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Bay Area Updates

SF's Beloved Pho Spot Turtle Tower ReopensSF’s Beloved Pho Spot Turtle Tower Reopens
By - posted 3/26/2025
Bay Area Updates, Eat & Drink, Reopening, San Francisco

After closing its doors in 2023, the popular Vietnamese restaurant Turtle Tower has officially reopened in a new location at 220 California Street in the Financial District. Known for its Northern-style pho, particularly the chicken broth-based pho ga, Turtle Tower has been a staple in San Francisco’s food scene since more...

March 13 Marks Final Day for Cars on SF's Great HighwayMarch 13 Marks Final Day for Cars on SF’s Great Highway
By - posted 3/13/2025
Bay Area Updates, New Parks, Outdoorsy, San Francisco

Thursday marks the final day for vehicles on San Francisco’s Upper Great Highway as the city moves forward with its plan to convert the roadway into a park. Approved by voters through Proposition K in the November election, the decision reflects a shift toward prioritizing public recreational spaces over car more...

Castro Theatre Reopening Delayed Until Fall 2025Castro Theatre Reopening Delayed Until Fall 2025
By - posted 3/12/2025
Bay Area Updates, San Francisco, What's Closed / What's Open

Thanks to SFist for sharing the news the reopening of the Castro Theatre has been delayed due to an ongoing issue with PG&E power access. Initially planned for summer 2025, with hopes of being open for Pride Month, the theater is now expected to open at the earliest in fall more...

SF May End Free Street Parking in Golden Gate ParkSF May End Free Street Parking in Golden Gate Park
By - posted 2/24/2025
Bay Area Updates, San Francisco, Transportation

Thanks to SF Chronicle for sharing the news that San Francisco officials are considering new parking fees for Golden Gate Park, potentially ending free street parking along Martin Luther King Drive and other park roads. The proposal, which is part of a broader effort to address a growing budget deficit, more...

Ocean Beach Bonfires are Back for 2025Ocean Beach Bonfires are Back for 2025
By - posted 2/24/2025
Bay Area Updates, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, Reopening, San Francisco

For the first time in four months, it’s finally legal again to have a bonfire at Ocean Beach. During the “No Burn” Season (which runs from November 1 to the end of February), bonfires are not allowed, but starting March 1, 2025 bonfires are back through the end of October more...

The Castro Could Become SF's Largest Open-Air "Party" ZoneThe Castro Could Become SF’s Largest Open-Air “Party” Zone
By - posted 2/7/2025
Bars, Bay Area Updates, Block Party, City Insight, Eat & Drink, San Francisco

The Castro could become SF’s largest entertainment zone. San Francisco’s nightlife scene might be getting a big boost, as a new proposal could turn The Castro into the city’s largest “entertainment zone.” If approved, this designation would allow bars in the area to serve to-go cocktails during permitted street events, creating more...

SF’s Magnificent "Peak" Magnolia Bloom is Here (2025)SF’s Magnificent “Peak” Magnolia Bloom is Here (2025)
By - posted 2/7/2025
Bay Area Updates, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco

Thanks to San Francisco Botanical Garden for sharing the news that the first of their beautiful magnolias are blooming. One of San Francisco’s most breathtaking natural marvels, the annual bloom of more than 200 rare and historic magnolias with trees reaching 80 feet, is typically at its peak from mid-January through March at the SF Botanical Garden. Velvety more...

SF Union Square’s Makeover: Ping Pong, Pop-A-Shot & JugglingSF Union Square’s Makeover: Ping Pong, Pop-A-Shot & Juggling
By - posted 1/29/2025
Bay Area Updates, Brand New, Downtown San Francisco, Fun & Games, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco

Union Square is getting a much-needed glow-up. Recently, Union Square has more pigeons than people, but now the iconic San Francisco destination is set to buzz with energy thanks to a packed lineup of free events and activities. From live music and chess tournaments to dance workouts and juggling lessons, more...

Bay Area's 174-Year Old Bookstore Files Bankruptcy, Closes Berkeley ShopBay Area’s 174-Year Old Bookstore Files Bankruptcy, Closes Berkeley Shop
By - posted 1/23/2025
Bay Area Updates, East Bay, Goodbye

Books Inc., the oldest independent bookstore company in the Bay Area, announced this week that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an effort to reorganize its business and secure a sustainable future. The company, which has been serving California readers for 174 years, emphasized that it will continue more...

SF's Gorgeous Magnolia Bloom 2025 in Golden Gate ParkSF’s Gorgeous Magnolia Bloom 2025 in Golden Gate Park
By - posted 1/20/2025
Bay Area Updates, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches, San Francisco

Thanks to San Francisco Botanical Garden for sharing the news that the first of their beautiful magnolias are blooming. One of San Francisco’s most breathtaking natural marvels, the annual bloom of more than 200 rare and historic magnolias with trees reaching 80 feet, is typically at its peak from January through March at the SF Botanical more...

SF's Huge Treasure Island Festival Not Happening in 2025SF’s Huge Treasure Island Festival Not Happening in 2025
By - posted 1/9/2025
Bay Area Updates, Fairs & Festivals, Festival Updates, Goodbye

Unfortunately, TreasureFest, the popular monthly market with 10,000+ people over two days every month held on Treasure Island, has announced it won’t be returning in 2025. TreasureFest took to Instagram to announce the disappointing news: “Happy New Year! We hope you’ve had a wonderful start to 2025. We’re reaching out with some important more...

SF's Great Highway Park to Get Art MakeoverSF’s Great Highway Park to Get Art Makeover
By - posted 12/26/2024
Bay Area Updates, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches

Thanks to SF Chronicle for sharing that new artwork is planned for San Francisco’s Great Highway Park.  New Art Installations Planned for Great Highway Park San Francisco is moving forward with plans to transform the Upper Great Highway into a permanent recreational space, and a key component of this transformation is the more...

SF's Huge "Flower Market" Gets New Home After 58 YearsSF’s Huge “Flower Market” Gets New Home After 58 Years
By - posted 12/26/2024
Bay Area Updates, Brand New, San Francisco, Support the Bay

Thanks to SF Chronicle for sharing that San Francisco’s Flower Market has a new home.  San Francisco Flower Market is relocating to Potrero Hill after 58 years in SoMa. The new market opens January 2, 2025. The San Francisco Flower Market has moved from its longtime location at Sixth and Brannan to more...

SF's Union Square to Host 200 Events a Year in 2025SF’s Union Square to Host 200 Events a Year in 2025
By - posted 12/18/2024
Bay Area Updates, Only in San Francisco, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches

San Francisco Mayor London Breed has unveiled an ambitious plan to revitalize Union Square by hosting 200 events in 2025. This initiative, spearheaded by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) in collaboration with Biederman Redevelopment Ventures Corporation (BRV), aims to inject new energy into the City’s downtown retail more...

SF's Great Highway Gets Permit to Become Full-Time ParkSF’s Great Highway Gets Permit to Become Full-Time Park
By - posted 12/13/2024
Bay Area Updates, New Parks, Outdoorsy, Parks & Beaches

A major milestone has been reached in the effort to reimagine the Great Highway as a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly park. The California Coastal Commission unanimously approved a permit for the City of San Francisco to transform the 2-mile stretch of roadway from Lincoln Way to Sloat Boulevard into a full-time park. more...