you arrive
>> Learn more about visit SF's top museum
6. 90-Minute Sailing Tour on the SF Bay
Head out on the SF Bay this Labor Day Weekend. On this 90-minute cruise, you will experience the best of the bay. Cruise past top attractions such as Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Sausalito.
Refreshments are available for purchase on board. This cruise runs Saturday, Sunday, and Monday and leaves at 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm.
Tickets: Find tickets for all days on GetYourGuide
More Fun Cruises for Labor Day Weekend
7. Comedy Shows
This holiday weekend you will find comedy performances all weekend long. Some of the top picks include:
- 9/1 - 9/2: Chris Garcia at the Punch Line Comedy Club
- 9/1 - 9/3: Godfrey at Cobb's Comedy Club
>> Find a full schedule of upcoming comedy shows around San Francisco
Find the Perfect Hotel for Your Visit
8. Whale Watching on the Pacific
September is a great time to go whale watching near the Farallon Islands in the Pacific Ocean. This time of year, both the blue and humpback whales migrate through the area.
You might also get the chance to see dolphins, seals and great white sharks. This 2.5-hour journey is a great choice for those that love to be out on the open water.
>> Additional details on what it's like to go whale watching near SF
9. Free Admission at the Asian Art Museum
Head to the Asian Art Museum this Sunday for free admission day. Sponsored by Target, this free admission day gives you access to the permanent collection.
You will want to visit their site to get tickets in advance online to ensure you are able to get in during their monthly free day.
>> Tips to visit the Asian Art Museum
>> All museum exhibits on display this weekend
10. SF with Kids
Are you traveling to San Francisco with your entire family? If so, you will find plenty of fun things to do with them this weekend. Options range from visiting the SF Zoo to experiencing all of the kid friendly options on Pier 39.
Other highlights include cruising around the bay, tinkering with the hands-on exhibits at the Exploratorium, and visiting the California Academy of Sciences.
>> Click here for a list of 25 fun things to do with kids in SF
11. Visit Napa or Sonoma
Labor Day Weekend is one of the best times to visit the Northern California wine regions. During this time, both the leaves and the grapes turn colors and the landscape is gorgeous.
You can also sip and sample some of the top reds and whites on the market today. These full day tours leave around 8am and return in the early evening, so you can still head out in the city that night.
>> Read more about all of the great wine tours to Napa & Sonoma
12. Hunt for Ghosts
San Francisco is full of history, which means there are dozens of ghost stories to be told. This Gold and Ghouls Tour takes you around downtown San Francisco with stories from the Gold Rush of 1849, famous tragedies as some of SF's most famous hotels, and more.
This one-hour tour (you can also opt for the 1.5 hour tour) takes you through Nob Hill, Union Square, and other places in downtown SF.
>> More details about this fun and interesting tour
13. Free Walking Tours
This weekend, and every weekend, the SF Public Library offers free walking tours throughout the city. On Saturday, you can walk the Mission Murals at 11am, learn more about the Japanese Tea Garden at 1pm or visit Japantown at 2pm.
On Sunday, you can walk on the Golden Gate Bridge at 11am or head to the eclectic Haight Ashbury District for their tour at 1pm.
Monday is also full of fun tours including the Chinatown walk at 10am and the Bawdy and Naughty journey at 11am.
>> Visit the SF CityGuide site for more details
>> Additional Guided Walking Tours in SF
14. More Free Things to Do on Labor Day Weekend in San Francisco
One of the best things about San Francisco is that there are so many free things to do. They include several attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, and the Palace of Fine Arts.
In addition, you can visit some of SF's museums at no cost. The list below provides you more details on these and other free SF activities, events, attractions, and more!
15. Sausalito Art Festival (Postponed to 2024)
Head across the bay for one of the biggest festivals this Labor Day Weekend! The Sausalito Art Festival offers an amazing selection of art, wine, food, and live music. It runs on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
You can take the Sausalito ferry or the Golden Gate Transit bus to the heart of the action.
>> Learn more about this year's festival
16 - 20. More Attractions Open Labor Day Weekend in San Francisco
You will find that many of our attractions closed on Monday. However, many of them open their doors and invite everyone in during Labor Day Weekend in San Francisco. All are open their regular schedules on Saturday and Sunday. Below are a few more details on what you can expect to be open on the Monday holiday.
16. Alcatraz: Open on Labor Day Weekend in San Francisco with tickets going on sale 90 days in advance. Make sure to pick them up early as tickets sell out quickly for this busy holiday. Learn more about visiting Alcatraz.
17. Aquarium of the Bay: The Aquarium of the Bay is open all weekend long. They will follow their regular schedule for the summer which is from 9 am to 8 pm. Find out more about visiting.
18. Conservatory of Flowers: The Conservatory of Flowers is usually closed on Monday, but they are open for the Labor Day holiday. Head over and see their amazing collection of colorful flowers and plants from 10 am to 6:30 pm. More about this attraction.
19. Exploratorium: The Exploratorium is also usually closed on Mondays, but they will open their doors from 10 am to 5 pm this Labor Day Monday in San Francisco. See pictures and learn more about visiting.
20. SF Museum of Modern Art: The SF Museum of Modern Art is also open all weekend long including on Monday. They are open from 10 am to 5 pm. Find out more about visiting.
>> Find a list of special exhibits at each museum this weekend
Ideas to Make Your SF Vacation Unforgettable
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
The best way to get around San Francisco is on the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. It runs from 9 am to 6 pm and takes you directly from one attraction to another.
You can select from their 24- or 48-hour tour.
They also have a fantastic night tour. The Big Bus Tour Company is the most popular and highly rated option. Visit this site to learn more.
One-Hour Bay Cruise
Head out on the San Francisco Bay on this 60-minute Bay Cruise. See the Golden Gate Bridge from below, circle Alcatraz Island, and learn all about other local waterfront attractions.
Find more information and ticketing details.
Muir Woods & Sausalito Half Day Tour
The Coastal Redwoods near San Francisco are a must-see, and this half-day tour is the perfect way to explore them! On this tour, you will head north to Muir Woods, where you will have time to check out this gorgeous national monument.
On your way back, you will spend a little time in Sausalito.
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