Lest it catch you unawares, remember that this Sunday, June 11th is the 40th annual Haight Ashbury Street Fair.
If the Summer of Love-related tourism to the neighborhood so far this has been any indication, it's going to be a doozy. Here's what visitors and residents need to know:
Parking
Haight St. from Masonic to Stanyan is a no-go, of course, as are cross-streets between Page and Waller. So plan ahead, parking (if you're lucky) north of the Panhandle as soon as you can, and plan to stay there. If your weekend plans entail a car-enabled escape, make sure you park well out of the area.
Transit
As shown below, Muni lines for the 7-Noriega, 43-Masonic, 33-Ashbury/18th, and 37-Corbett will all be diverted away from the Haight St. corridor. Street closures will be in effect along Haight St. from 4am-8pm, so be prepared to meet your bus stops along Oak, Waller, and Frederick streets.
Check SFMTA for the full roster of Muni stop changes.
Tips for good living
If you're looking to avoid a fair-immersed weekend, provision thoughtfully and well. You'll want to load up on groceries and booze, or plan your Upper Haight getaway in advance.
Even though the weather's looking poorly, we recommend staking out your Panhandle picnic spot early or wandering further afield to Sharon Meadow or the Conservatory of Flowers.
The street is typically cleared of festivities starting 5pm or shortly after, but it takes a while for vendors to pack up and clear the area, so don't expect things to be back to normal until 7PM or later.
The area will be a crush afterwards, so if you want to sneak in a weekend tipple in at your favorite bar, Saturday's the night. One tip: don't even think about having takeout delivered until much later in the day.
If you'd like to remember the festivities, commemorative 40th Haight Ashbury Street Fair acid blotter artwork is available for $40, or in poster format for $20.
