General Information

The San Francisco Blues Festival is the longest continuously running blues festival in the United States. Founded in 1973 by Tom Mazzolini, September 22-23, 2007 the San Francisco Blues Festival celebrates its 35th anniversary at the Great Meadow, Fort Mason, located in the City's Marina District. The Great Meadow is one of the finest sites in San Francisco, with spectacular views of the Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, passing ships and sailboats, and the surrounding hills of the City and Marin County.

There will be a free waterfront blues concert on Saturday, September 22. The San Francisco Blues Festival then moves on to the Great Meadow for the final celebration of main stage performances.

Since its beginnings in 1973, the SFBF has featured some of the biggest names in the blues, including: B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bonnie Raitt, Albert Collins, Robert Cray, Albert King, Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Etta James, Taj Majal, Keb' Mo', Little Richard, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gatemouth Brown, OtisRush, Dr. John, Carlos Santana, Los Lobos, and Delbert McClinton, to name a few.

To go along with the music, the San Francisco Blues Festival also features an array of food and beverages from California Cuisine to New Orleans delights. Micro beers and wine are available. A variety of booths will sell blues-related CD's and tapes, books, shirts, hats, posters, and many more.

Festival seating is general admission, on the grass. A reserved section, lawn seating, is also available (ADVANCE ONLY). Lawn chairs are not to exceed 30" high. Some chairs will be available for rent. Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and coverup clothing are advised. Weather is usually sunny, but ocean breezes can pick up in the late afternoons.