October brings out the best in San Francisco: Niners Sundays, public art, homage to Cable Cars, Blue Angels soaring across crisp, fog-free skies. It opens with fine weather and goes out with a bang: San Francisco's top holiday, Halloween:
Artists citywide throw open their doors during San Francisco Open Studios. Guests get unique insights into the creative workspaces and processes of the city's artists, who'll have ample wares for sale. More than 700 artists of multiple mediums: glass, sculpture, furniture, painting, mixed media, and photography. Citywide, Oct 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27; 415-861-9838
Who's the Ding Dong Daddy? Clangers vie for the crown at the Cable Car Bell Ringing Championship, a time-honored tradition held in Union Square. Contestants (MUNI drivers) are judged on rhythm, technique, originality, and style; crowd approval should factor in. Union Square, noon Oct 17; 415-474-1887
After a year's absence, Fleet Week returns to the Bay Area as America's boys and girls in white swoop into town in full whoop. The Navy's elite Blue Angels buzz the city from Thursday, Oct. 10, and the Parade of Ships is Oct. 12. Grab a hilltop spot for the Air Show, Oct 12-13. Embarcadero and citywide, Oct 10-13; 415-487-6453, ship tours 510-263-1821
The San Francisco Jazz Festival delivers a world-class lineup, befitting this great jazz town. Legends and local faves play 11 venues around the city over 18 days, kicking off October 23 with the Rebirth Brass Band and "New Orleans in SF." Father of free jazz Ornette Coleman leads his trio at Davies Symphony Hall; King of Western Swing Merle Haggard salutes Bob Wills at Masonic Auditorium. Citywide, Oct 23-Nov 10; 800-850-7353
World beat bounces among the eucalyptus trees during Reggae in the Park, as Toots and the Maytalls, Junior Reid, the Itals and others get Golden Gate Park feeling Irie. Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park, Oct 5-6; 415-458-1988
Proud North Beach residents and all lovers of Italy welcome the ageless Italian Heritage Parade, now in its 134th year. The largest Columbus Day parade in the West features floats, a Ferrari show, and ample food and drink specials. Parade route Fisherman's Wharf to North Beach, Oct 13; 415-434-1492
San Francisco's movie palace, the Castro Theatre, struts its avant-garde stuff with a three-week retrospective of Japanese master Akira Kirosawa, capped by a week's run of his magnum opus, the Seven Samurai. 429 Castro St, Oct 11-31; 415-621-6120
Hard to picture today, but this urban cosmopolis has a deep pioneer past. Get in touch with San Francisco's Western roots at the Grand National Rodeo, where top circuit cowboys and cowgirls vie in championship qualifiers. Arabian horses, horse jumping, sheep dogs, antique tractors. Cow Palace, Oct 25-Nov 3; 415-404-4100
There's a whole other sort of roundup going on at the legendary Exotic Erotic Ball. San Francisco's wild side comes out in full regalia in this celebration of all things deliciously decadent and bawdy. MC Nina Hartley and special guest Anna Nicole Smith. Cow Palace, Oct 19; 888-EXOTIC-6
And of course, Halloween, in the Castro District and across town. Oct 31.
- Jay Cooke is a San Francisco-based travel, food, and culture writer.
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