It's summer camp for the stupid rich, fat men who want to suck each others dicks...

Bohemian Grove annual event is underway in the Bay Area, per the FAA

By Silas Valentino

Around 2 p.m. on July 20, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a departure delay at San Francisco International with a curious explanation as to why: “Departures from San Francisco International are delayed an avg. 15 mins. (and increasing) due to other: bohemian grove.” 

An influx of flights was also noted across San Francisco Bay at the FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center in Fremont, where the agency sent out an advisory the following day to expect increased volume due to Bohemian Grove.

“VIP movements are scheduled in the afternoon,” the FAA wrote in its alert. 

Once again, the Bay Area has opened its gates for an annual and secretive gathering of male political and cultural figureheads. The Bohemian Grove event, which is associated with the Bohemian Club on Nob Hill, is the summertime bacchanal for its exclusive and elite members. 

The club was founded by a group of journalists in 1872. Its summer camp has hosted old money (William Randolph Hearst and the Rockefellers were noted members) and former Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. J. Robert Oppenheimer first discussed the Manhattan Project during the July event.

Membership at the men’s-only club costs about $25,000 a year and features a two-week retreat to the Redwoods in Sonoma County at the infamous and guarded Bohemian Grove. 

The 2,700-acre Bohemian Grove property is close to the Russian River near the hamlet Monte Rio. Members are treated to sacred rites, plays, pageantry and lectures from interest groups, and the event ends with the burning of an effigy in front of a giant owl. 

Earlier this year, the secretive club was sued by three former valets who alleged a litany of unlawful labor practices at Bohemian Grove, including “nonstop” 16-hour work days. The club dismissed the accusations, and a spokesperson for the club told SFGATE earlier this year that the claims were brought from individuals who “were never employed by the Bohemian Club.”

Due to the Bohemian Club's secrecy and illustrious membership, Bohemian Grove attracts endless speculation over what happens behind the gates. But for Monte Rio locals, it’s spring break but for the 1%. 

“It’s like a frat party. It’s a bunch of artists, movie stars and politicians getting drunk and falling down the hill, and no one can take pictures,” said a worker at the town’s market who spoke with SFGATE and requested anonymity. 

“The big black cars come every year, and I’ve seen them all week. Tons of Porsches and Ferraris.”

The event is expected to conclude on the last weekend of the month, according to the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport. 

The airport issued a prior permission requirement for aircraft due to increased demand for airport parking and services ahead of the 2023 Bohemian Grove event, which it wrote would run across consecutive weekends: July 13-16, July 20-23 and July 27-30.