SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The annual 420 celebration in Golden Gate Park has been cancelled for a second year due to the state and local restrictions on large gatherings, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today.
“Although we're in a better place in our fight against COVID-19 than we were last year, we are still not at the point where we can allow large, crowded events,” said San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed. “Please do your part to keep our community safe and celebrate from home. Anyone travelling to Golden Gate Park or Hippie Hill looking for a party will be disappointed."
“We have come so far as a city and attending an event like the 420 celebrations of previous years would set our reopening back significantly,” said Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax. “We are very concerned about the surges we are seeing in other parts of the country and in Europe that are being fueled by variants. We need to take the possibility of a fourth surge seriously and do everything we know works—masking, physical distancing, avoiding non-essential travel and limiting gatherings with people from outside your household—to stop the spread of COVID-19. We hope that all 420 enthusiasts will do the right thing and enjoy this day from home.”
Fencing will go up around Robin Williams Meadow early Monday in anticipation of 420 Tuesday. It will remain in place until Wednesday.
“Let me be blunt,” said Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “Hippie Hill will be completely inaccessible. Law enforcement will be patrolling the area. It will be a serious buzzkill.”
Police officers and rangers will disperse any large gatherings and send budding entrepreneurs and other unpermitted vendors on their way. Citations may be issued to those who don’t comply. Parking control officers will monitor traffic flow and parking issues in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Nancy Pelosi Drive and Bowling Green Drive in Golden Gate Park will be restricted to visitors to the tennis center and museums. MLK Jr. Way from Kezar Drive to the San Francisco Botanical Gardens will also be closed. JFK Drive from Kezar Drive to 8th Avenue and Conservatory Drive have been closed during the pandemic and will remain closed on Tuesday.
“Following in the successful footsteps of last year’s 420 celebrations, please be responsible and thoughtful of your neighbors. Enjoy a safe and healthy 420 by staying home, ordering product from a locally permitted and licensed retailer and avoid sharing product with others,” said Office of Cannabis Director Marisa Rodriguez.
Those celebrating at home can access free comedy, music and more through livestreams at 420hippiehill.com
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