The San Francisco waterfront where people could tour visiting ships docked at the Port of San Francisco and experience what life is like for the sailors who serve aboard them — including our visiting Colombian and Canadian naval crews. Step aboard, explore the decks, and get a firsthand glimpse into their day-to-day duties at sea.
Below are some pictures taken from a variety of social media websites of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds participation.
Some footage of the HMCS Nanaimo at the San Francisco Fleet Week 2025. Video taken from the following sources:
The San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show is held annually between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, The San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show Presented by United attracts fans from all over the globe. The waterfront event was headlined by The Canadian Snowbirds and was the only air show in the United States with a commercial airliner, the United 777, to perform a fully choreographed act.
Below are some pictures taken from a variety of social media websites of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds participation.
Some footage of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds at the San Francisco Fleet Week 2025. Video taken from the following sources:
San Francisco Fleet Week is California’s largest annual civic event—a city-wide celebration that honors the sea services and the men and women who serve in uniform. Since 1981, San Francisco Fleet Week has united military and civilian communities through an unforgettable series of public events, including ship tours, community concerts, public safety and military response exhibits, STEM education activations, and our world-famous San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show presented by United, held over San Francisco Bay.
Traditionally, San Francisco Fleet Week is anchored by two signature events: the San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show presented by United, and Fleet Fest at Pier 30/32. The San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show presented by United—held at Marina Green Park and headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels—is the only air show in the United States to feature a fully choreographed commercial airline performance: the United Airlines Boeing 777. Fleet Fest, located on Piers 30/32 directly in front of the largest visiting U.S. Navy ship, is one of the week’s most vibrant public destinations. It features live music, local food vendors, and a variety of entertainment for all ages. The event also offers public ship tours and interactive exhibits focused on military readiness, STEM education, and community-based emergency response. Exhibitors include first responder agencies and non-governmental organizations that showcase new technologies, offer recruitment opportunities, and demonstrate local preparedness and disaster response capabilities.
Together, these two hallmark experiences form the heart of San Francisco Fleet Week, unfolding along the city’s iconic waterfront.
However, the 2025 historic edition of San Francisco Fleet Week featured:
Earlier this evening, Comrades Michael and Lisa Barbour represented Branch 25 at the 2025 San Francisco Fleet Week Canadian Reception. His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Nanaimo is a Kingston class maritime coastal defence vessels that has served in the Canadian Forces and Royal Canadian Navy since 1996.
The Kingston class ships “were designed to commercial standards and intended to conduct coastal patrols, minesweeping, law enforcement, pollution surveillance and response as well as search and rescue duties. The ships were fitted with modular payloads to carry out the assigned duties. Allocated to the west coast, HMCS Nanaimo left Halifax on November 12, 1996, arriving in Esquimalt on December 19.”
HMCS Nanaimo departed Esquimalt for the final time, stopping in for San Francisco Fleet Week, on her way to Halifax. After nearly 30 years in service, it begins its final chapter on the East Coast, closing a remarkable era for the West Coast Kingston class fleet. To read more about the Nanaimo, click here.
Below are some pictures of the Nanaimo and from the reception.
We hope the disorganization that we are witnessing in the organization of the San Francisco Fleet Week is due to the uncertainty created by the government shutdown and not indicative of their normal practices. For those who haven’t been following along, today is day four of their 9-day event, and their website still has “Coming soon!” listed on many pieces of their website (including the Ship Tour information for today, as well as incorrect information about who will be attending. Even their Facebook page, which can allow real time updates, is still woefully unhelpful.
What we can tell you is that the Canadian Forces will have strong representation at the event, and that has been widely reported in the media:
Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25 