What: An annual free festival in Golden Gate Park featuring over 100 musical artists on 7 stages. As always, Conor Oberst will be there. But you knew all this already. 

Why: Oh yah, did we mentionSocial Distortion, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, and Yo La Tengo will be there too? 

When: Friday, October 3 - Sunday, October 5: 10:30am - 7pm (roughly)

What: Locals and longtime friends of the festival Metallica will serve as Artists in Residence this weekend. Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Robert Trujillo have each selected a film to host at the festival and will be present to introduce and discuss.

Why: Five out of the last six Academy Award winners for Best Picture (Slumdog Millionaire, The King’s Speech, The Artist, Argo, and 12 Years A Slave) were screened at the Festival with filmmakers and cast members in attendance. 

When: Thursday, October 2 – Sunday, October 12: Various times. See the full schedule here. 

Where: Various locations. 

What: Six great writers will destroy one great book— one character at a time—in service of the transcendent and the profane (and also laughs). This month's talent: Alitzah Oros, Molly Jane Rosen, Cameron Dunkley, Keith Wilson and Shannon O'Malley of Gay Men Draw Vaginas, and 4-time champ Maggie Tokuda-Hall.

Why: All stories will be recited by Shakespearean Thespian in Residence, Sir Steven Westdahl, from his private chamber at Booksmith Castle, both to preserve the majesty of the written work and to ensure the honesty of the audience when voting for a winner.

When: Thursday, October 2: 7pm, $10 (includes drinks). Get tickets here.Where: 1664 Haight Street, San Francisco 

What: The perfect weekend getaway festival in Sacramento this weekend features amazing headliners (Moby, Blondie, Justice DJ set, War on Drugs, Empire of the Sun, Kurt Vile, Explosions in the Sky) as well as daily yoga and local farm-to-fork food vendors. 

Why: This year they've expanded from 2 to 3 days. That means there's 30 percent more music, food, and yoga! 

When: Friday, October 3 - Sunday, October 5: 4pm - 12am, $69-$250. Get tickets here. 

Where: River Walk, West Sacramento

What: More than 40 shops and hotels in Union Square will celebrate San Francisco fashion by offering special discounts, promotions, fashion shows, pop-ups, trunk shows, refreshments, and more. Participating venues include Scotch & Soda, Porsche Design, Grand Hyatt, Hotel Nikko, Theory, Maiden Lane Studios, the Fashion Incubator, FAVOR, and more.

Why: This year’s Fall Fashion Fest will benefit the GLIDE Memorial with an after party at Hawthorn (46 Geary Street).

When: Thursday, October 9: 5-11pm. Register here. 

Where: Union Square