San Francisco

Crowds pack San Francisco for Fleet Week festivities

NBC Universal, Inc.

Lots of people headed to San Francisco on Saturday for the Fleet Week weekend activities. Some were disappointed that the ever-popular Blue Angels canceled their flight due to fog.

But, you wouldn't be able to tell the Blue Angels were called off by the crowds in San Francisco Saturday night.

Fleet Week organizers say the Blue Angels went up for an observation flight and determined it was too foggy to fly. So, their part of the air show was called off at around 3:30 p.m. But crowds stuck around for many other Fleet Week activities.

"Got to see some jets, just not the Blue Angels, but thatโ€™s OK, it happens," said Becky Swartzman of Redding who came down for the day to see the Fleet Week events. Swartzman said she still enjoyed watching the other aircraft that flew in the air show earlier that day.

Pier 39 was packed with people checking out the military ships docked there and listening to a Navy Rock band performing.

"I have family that lives out in this area, so Iโ€™ve spent a lot of time out here, but Iโ€™ve never seen this pier this busy," said Jennifer Tran who was visiting with her family from Florida.

Businesses around Pier 39 tell us they've seen a surge in visitors this week.

Dylan Defreitas, who owns several businesses on Pier 39, including a shop called Expedition, said, "So far, just looking around and where we're at right now, it's actually an increase [in business] over previous years for us. "

"It's been very positive,'' he continued.

Rodrigo Gonzalez, a manager with the new Amici's East Coast Pizzeria at Pier 39, said that despite the Blue Angels being called off, "it's still been a really busy day, Iโ€™m still getting a good vibe from people, they're still upbeat and having a good time."

Gonzalez said that people from all around California, all around the country, and even around the world have been heading to the pier during Fleet Week. He noted that business was particularly busy on Saturday.

San Francisco Travel told NBC Bay Area that it would take them a few weeks to gather the hotel occupancy data to determine how busy this year's Fleet Week was compared to previous years.

The festivities continue on Sunday with another air show, and -- weather permitting-- the Blue Angels are expected to take to the skies.

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