The grove is a natural amphitheater enhanced by a 15-million dollar renovation and landscaping job that was completed in 2005. The fragrant eucalyptus trees that fill the hillsides provide the backdrop for the world-class entertainment presented on the sleek stage.
Ten Summer Sundays
The festival runs for ten weeks every summer, starting in the middle of June and running through late August. Performances always start at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday afternoons.
Something for Everyone
The festival organizers strive to bring in a variety of artists who will appeal to the different communities that live in and visit San Francisco. You can count on seeing the world-class San Francisco Symphony and San Francisco Opera every summer, but most of the other performers are new and different every year. Shows presented range from jazz to country, from ballet to hip-hop. The festival puts a special emphasis on world music, bringing in performers from every continent and culture.
Come Early!
The concert meadow tends to fill up quickly, so come early if you want to get a good place to sit. Many people bring picnics to enjoy while they are waiting for the show to begin. Most of the seating is on the ground. Bring blankets or folding chairs that are low to the ground (taller chairs that will block the views of people behind you are not allowed during the performances).
Be Prepared for Weather Changes
The grove is in the western part of the city, which tends to be foggier than downtown. The weather is unpredictable. There are many afternoons that will make you think that San Francisco has the best weather in the whole world, idyllic sunny 70-degree days with not a cloud in the sky. Other days, the fog will blow in through the eucalyptus trees, looking beautiful and mysterious, and chilling those who didn’t bring a sweatshirt or jacket. On rarer occasions, the grove can get distinctly hot. Sometimes, in the course of a single afternoon, the weather will shift so that you experience all three of the weather patterns one after the other.
Do what savvy San Francisco residents do: dress in layers.
Have a Good Time
Whether you are a visitor attending one or two concerts, a fan who has come to see a favorite group, or a resident who attends all ten concerts each summer, you are in for a special treat. San Francisco is lucky to have such a magnificent festival available for everybody to enjoy, and if you live in or are visiting San Francisco, you are lucky to have the opportunity to do so.