San Francisco, CA
Thousands flock to SF's Hippie Hill for 'unofficial' 420 celebration
Thousands flock to SF’s Hippie Hill for ‘unofficial’ 420 celebration
Thousands of weed worshipers flocked to San Francisco’s Hippie Hill for an unofficial, but still spirited version of 420.
SAN FRANCISCO – Thousands of weed worshipers flocked to San Francisco’s Hippie Hill for an unofficial, but still spirited version of 420.
The annual pilgrimage to Golden Gate Park went on despite the absence of organized entertainment this year.
“The official 420 has been canceled,” said Tamara Barak Aparton of San Francisco Recreation and Parks ahead of the event. “It just comes down to economics. The usual organizer for 420 couldn’t get the level of sponsorship that he was accustomed to from people in the cannabis industry. I guess they’re struggling a bit, and the City, we had to cut our budget as well, so we couldn’t subsidize it.”
“I think it got pretty packed for a canceled event,” said one 420 attendee, lighting up a joint as the clock struck twenty-past-four on Saturday.
Still, the crowd was noticeably smaller than in years past when live bands, concession stands, and other attractions beckoned weed lovers to the grassy expanse.
San Francisco 4/20: Thousands chill at Hippie Hill
It’s the unofficial cannabis holiday, 4-20 and in San Francisco, thousands trek out to Hippie Hill and celebrate.
“Having a high old time,” said Bill Parker amid a cloud of smoke on Hippie Hill with his wife.
“It’s not as lively or something, but it’s totally fun,” said Patrice Parker.
But, as some attendees pointed out, there was a time when none of the additional amusements existed. The celebration 420 started out as a rebellious gathering of weed fans in the 70’s far before its legalization in the State.
“It’s back to being the way it was in the beginning,” said Debbie Harms. “It’s just a really nice vibe. Everybody’s happy. There wasn’t a bunch of fences and regulations and advertising this year. It was really nice.”
San Francisco’s famed Fisherman’s Wharf district is seeing a surge in sea lions.
They’re lounging, biting each other and generally making a ruckus in numbers not seen in more than a decade.
First appearing at Pier 39 after the 1989 earthquake, the sea lions have become a well-known tourist attraction.
The number of sea lions crashing at the pier fluctuates over the seasons. On most days more than a hundred can be seen.
But this week, Pier 39 has counted more than one thousand sea lions, the most they’ve seen there in 15 years.
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — From the stages to the food trucks, San Francisco took another step towards a comeback Thursday night with its first Downtown First Thursdays.
“Make it feel like there are actually things that are happening in downtown San Francisco and make us think of a future in this city, that gives us hope,” said San Francisco resident, Kenny Green.
Thursday night’s kickoff marked the first of many block parties in the SoMa District, scheduled for the first Thursday of each month. “It’s a fun vibe and it’s nice to see a lot of the stores I see at other events, and the food smells great,” said San Francisco resident, Neeti Ganjur.
MORE: Can you find them? Scavenger hunt underway throughout San Francisco for valuable hidden coins
“San Franciscans need to remember we are great at throwing a party and celebrating; getting people back to downtown,” said District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey. “Hopefully this is the kind of thing that makes people who have the option of working from home or commuting want to come downtown and that’s good for our businesses.”
“Even if people come downtown to work they leave as soon as it’s done, so it’s fun to have something nearby for all the coworkers and friends to join up and enjoy time together downtown,” said San Francisco resident Mary Keenan.
And for business owners like jeweler Meghan Zore, the event is a welcome sight.
“I mean they’re expecting 10,000 people tonight – that’s amazing on a Thursday,” Zore. “San Francisco in my mind is hope. San Francisco is change. We’re going through a transition period, but all that means is an opportunity for new stuff to bloom.”
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