The new year is here! Hopefully you had a great time ringing it in. If you’re looking for events in San Francisco this January be sure to check out all of the fun activities and events happening this month. There’s sure to be something for everyone this month – from the sea lion arrival at Pier 39 to the Cheesemonger Invitationals – you’re bound to find something you love in San Francisco.

Events in San Francisco this January

Sea Lion Days
When: January 1st – 28th, 2018
Where: Pier 39
San Francisco, CA

Come celebrate the 28th Anniversary of the Sea Lions throughout the month of January! Stop by the Sea Lion Center and enjoy programming every half hour from 10:30am – 3:30pm including:

  • Sea Lion Shenanigans
  • Party for the Planet Blue
  • What’s for Lunch?
  • Floatin’ with the Sea Lions of San Francisco

Enjoy free educational walking tours led by naturalists hourly from 12-3pm.

US Figure Skating Championships
When: January 2nd – 7th, 2018
Where: SAP Center
San Jose, CA

Potential Olympic athletes compete with breathtaking feats of athleticism, acrobatics, and grace in the U.S. Figure Skating Championship at SAP Center at San Jose.

Run for Hot Chocolate
When: January 7th, 2018
Where: Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA

While marshmallow sweet stations are dotted along course routes and a Finisher Mug encourages the consumption of decadent fondue, don’t write the Hot Chocolate Series off as a race that’s all about the glitz. All Hot Chocolate 15k/5k events include features that cater to the seasoned runner.

Winter Play: San Francisco Game Expo
When: January 11th, 2018
Where: The Google Launchpad
301 Howard
San Francisco, CA

Over 50 games. 500 players. 1 night. Join us for our Winter Expo on January 11 at the Google Launchpad!

Over fifty game developers will be showing off their latest games one-on-one to a crowd of 500 people. For developers, this is a great opportunity to show off their games (finished or unfinished) and get direct feedback from players. For everyone else, it’s a unique opportunity to try out the biggest collection of games made in and around SF all in one place. Each game gets its own booth as players meet the developers and try out their games. Throw pizza into the mix and you get Playcrafting’s biggest event!

Bay Area Pet Con
When: January 13th and 14th, 2018
Where: Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
344 Tully Road
San Jose, CA

Bay Area Pet Con boasts a staff of passionate animal lovers. On any given day, you’ll find us hard at work with our furry assistants — who usually aren’t quite as helpful as they think.
With a staff full of animal lovers, there is always an abundance of wet noses and wagging tails at work. This isn’t just another show to our staff; it is the realization of a dream to make a difference in communities across the country.
Our mission is to bring an annual convention to your community, inviting you and your family — including the furry, scaly, and feathered members — to explore the services available to you, participate in fantastic activities and contests, support local animal causes, and meet critters who need their forever homes.

Free Entrance Day in the National Parks – MLK Day
When: January 15th, 2018
Where: All National Parks

National parks are America’s best idea, and there are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite, especially one of the national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. The others are free all the time. The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.

San Francisco Restaurant Week
When: January 22nd – 31st, 2018
Where: Various Restaurants around San Francisco

San Francisco Restaurant Week is a celebration of San Francisco’s world-class dining community. Nearly 130 restaurants around San Francisco offer special prix fixe menus to showcase their passion for sharing great food with diners.

The Cheesemonger Invitational
When: January 21st, 2018
Where: Public Works
161 Erie Street
San Francisco, CA

Our mission is to inspire cheesemongers. Selling cheese is a profession that spans centuries. Great cheese does not exist without great cheesemongers. They are care takers, truth tellers and therapists for the cheese. They are knights, priests and politicians for the cheese. They are the last stop before consumption. Without great cheesemongers, cheese dies a lonely, sad death. And when a cheesemonger does their job well, a cheese lives its final days with Nobility, Honor and Respect. This profession requires an unwavering commitment to practical skills, as well as, a never ending desire to learn more about history and science. The Cheesemonger Invitational is that rare opportunity for amazing cheesemongers to be celebrated by their community. Moo moo mooooooooo.