Free Sandbags in San Francisco: Sandbag Saturday Dates and Locations Through December 5

San Francisco Public Works is handing out free sandbags at neighborhood pop-ups on four Saturdays this fall, under the name Sandbag Saturdays. The first one ran at the Marina Green on November 7, and three dates remain: November 14 near Lake Merced, November 21 at the Marina Green and Ocean Beach, and December 5 at two sites in SoMa and the Mission. Every event runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The giveaways are part of the city’s preparation for an El Niño winter. Mayor Daniel Lurie declared a local emergency in October so departments could buy flood supplies faster; SFGuide’s report on the emergency declaration has the city’s full preparation checklist.

Remaining Sandbag Saturday Dates and Locations

All times and places below are from the Public Works sandbag page.

• Saturday, November 14, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Lake Merced area, Sunset Circle Parking Lot, Sunset Boulevard at Lake Merced Boulevard.
• Saturday, November 21, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Marina Green Triangle, Marina Boulevard at Marina Green Drive.
• Saturday, November 21, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Ocean Beach Parking Lot, Great Highway at Balboa Street, by Stairwells 4 to 7.
• Saturday, December 5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Sherman Street between Folsom and Harrison streets, SoMa.
• Saturday, December 5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Fire Training Center, 19th and Folsom streets, the Mission.

The Rules

The limit is 10 sandbags per address. Bring proof of address showing you live in San Francisco or run a business here. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the Fire Department and Rec and Park are partners in the events, according to Public Works.

Supply can run short. About 800 bags were gone by noon at the November 7 Marina Green event, and organizers had to bring in more before the 2 p.m. close, SFist reported, citing KPIX. Organizers also asked people to take only what they need and to leave bags for properties that have flooded before, SFist reported. Arriving early is the safer plan.

If You Miss a Saturday

Sandbags are available year-round at the Public Works Operations Yard. Enter at the Kansas Street and Marin Street gate, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The same 10-bag limit applies. Public Works also notes that hardware and home improvement stores sell sandbags.

Why the Dates Matter

The National Weather Service extended a coastal flood advisory for low-lying coastal and bayshore areas through Friday, November 13, warning of up to 1.6 feet of flooding, SFist reported, citing NBC Bay Area. The first king tides of the season are predicted for November 24 to 26; SFGuide has the full king tide calendar. The November 21 events at Ocean Beach and the Marina Green fall a few days before that window.

Residents told KPIX they planned to use the bags to keep water out of garages and to stop runoff moving between homes on sloped streets, per SFist. For a list of everything else on the city’s calendar this month, see things to do in San Francisco in November 2026.

Sources: San Francisco Public Works, Sandbags; SFist, November 9, 2026.

Photo: San Francisco Public Works. Residents loading free sandbags at a Public Works pickup.