Throughout Fleet Week , thousands of visitors can climb aboard amphibious carriers , destroyers and cruisers docked at the Embarcadero to get a glimpse into the day‐to‐day lives of the sailors serving in the U . S . Navy , U . S . Coast Guard and Canadian Navy . Ships docked throughout Fleet Week included USS San Diego ( LPD 22 ), USS Mobile Bay ( CG 53 ), USCGC Mellon ( WHEC 717 ), HMCS Calgary ( FFH 335 ) & USS San Francisco . Most of the fleet also paraded under the Golden Gate bridge and through the Bay area on the Friday before the main flying started .
For anyone attending SFFW it is a great opportunity for photography as the sun is behind you for most of the day . The main areas to view the display is at the aquatic park and the marina green and these are the only areas that you can hear the commentary . Pier 39 is a good viewing area but the crowds and the many boats tall masks are a hindrance at times . As the largest and most significant event of its kind in California , SFFW features a unique training and education program that brings together civilian and military forces to develop and share best practices in humanitarian assistance .
Consistently attracting millions of visitors , creating important and lasting relationships for its partners , and generating over $ 10M in annual revenue for the city , SFFW is now recognized by the United States Department of Defence as the model for fleet weeks across the country .
San Francisco Fleet Weeks mission is to honour the contributions of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces while advancing cooperation and knowledge among civilian and military‐based Humanitarian Assistance personnel .