My parents will be in town this weekend and love themselves a Blue Angels show. However, my dad has limited mobility and the thought of navigating the city crowds is already giving me a panic attack. They are also into cool old building history so I was planning on a visit to Faction with them, so it occurred to me that it might be a good place to sit and maybe get a peek at the air show. I've never been and am not sure what the show is like - does anyone know if we'd be able to get a glimpse from the seats out front of Faction, or is the show too far over towards the Golden Gate?
I watched the Blue Angels from Hanger One (next door) 6 years ago. You can definitely get a view, but most of the action seems to be on the other side of Treasure Island. Worth noting, Faction is absolutely slammed on the weekends these days. In the afternoon on a clear day, you are lucky to get a seat or even a portion of a barrel. Also, expect to stand in long slow-moving lines to get yourself a beer.
MrDave is right. Most of the action takes place between the bridges with them regrouping over the northern and central parts of the city and ocean beach.
set your dad on a rolling cooler (with your/his favorite beer). roll him to the back of the Fort Mason buildings Thursday &/or Friday. those are practice days - much less crowded, usually a few photo nerds. ship parade is Friday this year so i expect it may be slightly more heavy than years past where Friday was airshow practice only. another good spot is Aquatic Park. the Navy takes possession of the pier there tho' which is the furthest point out absent being on a boat - is your dad a vet? they might let him on the pier if so. often there's alternate BA (Blue Angel) pilots on said pier along with a ton of retired vets, many of which also are limited in mobility. worth a shot. you'll witness plenty of close up, very LOW action from either location. if you don't do well with ground rattling noise - ear plugs are recommended!
Thanks for the responses. I haven't been up to Faction in a few months and I've never seen it busy - yikes! Glad they're doing well but I kind of liked how low key it was. Maybe we should just suck it up and go to the city then... The family is from Traverse City MI and gets the Blue Angels every other 4th. They also have pier access there so they know what they are in for!
