If I told you the legendary association between weed and the number 420 all started with a group of California high schoolers in 1971, would you find that so hard to believe? Me neither. The high schoolers were on a search for an abandoned hash stash, and 4:20 p.m. was their designated meeting time. From those humble origins, April 20 has embedded itself in the zeitgeist alongside Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day as a major cultural event — and nowhere more so than on San Francisco’s Hippie Hill.
Thanks to California’s legalization of recreational marijuana in 2016, Hippie Hill’s unofficial pot party is now a city-sanctioned festival with all the fixings: live music to trip out on, food trucks to settle the munchies, a craft market full of tie-dye and macrame. Oh, and enough sticky icky to supply Willie Nelson for a lifetime.
In keeping with the festival’s chill, free-for-all spirit, musical guests are announced as a last-minute surprise, so there’s no telling who will show up on stage, (looking at you, Willie) but past entertainers have included Erykah Badu, Mike Tyson and Jeff Ross.
From Washington, D.C. to London to Toronto, 420 celebrations are a growing trend around the world, but Hippie Hill is the granddaddy of them all. Once you sober up, you can even drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to the very spot outside San Rafael High School where the term was invented.
The Specs
- Up to 20,000 people attend
- This is a free, 21+ event
- Check out our list of things to do in San Francisco
FAQs
Which airport is closest to the festival grounds?
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is approximately 15 miles away.
What is the bag policy?
Bags are permitted, but glass, alcohol, and coolers larger than 9” by 12” are not.
Is the festival ADA-accessible?
Parking is limited and much of Hippie Hill is unpaved, uneven terrain. There are a few paved walkways, however.
Which artists are on the festival lineup?
Musical guests are announced as a surprise, typically only days before the festival.
