As the weather begins to pick up, more opportunities arise for people to spend time outside. After being cooped up in the house from the rain, students are now more inclined to make use of the warmer weather and longer days. Fortunately, throughout the spring, San Francisco offers a plethora of events that people can enjoy with their friends.

The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual event that takes place in San Francisco’s Japantown, after the cherry blossoms have bloomed. During the festival, a variety of performances showcasing Japanese culture are conducted, including drum performances, tea ceremonies, traditional dances and more. There are a variety of exhibits to watch or participate in that embrace Japanese culture. Similarly, guests are invited to try different foods, including shaved ice, musubi and takoyaki. The event takes place over two weekends, April 8 through 9 and April 15 through 16, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and entrance is free.

For those hoping to enjoy the sunshine and be around nature, the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden at Golden Gate Park is the perfect opportunity. The garden is covered with tulips and during the spring, the tulips go into full bloom. The bright colored flowers are certainly a sight to see and the garden is a nice location to host a picnic with friends. Also featured at the garden is a Dutch windmill which provides ample photo opportunities. Golden Gate Park is open to the public and features many other gardens. Whether one wishes to read a book in nature or spend the day with friends, there is a variety of options for every person.

Located at Fort Mason, Art Market San Francisco offers a unique museum experience for art lovers. As one of the largest and longest running exhibits in the Bay Area, Art Market hosts 85 galleries filled with modern art. These exhibits are not limited to paintings but also include sculptures and photographs, reminiscent of Art Basel. For those hoping to visit art museums but wondering where to begin, Art Market provides a satisfying and worthwhile taste of the contemporary art world. The gallery is open from April 21 to April 23. While tickets are required, a single day tickets and fair passes are available for $35 and $65 respectively, with the latter granting unlimited access over the weekend show.

Lastly, a traditional event to attend is a San Francisco Giants baseball game, with Opening Day on April 7 and marking the start of the regular season. Sport fanatics and casual viewers alike can enjoy Oracle Park , whether they are invested in the game or enjoying a plate of garlic fries.
Exploring the city of San Francisco is an opportunity that people often forget is a privilege distinctive to the Bay Area. Visiting these spots is a great way to build second semester memories and act as a preface to the summer.

“I’d like to go to the NorCal Cherry Blossom Festival, because I’ve always wanted to see cherry blossoms,” said senior Jennifer Huang. “I think they’re really pretty and you can’t really find them around the Bay Area often so I think this is a really unique opportunity.”
When exploring the city, visitors get chances to take photos, whether to fill their Instagram feed or simply capture the moment.