Planning Before the Parade Passes By! Giants Parade Route Tomorrow, Wednesday November 3

On Wednesday, November 3, 2010 San Francisco is celebrating the Giants World Series victory with a parade scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.

The parade will start at Montgomery & Washington Streets and run south on Montgomery, west onto Market Street, west onto McAllister Street, ending at City Hall and the Civic Center Plaza. The parade will contain floats, a motorcade and walkers. The parade route and the Civic Center area will be lined with barricades.

At the Civic Center, an area will be secured to allow for a stage, seating for special guests and VIP's, etc. Another area will be sectioned off for fans.

The parade is anticipated to last 60-90 minutes, followed by a 30 minute ceremony, and 30-60 minutes of music.

When I have to drive into or through the City during a mayhem day like tomorrow, I plan a route that runs a wide sweep around the event to avoid crowds and traffice. Freeway exits to avoid would be Fremont and Harrison (unless you are taking them to get to the Embarcadero) and Van Ness.

If you are driving inside the City, I'd avoid the Van Ness/Franklin corridor altogether. Our office is at Bush and Van Ness and the last time there was a large Civic Center event, the traffic right ouside our door was intense.)

If you are taking public transit in, you best bet is BART. I'd take it all the way to Civic Center, then walk back down Market towards the Ferry Building to get a good viewing spot. There should be a thinning out of crowds between the Civic Center and Powell Street BART stations. It's a scruffy stretch, but your best bet (I think) for a good look at our hometown heroes.