1. Bay to Breakers
#1 Sports Event
Officially, Bay to Breakers is the oldest consecutively run footrace in the world: a 12K that lures more than 40,000 serious runners from the Bay to the Pacific Ocean. Unofficially, it’s a costume parade that draws revelers from all walks of life for an end-to-end tour of the city, with the requisite house parties and dance stops along the way. The Alaska Airlines-sponsored event has hosted more than two-million registered runners over the last century. Between the naked, costumed runners and tethered teams, it’s one of the most unique sporting events in the world. Next: May 19, 2019
Officially, Bay to Breakers is the oldest consecutively run footrace in the world: a 12K that lures more than 40,000 serious runners from the Bay to the Pacific Ocean. Unofficially, it’s a costume parade that draws revelers from all walks of life for an end-to-end tour of the city, with the requisite house parties and dance stops along the way. The Alaska Airlines-sponsored event has hosted more than two-million registered runners over the last century. Between the naked, costumed runners and tethered teams, it’s one of the most unique sporting events in the world. Next: May 19, 2019
Photo: David Goehring, (CC BY 2.0)
2. Escape From Alcatraz
#2 Sports Event
During its tenure as the most secure federal prison in America, only 36 inmates tried to break out from Alcatraz. Today, as a tourist attraction, 2,000 athletes attempt the journey from The Rock each year as part of the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon. Barring dangerous conditions on the water, the race includes 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 8-mile run to Baker Beach. Next: June 2019
During its tenure as the most secure federal prison in America, only 36 inmates tried to break out from Alcatraz. Today, as a tourist attraction, 2,000 athletes attempt the journey from The Rock each year as part of the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon. Barring dangerous conditions on the water, the race includes 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 8-mile run to Baker Beach. Next: June 2019
Photo: Rocky Arroyo
3. Cal vs. Stanford Football Game
#4 Sports Event
Cal and Stanford are slated to meet in Berkeley once again for the 121st occurrence of the “Big Game” since 1892. The in-state rivalry runs deep, but the Cardinals have been routing the Bears regularly for the last eight years and lead the series overall, 63-46-11. Players may reflect on the game in terms of victory or defeat, but it’s a clear win for student spectators at both schools, who enjoy a week of school spirit events on their respective campuses before the game. Next: November 17, 2018
Cal and Stanford are slated to meet in Berkeley once again for the 121st occurrence of the “Big Game” since 1892. The in-state rivalry runs deep, but the Cardinals have been routing the Bears regularly for the last eight years and lead the series overall, 63-46-11. Players may reflect on the game in terms of victory or defeat, but it’s a clear win for student spectators at both schools, who enjoy a week of school spirit events on their respective campuses before the game. Next: November 17, 2018
Photo: Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
4. Silicon Valley Classic
#5 Sports Event
It’s the longest-running, women-only professional tennis tournament in the world, the first stop on the U.S. Open Series, and in 2018, it received yet another new name. What was once known as the British Motor Cars Invitation and the Bank of the West Classic is now the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic. The biggest names in women’s tennis—like Serena and Venus Williams—turned out to compete in 2018. Latisha Chan and Kveta Peschke took the doubles competition, while Mihaela Buzarnescu won the singles title. The event includes a 28-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw with total prize money of $799,280. Next: July 29-August 4, 2019
It’s the longest-running, women-only professional tennis tournament in the world, the first stop on the U.S. Open Series, and in 2018, it received yet another new name. What was once known as the British Motor Cars Invitation and the Bank of the West Classic is now the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic. The biggest names in women’s tennis—like Serena and Venus Williams—turned out to compete in 2018. Latisha Chan and Kveta Peschke took the doubles competition, while Mihaela Buzarnescu won the singles title. The event includes a 28-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw with total prize money of $799,280. Next: July 29-August 4, 2019
Photo: Sam Henderson
5. San Francisco Marathon
#6 Sports Event
It takes the average tourist a full day to wander between San Francisco landmarks like Coit Tower, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge, but the 27,500 runners in the San Francisco Marathon dash past those points in less than six hours. The Mission? Check. Haight-Ashbury? Done. Huffing and puffing up an iconic hill while 80,000 spectators cheer? You bet. The race is the ultimate San Francisco bucket list and a workout, all in one. Biofreeze is the title sponsor. Next: July 28, 2019
It takes the average tourist a full day to wander between San Francisco landmarks like Coit Tower, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge, but the 27,500 runners in the San Francisco Marathon dash past those points in less than six hours. The Mission? Check. Haight-Ashbury? Done. Huffing and puffing up an iconic hill while 80,000 spectators cheer? You bet. The race is the ultimate San Francisco bucket list and a workout, all in one. Biofreeze is the title sponsor. Next: July 28, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of San Francisco Marathon
6. KNBR FanFest
#7 Sports Event
Supporting the Giants when they’re enjoying their even-year-World-Series winning streak is easy, but 30,000 true fans queue up to meet the boys in black and orange each winter, win or lose. At KNBR’s Fan Fest, players and fans rub elbows, sign autographs, and pose for selfies at AT&T Park before the team heads to Arizona for spring training. Those hoping to get face time with the likes of Hunter Pence, Pablo Sandoval, and Buster Posey show up early; autograph lines at FanFest can be almost as scary as Brian Wilson’s beard. Next: February 9, 2019
Supporting the Giants when they’re enjoying their even-year-World-Series winning streak is easy, but 30,000 true fans queue up to meet the boys in black and orange each winter, win or lose. At KNBR’s Fan Fest, players and fans rub elbows, sign autographs, and pose for selfies at AT&T Park before the team heads to Arizona for spring training. Those hoping to get face time with the likes of Hunter Pence, Pablo Sandoval, and Buster Posey show up early; autograph lines at FanFest can be almost as scary as Brian Wilson’s beard. Next: February 9, 2019
Photo: Beck Diefenbach
7. Bay Area Dance Week
#8 Sports Event
Dance Week is turning 21 and ready to party. In 2018, the 10-day celebration included more than 600 free dance events and a 700-dancer flash mob at City Hall. Organizers host performances, open rehearsals, lecture demonstrations, and more for seasoned pros and So You Think You Can Dance fans alike. Whether it’s ballet or samba, watching or learning, the free event satisfies the spectrum of dance curiosities. Next: April 26-May 5, 2019
Dance Week is turning 21 and ready to party. In 2018, the 10-day celebration included more than 600 free dance events and a 700-dancer flash mob at City Hall. Organizers host performances, open rehearsals, lecture demonstrations, and more for seasoned pros and So You Think You Can Dance fans alike. Whether it’s ballet or samba, watching or learning, the free event satisfies the spectrum of dance curiosities. Next: April 26-May 5, 2019
Photo: Lydia Daniller
8. Waves to Wine
#9 Sports Event
A two-day ride from San Francisco to Sonoma County becomes infinitely more enjoyable when there are scenic stops, snacks, and drinks every 12 to 15 miles on the way to your destination. Not that two days in the saddle is a requirement for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Waves to Wine race: Riders can choose between one or two-day routes, with multiple mileage options on each day. Last year, more than 1,500 cyclists participated, raising more than $1.6 million for the organization in the process. Next: September 22-23, 2018
A two-day ride from San Francisco to Sonoma County becomes infinitely more enjoyable when there are scenic stops, snacks, and drinks every 12 to 15 miles on the way to your destination. Not that two days in the saddle is a requirement for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Waves to Wine race: Riders can choose between one or two-day routes, with multiple mileage options on each day. Last year, more than 1,500 cyclists participated, raising more than $1.6 million for the organization in the process. Next: September 22-23, 2018
Photo: Mike Samson
9. AIDS Walk San Francisco
#10 Sports Event (new to the list)
Since 1987, AIDS Walk San Francisco has raised more than $90 million for H.I.V. programs and services in the Bay Area, emerging as the largest and most visible AIDS fund-raising event in the area. One of the perks of the event is it doesn’t require long-term training; AIDS Walk is accessible for participants at most fitness levels. In 2018, 10,000 people showed up to Golden Gate Park for the 10K, raising more than $1.8 million for Bay Area H.I.V./AIDS service organizations. Next: July 2019
Since 1987, AIDS Walk San Francisco has raised more than $90 million for H.I.V. programs and services in the Bay Area, emerging as the largest and most visible AIDS fund-raising event in the area. One of the perks of the event is it doesn’t require long-term training; AIDS Walk is accessible for participants at most fitness levels. In 2018, 10,000 people showed up to Golden Gate Park for the 10K, raising more than $1.8 million for Bay Area H.I.V./AIDS service organizations. Next: July 2019
Photo: Wilmer Gonzalez
10. We Dare to Bare
#11 Sports Event (new to the list)
An outdoor fitness festival set on smashing body insecurities, We Dare to Bare participants sign up for satellite sessions of San Francisco’s best fitness offerings—like SoulCycle, Barry’s Bootcamp, TRX, and Confidance—and work out in their sports bras during this one-day event. In addition to sweating in the sunshine, attendees get snacks, pampering, and photo booth memories. Registrants are also encouraged to meet a fund-raising goal for Movemeant Foundation programs; in 2018, more than 800 women raised over $185,000 at the event. Next: May 2019
An outdoor fitness festival set on smashing body insecurities, We Dare to Bare participants sign up for satellite sessions of San Francisco’s best fitness offerings—like SoulCycle, Barry’s Bootcamp, TRX, and Confidance—and work out in their sports bras during this one-day event. In addition to sweating in the sunshine, attendees get snacks, pampering, and photo booth memories. Registrants are also encouraged to meet a fund-raising goal for Movemeant Foundation programs; in 2018, more than 800 women raised over $185,000 at the event. Next: May 2019
Photo: Courtesy of We Dare to Bare
