Moments
From The Beatles to The Catch, Candlestick shines with so much to celebrate. Take a stroll down milestone lane.
1953
Well-known San Francisco Contractor Charles Harney purchases land in Candlestick Point for $2,100 an acre, intending to develop it for residential lots.
Source: “Candlestick Before and After Stadium Built,” www.foundsf.org
1957
New York Giants Owner Horace Stoneham announces that the Giants are moving to San Francisco for the 1958 season.
Source: “Horace Stoneham,” sabr.org
April 15, 1958
San Francisco welcomes its new major league baseball team, the Giants, with a huge parade and a raucous opener at Seals Stadium in the Mission District. The Giants open with an 8–0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, who also recently relocated from New York. (L to R) Giants Outfielder Willie Mays and Dodgers Center Fielder Duke Snider
Source: “April 15, 1958: Giants, Dodgers meet on the West Coast for the first time,” sabr.org
1958 – 1960
Candlestick Park under construction. Architect John Bolles reveals plans for the stadium to the San Francisco Chronicle in 1958.
Source: “Architect's Candlestick vision defined his career,” pressdemocrat.com
March 3, 1959
The San Francisco Chronicle announces the name of the city’s new baseball stadium, “Candlestick Park,” which the editors reportedly chose from over 20,000 write-in entries.
Source: Candlestick Park archives
April 12, 1960
Candlestick Park opens as home to the San Francisco Giants, and the first Major League Baseball All-Star Game is held. Vice President Richard Nixon throws the first pitch with San Francisco Mayor George Christopher in attendance.
Source: “Mays meets Nixon: The weirdest Giants home opener in history,” sfchronicle.com
1962
Giants play in their first World Series at Candlestick Park against the New York Yankees. (L to R) Yankee Outfielder Mickey Mantle with Giants Outfielder Willie Mays.
Source: “The Yankees Champions Series: 1962,” sfchronicle.com
August 29, 1966
The Beatles perform their final scheduled concert, Candlestick Park’s first major concert.
Source: “The Beatles Final Tour 1966,” Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images
October 10, 1971
The 49ers play their first game at Candlestick Park. It becomes the 49ers’ home for 42 seasons, 1971-2013. 49ers go on to win five Super Bowls during their Candlestick era (1982, 1985, 1989, 1990 and 1995).
Source: “Candlestick Memories,” sfgate.com
1981
The Rolling Stones play two back‑to‑back sold‑out shows as part of their American Tour.
Source: “The Rolling Stones In Concert – San Francisco, CA,” Rocky Widner/FilmMagic/Getty Images
January 10, 1982
“The Catch” — Dwight Clark — makes his legendary touchdown reception from Joe Montana in the NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys, leading the 49ers to their first Superbowl.
Source: “San Francisco 49ers Dwight Clark, 1982 NFC Championship,” Walter Looss Jr./Getty Images
1983
The Beach Boys perform multiple shows, including in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1988.
Source: “Beach Boys,” sfgiantsphotos.mlblogs.com
1985
Jimmy Buffett performs as part of his Sleepless Knights Tour.
Source: “See selected moments from Jimmy Buffett’s performances at Alpine Valley and Summerfest,” jsonline.com
September 17, 1987
Pope John Paul II holds a mass for over 70,000 attendees.
Source: “Pope in S.F.: When John Paul II blessed AIDS sufferers,” sfchronicle.com
1988
On July 17, Van Halen and Scorpions rock Candlestick Park as part of the Monsters of Rock Tour, with Metallica, Dokken and Kingdom Come in one of the stadium’s most legendary all-day rock events.
Source: “Van Halen – Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California, July 16, 1988,” My Collection YouTube channel
October 17, 1989
Candlestick Park survives the Loma Prieta earthquake during World Series Game 3 between the Giants and the Oakland A’s.
Source: “1989 World Series Earthquake Game Revisited,” captivewildwoman.blogspot.com
1999
The San Francisco Giants play their final game at Candlestick Park on September 30, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-4 and closing out 40 seasons at the storied stadium before moving to their new home at Pacific Bell Park.
Source: “TELL IT GOODBYE: Giants last game at Candlestick,” manginphotography.net
2000
Metallica headlines a massive Summer Sanitarium Tour stop at Candlestick Park on July 14, delivering a high-energy performance alongside Korn, Kid Rock and others to a packed stadium of rock fans.
Source: “July 14, 2000 – San Francisco, California, United States,” metallica.com
2003
On August 10, Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit headlined the Summer Sanitarium Tour at Candlestick Park, joined by Metallica, Deftones and Mudvayne for a full day of hard rock and nu metal.
Source: Artist: Chris Shaw, Bill Graham Presents Poster Series
2010
San Francisco voters approve initial development plan for Candlestick.
July 26, 2013
Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z bring their Legends of the Summer tour to Candlestick Park, drawing over 55,000 fans for one of the stadium’s final major concerts.
Source: “Review: Jay Z, Justin Timberlake offer legendary send-off for Candlestick,” mercurynews.com
December 23, 2013
During Pick at the Stick, the final 49ers game, Linebacker NaVorro Bowman intercepts a pass and returns it 90 yards for a touchdown, sealing a victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Source: “The last game at Candlestick Park,” sfgate.com
2014
Paul McCartney’s Out There! Tour concert on August 14 marks the final event ever held at the iconic stadium before its demolition, fittingly bringing McCartney’s career full circle by performing at the same venue where The Beatles played their last public concert in 1966.
Source: “Paul McCartney Closes Candlestick Park ‘in Style,’” rollingstone.com
September 24, 2015
Candlestick Park is demolished.
Source: Candlestick Park archives
2018
Alice Griffith housing with 337 units of 100% affordable housing is completed.
Source: “Alice Griffith Phase I and III,” sfhdc.org
2023
California passes Senate Bill 143, supporting Candlestick’s advancement by extending time limits for development.
Source: “July 14, 2000 – San Francisco, California, United States,” metallica.com
2024
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously approves Candlestick’s updated development plans for over 7,200 new homes of which 32% will be affordable.
2026 and Beyond
Candlestick continues its visionary journey to become San Francisco’s newest waterfront neighborhood.