SAN FRANCISCO — A free arts-and-music event will close four blocks of Balboa Street and part of 37th Avenue on Saturday, Sept. 12, bringing both a neighborhood festival and a day-long Muni detour to the Outer Richmond.
SFMTA describes Art Walk SF & Far Out Fest as a Balboa Village event running from noon to 5 p.m. and expected to draw up to 1,500 people. The Art Walk SF calendar lists its Art Walk component from 2 to 4 p.m.
Those two times are not necessarily a contradiction: the broader street event has a longer public window than the Art Walk listing. If you are planning around the street closure rather than one program, use the larger SFMTA window.
What time is Far Out Fest on Saturday?
SFMTA gives the event time as 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.
Art Walk SF’s own calendar lists 2 to 4 p.m. for its Balboa Village Art Walk. SF News Today is publishing both because readers may encounter both times online. The city traffic plan clearly treats the broader event as a noon-to-5 festival.
Which Balboa streets are closed?
SFMTA says these streets close from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.:
- Balboa Street between 35th and 39th avenues
- 37th Avenue between Anza and Cabrillo streets
The closure starts hours before the public event and continues well after it ends, so drivers should not use the noon-to-5 festival hours as the road-closure window.
How does the 31 Balboa reroute?
The 31 Balboa reroutes from about 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.. SFMTA directs inbound buses from Balboa and 40th via 40th Avenue, Anza Street and 35th Avenue before returning to Balboa. Outbound buses use the reverse pattern around the closure.
The stops at Balboa and 37th are missed, and the stop at Balboa and 40th is also affected in the outbound direction. SFMTA lists alternate stops at Balboa and 35th, Balboa and 40th/43rd and a flag stop on Anza at 37th depending on direction.
What changes on the 18 46th Avenue?
The 18 46th Avenue uses the same general detour around the closed part of Balboa, with service changes from about 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
If your destination is inside the festival blocks, expect to walk a few extra blocks from an alternate stop. Check live Muni conditions shortly before leaving for any day-of changes.
Is Far Out Fest free?
Yes. Current event listings describe the Balboa Village block party as free, with local art and live music. SFMTA characterizes it as a small arts event hosted by Balboa Village Merchants.
Because the event footprint is compact, transit is likely easier than searching for curb parking immediately next to the closure. If you drive, expect the closed Balboa blocks and surrounding residential streets to tighten the available parking supply.
Where exactly is the event?
The street closure centers on Balboa Street between 35th and 39th avenues, with 37th Avenue also closed between Anza and Cabrillo. That is the practical footprint to use for navigation.
The event is separate from the Richmond District Autumn Moon Festival on Clement Street, which is also scheduled for Sept. 12. If you are trying to attend both, allow time to cross the Richmond and check Muni reroutes before moving between them.
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