#1 Sports Event
A 12K footrace stretching across the city, Bay to Breakers is one of the quintessential San Francisco experiences for runners and non-runners alike. Since 1912, more than 2 million costumed runners, walkers, and multi-runner “centipede” groups have completed the route. Outside calls it one of the 10 most iconic races in America. Next: May 20, 2018
#2 Sports Event
Professional and amateur athletes from across the globe bid for the 2,000 Escape from Alcatraz spots, but the world-famous triathlon can turn into a duathlon at the last minute. Case in point: In 2017, race officials canceled the swim on race day due to a small craft advisory and heavy winds. Barring unsafe weather conditions, the triathlon starts with a 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz Island to the San Francisco shoreline, followed by an 18-mile bike ride to Golden Gate Park and an eight-mile run to Baker Beach. Next: June 2018
#3 Sports Event
The Big Sur Marathon began in 1986 with 1,800 runners and has grown to 4,700 runners as of 2017. Runner’s World declared it one of the top three marathons in the U.S. It’s also been named the Best Destination Marathon in North America, most scenic marathon (thanks, no doubt, to the pass over the Bixby Bridge), and one of the world’s “Top Ten Races To Do Before You Die.” Next: April 29, 2018
#4 Sports Event
The Big Game returns to Stanford in 2017 for the 120th meeting between the Bears and the Cardinals, capping a week of spirited events on both campuses and in San Francisco. Stanford, which has won the last seven games, leads the series 62-46-11. Next: November 18, 2017
#5 Sports Event (new to the list)
The Bank of the West Classic is the longest-running women-only professional tennis tournament in the world. (Billie Jean King won the inaugural event—then called the British Motor Cars Invitation—in 1971.) It’s the first stop of the U.S. Open Series, which means all the modern greats—Serena and Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Lindsay Davenport, Martina Hingis, Martina Navratilova—have played here. The event features a 28-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw with total prize money of $753,000. Next: July 31-August 6, 2017
#7 Sports Event
The annual event invites fans to mingle with the San Francisco Giants on the field in AT&T Park. Kids can visit the autograph booths to meet the team, and everyone can gawk at the World Series trophies and take selfies in the dugouts or press box. Fans who want a good spot in line know to arrive one or two hours early. Next: February 2018
#8 Sports Event
Dance Week shimmies into its 20th year in 2018, with about 100 dance organizations and artists presenting events. More than 2,500 artists and 20,000 attendees come together during nearly 400 classes over the course of the week. Next: April 2018
#9 Sports Event
The two-day ride from the Brisbane Marina across the Golden Gate Bridge and through Sonoma County raises more than $2.5 million for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. About 2,200 riders participate annually, enjoying scenic stops and meals along the way. Next: September 23-24, 2017
#10 Sports Event (up from #11)
The event is a two-day, 39-mile walking tour of the Bay Area, complete with an urban campout in pink tents. More than 1,900 participants participated in the 2016 walk, raising $4.4 million for the fight against breast cancer. Money raised through the walk directly benefited Bay Area breast cancer resources, including the Shanti Project, Stanford Medical School, and the Charlotte Maxwell Clinic. Next July 8-9, 2017
