This post covers things to do in October in San Francisco, including sections for attractions that are either free, family-friendly or fun after dark.
- Top 10
- Free Things to Do
- Things to Do at Night
- Family-Friendly Activities
- How's the Weather
- Things to Do in San Francisco
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN OCTOBER
The following section will provide ten of the best things to do in San Francisco this October.
We also have posts devoted to some of the best attractions and tour services in San Francisco, including some of the following:
If you’re looking for activities that take place at night, are specifically intended for families or are free to enjoy, please make sure to read the sections covering those subjects.
1. Take a Night Tour of Alcatraz
Whether you’re looking for something spooky to do before Halloween or you just want to learn more about this historic site, touring Alcatraz after dark is a pretty special experience.
With only 2 boats going to Alcatraz each night around sunset (at 5:55 pm & 6:30 pm), it’s fair to say that this is a limited opportunity and you’ll want to purchase tickets well in advance.
There are special talks and lectures available during the evening that are not provided during the day, making this tour a somewhat different adventure after dark.
The last ferry leaving Alcatraz departs at 9:25 pm, so you can expect to spend at least 1-2 hours on the island once you get there.
For more details, please read our post covering Alcatraz tours and tickets.
2. Go to a Concert
Throughout the year, San Francisco tends to attract a lot of popular and notable musical performers – and October is no exception!
Visitors can expect dozens of famous artists to be performing in the Bay Area this month.
If you’re interested in going to a concert, consider one of the following shows:
- Wu Tang Clan/Nas | October 1st
- Isabella Rossellini | October 8th, 9th
- The Black Keys | October 5th
- My Chemical Romance | October 5th
- Mary J. Blige | October 6th
- Afghan Whigs | October 8th
- Henry Rollins | October 9th
- Adam Lambert | October 19th
- Sophie B. Hawkins | October 19th
- Deadmau5 | October 21st
- Death Cab for Cutie | October 23rd, 24th
- B-52s | October 28th, 29th, 30th
You can find all the San Francisco Bay Area concerts here.
3. Attend a Sporting Event
The Bay Area is home to several popular sports teams, so it shouldn’t be too surprising that there will be plenty of games to attend during this month. You can find them all here.
Although the official season comes to a close in September, there may be an opportunity to see some October baseball if either the San Francisco Giants or the Oakland Athletics manage to make the postseason.
It’s also worth noting that the San Francisco 49ers will have five home games this month.
The Golden State Warriors will also likely be playing a few games, giving basketball fans something fun to do this month.
Finally, fans of hockey might want to check out a San Jose Sharks game in October.
Needless to say, there is plenty to anticipate this month if you’re a sports fan!
4. See a Hit Show
No matter when you come to San Francisco, chances are there will be at least one notable musical, ballet or opera to see. You can find them all here.
Throughout the month of October, you will have an opportunity to experience the hit Broadway musical Moulin Rouge The Musical at the SHN Orpheum Theatre.
If you have children, they might be interested in seeing Disney on Ice, Into the Magic. It's running at Oakland Area October 13th - 23rd, 2022.
Find all the theatrical events in San Francisco here.
5. Go on a Haunted Walking Tour
With Halloween just around the corner, October is the perfect time to take a walk on the darker side of San Francisco. Thankfully, we offer at least one pay-what-you-like outing which fits this description.
Our Secrets, Scandals and Scoundrels tour covers some of the more notable crimes that have taken place in the history of this city.
If you’re looking for something a little scarier, consider taking a ghost hunt walking tour instead. This tour provides details about the supernatural history of San Francisco.
Tickets are $30 per person and the tour will last for between 1 ½ - 2 hours on average. Purchase Ghost Hunt Walking Tour tickets or learn more.
Alternatively, there is also a Vampire walking tour in the Nob Hill district which includes local history and lore about this famed creature of the night.
Tickets are also $30 per person and the tour will last for between 1 ½ - 2 hours on average. Purchase Vampire Walking Tour tickets or learn more.
6. Attend a Music Festival
In addition to all the concerts taking place this month, there will also be a few noteworthy music festivals.
The Outlaw Music Festival takes place in Mountain View, and features Willie Nelson, the Avett Brothers, and others.
Fans of country and rock music won't want to miss the opportunity to see these legends perform on October 14th, 2022.
The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival returns to Golden Gate Park with such artists as Emmylou Harris. It takes place September 3rd through October 2, 2022.
And the Sonoma Harvest Festival returns after a two year break to the B.R. Cohn Winery in Glen Ellen.
Headliners include Thievery Corporation, Phantogram, and the Wrecks, amongst others. This all takes place over two days, October 8th & 9th, 2022.
Check this list of music festivals in San Francisco to see what else is happening this month.
7. Go to a Pumpkin Patch
Autumn is here and Halloween is approaching, making this the perfect time to celebrate the season with a visit to a pumpkin patch!
Even if you don’t plan on buying any pumpkins, there are usually a lot of fun and family-friendly activities at these farms during this time of year.
There are a lot of great pumpkin patches to visit in the Bay Area, but the two closest options are in San Francisco and Oakland.
Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch is only a few blocks from Golden Gate Park and it’s available throughout the month of October, from 9 am - 9 pm.
You’ll find pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, Halloween decorations, a maze of hay and more!
If you’re in the Oakland area, head to the Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch. This is a much more modern location with pumpkin shooters, petting zoos, inflatable slides, bounce houses and more.
Visitors are welcome from September 17th - November 1st, 2002, from 10 am - 10 pm daily.
Here are a few more pumpkin patches you can visit if you’re a bit further outside of the city:
- Spina Farms in San Jose
- Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch
- Lemos Farm in Half Moon Bay
- Webb Ranch in Portola Valley
- Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm
- G&M Farms in Livermore
- Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
For additional Halloween fun with the kids, make sure to check our section devoted to family-friendly activities this October.
8. See a Stand-Up Comedy Show
San Francisco usually attracts a lot of famous comedians, and while there won't be as many as usual coming to the Bay Area this month, there are a few performances you won't want to miss.
Here are a few of the more notable people scheduled to perform in October:
- Kevin Hart | October 1st
- Sebastian Maniscalco | October 1st (San Jose)
- Lewis Black | October 8th
- Chelsea Handler | Ocotber 1st (Saratoga)
- Nick Swardson | October 27th, 28th, 29th
Even if you can't make it to see one of these comedians, make sure to check this list of comedy shows in San Francisco to see who else might be performing this month.
9. Celebrate Fleet Week
In honor of America’s sea services, this celebration offers a number of events for all ages from October 3rd - 11th, 2022. Enjoy ship tours, a parade of ships, and the Fleet Week Air Show among other attractions.
For the most part, this weeklong festival is free to attend – although VIP packages are available for purchase. You can also buy a burger for a sailor, which is their way of giving guests an opportunity to donate to the fleet.
While many of these events will be taking place around Fisherman’s Wharf, there will also be activities in Golden Gate Park and the airshow will be over the San Francisco Bay.
Make sure to check the Fleet Week site for a full map and details about each event planned during this festival.
If you’re looking for more activities that won’t cost a dime, make sure to check our section on free things to do in San Francisco this October.
You’ll also find more festivals and fun things to do with your kids in our family-friendly activities section.
10. Save on Popular Attractions With a Tourist Pass
If you’re planning to visit some of the more notable landmarks in and around the Bay Area, a tourist attraction discount pass can help you save a lot of money on tickets.
The way you save money will depend on which type of pass you choose.
While an all-inclusive pass allows you to pay one flat price for a set number of days in which you’ll enjoy free admission at several locations, there are also passes that let you pay for a specific number of attractions instead.
In addition to discounts of 60% off or more, you’ll also enjoy skip-the-line access at several popular locations in the Bay Area.
Here are some of the better attractions included with one or more San Francisco tourist passes:
- Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour
- Golden Gate Bay Cruise
- California’s Great America
- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not
- The Walt Disney Family Museum
- San Francisco Zoo & Gardens
- Aquarium of the Bay
- Madame Tussauds
- Oracle Park Tour
- Exploratorium
- And more!
For more details on how to use these services, make sure to read our full post covering San Francisco tourist attraction discount passes.
Attend a Beer/Spirits Festival
There are going to be several festivals focusing on spirits and beer in San Francisco during the month of October.
One of the best examples is Oaktoberfest – Oakland’s take on Oktoberfest – which is actually a family-friendly event including a variety of musical entertainment, food, drinks, and even activities for kids.
The next annual Oaktoberfest is scheduled for October 1st and 2nd, 2022 in Oakland's Diamond District.
If you’re looking for a different kind of festival, head to Brews on the Bay for an opportunity to enjoy a variety of craft beers aboard the S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien at Pier 45.
This year event Brews on the Bay event takes place October 14th - 15th, 2002, with tickets going on sale after August 22nd.
TIP: If you’re looking for a bite to eat after attending one of these festivals, consider taking one of our San Francisco food tours.
Attend Yerba Buena Night
If you’re looking for a different kind of festival, Yerba Buena Night guarantees some pretty interesting entertainment including music, dancing and circus performances.
Although most festivals are held during the day, this one will actually take place between the hours of 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm.
In the past, this event has been described as similar to a “multi-stage concert”, with several different acts performing at the same time.
Yerba Buena Night is free to attend and it will be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
This is just one of many festivals typically held in San Francisco throughout October, and you can find out more about all the other events in our family-friendly activities section.
You may also want to check our things to do at night section for even more nighttime fun this October!
FREE THINGS TO DO IN OCTOBER
In this section, we will provide multiple different activities you can enjoy in San Francisco during the month of October without paying a dime.
Make sure to check our other sections for even more free events and attractions such as Fleet Week, Yerba Buena Night, Film Night in the Park, the Italian Heritage Parade, a variety of family festivals and more.
You’ll also find several affordable activities on our post covering free things to do in San Francisco.
Visit a Free Museum
There are several great museums in San Francisco, and many of them offer entirely free admission. While some locations are free all the time, others are only free once a month or at certain times of the year.
Here are a few of the more popular museums offering free entry throughout the month of October:
- The Streetcar Museum
- San Francisco Maritime Park
- Wells Fargo History Museum
- Chinese Historical Society of America
- SF Fire Department Historical Society
You can also enjoy free admission once a month at the following locations:
- Cartoon Art Museum | First Tuesday is "Pay What You Wish" Day | 11am to 5pm
- deYoung Museum | First Tuesday
These are just a handful of the museums you can visit for free, but there are many more you may want to consider. Check our post about free San Francisco museums for more details.
Go to the Presidio Pet Cemetery
If you’re looking for something spooky to do in celebration of Halloween, consider making a stop at the Presidio Pet Cemetery.
This was the burial site of several pets owned by military families who lived in the area many years ago. In addition to cats and dogs, there are also a variety of birds, rodents, reptiles and other interesting pets.
This could be a nice little spooky place to visit if you’re trying to get in the mood for the holidays.
If you’re looking for a more somber experience, the San Francisco National Cemetery is just 5 minutes away.
Considering that this pet cemetery is located in the Presidio, you may also want to combine a trip to the site with a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge!
NOTE: Don’t forget to check our family-friendly activities section for more Halloween fun.
Go on a Free Walking Tour
We have 10 unique pay-what-you-want walking tours throughout the city by the bay that cover all aspects of San Francisco!
Take a step back in time and learn about the Wild West and the how the California gold rush impacted the city or explore the Castro, San Francisco’s famed and historic LGBTQ neighborhood.
These are just two of the experiences we offer, but there are several more you may want to consider. Here are the walking tours we currently provide in San Francisco:
- Chinatown
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Billionaire’s Square
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Downtown San Francisco
- San Francisco in One Day
- The Castro and the Fight for Equal Rights
- Lombard Street, Little Italy, Fisherman’s Wharf
- Secrets, Scandals and Scoundrels of San Francisco
- The Gold Rush, the Wild West & the Early Years of SF
Although the tour itself won’t cost a dime, our professional guides appreciate any and all donations you may be willing to give them.
Attend the Leap Sandcastle Classic
Whether you enjoy building sandcastles or you just want to see what types of structures can be created out of sand, this is sure to be a fun event.
The 40th Annual Leap Sandcastle Classic will take place on October 22nd from 11 am - 3:30 pm, and it is entirely free to attend.
This year’s theme is “Sandcastle Remix” so you can expect a lot of playful designs to pop up along Ocean Beach.
In addition to all the sandy artwork on display and being created, there will also be live music, raffles, and judges to decide which sandcastle is best.
Learn more about the Leap Sandcastle Classic.
Enjoy a Free Art Show
There will be a few different art shows available for free in San Francisco during the month of October.
Studio 23 will be offering one of the most interesting opportunities with their Blacklight Art Show, an event which features artwork that literally glows in the dark.
Alternatively, you can also enjoy free admission to several smaller art studios in the Bay Area during SF Open Studios, which will be taking place at a variety of different locations at the end of October.
Artist Christy Chan brings her large-scale video projection work, All is Not Lost, to Downtown Oakland October 1st & 15th, 2022, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
And the amazing San Francisco Trolley Dances, now in it's 19th year, comes to SoMa and Chinatown October 22nd - 23rd, 2022.
Take Part in Electric Vehicle Week
On October 8th & 9th, 2022 Charge Across Town will be holding a celebration of electric vehicles from 11 am to 3 pm at Embarcadero Plaza.
Visitors will have an opportunity to see the latest electric and fuel-cell vehicle technology – and potentially even take it for a test drive!
There will be several information booths available to provide more details and potentially other goodies.
Best of all, this event will be free to attend, so you won’t have to worry about breaking the bank!
TIP: While you’re in the area, why not consider taking our pay-what-you-want Fisherman’s Wharf walking tour?
Go to a Litquake Event
The Litquake Nation will be offering a free event called Poetic Tuesdays on October 11th, 2022, inviting several poets and authors to come and read their work to a live audience.
This show is held at the Yerba Buena Gardens Esplanade from 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm, and you can expect performances from 7-8 different artists.
Litquake will also be holding a literary festival from October 6th - 22nd, 2022 which will welcome dozens of local authors to share their latest work and speak with readers about literature.
While most of the festival events will be free to attend, there are a few that may require tickets. You may also want to bring some money just in case you want an autograph or you find a book that you can’t live without.
NOTE: Don’t forget that Yerba Buena Night will be taking place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, which is right next to the Yerba Buena Gardens!
THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT IN OCTOBER
The following section will include several fun activities you can enjoy in San Francisco this October after the sun goes down.
Don’t forget to take a look at our other sections for ideas like film night in the park, sporting events, musicals, concerts, Yerba Buena night, going to a Pumpkin Patch, taking a haunted walking tour, going to Alcatraz and more.
For even more interesting nighttime activities, make sure to read our full post covering things to do at night in San Francisco .
Take a Halloween Cruise
Celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year by taking a haunted cruise out on the San Francisco Bay. Each of these events is like a Halloween Ball which takes place on a cruise ship, ensuring a very special experience.
The Titanic Masquerade Halloween Cruise will take place on October 28th, 2022 from 9 pm - 1 am. There will be 2 DJs offering a variety of music on two separate floors of the ship. Tickets start at $29.00
Even if you don’t feel like celebrating Halloween, you may still want to head out on the water for an evening cruise. Check our post covering boat tours in San Francisco for more details about these services.
NOTE: Don’t forget that the night tour of Alcatraz includes a cruise to and from the island.
Go on a Trick or Treating Pub Crawl
There are a lot of pub crawls available in San Francisco, but if you’re looking for a themed activity to celebrate the holiday, there is also at least one Halloween event you can attend.
The Adult Trick ‘R Treating Pub Crawl will be held by CrawlSF on October 29th, 30th, and 31st, 2022, with times varying by date. Guests can expect to visit at least 7 different bars throughout the night.
There's also the Official San Francisco Halloween Pub Crawl, Crawloween. It has over 8,000 participants and 25 bars to choose from.
Although costumes are not required, they are definitely recommended. There will be specials offered at each of the bars included on this pub crawl.
This is a great idea for adults who are tired of the family-friendly fare and would much rather enjoy a few drinks for Halloween instead of (or in addition to) boatloads of candy!
Dress Up for a Halloween Ball
In addition to all the other fun and spooky activities taking place this month, there will also many Halloween Balls to attend.
For example, the W Hotel in San Francisco is hosting Halloween International Ball Vol 1.
It has DJs, decorations, dancers, drummers and more. Tickets start at just $30, and the ball runs from 9 pm - 1:30 am.
Note: This Halloween Ball is intended for 21+ audiences.
Go to a Film Festival
If you’re a movie buff, October is the perfect time to visit San Francisco, as there will be a few film festivals taking place throughout the month.
No matter what types of movies you enjoy, chances are there will be a festival providing some interesting films to watch.
Here are all the film festivals you can attend this month:
- SF Latino Film Festival | September 29 - October 16th
- SF Shorts Film Festival | October 7th - 9th
- UN Association Film Festival | October 20th - 30th
Many of these events will have VIP tickets offering admission to all movies, but you’ll also be able to attend specific screenings individually for between $10-$15 per movie.
TIP: Film lovers working with a budget may also want to consider going to Film Night in the Park.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN OCTOBER
The following section will include several fun activities that are taking place in San Francisco this October which are appropriate for families with kids of all ages.
If you’re looking for even more great ideas, don’t forget to check our other sections for events and attractions such as the Leap Sandcastle Classic, going to a Pumpkin Patch, attending the Classic Car Show and more.
You can find additional family-friendly attractions on our post covering things to do with kids in San Francisco.
Go to the Halloween Haunt at Great America
California’s Great America likes to celebrate the holidays in style, and they don’t cut any corners when it comes to Halloween!
During the month of October, visitors can expect to see hundreds of monsters prowling about and several haunted mazes, skeleton key rooms, live shows and scare zones during their Halloween Haunt activity.
If your kids are a little too young for the spookier events, they also have an event called the Great Pumpkin Fest on weekdays which invites kids to wear their costumes and go trick-or-treating with the Peanuts gang!
The best part about all of this is that it’s included with general admission – which you can get with at least one of the major San Francisco tourist passes.
Take the Kids to Boo at the Zoo
Both the San Francisco Zoo and the Oakland Zoo will be hosting Boo at the Zoo events aimed at young visitors.
Guests can expect opportunities to trick-or-treat at several stations throughout the zoo as you watch the animals enjoy special themed meals with pumpkins and other festive foods.
In addition to those activities, there will also be a Halloween parade and costume contest with awards in a variety of different categories such as Best Family Costume and Best Animal Costume .
Boo at the Zoo Oakland Zoo takes place October 22nd - 31st, 2022.
The San Francisco Zoo is celebrating Sloth-Oween in conjuction with Boo At the Zoo. Event dates are October 23rd - 24th & 30th - 31st, 2022.
Each event is included with general admission, and you can get those tickets at a discount with at least one major San Francisco tourist pass.
Celebrate Columbus Day at the Italian Heritage Parade
In honor of Columbus Day, the Annual Italian Heritage Parade will be taking place in the Fisherman’s Wharf area. The inaugural parade took place back in 1969, and this is154th parade in San Francisco!
This parade will include several floats, dancers, and live Italian music. There will also be additional activities such as a Ferrari sports car display and a post-parade dinner hosted by the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club.
The Italian Heritage Parade will begin at 12:30 pm on October 9th at the foot of Jefferson and Powell Street, and the event is entirely free to attend.
Although this activity is free, you may want to consider bringing money for food and drinks along the way.
TIP: Don’t forget that we offer a pay-what-you-want Fisherman’s Wharf walking tour which covers several notable sites. This is a great way to learn more about the neighborhood either before or after the parade!
Attend a Community Festival
There will be several fun community festivals and events taking place in San Francisco this October. While some of them will be free to attend, others require a ticket to enter.
No matter which event you choose to attend, each of these festivals is family-friendly with plenty of activities for children and live music performances to enjoy.
- Potrero Hill Festival | October 15th | Free
- Castro Street Fair | October 2nd | Free
- Fiesta on the Hill | TBD | Free
- Bay Day | Oct 1st
- Indiginous People's Day | October 10th | Free
If you’re looking for events that are specifically focused on music, make sure to check our list of music festivals taking place in San Francisco this month.
See a Movie at Film Night in the Park
From mid-summer to the beginning of fall, the SF Parks Alliance works with partners like Alamo Drafthouse to provide a series called Sundown Cinema: Film Night in the Park.
Visitors are allowed to bring blankets, portable lawn chairs and other items that might make them comfortable while enjoying a film night in the park.
Go to a Halloween Festival
In addition to all the community events and the Pumpkin Patches in the Bay Area this month, there will also be a few Halloween festivals for families.
The Halloween Hoopla takes place at the Yerba Buena Gardens on October 29th. This free event will include interactive performances and games for kids, as well as a costume parade and a small pumpkin patch.
If you’re looking to party with mosters, head to the California Academy of Sciences for their SuperNatural event on October 28th.
Take the Kids to a Real Rodeo
If your children love cowboys/cowgirls and western culture, they’ll love the chance to go to a real rodeo and see actual bull riding/steer wrestling/calf roping.
The Grand National Livestock Expo, Horse Show & Rodeo will take place October 7th and 8th in Daly City.
In addition to the rodeo, there will also be a horse show, a livestock show, live music & entertainment, plenty of great BBQ and more.
TIP: Whether you’re working with a budget or you’re just looking for additional activities your young cowboys and girls in training might enjoy, head to the historic Bison Paddock in Golden Gate Park.
You can learn more about this and other affordable family activities on our post covering free things to do in San Francisco .
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