Special offer

Stern Grove summer festival in full swing in San Francisco

By
Real Estate Agent with Compass CA DRE# 01215160

Some people might say summer in San Francisco means fog and chilly winds, but to others summer in San Francisco means FREE Sunday afternoon concerts in Stern Grove.

2017 marks the 80th year when residents and visitors alike enjoy a wide variety of music in the majestic natural amphitheater surrounded by huge eucalyptus, redwood and fir trees. Located in the western side of the City, Stern Grove at the corner of Sloat Boulevard and 19th Avenue, near the West Portal and Sunset neighborhoods, not far from the San Francisco Zoo.

map, location of Stern Grove, SF

In 2017, concerts started in June and run through August 27. Next up:

  • Sunday July 23, 2:00 PM - Los Angeles Azules, a Mexican group playing a fusion of 1950s/60s electronic music. They will be joined by Ballet Folklorio de San Francisco, a dance troupe dedicated to keeping folk dances of Mexico alive. 
  • Sunday July 30, 2:00 PM - the San Francisco Ballet, directed by Helgi Tomasson, will be performing dances from their current repertoire.

Here's a complete schedule of performances at Sigmund Stern Grove in 2017 and a brief history of the 80 years the public has been enjoying these concerts.

Bring your picnic (or buy food there); bring your lawn chairs and paper to read; bring your sun screen, sun hats and sweatshirts and blankets -- and arrive early!

 

Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Ron and Alexandra Seigel - these free concerts at Stern Grove have been going on for 80 years! I remember my parents taking me there once when I was a child. Going with friends and a lovely picnic lunch is the absolute best. Did you parent live in SF?

Jul 19, 2017 08:44 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

When I grew up we used to go to parks and have picnics with my parents, I miss those carefree days, glad other are still doing it, Endre

Jul 19, 2017 10:24 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I'm reading the comment left by Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents .  I haven't been to the zoo in your city since the 1970s.  I remember the Fleishhacker Zoo.  Is it the same as the San Francisco Zoo?

Jul 20, 2017 03:53 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Sounds like a great event, Lottie... and going strong after 80 years is really something. And boy do I remember those chilly and foggy summer days in SF when I lived there.

Jul 20, 2017 04:31 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Good morning, Endre Barath, Jr. - carefree picnics in the park with friends and family are a rare treat. 

 

Jul 20, 2017 06:12 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Myrl Jeffcoat - yes, SF Zoo is one and the same as Fleishacker. Don't know why the name change. Same thing with Strybing Arboretum in Golden Gate Park--now called SF Botanical Garden.

Nina Hollander - layers are always wise in SF - weather changes from hour to hour, neighborhood to neighborhood. Last Sunday we were strolling around the arboretum in GGP in short sleeves, wearing sun hats.

Jul 20, 2017 06:16 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Free Sunday concerts, I am all about that and I sure they are a lot of fun for all those that attend!

Jul 20, 2017 07:30 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Brian England - FREE concerts are always a pleasure; if going to Stern Grove, one has to be prepared for crowds - go early and enjoy the day.

Jul 20, 2017 07:52 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Lottie... that's how we could always tell the tourists... in July and August they were walking around in shorts and t-shirts covered with goose bumps!

Jul 20, 2017 08:57 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Lots of things have changed in the City in recent years....but summer tourists with goose bumps remains the same. (Although we're having a beautiful summer this year.)

Jul 20, 2017 10:52 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Actually, I do not know where Stern Grove is.   I do know Lowell High has produced a lot of smart people. I know one who is a faculty at UC Berkeley. He is the authoritative on Tek Guan Do injury.

Jul 20, 2017 09:21 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

This is my sort of concert series since I love all music Lottie Kendall 

Jul 20, 2017 10:49 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Sam Shueh - Stern Grove is easy to miss. As you drive north on 19th Avenue, the entrance is at the corner of 19th and Sloat. You'll see a grove of trees. What you don't see is that the land plunges steeply down; at the bottom is the gorgeous amphitheatre, with walking trails to nearby Mountain Lake. 

Jul 21, 2017 07:54 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

The range of music at the Stern Grove summer concerts is eclectic and varied. Classical, reggae, pop, blues, hip-hop, country, jazz -- something for everyone, Paul S. Henderson, CRS, REALTOR®, 

Jul 21, 2017 07:55 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Lottie this is my kind of Sunday afternoon activity!  I love San Fransisco anytime of the year but especially in summer time!  Enjoy!

Jul 21, 2017 09:31 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I thought only homeless are sleeping behind the trees.... What do I know?

Jul 21, 2017 10:12 AM
Laura Allen, Lake Tahoe - Truckee Real Estate for Sale TahoeLauraRealEstate.com
Coldwell Banker Realty, Tahoe City, CA (530) 414-1260 - Tahoe City, CA
Tahoe Real Estate Agent Helping Buyers and Sellers

Lottie Kendall - Free Sunday afternoon concerts, now those are the events that make summer special!  I hope you get to go and enjoy several of them!

Jul 21, 2017 05:00 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Anna Banana Kruchten, CRS - I think these concerts at Stern Grove would be right up your ally.

Jul 22, 2017 07:20 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Well, Sam Shueh - lots of people enjoy our trees and pathways - including hikers like me!

Jul 22, 2017 07:20 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Good morning, Laura Allen, Lake Tahoe - Truckee Real Estate for Sale www.TahoeLauraLuxuryHomes.com  - these concerts at Stern Grove are a real hit with people, and have been for 80 years.

Jul 22, 2017 07:21 AM