July marks the height of street fair season in San Francisco, with a lot of outdoor events and concerts, such as the Stern Grove Festival and the Fillmore Jazz Festival. There are always a ton of things happening in the Bay Area during the summer and the onset of July means that there are even more fun things to do in the great outdoors, as well as a bunch that are, well, indoors. From the San Francisco Marathon, to murder mysteries on trains (with wine), via nights at the museum (with DJ’s), this is our take on the ten best things to do in SF in July. Enjoy!

Events & Activities in San Francisco This Month

1. STERN GROVE FESTIVAL (DATES THROUGH JULY)

The Stern Grove is celebrating 89 years of its free Sunday concerts this summer. However, although it is free you do need to make a reservation prior to the concert to get tickets (they do sell out, so don’t wait).

The line-up this year includes the San Francisco Symphony, Public Enemy, Patti Labelle, Al Green and Saki Waterhouse To make the most of it, pack a picnic and bottle of wine (alcohol is permitted) AND layer up, because the weather in Outer Sunset can be fickle.

More information here.

2. NAPA WINE TRAIN MURDER MYSTERY (DATES THROUGH JULY)

Okay, so it’s not, strictly speaking a San Francisco event, but it’s only just north of the Bay Area. These events give you an excuse to get all dressed up in period attire for the Napa Wine Train, where you’ll witness a murder and conduct an investigation – while enjoying an elegant three-course dinner (with wine pairings natch). The themes include Death of a Gangster, Til Death Do Us Part, Dance with Death and more.

More information here.

3. CELEBRATE U.S. INDEPENDENCE DAY (JULY 4)

Every year San Francisco has a huge fireworks display in the bay and its always one of the best things to do in SF in July.

There are two sets of fireworks and both are synced, with one set at the end of the Municipal Pier and the other one by Pier 39 (near Fisherman’s Wharf). Most of the SF waterfront is closed to traffic, due to the large crowds that normally gather.

If you want to go (and it’s definitely one of the best things to do in SF in July), you’re best advised to get there early, using public transport, The fireworks display starts about 9.30 pm and lasts 20-30 minutes.

More information here.

4. GO TO A CONCERT (DATES THROUGH JULY)

Seeing an artist that you really like perform live is just a great thing to do. In July Olivia Dean, Rosalia, Hilary Duff, Nelly and The Fray are all playing in the Bay Area.

Oh, and A R Rahman has some dates with the San Francisco Symphony, at the Davies.

More information here.

5. FREE MUSEUM DAYS (DATES THROUGH JULY)

For several days of the month – and for certain people on every day of the month – many Bay Area museums are free. We have great museums – you should make the most of these opportunities.

Exploratorium: free admission for EBT cardholders and San Francisco Medi-Cal or CalFresh recipients. Also free for California public school teachers.

SF Botanical Gardens: free admission second Tuesday of every month.

Japanese Tea Gardens: free Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9-10 am.

De Young Museum: free first Tuesday of every month, also free every Saturday for Bay Area residents.

SFMOMA: free first Thursday of the month for Bay Area residents.

Legion of Honor: free Saturday’s for Bay Area residents and free Tuesday’s for all.

Cable Car Museum: free everyday and one of the most interesting museums in San Francisco.

Other museums well worth visiting:

The Walt Disney Family Museum

California Academy of Sciences

Museum of the African Diaspora

6. TAKE A CABLE CAR AND TRAM TOUR OF SAN FRANCISCO (ALL MONTH)

San Francisco is a wonderful place to explore, its unique geography, with water, hills and parks creating a unique topography for such a big city. What this means is lots of small neighborhoods, with quite different ascetics and vibes, even when they’re next door to each other.

We use SF’s famous cable cars and historic trams (as well as a modern bus) to take guests on tour of some of the most interesting neighborhoods (with many of our best views), while recounting fascinating local history and sharing some funny and insightful stories.

Join us on our Half Day SF City Highlights tour, which runs every day, 10am-2pm, finishing with lunch in Haight Ashbury. SF Metro travel is included in the $90 ticket price.

More information here.

7. PARTY AT A MUSEUM (DATES THROUGH JULY)

If you like museums, but would like them even more if there it was at a party with DJ’s and cocktails (and who doesn’t, frankly), then you’re in luck, because two SF museums are hosting Thursday night events just for you.

Check out After Dark Thursday Nights at the Exploratorium, where you don’t have to politely wait for the kids to finish to try out the hands-on exhibits (more information here).

There’s a similar event, also on Thursdays, called NightLife, at the California Academy of Sciences. On these nights at the museum you can explore a four-story rainforest, sip cocktails in the aquarium and catch a show at the Planetarium (more information here).

8. FILLMORE JAZZ FESTIVAL (JULY 4-5)

5 venues stretching from Jackson to Eddy Street

From sunrise to sunset, the streets come alive with the rhythm of live music on multiple stages, captivating art, and the flavors of gourmet food and beverages. This vibrant event invites everyone—from residents and community groups to sponsors, local businesses, exhibitors, and food vendors—to take part in a full day of culture, creativity, and connection.

Fillmore Jazz Festival

Sounds interesting, right? More information here.

9. BIKE AROUND SAN FRANCISCO (ALL MONTH)

How about putting on your cycling kit (or just shorts and t-shirt) and taking the Crosstown Trail, a seventeen-mile route that crosses the peninsula and passes through tons of beautiful neighborhoods, including McLaren Park, Glen Canyon, Golden Gate Park and Seacliff.

The trail is a mix of roads, paths and trails, rising to an elevation of 2,600 feet and offers a chance to see the city from all kinds of different perspectives. You don’t even have to do it all at once, you can break it off into bite-sized pieces. Needless to say, you can walk or jog the Crosstown Trail too! More information here.

For more options on cycling round the Bay Area read our article, which has 6 different routes you can take to explore it on two wheels.

We also have a self-guided tour, the San Francisco Waterfront Tour, which can easily be done on two wheels.

10. SAN FRANCISCO MARATHON (JULY 25-26)

Continuing the theme of traveling around San Francisco under your own steam…

How about doing the San Francisco Marathon? Or if that’s too energetic for you (and, to be fair, it is for me) you can just watch other people put themselves through hell for your enjoyment. The route starts at the Embarcadero and goes along the waterfront to the Golden Gate Bridge (passing Alcatraz), then back through the Presidio to Golden Gate Park where it turns again to pass through Haight Ashbury, the Castro, the Mission District and downtown to where it finishes, back near the Ferry Building.

More information here.

If you have any feedback on the 10 Best Things to Do in SF in July please email us or reach out on social media, we’d love to hear from you.

– By Damien Blackshaw (Twitter)