Fleet Week 2011

When the Blue Angels come to town for Fleet Week it’s just an annual marketing event for the military – after all, the Blue Angels stated mission is to “enhance Navy and Marine Corps recruiting efforts.”

But when you see these brave pilots buzz the city while flying just a few feet from each other in perfect formation it’s hard not to be impressed and put your political views aside for an hour and watch in awe.

More than just the Blue Angels
But there’s more to Fleet Week than just the Blue Angels – they’re just headliners of a three-hour-long airshow taking place over the Northern waterfront of San Francisco this weekend.

There’s also the annual Parade of Ships, where you can see huge military ships sail into the bay underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, free ship tours,  a space exhibit and more. [Calendar of Fleet Week events]

All of these events, tours and air shows are free and open to the public

Fleet Week Air Show with Blue Angels
– Friday, October 7th (12:30pm to 4pm)
– Saturday, October 8th (12:30pm to 4pm)
– Sunday, October 9th (12:30pm to 4pm)

Watch a three-hour airshow along the waterfront headlined by the Blue Angels. Starting at 12:30pm see tricks and flyovers from Team Oracle, a Coast Guard HH-65 Rescue Demonstration, Patriots Jet Team, Navy EA-6B Prowlers, USAF B-2 Bomber, USMC MV-22 Osprey, RCAF Snowbirds Jet Team, Navy F-18 Super Hornet, United Airlines 747, USAF F-15 Strike Eagle and more. The Blue Angles portion of the show begins at approximately 3pm each day.

Best Viewing Locations: Marina Green, Pier 39, Fort Mason, Aquatic Park, Coit Tower

Fun & Cheap Viewing Parties for Blue Angels Air Show

Blue Angels Wine Tasting Viewing Party
– Saturday, October 8 – Noon to 5p | Cost: $5 | Treasure Island

Treasure Island Wines invites you to the former navy base to taste seven hand crafted wines while watching the equally impressive Blue Angels graze by frightening closer than any other site in the city. Tickets are $5 and the wine tasting is included. Designated drivers are free.

Fleet Week Rooftop Viewing Party
– Saturday, October 8 – 12:00 pm | Cost: FREE with RSVP | Lombardi Sports in Russian Hill

Get a great rooftop view of the Fleet Week air show with great views of the Bay, $2 burgers and BYOB. Free but RSVP required.

Watch the Blue Angels from Angel Island
– Saturday + Sunday  | Cost: Ferry ticket +  $5 shuttle bus

Get a unique perspective on Fleet Week by getting yourself to Angel Island’s Battery Ledyard, possibly one of the most perfect spots in the Bay Area to watch the famous Blue Angels air show. Shuttles will be available on Saturday Oct. 6 + Sunday Oct. 7, 2012 to take you from Ayala Cove to Battery Ledyard, starting at 11am. Last year shuttles ran every hour on the hour until the end of the day and we expect the same for 2012.  Round trip shuttle bus tickets are $5/person.

Getting to Angel Island (round trip)
Tiburon –  $13.50
San Francisco Pier 39 – $16
Alameda & Oakland – $14.50
State Park entry fee is included with your ferry ticket

Parade of Ships
– Saturday, October 8, 2011 (11am )
As long as it’s not foggy, come see the majestic ships of the United States military (and some of the Canadian military) sail underneath the Golden Gate Bridge in advance of the annual Fleet Week festivities.

Best Viewing Location: Crissy Field

Free Ship Tours
– Saturday, Sunday & Monday (8am to 4pm)
Get an up close and personal tour of nine different U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships. Tours take place at various Piers along San Francisco’s northern waterfront and are on a first come first served basis. Bring your ID. Ship Tour rules and guidelines

Navy in Space Exhibit
– Saturday & Sunday, October 8-9 (9am to 5pm) closed during Blue Angels show
– Marina Green
– FREE and open to the public
A temporary museum exhibition where you can learn the history of the America’s quest to land on the moon and Russia’s first journey into space. Touch real space artifacts, try on real EVA gloves and meet astronauts who have flown to the International Space Station.