Valentine’s Day Events and Major Muni Route Changes Trigger Significant San Francisco Traffic Closures

Saturday Traffic and Commute Overview

Today, Saturday, February 14, 2026, San Francisco commuters and residents should prepare for a complex traffic landscape. The combination of Valentine’s Day festivities, the Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair, and a historic shift in the SFMTA’s transit operations will result in multiple street closures and significant changes to several major bus lines. Motorists are advised to avoid the Chinatown and Mission District corridors if possible, while transit riders should double-check their routes as the Potrero Yard officially closes its doors today for a multi-year modernization project.

Major Street Closures and Events

• Chinatown Flower Market Fair: In preparation for the Lunar New Year, Grant Avenue is closed between California Street and Broadway. Additional closures include Pacific Avenue (between Columbus and Stockton), as well as Jackson and Washington streets between Stockton and Kearny. These closures are in effect through Sunday night, with heavy pedestrian traffic expected between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Lovers Lane Block Party (Mission District): The 5th Annual Valentine’s Block Party will center on Balmy Alley and 24th Street near Harrison Street. Expect localized congestion and diversions in the Mission from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Black History Month Parade (Bayview): Staging begins at 9 a.m. on Oakdale Avenue. The parade starts at 11 a.m., moving northbound along 3rd Street toward Evans Avenue. While no full street closures are planned, significant delays are expected on the T-Third rail line and the 15, 19, 24, and 44 bus routes.

SFMTA Service Changes: Potrero Yard Closure

Starting today, February 14, the SFMTA has officially closed the 111-year-old Potrero Yard. This move has triggered a series of permanent and temporary route adjustments to accommodate bus maintenance at other facilities. Key changes include:

• 5 Fulton and 5R Fulton Rapid: Weekend frequency on the 5 Fulton has improved to every 7 minutes to meet demand. A mix of 40-foot and 60-foot buses will now operate on these lines.
• 15 Bayview Hunters Point Express: A new stop has been added at Stockton and Geary streets in Union Square for inbound trips to improve transfers.
• 48 Quintara-24th Street: The outbound route now travels via Ulloa Street instead of Vicente Street to avoid West Portal congestion.
• Late-night Owl Service: Schedules for the 90 San Bruno and 91 3rd Street/19th Avenue Owl have been updated to improve reliability.

Artery Updates and Regional Transit

On the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, overnight lane closures on the westbound I-80 span (Lanes 4 and 5) are scheduled to clear by 7 a.m. this morning. Drivers entering the city from the East Bay should see clear lanes for the remainder of the day, though evening traffic for Valentine’s Day dinners is expected to peak around 5 p.m. BART is operating on a standard Saturday schedule, though the UN Plaza entrance at Civic Center Station remains restricted due to ongoing modernization work. Caltrain continues its half-hourly weekend electric service, providing an efficient alternative for those traveling between the Peninsula and the 4th and King Street Station.