Thanks to its large population from all over the world, and of course the number of students and young people who live in the city, there are few cities as lively and exciting as San Francisco, and no matter when you visit, it always seems as though you have arrived in the most exciting part of the annual events calendar.

There are San Francisco events and happenings on most weekends throughout the year, especially during the summer months when the weather in the city is at its best. From pop festivals through to parades and from art exhibitions to film premieres and conferences, you will definitely find something to pique your interest during your visit.

One of the hottest nights in the San Francisco events calendar is the annual Gay Pride and Mardi Gras event that takes place in the gay village of the city. This features a number of different parades and plenty of live music, along with drinks promotions and special entertainment in the streets and clubs. While it may not be for everyone, it is a very relaxed occasion with plenty to appeal to most people at some level.

Thanks to the large Chinese population of San Francisco, the celebrations of Chinese New Year in San Francisco have become one of the biggest such events in the world. With major parades and fireworks throughout China Town and the surrounding area, along with a huge fire works display in the bay area, it is a great time for kids to enjoy the spectacle.

There are also a number of unique celebrations in the city including memorials to the great earthquake of 1906, which take place on April 18th, and commemorate the lives of the thousands of people who died in the quake and subsequent fires.

Overall, one of the best times to visit San Francisco is in the late summer during the grape harvest when you can travel around the wine making region in order to get the first taste of the new vintage, and enjoy the beautiful scenery and landscapes of northern California at their very best.