SF Muni Reroutes for Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherry Blossom Festival parade and multiple events cause Muni reroutes April 18-22
Cherry Blossom Festival Brings Muni Reroutes
San Francisco's 59th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival will disrupt multiple Muni routes in Japantown this weekend, transit officials said. The two-day cultural celebration takes place April 18-19, with a grand parade scheduled for Sunday that'll affect service throughout the area. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency released its weekly advisory Thursday covering impacts through April 22.
Multiple Events Compound Transit Challenges
The festival's one of several community events affecting transit this week, according to the agency. The Cole Valley Night Market took place Thursday, while the Castro Night Market happened Friday and the Greek Heritage Parade is scheduled for Saturday. Officials said the concentration of events during a single week requires coordination across multiple neighborhoods. San Francisco Giants home games against the Los Angeles Dodgers from April 21-23 will add ballpark-area congestion, with special street closures and parking rates in effect.
Construction Projects Add to Service Disruptions
Major construction work continues throughout the city, compounding event-related impacts. Caltrans is implementing overnight lane closures on the Bay Bridge for the I-80 West Span Paint Project, along with various on-ramp closures for rehabilitation work. The agency's also conducting 19th Avenue paving work, officials said. The 13th Street Safety Project and Transbay Howard Streetscape Project remain ongoing through 2027-2028. Officials didn't specify which Muni routes will experience the most significant delays or how long reroutes will last.
Weekend Parade Brings Peak Disruption
Sunday's Cherry Blossom Festival parade represents the week's most significant transit impact, transit officials said. Heavy pedestrian activity's also expected in the Haight-Ashbury area on April 20, though officials didn't specify whether that's related to the festival or separate events. The agency said special event parking rates and temporary taxi stands will be available at various locations throughout the week. Specific details about which streets will close or when normal service will resume weren't provided in the advisory.
Riders Face Extended Travel Times
Transit users should expect delays and allow extra travel time during the advisory period, officials said. Multiple Muni routes will experience reroutes and service changes, though the agency didn't release a complete list of affected lines. Moovit provides real-time updates for San Francisco Muni routes, helping riders navigate service changes during events and construction. Officials said riders should check for updates before traveling, particularly during weekend hours when festival and parade activities peak.
