Mayor Lurie Outlines Safety, Transportation Plans as San Francisco Welcomes Fleet Week

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today outlined public safety, traffic, and transit plans the city has put in place to help San Franciscans and visitors safely enjoy Fleet Week, which draws more than a million people to the city each year. The city is working across the Recreation and Park Department (RPD), San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD), Department of Emergency Management (DEM), and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA)—alongside event partners—to ensure attendees can safely and easily travel to and from the festivities taking place along the waterfront.

With the city on track for record-breaking tourism numbers in 2026, Fleet Week is the latest major event drawing residents and visitors and driving San Francisco’s economic recovery. After successfully hosting Outside Lands in August, six FIFA World Cup matches this summer, the Super Bowl in February, and NBA All-Star Weekend last year, the city will be welcoming Vogue World and WNBA All-Star Weekend next year and MLB All-Star Weekend in 2028. The FIFA World Cup alone generated $240 million in economic activity in San Francisco, and together, these events demonstrate the city’s ability to welcome large-scale events safely.

“Since 1981, Fleet Week has brought pride to our city, with families gathering along the waterfront, ships sailing through the Golden Gate, and planes flying through the skies,” said Mayor Lurie. “This Fleet Week is the perfect time to explore San Francisco and the waterfront. Every stop people make this week, from North Beach to the new Alioto’s Plaza at Fisherman’s Wharf, supports the small businesses that make San Francisco special. As we kick off this week of festivities, our public safety partners and city departments are ready to keep Fleet Week welcoming for everyone and our streets safe.”

As part of the festivities, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels will hold their highly anticipated annual Fleet Week Air Show Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM each day, with public viewing available along Marina Green, Crissy Field, and nearby beaches. Additionally, several free neighborhood concerts will take place at parks and plazas across the city featuring an extensive lineup of military musicians.

“Some of the best views, music, and events of Fleet Week happen right in our parks,” said Sarah Madland, RPD General Manager. “It’s a chance to see our waterfront at its most spectacular, enjoy free concerts in neighborhoods across the city, and watch young musicians take the stage at the bandshell. We’re proud to work with our city and military partners to be part of the week.”

PUBLIC SAFETY

As for any large event, the safety of residents and visitors is the city’s top priority. Fleet Week attendees are encouraged to:

• Plan ahead and allow extra time for travel and crowd exit
• Use designated pickup and drop-off zones rather than flagging vehicles curbside
• Stay alert near street closures, transit routes, and shared bike/scooter lanes

SFPD and SFFD will maintain an elevated presence in and around all the activated Fleet Week areas. DEM is coordinating with event organizers and SFFD on emergency medical planning.

EM’s 911 dispatch center will be fully staffed, and its on-call team will monitor events throughout the week.

Fleet Week attendees can sign up to receive any emergency notifications and important safety updates through AlertSF by texting FLEETWEEKSF (one word) to 888-777.

“Fleet Week is an exciting time for San Francisco to showcase our city, and we urge everyone to have a wonderful time and to be safe,” said SFPD Chief Derrick Lew. “The San Francisco Police Department will be fully staffed and prepared to respond to anything that may occur. Our officers will be out in force engaging with the public and welcoming all the visitors into our city. We ask everyone to look out for each other, celebrate responsibly, and be aware of their surroundings. And as always, if you see something, say something.”

“SFPD and SFFD will maintain an elevated presence in and around all the activated Fleet Week areas,” said SFFD Chief Dean Crispen. “SFFD will provide supplemental medical and fire suppression units to support the events. SFFD will remain fully staffed throughout the city to respond to all emergencies.”

Fleet Week also brings city agencies and military partners together through the annual Defense Support of Civil Authorities exercise series. On October 6, DEM and its partners will use a simulated earthquake to practice coordinating route recovery and damage assessment, sharing information, and requesting resources. The exercise will help partners put the city’s earthquake plans into practice and prepare to bring in assistance when San Francisco needs it.

“Fleet Week is a chance to celebrate our service members and practice how we will work together after a major disaster,” said Mary Ellen Carroll, DEM Executive Director. “The relationships we build and the plans we test now will help us get assistance to people when they need it. As we prepare to welcome residents and visitors, our teams are working together to support a safe week of events.”

EXTRA MUNI SERVICE AND TRAFFIC PLANS

To help move visitors and residents during Fleet Week, the SFMTA will provide additional Muni service and make temporary adjustments to accommodate increased crowds and traffic near the waterfront. Riders should expect some service changes around Fisherman’s Wharf and the Presidio and are encouraged to use public transit whenever possible. Real-time service information and updates will be available through SFMTA’s travel alerts and sfmta.com/FleetWeek.

“Fleet Week is an exciting time for San Francisco, bringing residents and visitors together to enjoy events across our city,” said Julie Kirschbaum, SFMTA Director of Transportation. “We’re working closely with our city and event partners to help people get where they need to go safely and reliably throughout the week. Whether you’re heading to the waterfront, an air show, or a neighborhood event, we encourage everyone to plan ahead and consider public transportation as they enjoy all that Fleet Week has to offer.”

Extra Muni Service

• Extra buses will operate along the Embarcadero between the Ferry Building and Fisherman’s Wharf from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. Historic F-line streetcars will switch back at Pier 39.
• Additional 28 19th Avenue buses will operate Friday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, serving between Daly City BART and a temporary terminal at Van Ness and North Point.
• Additional 49 Van Ness/Mission buses will operate Friday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, between 11th Street and Mission Street and between Van Ness Avenue and North Point Street.
• Additional 45 Union/Stockton trips will operate Saturday and Sunday to help bring visitors from the Presidio back to downtown.
• Presidio GO shuttle service will increase, with buses running every 15 to 30 minutes.

Service Alternatives

• On Saturday, the Powell/Hyde Cable Car will be replaced by buses from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, while on Sunday, it will pause from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM to accommodate Fleet Week activities.
• On Saturday and Sunday, the Powell/Mason Cable Car will be replaced by buses from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
• Visitors coming from the Presidio can take the 45 bus outside the Presidio Gate at Lombard Street if the 30 or 43 lines are crowded.
• Chinatown riders should take the T before 1:00 PM as the 30 or 45 may be crowded.
• From approximately 4:20 PM to 6:00 PM, riders in Chinatown going to Market Street should use the 1, 12, or T, with the 1 and 12 taking riders to Embarcadero Station.

Autonomous Vehicles

City partners have worked in close coordination with autonomous vehicle operators to reduce congestion around the waterfront. Riders using autonomous vehicle services should follow in-app instructions and select pickup and drop-off locations outside of the restricted areas.

The restricted zone for pick-ups and drop-offs will be active Friday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and is bounded by Marina Boulevard, Fort Mason, Aquatic Park, and Fisherman's Wharf to the north; Lyon Street between Marina Boulevard and Lombard Street to the west; Lombard Street (between Lyon Street and Leavenworth Street) and North Point (between Leavenworth Street and the Embarcadero) to the south; and the Embarcadero between Bay Street and Fisherman's Wharf to the east.

Additional geofenced zones cover Van Ness Avenue between Lombard Street and Broadway, Bay Street between Leavenworth Street and the Embarcadero, and the Embarcadero between Bay Street and Broadway. Autonomous rideshare services will not be available anywhere within the Presidio.