2012 Land Rover models make a splash at San Francisco Fleet Week

Not a cloud in the sky could be found in San Francisco last Saturday, the day that marked the middle of the Fleet Week maritime festival. The weeklong celebration honoring military service men and women in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. brought tens of thousands of people to the Embarcadero and Marina District. They came to tour the visiting military ships docked in the Bay, view the various Fleet Week displays and air shows, or to simply listen to some great live music and be part of the excitement. Many in the crowd positioned themselves early on at their favorite viewing spots, such as the Pier 39 walkover, as they anxiously awaited the Blue Angels' aerobatic flight demonstration.

And we were lucky enough to be right in the middle of it all, teaming up with other Bay Area Land Rover dealers: Land Rover is the official automotive sponsor of Fleet Week and proudly  showcased its 2012 model line-up at various prominent locations around Pier 39.

Next to the famous Wyland Whaling wall, Land Rover displayed a Range Rover Sport and LR4 where guests could preview the vehicles and ask questions to the professional sales consultants on hand.

A full-size Range Rover and a Range Rover Sport were shown at one of the most coveted locations during Fleet Week: at the VIP area atop Pier 39’s parking garage.

Guests attending the afternoon VIP party enjoyed the best that over 45 food/alcohol vendors had to offer, live music and raffles throughout the event.

San Francisco's Finest paid us a visit, too! Of course it was only for a photo opp ;-)

From the top of Pier 39's parking garage, absolutely nothing was blocking the spectators' view to see the Parade of Ships and the proud military men standing on deck as they arrived for their Fleet Week visit to San Francisco.

Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson - one of 13 ships that participated in Fleet Week's Parade of Ships ceremony (note how the mighty vessel dwarfs Alcatraz Island)

Having a 365 degree outlook, not a moment was lost as the Blue Angels pilots pulled negative G forces, completed maneuvers just under the speeds of sound, and shaped hearts in the sky.

And of course, Land Rover did not miss the opportunity to introduce the new fuel-efficient Range Rover Evoque at Fleet Week and presented the compact SUV to the very interested San Francisco public near the Hard Rock Café.

Looking at the lively crowd that lined the piers and wharves along the Embarcadero, everyone seemed to be having a splendid time at the Fleet Week celebration. Spectators, vendors and visiting military personnel that we spoke to agreed: "What a great event, let's do it again next year!"

This group of visiting sailors could not wait to strike a pose with the new Range Rover Evoque

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Text: D. Durbin, T. Amrhein; Photos: B. Garchitorena, L. White (CPMG), K. Mammini (LRSJ), D. Durbin