Businesses Along San Francisco Waterfront Prepare For Thousands Of New Year's Eve Revelers
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Despite the cold temperatures, it is expected to be a busy Wednesday night along San Francisco's waterfront, with thousands of people gathering for the New Year's Eve fireworks show.
Restaurants and bars in the area have been gearing up for what is expected to be one of the busiest nights of the year.
"It gets a little crazy," said Pete Sittnick, Managing Partner at EPIC Roasthouse and Waterbar. "We opened up the reservations 30 days in advance. We were about 50 percent sold out on the very first day we opened up the reservations." Both restaurants are fully booked and each expects about 300-350 guests.
EPIC Roasthouse and Waterbar are popular destinations as they are prime viewing spots for the fireworks show.
San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said with crowds in the range of 100,000 people in the past, they have activated the Emergency Operations Center for all involved agencies.
"So we can get a snapshot, pretty much in real time, of what's happening in the city," she said. "And if we need to reallocate or redistribute our resources, we'll be able to do that."
Hayes-White said although they typically receive a higher volume of calls on New Year's Eve, it has been manageable in the past. She said since this year's celebrations occurs mid-week, it could keep the crowds a bit smaller.