Fleet Week 2024: Thousands of military personnel and tourists visit San Francisco, meaning big money for small businesses

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Fleet Week attracts thousands of visitors to San Francisco and brings in an estimated $10 million to the local economy.

The Blue Angels, the air shows and the boat tours are all a huge success.

Some neighborhoods are experiencing a major boost due to the much-celebrated event.

San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood is busy at night and on weekends.

During Fleet Week you will also see many men and women in uniform.

SF FLEET WEEK 2024 SCHEDULE: Navy Blue Angels air show, military ships & more

Nearly 2,500 sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are here this week.

That means a lot of money for small businesses.

“We have been full since Sunday. They come every night,” Tupelo manager David DiAntonio said.

In Tupelo on Grant Street, military members receive Fleet Week specials.

“We have a special whiskey made by veterans,” DiAntonio said.

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Fleet Week means a big boost in sales.

“The Blue Angels flying by, the excitement that Fleet Week brings, the amount of new people in the neighborhood, that's something we've always been excited about,” DiAntonio said.

At Sam's Grill on Broadway, Emad Elshawa says his business is up about 25% this week.

“We came to Sam's to get a burger,” said Nick Gallegos of Hayward. He brought his daughter to Fleet Week.

Gallegos says he spent about $100 in the city that Saturday and that this special event is a big deal for San Francisco.

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“It takes events like this to give him a good boost,” Gallegos said.

Back to all the visiting men and women in uniform…

Jersiah Gurly and Imari Augustus are US Navy sailors and treated themselves to a slice at Pizzelle Di North Beach.

For many sailors and Marines, it is their first time in San Francisco.

“It’s pretty cool — lots of different food cultures, lots of places to eat,” Gurley said.

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“I’ve never been to SF. When I walked in I saw Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. That was cool,” Augustus said.

“We eat, walk around, do little sightseeing at places like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the piers,” said Ricky Passians of the US Navy.

At Vesuvio Café in North Beach, bartender Jimmy Mauberret is happy to welcome all young military personnel.

“There were a lot of people there last night – a lot of sailors. I played “In the Navy” by Village People – which was funny because these kids had never heard that song before. It was probably the first time they heard it,” Mauberret said. “Fleet Week is great for companies everywhere.”