San Francisco’s Fourth of July fireworks display from the Golden Gate Bridge towers, only its third in 90 years, did not go entirely as planned.
Before the show began, the sky was clouded by a layer of fog, resulting in each firework being swiftly swallowed by the mist.
While viewers who sat near the towers, or near Crissy Field or Pier 39, saw quick glimpses of the display, residents who opted to watch from the Presidio’s western vantage points saw almost nothing at all, according to SFGATE.
The once-in-a-lifetime event attracted hundreds of thousands of attendees; crowds of people arrived hours before the 15-minute display to secure spots. Jefferson Street was closed by 1 p.m., and at around 8 p.m., neighborhoods implemented restrictions on entering, and Highway 101 was shut down.
At 9 p.m., the Golden Gate Bridge itself closed down for an hour.
“ATTN: Due to unprecedented crowds & traffic in SF for the fireworks tonight, the Muni system is experiencing significant delays. Muni riders waiting in line @ Powell may miss the fireworks. Please consider other forms of transp.: Walking, bicycling, scooters, taxis & rideshare,” the SFMTA warned in an X post.
ATTN: Due to unprecedented crowds & traffic in SF for the fireworks tonight, the Muni system is experiencing significant delays. Muni riders waiting in line @ Powell may miss the fireworks. Please consider other forms of transp.: Walking, bicycling, scooters, taxis & rideshare.
— SFMTA (@SFMTA_Muni) July 5, 2026
The Muni shuttles were severely backed up due to the congestion. Per the San Francisco Chronicle, it got so bad that at one point, on-site workers attempted to persuade residents not to take the shuttles. One Muni vehicle was allegedly so packed that riders could not move, and the doors failed to close.
Due to the overwhelmed public transit, some Californians chose to ride in Waymo’s autonomous vehicles to attend or depart the event. But these cars came with their own set of problems. Several of Waymo’s vehicles drove directly over fireworks with passengers inside, and one unoccupied car caught fire.
The troubles persisted hours after the fireworks. At midnight, the roads were still overwhelmed with drivers trying to leave.
“We will have conversations with our public and private partners to ensure the experience is smoother next time,” San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said in a statement.
The statement came following immense criticism from residents and local leaders. Californians accused city agencies of not adequately preparing for the event’s expected demand.
Before the display, it was already estimated that up to 200,000 residents would attend Aquatic Park and Pier 39 alone. In fact, due to popular demand, the generational fireworks show was part of Mayor Lurie’s $40 million plan to help drive tourism rates up in San Francisco.
“The Golden Gate Bridge is as iconic as any landmark in the United States, so it’s an ideal place to launch fireworks for our country’s 250th anniversary,” Mayor Lurie said in a press release issued in June. “If you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate July Fourth, there’s nowhere better than the city with the most beautiful parks, the best restaurants, and the most dynamic arts and culture. Whether you live here or you’re just visiting, we encourage you to ride Muni, explore our incredible neighborhoods, and look out for one another.”
But many visitors and residents felt dissatisfied with their experience.
One attendee, Rishi Viswanathan, told the San Francisco Chronicle that SFMTA had an “excellent opportunity” to show Californians that they can depend on public transportation for events, but instead it did the opposite.
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