It's time once again, as spring swiftly approaches, to start thinking about those special Sundays when one thoroughfare in the city gets shut down and turned into a pedestrian- and bike- and rollerskate-only zone. I'm talking about Sunday Streets, the program created by Livable City in partnership with the city and the SFMTA, which is especially fun for kids who never thought they could bike down the middle of Valencia Street.
They just announced the 2016 schedule, and it goes like this.
April 10 - Mission Sunday Streets (on Valencia) - Valencia Street closed from McCoppin to 26th Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
May 1 - Bayview & Dogpatch Sunday Streets - The southbound lanes of Third Street between 18th Street and Yosemite Avenue, and 22nd Street between Indiana Street and Third Street, will be closed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bikes encouraged!
June 12 - Sunset Sunday Streets - The longest and most scenic of all the Sunday Streets events, this one goes from Golden Gate Park all along Ocean Beach. The Great Highway between Sloat Blvd and Lincoln Way, Lincoln Way to MLK Drive, MLK drive to Bernice Rodgers Way, Bernice Rodgers Way to JFK Drive, and JFK Drive between Bernice Rodgers Way and Transverse Drive, will be closed from 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
July 10 - Tenderloin Sunday Streets - A big square through the Tenderloin will be closed, with Fulton Street between Hyde and Larkin, Larkin to Ellis St, Ellis to Jones Street, Jones to Golden Gate Ave, and Golden Gate Ave to Larkin Street, all car-free from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
August 21 - Mission Sunday Streets Part 2 (on Valencia) - Once again, Valencia will be closed from McCoppin to 26th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
September 11 - Western Addition Sunday Streets - Baker Street between Fell and McAllister Streets, Fulton Street between Baker and Fillmore Streets, and Fillmore Street between Fulton Street and Geary Boulevard will all be closed to traffic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
October 16 - Excelsior Sunday Streets - Mission Street will be closed between Theresa/Avalon and Geneva Avenue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., coinciding with the Excelsior Arts and Music Festival at the Persia Triangle.
November 13 - Embarcadero Sunday Streets - The big finale of the season, all along the waterfront, will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the northbound lanes of the Embarcadero shut down for two miles, from King Street to Sansome / Pier 27.