SAN FRANCISCO, CA – San Francisco’s legendary 420 celebration will return to Hippie Hill/Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park on Wednesday following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, City officials and event organizers announced today.
For the first time, regulated and tested cannabis products will be available for purchase at the event, which is expected to draw up to 20,000. The new development also brings new restrictions—nobody under 21 will be allowed to enter the celebration area, which will be surrounded by two fences. Event staff will check identification and bags. Entry begins at 10 a.m. for the festival, which starts at noon and ends at 5 p.m.
“As our City continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to ensure that we are doing all that we can to safely bring back the events that make San Francisco so special,” said Mayor London Breed. “I look forward to another successful 420 in Golden Gate Park, but we need everyone to remember to pick up after themselves, stay respectful, keep things peaceful, and of course, have a good time. I want to thank the event organizers and the work of all of our City departments for making sure that this event can move forward.”
A host of City departments and event organizer Sounds Bazaar will work together to mitigate impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.
“We are pleased to welcome back the Annual 420 Celebration at Hippie Hill for the first time since 2019,” said District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston. Special thanks to all of the City staff, merchants, residents, and event organizers who have been working to make this year’s event a success. Now, more than ever, we need positive celebrations that bring people together around a culture of acceptance, love, and fun. We hope everyone has a great time!”
“One of the best parts of San Francisco is fun, connection, and celebration in our beautiful parks. We welcome everyone to enjoy the outdoors on 420, but we also ask festivalgoers respect each other, other park visitors, our neighbors, and our shared public space,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “We’re grateful to event organizers, local merchants and our fellow City departments for providing the resources and infrastructure to keep the park safe and clean—you might say it’s been a joint effort.”
"This year marks an important moment in the history of 420 at Hippie Hill, "said Nikesh Patel, director of the San Francisco Office of Cannabis. "For the first time, regulated cannabis will be available for sale and consumption at this year's event. This novel opportunity showcases the strength of San Francisco's vibrant cannabis community and brings new requirements to help create a safe, clean, and enjoyable experience for everyone who attends. If you plan on going, be mindful of your neighbors, support local businesses, and consume responsibly."
Health officials cautioned festival goers to use care while celebrating.
“We urge San Franciscans to celebrate 420 safely by taking proper health precautions. Know where the substances you’re consuming come from and only trust reputable vendors. Support yourself and those around you by being on the lookout for signs of breathing difficulty or unresponsiveness. Carry and know how to use the opioid drug reversal medicine, naloxone,” said Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax. “As COVID-19 is still circulating among us, please take care of yourself and those around you who may be medically vulnerable. You can be prepared for COVID by staying up to date on your vaccinations and keeping masks and rapid test kits on hand for extra protection in case you need them.”
In addition to cannabis and food sales, this year’s free event will feature live DJs, comedy, special appearances, and a focus on mental health. The day’s programming also includes a dedication to Robin Williams with performances by comics Jeff Ross and Hannibal Buress. Event organizers and violence prevention and youth development organization United Playaz will give 420’s first Community and Compassion Award to Eve Meyer, retired executive director of San Francisco Suicide Prevention. Meyer saved thousands of lives over her 30 years of service.
“With legal cannabis sales, we are excited to support local cannabis businesses, especially our local equity brands,” said event organizer Alex Aquino. “Echoing the Office of Cannabis, we encourage people to purchase legal, safe and tested products from our vendors on site. We are a community and cultural event based on sponsorship and donations. Purchasing product from our sponsors supports our efforts to keep the event safe and clean. We want to remind everyone that it’s 21 and over this year and thank Weedmaps, the premier destination for cannabis consumers and presenting sponsor for the festival, along with STIIIZY. Weedmaps is the premier destination for cannabis consumers.
Health and Safety
To ensure cannabis products are safe, regulated and tested, attendees should buy only from the permitted cannabis vendors at the event. This is also the best way to support local and equity cannabis businesses.
Safety around drug use is important because substances sold illicitly can contain dangerous ingredients, such as fentanyl. For more tips on safe drug use, click here.
Forty park rangers will join 90 private event security in managing safety of the event. Nobody under 21 will be admitted, and identification and vaccination status will be checked at both entrances to the double-fenced venue.
The San Francisco Fire Department will be fully staffed and monitoring the event day. Emergency medical services will be provided, including four dedicated ambulances and an onsite first aid tent.
The San Francisco Police Department will focus on public safety and crowd management. There will be an increased presence of both uniformed and plainclothes officers around the exterior of the venue, along Haight Street, the Panhandle, and Alvord Lake. Juvenile and adult probation will also be on hand to provide support.
SFPD will fully staff a command post at Park Station and have a presence at the City’s internal command center in the Sharon Arts Building.
Banned items and activities include coolers larger than 9 x 12; tents, canopies, tables or other structures; cooking/grilling equipment; amplified sound equipment or generators; glass; alcohol; wagons or carts; drones; weapons; pets; tobacco; cannabis product exceeding 1 ounce; large bags; and unpermitted vending or giveaways.
While driving to the event is highly discouraged, motorists should use care to not block driveways, leave items in their cars, or smoke and drive.
Traffic Impacts
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) expects significant congestion in the area from 3 to 7 p.m. and recommends motorists avoid the area in and around Golden Gate Park and allow extra time to reach destinations. Eighteen parking control officers will be on hand to prevent gridlock and ensure safe pedestrian crossing in the area. Walking, biking and transit are best as parking in the area is extremely limited.
- Reroutes will be in place on the 7, 33, 37, 43, and 66 lines to avoid crowds in the area. See sfmta.com/420 for reroute details and maps.
- Transit to the event: Route 7 and the N-Judah are recommended.
- Transit from the event: SFMTA will provide Express Bus Service from the event to Civic Center BART. Board the shuttle on JFK by Conservatory Drive, by the JFK Event Entrance.
- Rideshare drop off and pick up will be in the traffic circle in front of McLaren Lodge at JFK and Stanyan
- There will be no impact to car-free JFK.
Closed Streets
For a list of planned street closures and a map, please go to sfmta.com/420.
In addition, the following streets in Golden Gate Park will be closed 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- 9th Avenue at MLK Jr. Drive
- Nancy Pelosi Drive at MLK Jr. Drive
- MLK Jr. Drive at Kezar Drive
- 7th Avenue and Lincoln Way
- Fulton Street and Arguello Boulevard
The Golden Gate Park Tennis Center and Koret Children’s Quarter will be closed all day on 420.
Keeping it Clean
The event organizer is providing additional trash, recycling and compost receptacles, as well as 185 portable toilets for the event, including 50 in the surrounding neighborhood.
Nearly 40 Rec and Park staff, including a packer truck, will participate in cleanup the afternoon of the event, along with 23 staff provided by event organizers. All Golden Gate Park staff have been placed on standby for cleanup the following morning.
San Francisco Public Works cleaning crews will provide extra trash pickup and sweeping on the streets and sidewalk surrounding Golden Gate Park and assist the Police Department with placement of barricades and cones, as needed.
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