"Every year, San Francisco puts on a firework show over the bay when the clock hits midnight. Yes it is only one firework show but it will look different and new from all over the bay— you can see them glimmer against the water on Embarcadero, by the bay bridge, or up on grizzly peak." -- CB omand, 7th grade
New Years is a holiday that tends to be overlooked until the night of. But for real, New Years is fun! You get to stay up until midnight, and you get to crack the cheesiest jokes ever. Plus, there are fireworks lighting up the city—whether you enjoy them or silently curse at them from your bed as you're trying to sleep. Every year, San Francisco puts on a firework show over the bay when the clock hits midnight. Yes it is only one firework show but it will look different and new from all over the bay— you can see them glimmer against the water on Embarcadero, by the bay bridge, or up on grizzly peak.
- San Francisco Views -
Since the fireworks are set off in San Francisco, if you can find a clear spot on the street you will be able to see the fireworks from anywhere. But here is a quick list of the best spots.
As I mentioned before, Embarcadero is a great place to go. Just walk down until you get closer to the Bay Bridge and you will have a gorgeous view of the fireworks on the water. An alternative would be Coit Tower. As the parking is almost always going to be horrendous, it might be a little bit of a walk to the top, but the panoramic view of the city and the bay is totally worth it.
“Treasure Island is another great place to view the fireworks, and is a tourist attraction for its unique view of downtown San Francisco from across the water,” says bayarea.com. Treasure Island is more for the people who want to see the fireworks from somewhere that isn't in the middle of the city. Another good option that includes Treasure island is catching a ferry and being on the boat when they go off.
Since the fireworks are set off in San Francisco, if you can find a clear spot on the street you will be able to see the fireworks from anywhere. But here is a quick list of the best spots.
As I mentioned before, Embarcadero is a great place to go. Just walk down until you get closer to the Bay Bridge and you will have a gorgeous view of the fireworks on the water. An alternative would be Coit Tower. As the parking is almost always going to be horrendous, it might be a little bit of a walk to the top, but the panoramic view of the city and the bay is totally worth it.
“Treasure Island is another great place to view the fireworks, and is a tourist attraction for its unique view of downtown San Francisco from across the water,” says bayarea.com. Treasure Island is more for the people who want to see the fireworks from somewhere that isn't in the middle of the city. Another good option that includes Treasure island is catching a ferry and being on the boat when they go off.
- East Bay views -
To see the fireworks from farther away, the Oakland and Berkeley Hills are a good bet. The Mormon Temple in the Oakland hills is a wonderful place to go, they have the prettiest Christmas lights and a mostly clear view of the show, as well as a view of both downtown Oakland and San Francisco. “Alternatively, consider driving up to Grizzly Peak in Berkeley, where you’ll get an unobstructed view of the entire Bay,” bayarea.com states. The drive up to Grizzly Peak is already a pretty scenic route, so topping that off with some gorgeous fireworks is perfect.
There are plenty of waterside restaurants for anyone who wants to be eating during or before the fireworks go off. One that is closest to the water is Skates On The Bay, located on Seawall Drive next to the Berkeley Pier. For a bit of an active spot there is Point Isabel Regional Shoreline. Point Isabel is an off leash dog park. It has an unobstructed view of San Francisco, Marin, and the golden gate bridge. So if you have a furry friend who wants to be in on the party, this is the spot.
If you just want a water side spot to sit, finding a bench by the Berkeley Marina Pathway in Emeryville is great. Other than that there is Crown Beach in Alameda. Crown Beach has a wonderful view of downtown San Francisco and the bay bridge. If you show up you can barbecue a bit in the picnic area before watching the fireworks at midnight, however “You might want to check the tide chart, though — at low tide, it can smell like seaweed.” A tip from bayarea.com.
To see the fireworks from farther away, the Oakland and Berkeley Hills are a good bet. The Mormon Temple in the Oakland hills is a wonderful place to go, they have the prettiest Christmas lights and a mostly clear view of the show, as well as a view of both downtown Oakland and San Francisco. “Alternatively, consider driving up to Grizzly Peak in Berkeley, where you’ll get an unobstructed view of the entire Bay,” bayarea.com states. The drive up to Grizzly Peak is already a pretty scenic route, so topping that off with some gorgeous fireworks is perfect.
There are plenty of waterside restaurants for anyone who wants to be eating during or before the fireworks go off. One that is closest to the water is Skates On The Bay, located on Seawall Drive next to the Berkeley Pier. For a bit of an active spot there is Point Isabel Regional Shoreline. Point Isabel is an off leash dog park. It has an unobstructed view of San Francisco, Marin, and the golden gate bridge. So if you have a furry friend who wants to be in on the party, this is the spot.
If you just want a water side spot to sit, finding a bench by the Berkeley Marina Pathway in Emeryville is great. Other than that there is Crown Beach in Alameda. Crown Beach has a wonderful view of downtown San Francisco and the bay bridge. If you show up you can barbecue a bit in the picnic area before watching the fireworks at midnight, however “You might want to check the tide chart, though — at low tide, it can smell like seaweed.” A tip from bayarea.com.
- North Bay Views -
The Views from the Sausalito shoreline are great! Like Crown Beach there are great views of both downtown San Francisco and the bay bridge. There are also an array of waterfront restaurants to choose from, like The Trident, Barrel House Tavern, and Scoma’s Sausalito, to name a few. Shoreline Park in Tiburon is also a great place to watch the show, with views of downtown San Francisco.
For more of a secluded spot, you can drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands. Lime Point is a great spot to stop and look out across the bay, you can check out the lighthouse while you’re there. Alternatively, you could park at the beginning of the bridge on the downtown side and walk out over the bridge to get a unique view from the bridge itself.
Well, there you have it! The San Francisco midnight firework show is a big hit for a lot of people so get to your spot as quickly as you can. Now all we can do is cross our fingers that there won’t be fog or rain!
The Views from the Sausalito shoreline are great! Like Crown Beach there are great views of both downtown San Francisco and the bay bridge. There are also an array of waterfront restaurants to choose from, like The Trident, Barrel House Tavern, and Scoma’s Sausalito, to name a few. Shoreline Park in Tiburon is also a great place to watch the show, with views of downtown San Francisco.
For more of a secluded spot, you can drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands. Lime Point is a great spot to stop and look out across the bay, you can check out the lighthouse while you’re there. Alternatively, you could park at the beginning of the bridge on the downtown side and walk out over the bridge to get a unique view from the bridge itself.
Well, there you have it! The San Francisco midnight firework show is a big hit for a lot of people so get to your spot as quickly as you can. Now all we can do is cross our fingers that there won’t be fog or rain!
