With the advent of May Spring slowly starts to turn into Summer. This is a great time to be in San Francisco as the days get warmer and longer, and there are some really cool events happening in San Francisco this month. There’s Cinco de Mayo, the Bay to Breakers run, Giants games and Carnaval. However, as you consider your options, be sure to check our list of the 10 best things to do in SF in May, so you can make the most of these fantastic opportunities.

1. INVESTIGATE THE DARK SIDE OF SF (EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT)

San Francisco has a fascinating and unique criminal history. The tour starts by taking guests back to the Gold Rush era, when Vigilance Committee’s took over “policing” in the city (which is where the term ‘vigilante’ originates). Then it makes its way through an alley that was SF’s main red light district a hundred years ago. After that the tour hits Chinatown, which was full of opium dens, brothels and gambling hellholes at that time. The last part of the tour takes guests through the infamous Barbary Coast neighborhood, where sailors had to be wary of what they drank in the bars, in case ‘crimps’ tried to drug and ‘shanghai’ them onto a ship leaving San Francisco for the East  (which is how the term was invented). And we haven’t even mentioned the Fatty Arbuckle Affair, the original Hollywood sex scandal (which is why employment contracts have a ‘morality clause’).

During the tour there are a couple of opportunities to visit historic bars and speakeasies from those days.

More information here.

2. CINCO DE MAYO (MAY 5-7)

This is one of those weird anniversaries that’s celebrated much more in another country, than it is in its home nation (in this case Mexico). On May 5^th the Mexican Army defeated the army of the French Emperor (Napoleon III) at the Battle of Puebla. The war continued for a while longer, but it was a morale-boosting victory for the Mexicans. Although it’s been largely forgotten in Mexico it’s BIG in the U.S. and is viewed as a celebration of Mexican culture – and a perfect excuse to drink copious amounts of Tequila! There are lots of events, all over the Bay Area, but the best option is probably to head over to the Mission and join the party there (lowrider optional).

More information here.

3. TAIWANESE AMERICAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL (MAY 13)

Continuing the festival theme, this one’s another important event in San Francisco, since we have so many immigrants from Taiwan here. The festival began in 1993 and takes place in Union Square, right in the heart of the city. Over 10,000 people attend every year.

More information here.

4. BAY TO BREAKERS RACE (MAY 21)

This is one of the most famous city races in the world and dates back to the early part of the twentieth century, when it was created as a way to raise the city’s spirits after the 1906 Great Fire. It gets its name, logically enough, because it starts on the Bay, at the Embarcadero and runs (pun intended) 7.6 miles, or 12 kilometers, to the Pacific, at the Great Highway.

For a while it held the record for the biggest footrace in the world (in 1986 110,000 people participated), and it’s estimated that up to 100,000 people will take part in some way this year. A lot of participants dress in costume, and a few just wear their birthday suit which is brave, but either way it’s a lot of fun.

More information here.

5. CARNAVAL (MAY 27-28)

Now for another festival – Carnaval San Francisco cultivates and celebrates the diverse Latin American, Caribbean and African Diasporic roots of the Mission District and the San Francisco Bay Area. The Grand Parade covers twenty blocks of the Mission and boasts a 60–contingent lineup, with over 3,000 artists representing the countries of those regions. This is always a special event and definitely one of the best things to do in SF in May.

More information here.

6. VISIT AN AMAZING MUSEUM FOR FREE (DATES THROUGH MAY)

For several days of the month – and for certain people on every day of the month – many SF 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 Saturdays for Bay Area residents and free Tuesday’s for all.

7. ENJOY JAZZ AT A HIDDEN TEAHOUSE (DATES THROUGH MAY)

Jazz is a true American art form, developed by African Americans in the Old South at the end of the nineteenth century, but you can enjoy it here in San Francisco at this incredible venue.

Experience the thrill of the unknown with our secret concert series, featuring new bands every Friday and Saturday. Discover a wide range of jazz styles, from 1920s swing to latin, funk, fusion, hip-hop, bossa, and original compositions. 

A little more about the hidden location:

Located in the heart of SF’s famous Golden Gate Park, there’s a lovely boathouse known only by a few locals. Every Friday we transform this space into a non-conventional intimate music venue. Nearby you can start off your evening by visiting the best Gold Gate Park has to offer.

More information here.

8. GO TO THE THEATRE (FROM MAY 23)

The Book of Mormon is coming to the stage at the Orpheum Theatre, in downtown San Francisco. If you haven’t already heard of the musical phenomenon, then know that it’s one of the most highly regarded musicals of the last decade.

More information here.

9. ENJOY SOME LIVE COMEDY (DATES THROUGH MAY)

FunCheapSF have a ton of fun and cheap events around the Bay Area (who would have thought?), often comprising comedy specials. Some of the comedians are pretty damn good and who couldn’t do with a good laugh right now (or any time?

More information here.

10. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (DATES THROUGH MAY)

The Giants’ home ground, right by the Bay at Oracle Park, has to be one of the most photogenic in the American baseball. Consider that as recently as 2014 we won the World Series, so we play some good ball too. Why not enjoy a game this May as the 2023 season gets into full-swing?

More information here.

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

– By Damien Blackshaw (Twitter)