San Francisco is often the place to be on weekends, but this weekend you can take that and multiply by about a hundred.
There are no fewer than five big events planned in the City this weekend which will bring in as many as two million additional peoplif the crowd estimates hold true.
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The big event is Fleet Week, which includes an air show by the famed Blue Angels both Saturday and Sunday afternoon. It alone could draw one million people.
Organizers say it's hard to get an exact estimate for the air shows because people are strewn by the tens of thousands from the Ferry building to Crissy Field to the hills of both sides of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The numbers could increase this year, because Fleet Week coincides with America's Cup racing.
The America's Cup series on its own brought 40,000 to Crissy Field for the qualifying races back in August.
There are also huge sporting events this weekend. The San Francisco Giants play two post-season games at AT&T Park as they begin the National League Division Series against the Cincinnati Reds. Games are both Saturday and Sunday with first pitch at 6:37 p.m. each night.
49er football fans will join the mix on Sunday with a 1:25 p.m. home game against the Buffalo Bills. Candlestick holds another 70,207 and all those people will begin clogging up U.S. Highway 101 several miles south of the city come Sunday morning.
And wait- there's more: The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival is going on at Golden Gate Park Friday through Sunday. Parking is always crazy in the park so taking public transportation is highly recommended. The crowd estimates for the three day festival is between 500,000 and 800,000. Don't forget the Castro Street Fair and the Italian Heritage Parade at Fisherman's Wharf, both on Sunday.
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Here's the list and links to tickets, traffic and timing for the big events:
- Fleet Week - 1,000,000
- Giants NLDS series - 41,503
- America's Cup - 40,000 plus
- Hardly Strictly - 500,000 plus
- 49ers vs. Bills - 70,000
The weather is also part of the weekend mix. The NBC Bay Area weather department says it will be cool to cold both days with morning and evening fog. A shower or two is also possible so bring some rain gear.
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Saturday schedule of events:
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fleet Week Ship Tours
10 a.m. America's Cup Village Opens at Marina Green
11 a. m. Parade of Ships - waterfront
11 a.m. Strictly Hardly opens in Golden Gate Park.
12:30 p.m. Fleet Week air show begins.
4 p.m. America's Cup Practice Race at Marina Green
6:37 p.m. First pitch Giants vs. Reds
Sunday schedule of events:
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fleet Week Ship Tours
10 a.m. America's Cup Village Opens at Marina Green
11 a. m. Parade of Ships - waterfront
11 a.m. Strictly Hardly opens in Golden Gate Park.
12:30 p.m. Fleet Week air show begins.
1:25 p.m. 49ers vs Bills kick-off
1:55 p.m. America's Cup Final Race at Marina Green
6:37 p.m. First pitch Giants vs. Reds
9:30 p.m. Fireworks show at Pier 3