SF on the 4th of July. What to do, and where to eat?

[Ingvild]

Me, my boyfriend and another couple are staying in SF from 3th-5th of July. We are wondering what to do and where to eat on the 4th of July. Seems like many restaurants are closed. We are coming all the way from Norway, and would like to go to a nice restaurant with great food. But also experience the 4th of July, and how you celebrate this day.

We are in the age between 25 and 30 years old. We would like to eat any kind of food, but since its Independence day we would really like to go to a nice place. We are not worried about money this day!

Appreciate all suggestions!

[The Chowhound Team]

Just a friendly reminder, Folks, Chowhound is about finding great food and drink, posts discussing entertainment or general tourism are out of scope for this forum.

[chocolatetartguy]

FIREWORKS on July 4. Are they near the Ferry Building now, rather than Crissy Field. If so, you could eat at the Ferry Building and then hunker down along the Embarcadero and wait for the show.

[Robert Lauriston]

They were at Crissy Field last year. Culinary wasteland. I don't get the enthusiasm for the Warming Hut or What's Up Dog.

[ceekskat]

You can check opentable.com about 30-60 days prior to see what's open and then narrow the list from there.

[Ingvild]

Will do. Thanks for the advice!

[Robert Lauriston]

Foodwise, the main Independence Day traditions are picnics and back-yard barbecues. In San Francisco it's sometimes too cold and foggy for either.

[DavidT]

Are you sure that many restaurants will be closed on July 4? That would surprise me and I have lived here for almost 40 years.

[Ingvild]

I've checked out a few, and they were all closed. So I just assumed that many of the restaurants were closed on 4 July. But its good to know that thats not the case. Thanks!

[waldrons]

If you are looking at restaurants geared to the Financial District crowd (Tadich Grill, maybe Wayfare Tavern and even Slanted Door), they may well be closed on July 4 (and other holidays). But most of the neighborhood restaurants and other restaurants geared to locals should be open.

But restaurants with views of the fireworks (and indeed, the whole Fisherman's Wharf area where you can see the fireworks) are a mess on the Fourth. Some won't take reservations, and even if you have them, there is frequently a long wait for your table as people don't want to leave.