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Massive SkyStar Ferris Wheel re-opens
The SkyStar Ferris Wheel re-opened at noon on Thursday, March 4, 2021 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.
OAKLAND, Calif. - After more than a year of a pandemic led to the repeated closing and reopening of Bay Area attractions, the region is cautiously reopening its museums, parks and other major sites.
For now and likely for the foreseeable future, mask requirements and social distancing will be in effect at most attractions. In many cases, reservations are mandatory.
California's economy is essentially slated to fully reopen on June 15, which is when Gov. Newsom has said he plans to abandon the color-coded tier system for counties. Until then, check out this guide to California's color-coded tiers to find out what other businesses are allowed tobe open in each Bay Area county.
Here's a growing list of some of the highlights that have reopened and some information that can help you plan a visit.
SAN FRANCISCO
Asian Art Museum Reopened with 25% capacity and timed ticketing. New hours are 1 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday to Monday. Museum is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday nights open late with discounted admission. First Sundays are free.
California Academy of Sciences. Hours and ticket information are listed here.
Conservatory of Flowers Admission to the Conservatory will continue to be free every first Tuesday of the month.
The de Young Museum is free for Bay Area residents every Saturday with RSVPs available online. General admission is free for all on first Tuesdays.
San Francisco Botanical Garden Open seven days a week but onsite programs on hold until further notice. Advanced tickets recommended. Free for San Francisco residents with valid ID. Free for all daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monthly free day for all the second Tuesday of every month.
San Francisco Giants games are open to fans with certain precautions. Fans must prove they do not have COVID-19.
San Francisco Zoo. Hours and ticket information here.
SFMOMA. Hours and ticket information are listed here.
The SkyStar Ferris Wheel is open in Golden Gate Park from noon to 10 p.m. during the week and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the weekends. A deal was recently approved that allows the Ferris wheel to remain in the park for four more years.
Legion of Honor. The Legion of Honor reopens to the public Friday May 7 with a special exhibition on Life in Pompeii. (Free General Admission on Saturdays, and every day for Essential Workers*). Schedule your visit here.
SF Public Pools. San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced all of the city's public pools will reopen by mid-June. In the orange tier, outdoor pools are allowed to reopen at 50% capacity and indoor pools at 25% capacity. Mission District's Mission Community Pool, the city's only outdoor public pool is currently open.
On April 20, Martin Luther King Jr. Pool in the Bayview District and Sava Pool in the Sunset District are set to reopen. Then on May 1, the newly renovated Garfield Pool, also in the Mission District, will reopen. On May 17, North Beach Pool and Coffman Pool in Visitacion Valley will reopen.
Balboa Pool is set to reopen on June 1, followed by Hamilton Pool in the Western Addition neighborhood opening on June 7. Lastly, Rossi Pool in the city's Richmond District, which is currently undergoing a renovation project, will reopen sometime in mid-June.
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Golden Gate Park Ferris wheel may get four year extension
San Francisco's parks department wants to extend a new Ferris wheel attraction in Golden Gate Park for another four years. The ride, operated by a private contractor, was originally intended as part of the park's 150th anniversary festivities that were heavily disrupted by the pandemic.
EAST BAY
Children's Fairyland in Oakland. Hours and ticket information are listed here.
Oakland A's games at the Coliseum opened April 1 with certain precautions.
Oakland Zoo. Hours and ticket information are here. The zoo was one of the first destinations to welcome visitors again starting in February.
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Oakland Zoo’s latest reopening a sign of hope and normalcy
The Oakland Zoo has closed twice since the pandemic, but reopened Wednesday with COVID safety measures in place. KTVU's Rob Roth reports on the excitement over a sign of hope and normalcy.
The steam trains reopened in Berkeley's Tilden Park on April 3 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week. Ticket information here.
SOUTH BAY
California's Great America reopens May 22.
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose reopened on April 2.
Happy Hollow Park and Zoo is open by reservation only for Walk Through the Zoo tours.
San Jose Museum of Art reopened on March 12.
PENINSULA
Bel Mateo Bowling Alley in San Mateo reopened on March 17.
The Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University opens to the public on April 21.
Filoli Gardens in Woodside is open, but requires an online reservation to visit.
Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos is open to the public on weekends.
San Mateo County Fair in San Mateo begins June 5 and ends June 13. It's one of the first major annual events in California to announce that it will be back with in-person events.
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COVID safety a priority at returning San Mateo Co. fair
San Mateo County announced it will host an in-person county fair this June, making it one of the first major public events in California since early 2020. There will be a strong emphasis on COVID safety.
San Mateo County Historical Museum in Redwood City is open and free on the first Friday of every month.
NORTH BAY
Safari West in Santa Rosa is again offering a chance to see African animals. reservations and face masks are required, of course.
Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito. Admission is free to Bay Area residents the first Wednesday of every other month.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo opened on April 1. Here's what the first day back was like for visitors.
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Six Flags Discovery Kingdom safely reopens rides to guests after being closed for over a year
KTVU's Tom Vacar reports on Six Flags Discovery Kingdom's first day back with rides after being closed for over a year.
BEYOND THE BAY AREA
Monterey Bay Aquarium opens on May 15.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk opened its rides on April 1.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk rides ready to reopen
Starting Thursday, California's theme parks can reopen for the first time since last year. In Santa Cruz, rides at the Beach Boardwalk are preparing to reopen, but business is already strong.
Disneyland in Anaheim will open April 30, the company announced. Here's what you need to know about making reservations and purchasing tickets.
Universal Studios Hollywood announced it will reopen on April 16 for California residents