Where To Watch The Solar Eclipse In San Francisco & Oakland

Where To Watch The Solar Eclipse In San Francisco & OaklandPhoto: Takeshi Kuboki/Flickr
Teresa Hammerl
Published on August 20, 2017

You don't need to be an astronomer to know that tomorrow brings the nation's first total solar eclipse in 38 years. Although Bay Area observers aren't along the path of totality, sky watchers will still be able to catch a partial eclipse.

One big question for viewers is if whether Karl the Fog will play along. The National Weather service expects patchy fog before 11am for San Francisco, but otherwise it will be mostly sunny. Over in the East Bay, Oakland can expect similar conditions.

The eclipse will start at 9:01am and last until 11:37am. The peak of the eclipse will last about two minutes and 40 seconds.

San Francisco

If you haven't found eclipse glasses yet, the city will distribute them for free at an event at Civic Center from 9 to 11am.

Since its peak is expected at 10:15am, the Ortega branch library is hosting observers for a 10am event. There, 300 pairs of additional eclipse glasses will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Toddlers and parents can also enjoy a sun, moon, and space-related story time between 10:30 and 11am.

Want to be on the safe side for eclipse viewing? Head over to the Exploratorium, which is broadcasting a livestream of the total eclipse.

The California Academy of Sciences is also hosting an event: starting at 9:30am, staff and volunteers will guide museum visitors in a safe viewing of the partial eclipse. (Note: The CalAcademy store has already sold out of eclipse glasses.)

Oakland

In Oakland, enjoy the eclipse at the Chabot Space & Science Center. There, viewers will have a chance to observe how the moon covers more than 75% of the sun.

The center will be open from 8am to 1pm for viewing outside or to watch a live feed of the total eclipse in the theaters. Eclipse glasses have already sold out, so don't forget to bring your own.

The Main Library at 125 14th St. will also be holding a partial eclipse viewing party. Festivities start at 9:30am, and like the Chabot, it has already run out of free eclipse glasses. 

How To View The Eclipse Safely

Rangers watch a solar eclipse with viewing glasses. | Photo: Lassen NPS/Flickr

No matter where you watch it, keep in mind that it's not safe to look directly at the sun without glasses or filters that are compliant with the NASA-recommended ISO 12312-2 safety standard.

Sunglasses are also not safe, and some of the eclipse glasses sold on Amazon are also not compliant.

Residents with telescopes and binoculars will also need to be careful, as NASA warns that "the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury."

Both Oakland and SF Public Library branches handed out free glasses, but if you haven't gotten a pair by now, it's probably too late. But don't worry, you still have other options—including making your own pinhole camera to safely project and view the eclipse.

Eyeglasses retailer Warby Parker in Hayes Valley is also giving away eclipse glasses, but it's best to give them a call to confirm availability.

We also recommend keeping an eye out for sidewalk astronomy events in your neighborhood, which may be posted on Nextdoor or Facebook.

If you prefer to stay at home or at work—it's a Monday after all—you can also watch Hoodline content partner ABC7's livestream. And if you want to get more involved, the Academy of Sciences is seeking citizen scientists to record eclipse-related animal behavior with the iNaturalist app.

Happy viewing!