Star Trek Actors Perform Classic Song ‘San Francisco’

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See actors from two different eras of Star Trek perform a beautiful version of a song featured in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. The first season of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – currently at 88% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes – is almost over, with the last two episodes available on Paramount+ on March 5th and March 12th.

The first episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy ended with a powerful scene set to a version of the song “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair).” The scene showed the USS Athena arriving at and docking with Starfleet Academy in San Francisco. Originally written by John Phillips and famously sung by Scott McKenzie in 1967, this version of the song was arranged by Star Trek: Starfleet Academy composer Jeff Russo and performed by Rufus Wainwright.

During the Star Trek Cruise, actors Zoë Steiner and Robert Picardo teamed up for a heartwarming performance of “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair).” Steiner sang and played the keyboard, while Picardo shared the song’s background and connection to Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. You can watch the performance on Zoë Steiner’s Instagram page.

I was completely captivated watching Zoë Steiner and Robert Picardo perform “San Francisco.” It was especially amazing seeing clips from the very first episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – the moment the USS Athena arrived in the Bay Area! Seeing all those alien Starfleet cadets, clearly awestruck as San Francisco appeared on the screen, really added to the experience.

I was really struck by Robert Picardo’s explanation of the song “San Francisco.” He pointed out it was written in the 60s as a really hopeful piece, with the flowers representing a fresh start and new life. It reminded me so much of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – that show has the same optimistic vibe, showing us a future where everyone works together among the stars, a thousand years from now. It’s a really inspiring vision!

Paramount+’s Star Trek series are proving to be a platform for the actors’ singing abilities. Isa Briones, for example, performed “Blue Skies” both in Star Trek: Picard and at the 2021 Star Trek Day celebration. And the cast of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds famously showcased their musical talents in a special episode, with standout vocal performances from Celia Rose Gooding, Christina Chong, and Rebecca Romijn.

Many fans remember Zoë Steiner for her role as the troubled Betazoid, Tarima Sadal, and her performance of “San Francisco” at her first Star Trek Cruise was truly impressive. Veteran Star Trek actor Robert Picardo beautifully complemented Steiner’s vocals with heartfelt words of encouragement, creating a special moment between actors from different generations of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.

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2026-03-02 04:17