If San Francisco's skies sound louder than usual this afternoon, that is by design. The Navy's Blue Angels are scheduled to practice over the bay on Thursday, Oct. 8, before three days of Fleet Week air shows.
Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, which is hosting the visiting aircraft, lists Thursday practice between 1 and 6 p.m., KQED and SFist reported. Fleet Week itself runs through Monday, Oct. 12, with free ship tours, military band concerts and waterfront festivals around the flying.
Show times
Air shows are set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, generally noon to 4 p.m. over the water between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Flights can start as early as 10 a.m., according to the airport schedule cited by KQED. NBC Bay Area published the detailed lineup, including Coast Guard and Marine Corps demos, an F-22 Raptor team, a United Airlines 777 pass and other acts, with the Blue Angels listed at 3 p.m. each day. Times can still change. Friday also brings the Parade of Ships from 11 a.m. to noon under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Noise, crowds and views
Classic viewing spots include Marina Green, Crissy Field, the Marin Headlands and Treasure Island, though traffic and crowds are expected. Noise concentrates along the northern waterfront. The Marina and Pacific Heights are likely to hear more; the Mission, Dogpatch and Noe Valley should stay quieter, KQED and SFist reported. East Bay residents near Oakland's airport may also notice extra jet traffic.
Ship tours and Fleet Fest
Free ship tours at Piers 27 and 35 continue through Monday morning on a staggered schedule, KQED reported. Tours are first come, first served; adults need government ID. Fleet Fest at Fisherman's Wharf runs Saturday and Sunday with food, music and family activities, and Saturday includes a military working-dog event at Duboce Park. Organizers and the SFMTA urge transit. SFist noted Waymo and Zoox geofencing will keep robotaxis away from popular viewing areas and Embarcadero drop-offs during peak events.