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Kimpton Recommended San Francisco Events

Looking for an excuse to spend some quality time in the city John Steinbeck called 'a golden handcuff with the key thrown away'? We don't blame you! San Francisco is always happily hustling and bustling, with cable cars chiming and fog horns alerting you to ships passing on the Bay. This Winter and Spring are full of great only in San Francisco events. Plan your escape with a Kimpton Hotel right in the center of it all.

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— APRIL —
Cherry Blossom Festival
Japantown @ Post & Buchanan Streets San Francisco CA 94115
APRIL: The annual San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival is a two weekend long celebration of the Japanese and Japanese American culture. Take in all the city has to offer with authentic food and art festivals.

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— FEBRUARY —
Chinese New Year
Market and Second Street San Francisco CA
FEBRUARY: Celebrate Chinese New Year in San Francisco with more than 3 million people. Floats and a 28 foot golden dragon, Chinese and American traditions are celebrated in the more than 150 year old parade.

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— FEBRUARY —
Macworld
FEBRUARY: One of the most awaited events of the year in San Francisco is the Macworld Conference. Join in the fun with all things Tech related.

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Union Square Ice Rink
JANUARY: Enjoy a little fresh air after all that shopping at the Ice Rink in Union Square this Winter. The rink will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. November 7th, until January 21st, 2013.

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San Francisco Ballet's "Nutcracker"
DECEMBER: San Francisco Ballet's sparkling production of Nutcracker, set here in our own "City by the Bay," has introduced audiences of all ages to the magnificent world of ballet. This holiday season, experience the beauty and athleticism of SF Ballet's international cast of world-class dancers in Nutcracker, a San Francisco tradition since 1944. December 7th-28th.

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Embarcadero Center Ice Rink
NOVEMBER: The Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center November: Delighting families, couples and ice skating enthusiasts for over twenty years, the Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center, the largest outdoor rink, will open to the public for nine magical fun-filled weeks beginning November 7th through January 6th, 2013.

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Pier 39's Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration
NOVEMBER: Welcome the holiday season with a day of holly-jolly magic and merriment at PIER 39! Engage in fun for the whole family with interactive exhibits, special meet-and-greets, live holiday music sing-alongs, and more. Sunday, November 18, 2012, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

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Ghirardelli Square Tree Lighting
NOVEMBER: Enjoy free, live entertainment for the entire family throughout the day at Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, culminating with the lighting of the Ghirardelli Square tree at 5:30 p.m., November 23rd, 2012.

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Macy's Union Square Great Tree Lighting
NOVEMBER: Macy's gift to the City of San Francisco and its most recognized Christmas tree will be officially lit at 6 p.m. in Union Square Friday, November 23, 2012.

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US Half Marathon San Francisco
NOVEMBER: For 10 years, the US Half Marathon in San Francisco has celebrated America's best running city. With gorgeous landscapes, tailor-made running weather, and Golden Gated views of world-renowned landmarks, you'll rarely enjoy a better course.  November 4th, 2012.

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Nike Woman's Marathon
OCTOBER: The Nike Woman's Marathon on October 14th is the largest marathon in the world & we love that it takes place right here in San Francisco. Starting in Union Square and ending at the Pacific Ocean certainly sounds just about perfect to us not to mention raising awareness and funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, while you're at it. www.sirfrancisdrake.com/location/marathon-tips

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America's Cup Trials
OCTOBER: Witness history in San Francisco when America's Cup Trials sailors compete in the host city for the 34th America's Cup coming to San Francisco in 2013. The sailing trials will be held October 4th-7th 2012 in one of the toughest sailing venues in the world, the San Francisco Bay.

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Outside Lands 2012
AUGUST: Golden Gate Park, which is actually larger than central park in NYC, is one of the best music venues on the entire West Coast (if you ask us!) It's especially perfect for enjoying Outside Lands August 12th- 14th and its 3 days of music, wine, food and art.

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America's Cup World Series
AUGUST: The America's Cup World Series Season Two kicks off in the summer of 2012 in the United States. The opening event will be in San Francisco from August 21-26, 2012, as the teams continue to hone their skills on the physically-challenging AC45 wing-sailed catamarans. Each regatta is a combination of practice and championship racing, with additional practice sailing on-site ahead of each event.

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The San Francisco Marathon
JULY: On July 29th runners will take the city as their own and cross the Golden Gate Bridge on foot. With several different options to choose from to participate in, this marathon really does have something for everyone. From a 5K to a 52.4 Ultramarathon! Decide which challenge you're up for and we'll see you this Summer in San Francisco.

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US Open Comes to San Francisco
JUNE: The US Open hits the Bay Area June 14th-17th and the stage is being set already at the Olympic Club. Expected to attract 35,000 people per day the California Summer sun is sure to make the US Open that much better.

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San Francisco Pride
JUNE: 2012 marks the 42nd anniversary of the San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade. The theme is "Global Equality" and the event will be held June 23-24, 2012. San Francisco Pride Celebration is the largest gathering of LGBT people and allies in the nation. The Parade, which takes place Sunday morning the 24th and kicks off from Beale Street along Market ending at Market and 8th St. right in the heart of downtown San Francisco.

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Golden Gate Bridge Celebrates 75 Years
MAY: Memorial Day means even more to San Francisco this year as we come together to celebrate the Golden Gate Bridge's 75th Birthday! We all take pride in the magnificent landmark that helps define San Francisco you can be sure that when we sign up to spend the weekend commemorating "the bridge that couldn't be built" it is going to be one for the record books.

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— MAY —
Bay to Breakers
TBD San Francisco CA
MAY: Participate in one of San Francisco's most popular and longest-running events! The Bay to Breakers race is on Sunday May 19th at 7am and if you want to join the fun, put on your best costume and join the tradition also known as one of San Francisco's longest standing parties, taking place all the way from the Bay to the Breakers.

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— ONGOING —
The Bay Lights Project
CURRENTLY: The Bay Lights is the world's largest LED light sculpture, 1.8 miles wide and 500 feet high. Inspired by the Bay Bridge's 75th Anniversary, its 25,000 white LED lights are individually programmed by artist Leo Villareal to create a never-repeating, dazzling display across the Bay Bridge West Span through 2015.

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— JUNE —
San Francisco Pride
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl San Francisco CA 94102
JUNE: 2013 marks the 43rd anniversary of the San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade. The event will be held June 29-30, 2013. San Francisco Pride Celebration is the largest gathering of LGBT people and allies in the nation. The Parade, which takes place Sunday morning the 30th and kicks off from Beale Street along Market ending at Market and 8th St. right in the heart of downtown San Francisco.

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— JULY through SEPTEMBER —
2013 America's Cup
Opening Series July 4-5: Special events, including Fleet Racing.

Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin July 7-August 4: Challenger Candidates compete in match racing. Defender Trials to be held simultaneously.

Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals August 6-14: Challenger Candidates compete in match racing. Defender Trials to be held simultaneously.

Louis Vuitton Cup Final August 17-30: Challenger Candidates compete in match racing, 2 races per racing day. Best of 13 Race Series (First boat to win 7 races). Defender Trials to be held simultaneously.

America's Cup Match September 7-21: 34th Defense of the America's Cup. Race 1 of the 2013 America’s Cup Finals is scheduled to be held on the San Francisco Bay this September. The 34th Match for the America’s Cup stands to be historic on many fronts and is one of the sailors’ favorite venues to sail in the world. Golden Gate YC's representative versus the Winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup. 2 races per racing day. Best of 17 Race Series (First boat to win 9 races wins the America's Cup).

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— AUGUST —
Outside Lands 2013
AUGUST: Golden Gate Park, the largest park on the west coast is one of the best music venues there is (if you ask us)! It's especially perfect for enjoying Outside Lands August 9th-11th and its 3 days of music, wine, food and art.

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