SF City Guides
San Francisco’s Cozy Winter Bars with Fireplaces (2025)
Bars, City Discoveries, Eat & Drink, San Francisco When the nights grow longer, sometimes you just want to cozy up with a drink by a roaring fire. Here are five great bars with fireplaces to warm up for winter. Updated 11/18/25 Cozy Bars with a Fireplace in San Francisco Park Chalet Golden Gate Park | The coastal beer garden at Park more...
SF’s 150ft “SkyStar” Wheel Gets 18-Month Extension
Fun & Games, San Francisco San Francisco’s 150-foot SkyStar wheel is sticking around a lot longer. After drawing more than 600,000 riders since landing at Fisherman’s Wharf in late 2023, the Board of Supervisors has approved an 18-month extension of its lease at Seawall Lot 301. The wheel has become one of the Wharf’s biggest crowd-pleasers, more...
SF’s Historic Cliff House Could Reopen in 2026 (After 5+ Years Closed)
Local Icons, Reopening, San Francisco San Francisco’s iconic Cliff House is one step closer to reclaiming its name and historic art deco sign after years of closures and disputes. Perched on a rugged Outer Richmond bluff overlooking Ocean Beach, the landmark restaurant has been shuttered since December 2020, but recent developments are offering hope to more...
Movies Return to the Castro Theatre in March 2026 (After 2 Years Closed!)
Local Icons, Reopening, San Francisco Big news for SF film lovers and everyone who missed the Castro: The Castro Theatre has just announced its first slate of upcoming movies after a 2-year break, marking the long-awaited return of film programming to San Francisco’s most beloved movie palace. After months of debate over whether the renovated venue more...
Where to Get Free Sand Bags in San Francisco (Updated 2025)
City Insight Public Works will provide San Francisco residents and business up to 10 free sandbags leading up to and during severe rainstorms. They are intended for properties prone to flooding. Sandbags can be retrieved Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Public Works’ operations yard, Marin Street/Kansas Street gate. Bring proof more...
Northern Lights May Dazzle Again Over Bay Area Skies Tonight (Nov. 12)
Outdoorsy, Wow Heads up, Bay Area. The Northern Lights are back. After lighting up skies across Novato, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and San Rafael last night, the aurora borealis could return tonight (Wednesday, Nov. 12) thanks to a rare geomagnetic storm. When to look: 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. (best around midnight)Where: Look north and more...
SF’s Chinatown Finally Gets 8 Blocks of Free Wi-Fi
Good News, San Francisco San Francisco just flipped the switch on free public Wi-Fi in Chinatown. Mayor Daniel Lurie and District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter announced the expansion of #SFWiFi, the city’s free public internet network, now live at the Dragon’s Gate, St. Mary’s Square, and along Grant Avenue between Broadway and Pacific Avenue. The rollout more...
Huge New Lighted Garden Trail Coming to SF (Winter 2025)
Artsy Fartsy, Brand New, Get Out: Events, Holiday Lights, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco, Wow San Francisco Botanical Garden will transform into a glowing after-dark wonderland this winter with Lightscape, an immersive holiday light and music trail that has wowed crowds in London, Chicago, Melbourne, and New York. From November 21, 2025 through January 4, 2026, visitors can wander a one-mile path with more than one more...
SF’s Pop-Up “Town Squares”: Parking Lots Become Mini Parks
Brand New, New Parks, San Francisco San Francisco neighborhoods are getting a taste of what a local town square could be with a series of pop-up public spaces designed to bring greenery and community gathering spots to areas that lack parks. These pop-ups are not just temporary decorations, they are part of a bigger experiment to more...
Off the Grid Takes Over SF’s Former Uniqlo for the Holidays
Brand New, Downtown San Francisco, Eat & Drink San Francisco’s downtown is about to get a festive new destination as the city’s beloved food truck collective Off the Grid moves into its first brick-and-mortar space. The 30,000-square-foot former Uniqlo at 111 Powell Street, between Ellis and O’Farrell, which has been vacant for nearly four and a half years, more...
Downtown San Francisco Is Getting a New 41-Story Skyscraper
Bay Area Updates, Brand New, Downtown San Francisco Downtown San Francisco is about to get a new addition to its skyline. A 41-story, 544-foot mixed-use tower is coming to 530 Sansome Street in the Financial District, bringing offices, a five-star hotel, retail, and restaurants to a key corner near Jackson Square. This will be one of the few completely more...
SF’s Iconic Union Square Macy’s Will Stay Open & Get a Major Makeover
Bay Area Updates, Downtown San Francisco, San Francisco Macy’s flagship store in Union Square, a San Francisco icon spanning nearly a full city block, is staying put. Originally slated to close as part of the retailer’s national plan to shutter 150 underperforming stores, Macy’s will now remain open indefinitely. The news was confirmed by Mayor Daniel Lurie, who more...
How to Get the NY Times for Free (Updated for 2025/2026)
Freebies Reliable news is hard to find these days. The Chronicle and SFGate are great, but The New York Times does an excellent job of coverage should you want a more national perspective. Although they often have promotions for $1/week access for the first six months, The New York Times’ regular rate more...
After 70 Years, Polk Street Icon Bob’s Donuts Closes Original Shop
Bay Area Updates, Eat & Drink, Local Icons, San Francisco It’s the end of an era for San Francisco donut lovers. After 70 years at 1621 Polk St., Bob’s Donuts is closing its original location and moving just down the street to a larger spot at 1720 Polk St. on November 23, 2025. Bob’s got its start in the 1950s when more...
Muni Retiring Iconic ’90s Trains
Bay Area Updates, Goodbye, Transportation After nearly 30 years of service and millions of rides, San Francisco’s iconic Breda light rail trains are heading into retirement, and you’re invited to hop aboard for one final farewell. These chunky silver and red trains have been rolling through the city since 1996, hauling Giants fans to the ballpark, more...
