Planes, a Range and Automobiles

Whether it's a tiny little ball or a massive F-18, people are feeling the pull to go the City

A perfect storm of events in the City this weekend has predictions of motorist mayhem. 

  • The Presidents Cup at Harding Park
  • Blue Angels at Aquatic Park
  • Oracle Open World at Moscone Center
  • Memories in the Making Alzheimer's Walk on Treasure Island

Each of the events is expected to draw thousands.  And when it comes to Fleet Week, there could be as many as a million people making the trek to the shoreline to see the Blue Angels soar.

And along with the traffic headaches, comes a lot of construction to get in the way for drivers and gawkers.
     
First, the concrete bleachers near Aquatic Park are closed for a restoration project at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. That means thousands of people will be forced to find a new spot with the rest of us.

Also at a premium this year -- the grassy areas between the museum and the bocce ball courts, thanks to a caravan of construction trailers.

Crissy Field grass is all up for grabs, but the parking at the east lot is at an even higher premium this year because of a parking project.

Those in the know say if you want to park anywhere near San Francisco Bay H2O on Saturday or Sunday, you should plan to arrive by 10 a.m.

And one more thing. The City is in the middle of its one-month "traffic-calming" study at the Presidio, which will no doubt do anything but calm nerves. Presidio Boulevard is closed to cars between West Pacific Avenue and Simonds Loop and the one-way, uphill portion of Crissy Field Avenue is also closed to vehicles, among other temporary measures.

You can take transit, of course, including San Francisco Municipal Railway's F-Market streetcar, which is free this Saturday and Sunday. But remember buses and streetcars can get caught in traffic too.

Bay City News contributed to this article.

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