Mass — Feb 2012 (monthly)
1015 Folsom

This Sunday T-dance leaves the lads gagging for the next monthly onslaught of hard house, trance and techno at Club 1015 Folsom.

Arts of Pacific Asia Show — 3 - 5 Feb 2012 (annual)
Fort Mason Center

Around 85 leading international galleries offer ancient artefacts and contemporary art from Pacific and mainland Asia during the Arts of Pacific Asia Show. The three-day event is held at San Francisco's Fort Mason Center.

N. Chi Camel. 550-577 AD China 12" tall. Courtesy of Marc Richards Galleries

Tribal, Folk & Textiles Arts Show — 10 - 12 Feb 2012 (annual)
Fort Mason Center

A comprehensive exhibition of artwork and artefacts of indigenous cultures, the Tribal, Folk & Textiles Arts Show at San Francisco's Fort Mason Center features thousands of museum-quality, pre-1940 items. Over 80 galleries and dealers from around the world are represented.

Wood Masks (pair).? Vietnam 20th century. Height 18.1". Courtesy of Tana-Sachau Collection

Chinese New Year Festival & Parade — 14 Jan - 12 Feb 2012 (annual)
Chinatown

San Francisco's Chinese New Year Festival and Parade is the largest celebration of its kind outside Asia. It ushers in the next year in the cycle of 12 with a spectacular parade, complete with lion dancers, floats and Chinese acrobats.

San Francisco's Chinese New Year Festival - the crowded Flower Fair. Photo Nightlights Photography, courtesy Chinese New Year Parade

Tulipmania Festival — 18 - 26 Feb 2012 (annual)
PIER 39

You know spring has sprung when San Francisco's PIER 39 unveils its annual burst of colour throughout both its levels. With 39,000 tulips in full bloom, it's not surprising that the nine-day Tulipmania Festival has become such a local favourite.

Tulipmania at PIER 39, San Francisco. Courtesy of PIER 39

Re-Cycle — Mar 2012 (monthly)
Space 550

Don't expect to remain stationary for long when you visit Re-cycle - this is high-energy clubbing to what's billed as "great dance music spun by the professionals."

Pacific Orchid Exposition — Mar 2012 (annual)
Fort Mason Center

Celebrating some of the world's most beautiful flowers, the San Francisco Orchid Society's annual Pacific Orchid Exposition brings its beautiful blooms to Fort Mason Center. With 150,000 orchids on display it's a feast for both the eyes and the nose.

Orchids. Photo by Derek Lock, © Whatsonwhen

San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival — Mar 2012 (annual)
Castro Theatre

Attracting around 18,000 people annually, the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival is held at cinemas across the city, including Castro Theatre. It celebrates the diversity of the Asian American film industry with more than 100 features, symposia and a gala.

A still from Summer Palace, 2007. Courtesy of San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival

Across the Bay 12K — 18 Mar 2012 (annual)
San Francisco

Whether running or spectating, the Emerald Across the Bay 12K race is a must with its spectacular vistas from San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, looking out over the bay. The run attracts 5000 runners and thousands more spectators each spring.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco. Courtesy of San Francisco Convention Visitors Board

International Beer Festival — Apr 2012 (annual)
Fort Mason - Festival Pavilion

San Francisco's International Beer Festival, at the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion, has more than 200 beers on offer. The all-inclusive ticket price is your invitation to unlimited beer and food tastings.

Opening Day on the Bay — May 2012 (annual)
San Francisco Bay

Opening Day on the Bay is the Northern Californian sailing season's official opening day. Join spectators to watch over 150 boats, beautifully decorated and adorned, heading across San Francisco Bay in parade formation.

San Francisco's Opening Day of the Bay - Legends of the Sea. Courtesy of Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association

Bay to Breakers 12K — May 2012 (annual)
San Francisco

Over 100,000 runners can't be wrong. Every third Sunday in May, San Francisco is engulfed with runners - serious and silly. The route? From the San Francisco Bay piers over to the Pacific Ocean, hence the name: Bay to Breakers!

Some of the 100,000 runners who take part in the annual Bay to Breakers run, San Francisco. Photo by Cindy Chew, courtesy of ING Bay to Breakers Run

Carnaval San Francisco — May 2012 (annual)
Mission District

Join the colour and fun of Carnaval San Francisco as the city's Mission district is transformed into a Latin celebration of life every Memorial Day Weekend. It's San Francisco's largest multi-cultural event, culminating in Sunday's Grand Carnaval Parade.

Courtesy of San Francisco Carnaval

San Francisco Pride — Jun 2012 (annual)
Market Street

Pride is the largest annual celebration on San Francisco's world-famous gay scene. The march along Market Street is a colourful explosion of gyrating bodies and noise, and one of the biggest and most flamboyant parties you'll ever partake in.

A record 1.2 million people were estimated to have attended San Francisco's two-day Pride Parade and Celebration in 2008. Photo by Rick Gerharter

International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival — Jun 2012 (annual)
Castro Theatre

Held at different venues around San Francisco, the International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival is the world's premier showcase for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cinema. The festival screens 80 feature films and 150 shorts from around the world.

The Castro Theatre, a landmark for film lovers and the gay community in San Francisco. Courtesy of Garrett Culhane, San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau

Colossus Weekend — Jun 2012 (annual)
1015 Folsom

San Francisco, home to the quintessential gay lifestyle, hosts a multitude of parties over Pride Weekend. One of the best each year is Colossus, held at the trendy 1015 Folsom night club.

Drag. Photo by Bree Hogg, © Whatsonwhen

San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival — Jun - Jul 2012; Weekends only (annual)
Palace of Fine Arts

The San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival features dance styles from all over the world. For over 20 years local amateurs have entertained visitors with high-class and unusual dancing in the glorious setting of the Palace of Fine Arts.

Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu - performers at the 2003 San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. courtesy Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu

Fourth of July Fireworks — Jul 2012 (annual)
San Francisco Bay

San Francisco's huge Fourth of July firework display is the culmination of a day of music and live entertainment all along the waterfront. Watch the sky from between Fort Mason and Pier 39, or a boat on the bay.

Fourth of July Fireworks high above PIER 39. Courtesy of PIER 39

Fillmore Street Jazz Festival — Jul 2012 (annual)
Fillmore Street

Summertime and Independence Day are celebrated along 11 blocks of San Francisco's Fillmore Street (between Jackson and Eddy) as jazz pulsates from three stages. The Fillmore Street Jazz Festival is a two-day celebration in a very special jazz neighbourhood.

San Francisco's Fillmore Street trees, brighly lit. Courtesy of Fillmore Merchants Association

AIDS Walk San Francisco — Jul 2012 (annual)
Sharon Meadow

Starting and finishing at Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park, AIDS Walk San Francisco is second in size only to New York's fund-raising event. The walk itself is 10km long and lasts two to three hours.

The rainbow flag flies outside of San Francisco's City Hall. Courtesy of the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau

San Francisco Theater Festival — Aug 2012 (annual)
Yerba Buena Gardens

From classic Shakespearean drama to inspiring new works and spontaneous improv sets, San Francisco Theater Festival offers an assortment of performances to suit a range of tastes. The annual event at the Yerba Buena Gardens includes shows for children.

Lamplighters Music Theatre, "My Fair Lady" Pictured: Geoff Hoyle as Alfred P. Doolittle. Image by Loic Nicolas

San Francisco International Film Festival — Apr - Aug 2012 (annual)
San Francisco

With screenings in a number of cinemas across the Bay Area, the San Francisco International Film Festival is an unabashed celebration of moviemaking. Its scope is as wide as the Golden Gate, after which its unique awards are named.

San Francisco International Film Festival's principal venue, the city's Castro Theatre. Photo Tommy Lau

Outside Lands Festival — Aug 2012 (annual)
Golden Gate Park

Unique to San Francisco, Outside Lands is named after the area now known as Golden Gate Park. The festival attracts big bands, so join the crowds at the park's Polo Field, Speedway, and Lindley Meadows for three days of music.

The bright lights of San Francisco's Outside Lands, here with Tom Pretty and the Heartbreakers on stage. Photo © 2008 Josh Sanseri Photography, courtesy Outside Lands

Family Winemakers San Francisco Tasting — Aug 2012 (annual)
Fort Mason Center

With its palate-tingling reputation, 300 of California's wineries come together at the Fort Mason Center to present some 1000 wines to the trade and public alike. It's the world's largest tasting of the Sunshine State's finest wine.

Wine tasters throng Fort Mason at the Family Winemakers SF Tasting. Courtesy Family Winemakers of California

Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival — Sep 2012 (annual)
Ghirardelli Square

Willy Wonka eat your heart out! The Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival in San Francisco is a chocolate lover's dream. The highlight is undoubtedly the "Earthquake" Sundae-Eating Contest, where the winner takes home his or her weight in Ghirardelli chocolate.

Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival's highlight - the ice cream sundae eating competition. Photo Ghirardelli Square

Power to the Peaceful Festival — Sep 2012 (annual)
Speedway Meadow

Speedway Meadow in San Francisco's beautiful Golden Gate Park is the setting for the free Power to the Peaceful Festival. Over 60,000 people come to celebrate the notion of peace with a great line-up on stage as well as arts.

Power to the Peaceful, San Francisco. Poster image courtesy Power to the People

Free Shakespeare in the Park — Sep 2012; Weekends only (annual)
Presidio Parade Ground

Free Shakespeare in the Park is one of the major free Shakespeare programmes in the US. Every year one production is staged outdoors for three weekends. This leg of the annual series takes place at San Francisco's Presidio Parade Ground.

Image © John Western

In 2004 the event saw a production of Twelfth Night hit the open-air stage. Credit and copyright John Western

San Francisco Giants - Major League Baseball — Apr - Sep 2012 (annual)
AT&T Park

AT&T Park is home to the San Francisco Giants Major League Baseball team and stages regular games from April to September. The Giants compete in the tough National League West, which includes the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies.

AT&T Park, San Francisco. Courtesy of San Francisco Convention Visitors Board

Italian Heritage Parade — Oct 2012 (annual)
North Beach

Formerly known as Columbus Day, San Francisco's Italian Heritage Parade in North Beach is a tribute to the famous Italian explorer's "discovery" of the New World. The parade includes colourful floats and marching bands.

The flag of Italy. © Whatsonwhen

Litquake — Oct 2012 (annual)
San Francisco

Litquake shakes up San Francisco's literary community with nine days of readings, discussions and themed events. The annual event celebrates around 350 budding and established Bay-area artists at venues across San Francisco.

Michelle Tea (and dancers) during Litquake 2008. Photo by R Samuel Klatchko

Grand National Rodeo, Horse and Stock Show — Oct 2012 (various dates)
Cow Palace

The Grand National Rodeo, Horse and Stock Show is held annually at San Francisco's Cow Palace. The five-day event features a wide range of rodeo and livestock events and concerts by renowned country performers.

Rope him up! Courtesy of Henry Stuart, www.sphericalimages.com

Green Festival — Nov 2012 (annual)
Concourse Exhibition Center

Dubbed "the party with a purpose", Green Festival is held at the Concourse Exhibition Center in San Francisco, California. The two-day event welcomes green businesses and visionary speakers to cover a range of aspects regarding sustainable living.

Green Festival logo, USA. Courtesy of the Green Festival Website

San Francisco Hip Hop Dance Festival — Nov 2012 (annual)
Palace of Fine Arts

From coin drops to flares, the annual San Francisco Hip Hop Dance Festival showcases the most innovative hip-hop dance companies based in and outside the States. The festival is held over three days at the Palace of Fine Arts.

San Francisco Hip Hop DanceFest. Logo courtesy San Francisco Hip Hop DanceFest

PIER 39 Holiday Tree Lighting — Nov 2012 (annual)
PIER 39

PIER 39 Holiday Tree Lighting is a multicultural celebration of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa day. A great family outing, the event culminates in the lighting of a 65-foot tree with hundreds of decorations and thousands of twinkling lights.

Pier 39's Tree Lighting Celebration. Photo courtesy Pier 39

Great Dickens Christmas Fair — Nov - Dec 2012; Weekends only (annual)
Cow Palace

Even though Dickens never got further west than St Louis, San Francisco celebrates him in its Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace. Revelling in Victoriana, it harks back to the origin of many of America's holiday traditions.

Father Christmas arrives at San Francisco's Great Dickens Christmas Fair. Photo courtesy Red Barn Productions

San Francisco Jazz Festival — Sep - Dec 2012 (annual)
San Francisco

A crowning glory of the jazz calendar, the San Francisco Jazz Festival brings international artists to the city's great venues. New commissions, the unique "Jazz on Film" presentations, family matinées and exhibitions all make for a busy jazz jamboree.

San Francisco Jazz Festival. Courtesy of SF Jazz Festival

Kwanzaa Celebration — Dec 2012 (annual)
Bay Area Discovery Museum

The word "Kwanzaa" is a Swahili word meaning "first fruits of the harvest". Every year, San Francisco's Bay Area Discovery Museum hosts this heart-warming celebration of the African-American community. The family-orientated event includes arts and crafts and live entertainment.

A youngster is serenaded at Bay Area Discovery Museum's Kwanzaa celebration. Courtesy of Bay Area Discovery Museum

Trannyshack — Tue only
Trannyshack

Crossdressing gets a trashy, alternative twist at Trannyshack, taking place on Tuesdays at The Stud.

Drag. Photo by Bree Hogg, © Whatsonwhen

Great American Music Hall — Daily
Great American Music Hall

Built in 1907 as a restaurant/bordello in what's now the Tenderloin District, the Great American Music Hall hosts renowned indie bands amidst ornately carved balconies, frescoed ceilings and marble columns. It's possibly one of the most gorgeous rock venues around.

Great American Music Hall, San Francisco. Courtesy of Great American Music Hall

Café du Nord — Daily
Café du Nord

This sexy subterranean supper club near the Castro is set in a beautiful 1907 speakeasy with a 12m mahogany bar, rich red tones and an intimate stage. Café du Nord's line-up of indie performers is as eclectic as the crowd.

Café du Nord, San Francisco. Photo by Will Kivinski

Teatro ZinZanni — Daily; not Mon or Tue
Teatro ZinZanni

Teatro ZinZanni is a three-hour dinner theatre served in a stunningly elegant 1926 spiegeltent pitched on the Embarcadero. During the five-course meal dozens of performers combine slapstick comedy with astounding Cirque du Soleil-style physical acts. The tickets aren't cheap.

Teatro ZinZanni, San Francisco. Courtesy of Teatro ZinZanni

Redwood Room — Daily
Redwood Room

Known for its gorgeous redwood panelling made from a single 2,000-year-old tree, the downtown Clift Hotel's elegant Redwood Room bar and lounge has a plush, modern feel. The scene is mostly moneyed young professionals mingling with overpriced martinis in hand.

Redwood Room, San Francisco. Photo by Amanda Greene

Top of the Mark — Daily
Top of the Mark

Top of the Mark, perched on Nob Hill is one of the world's most famous cocktail lounges, a spectacular glass-walled room with 19th-floor views of the city. Live bands play throughout the week, from jazz to salsa and swing.

Top of the Mark, San Francisco. © Bill Holmes

Waterbar — Daily
Waterbar

In a waterfront setting on San Francisco's Embarcadero with views of the Bay Bridge and city skyline, Waterbar is a prime spot for dining on fresh sustainable seafood. Shrimp tacos or juicy oysters are enticing appetisers before main dishes such as Dover sole served whole or seared sea scallops with ruby beetroot and crème fraiche.

Waterbar, San Francisco. Courtesy of Glodow Nead

Sodini's Green Valley Restaurant — Daily
Sodini's Green Valley Restaurant

Sodini's Green Valley Restaurant in North Beach is everything you would expect from a small family-owned Italian restaurant. Friendly, vivacious staff serve hearty Italian classics on tables topped with wax-encrusted chianti-bottle candles. Both locals and tourists feast on large platters of clam linguine and chicken parmigiana while Sinatra croons in the background.

Sodini's Green Valley Restaurant, San Francisco. Photo by Garrick Ramirez

Michael Mina — Daily
Michael Mina

Celebrity Chef Michael Mina serves contemporary American cuisine with Japanese ingredients and French influence at this special occasion hotspot at Battery Plaza. Dinner is served on custom ceramic dishware in a dark walnut and cream dining room. Lunch at the bar features seasonal small plates, soups, salads and delights such as ahi tuna tartare.

Michael Mina, San Francisco. Courtesy of Mina Group

Westfield San Francisco Centre — Daily
Westfield San Francisco Centre

The 139,355m² Westfield San Francisco Centre in the downtown area is one of the few vertical malls in the United States. A spectacular century-old three-story dome towers above more than 170 speciality stores and the Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's department stores.

Westfield San Francisco Centre, San Francisco. Photo by John Martin

Lombard Street — Daily
Lombard Street

The winding one-block stretch of Lombard Street on Russian Hill is famously known as the "crookedest street in the world" and draws hundreds of visitors daily. Visitors can either drive down the brick-lined street or walk along the flower-lined staircases.

Lombard Street, San Francisco. © Tobias/Paraflyer, Germany

Beach Blanket Babylon — Daily; not Mon or Tue
Beach Blanket Babylon

Beach Blanket Babylon is a comedic musical that pokes fun at current political figures and celebrities; the costumes and oversized headdresses are outrageous. It's been playing in North Beach for more than 30 years and still almost always sells out.

Beach Blanket Babylon, San Francisco. Courtesy of Beach Blanket Babylon

The Stud — Daily
The Stud

Something of a San Francisco institution, gay club The Stud has been running for a whopping 35 years and the fun shows no sign of abating.

The Stud

Cable Cars — Daily
Cable Cars

San Francisco's three cable car lines form the world's only surviving system of Cable Cars. These mobile museum pieces haul thousands of tourists across the city every day at a steady 15km per hour. The Powell-Hyde line offers the best views.

Cable Cars, San Francisco. Courtesy of San Francisco Convention Visitors Board

GoCar Tours — Daily
GoCar Tours

GoCar Tours are trips in tiny three-wheeled convertible mini-cars designed exclusively for exploring San Francisco. The satellite-guided audio tour indicates which way to turn and what famous landmarks are along the route, and the small size makes parking easy.

GoCar Tours, San Francisco. Photo by Vadim Zaliva

Boudin at the Wharf — Daily
Boudin at the Wharf

Located at Fisherman's Wharf, Boudin at the Wharf is an industrial-chic shrine to the venerable bread company's famous sourdough loaf. Part bakery, part museum, part restaurant, more than 3,000 loaves are baked here daily. The casual lower-level café serves great clam chowder, while the more formal upstairs restaurant offers classics like Dungeness crab Louis.

Boudin at the Wharf, San Francisco. © Willie Abrams

House of Nanking — Daily
House of Nanking

House of Nanking fans happily wait up to an hour for a seat. An inconspicuous little Chinatown restaurant, it serves Shanghai-style cuisine. The brusque waiter asks about your spice/heat tolerance then recommends appropriate dishes such as lemon noodle soup or dumplings with peanut sauce. Seating is tight, so prepare to be squeezed in.

House of Nanking, San Francisco

Kokkari — Daily; not Sun
Kokkari

Located downtown, Kokkari is the city's finest Greek/Mediterranean restaurant, serving traditional Aegean dishes in a casually rustic yet lively setting with a striking fireplace, exposed wood beams and oversized furnishings. Start with the platter of whole crispy smelts (small fish) and mesquite-grilled octopus salad. The rotisserie-roasted lamb chops and pork loin are excellent as well.

Kokkari, San Francisco. Photo by Zane Mattingly

Swan Oyster Depot — Daily; not Sun
Swan Oyster Depot

Opened 1912, Swan Oyster Depot is a tiny café in Russian Hill that offers a classic San Francisco seafood dining experience. While patrons perch on stools at the long marble bar, fast and friendly servers serve fresh crab, shrimp, oysters, clams, and Boston-style clam chowder. Don't let the lunchtime queue dissuade you - it moves fast.

Swan Oyster Depot, San Francisco