Coming as no real surprise, San Francisco Recreation and Parks officials announced Tuesday that the annual 420 celebration in Golden Gate Park will be canceled for a second year due to Covid-19 local and state restrictions on large gatherings.
While The City’s Covid-19 case rate remains low, Mayor London Breed said The City is still not in a place where where large gatherings are considered safe. Advising people to not come to Golden Gate Park looking to celebrate 420, Breed said:
“Please do your part to keep our community safe and celebrate from home. Anyone travelling to Golden Gate Park or Hippie Hill looking for a party will be disappointed.”
Officials said fencing will surround the area of Robin Williams Meadow early Monday through Wednesday.
Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg said in a statement:
“Hippie Hill will be completely inaccessible. Law enforcement will be patrolling the area. It will be a serious buzzkill.”
Police officers and rangers will patrol the area and disperse any large gatherings and unpermitted vendors from the area. Rec and Park officials warn that citations may be handed out for those who do not comply. Parking control officers will monitor surrounding areas.
Golden Gate Park access will be limited in general. Nancy Pelosi Drive and Blowing Green Drive will be restricted to visitors heading to the tennis center and museums. Martin Lurther King Jr. Way from Kezar Drive to the San Francisco Botanical Gardens will also be closed Tuesday.
Department of Public Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax said in a statement that holding a 420 celebration like in previous years “would set our reopening back significantly.” He said The City remains concerned about the recent Covid-19 surges across Europe caused by variants.
Officials recommend people safely celebrate 420 at home and watch live stream events.
Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.
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